Among others who came to settle in the thriving village of Rochester, was a colored man named Daniel Furr, who came from the East.  He soon became acquainted with a very respectable young white lady, of good family, who after a short acquaintance appeared to be perfectly enamored of her dusky swain; and notwithstanding the existing prejudice, she did not scruple to avow her affection for him,—­a devotion which appeared to be as sincerely returned by the young “Othello.”  They resolved to marry; but to this, serious objections arose, and all that the lady’s family and friends could do to break off the match was done, but without effect.  They could, however, prevail on no one to perform the marriage ceremony in the village, and finally concluded to go to a magistrate in the town of Brighton, four miles distant.  At this stage of the proceedings I was appealed to, to accompany them.  I took the matter into consideration and came to the conclusion that I could take no active part in the affair, nor bear any responsible station in the unpleasant occurrence.  Is it no sin in the sight of the Almighty, for Southern gentlemen(?) to mix blood and amalgamate the races?  And if allowed to them, is it not equally justifiable when the commerce is prompted by affection rather than that of lust and force?  But I at length consented to accompany them, after learning that all the mischief was already done that could be feared, and that the gallant lover desired to marry the lady as the only atonement he could make for the loss of her reputation.

We arrived at the house of the magistrate about one o’clock at night, and all were soundly sleeping.  They were, however, aroused, and when our business was made known, an exciting scene followed.  The magistrate refused at first to marry them; and the lady of the house took aside the intended bride, spending two hours in endeavoring to dissuade her from the contemplated union; assuring her that her house should be freely opened to her, that no attention should be spared during her expected confinement, &c.; but all to no purpose.  They returned to the parlor where the magistrate again tried his power of persuasion, but with as little success as his lady had met:  and then he reluctantly married them.  The newly-made husband paid a liberal fee, and we took our leave.  I returned to my home to reflect on the scenes of the past night, and Mr. and Mrs. Furr to the house of a friend of the bride in Penfield.

The report soon reached the village that the marriage had been consummated, which produced a great excitement.  Threats of an alarming character were openly made against the “nigger” who had dared to marry a white woman, although at her own request.  And there was also a class of persons who associated together, professing great friendship for the persecuted husband, and often drew him into their company, pretending to defend his cause while they were undoubtedly plotting his destruction.