We have just passed through the holiday season, which got me wondering how our ancestors celebrated during the holiday time. In the late 1800s, foot tournaments were a popular activity during the holiday season. Foot tournaments involved various “knights” performing a variety of tasks, such as racing and trying to spear a ring while running or riding a horse or a bicycle. The winner of the tournament selected the Queen of Love and Beauty and escorted her to a ball which followed the tournament.
In late December 1894, the young men of Zorah held such a “Foot Tournament” as reported in the New Berne Weekly Journal of January 2, 1895. The article reads as follows:
The young men of Zorah, near Ernul, gave a foot tournament last Friday [December 28]. It was largely attended and all seemed to enjoy it immensely.
The tilting began at 11 a.m. and the following is the result of the contest:
Mr. Gilbert Whitford crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty, Miss Emma Whitford of Vanceboro; Mr. Den O’Neal crowned the 1st Maid of Honor, Miss Rosa Lancaster of Vanceboro; Mr. Owen O’Neal crowned 2nd Maid of Honor, Miss —– Toler of Zorah; and Mr. Willie Whitford crowned 3rd Maid of Honor, Miss Julia O’Neal of Zorah.
The coronation ball was held at Mr. Bryan Whitford’s. Mr. Gilbert Whitford, the manager of the affair, received the thanks of the entire attendance for his excellent management, and as the first rays of the rising sun streaked the eastern sky, the pleasure seekers repaired to their homes to take a much needed “nap” and to dream of the pleasant hours just passed. [New Berne Weekly Journal, 2 Jan 1895, p. 2]
Six months later, the young men of Vanceboro held a tournament and picnic. Again, the young men of Zorah won the contest and this time crowned the young ladies of Zorah. The Vanceboro correspondent to the New Berne Journal wrote:
A grand pic nic and tournament was held at Vanceboro last Friday, the 29th ult. Mr. Gilbert Whitford crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty, Miss Mattie O’Neal; Mr. J.D. O’Neal crowned first Maid of Honor, Miss Vastie Toler; Mr. Monnie Whitford crowned second maid, Miss Sinie Whitford; and Mr. Willie Whitford crowned third maid, Miss Pauline Toler. The successful Knights were all from Zorah, as were also the Queen and her maids of Honor.
The coronation ball was held at the home of Mr. R.C. Cleve, the clever manager of the picnic. [New Berne Weekly Journal, 4 Jun 1896, p. 4]
In December 1897, Vanceboro hosted a Bicycle Tournament, instead of a Foot Tournament, followed by a Coronation Ball. Again, the Knights of Zorah were victorious. According to the Vanceboro correspondent:
The Bicycle Tournament came off as advertised and was quite a success. There was a large crowd in attendance both during the day and at night—in fact there were too many at the coronation ball for comfort. J.D. O’Neal, Knight of “Zorah Topsail” crowned the Queen of Beauty and Love, Miss Maud Tuten; Dennis O’Neal, Knight of “The Girl I Love,” crowned first Maid of Honor, Miss Rosa Lancaster; Owen O’Neal, Knight of “Red, White and Blue” crowned second maid, Miss Amanda Whitford; Mannie Whitford, Knight of “Bubbling Spring” crowned third maid, Miss Mattie O’Neal. [New Berne Weekly Journal, January 4, 1898, page 4]
Christmas and New Year wasn’t the only time tournaments were held. Zorah held another tournament in honor of the closing of school in 1902. Despite a rainy day morning, a dozen knights competed during the afternoon. Mr. Rufus Edwards won the tournament and crowned Lizzie O’Neal the Queen of Love and Beauty. Ralph O’Neal crowned first maid, Mamie Whitford; B.H. Whitford crowned Mattie O’Neal as second maid, and James Harrington crowned Julia O’Neal as third maid. Following the tournament, a ball was held at the home of Gilbert A. Whitford. [New Berne Weekly Journal, 4 Mar 1902, p. 4]
Within a few years, holding these tournaments would end, as baseball gained favor for competition among the young men.
A recent article from The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Florida), gives some background on the history of these tournaments.