Kentish Gazette, 11 May 1852
"Isle of Thanet. A family gathering of a very interesting character took place at Sackett's Hill House, St Peter's, Thanet, on Tuesday, the 27th of April. Fifty years were on that day completed since Sir Richard Burton and Miss Elizabeth Crofts, of Dumpton Hall, were joined together in the holy estate of matrimony. The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells, and the flag of rejoicing was hoisted at an early hour on the tower of the venerable parish church. Packets of money, containing ten shillings each, were sent by Sir Richard and Lady Burton, to the several married couples in the parish (five in number), who had lived together fifty years and upwards; and a donation of five shillings was presented to every widower and widow in the parish (fifteen in number) who could date back to a wedding day so far remote as in or before the year 1802. At one o'clock the first classes of the boys and girls of the National Schools assembled together by invitation in the Infant School Room, were regaled with a round of beef and plum puddings; and after dinner, every child of the three schools (220 in number) received threepence. At 6 o'clock about 40 persons sat down to dinner, the greater part of the guests being members of the family, viz,—the Burtons, Osbornes, Vale, Browns, Crofts, Whites, Whittall, &c. &c. The table was covered with every luxury, including a noble baron of beef.—Amongst the company, not being members of the family, were the Rev. J. Hodgson, the vicar; the Revs. J. Prosser and E.H. Woodhall; Mr. and Mrs. Devaynes; Mr. and Mrs. Friend, Capt. Peake, Lieut. Clarke, Mrs. Hooper Brooke, &c. &c. The toast of the evening was proposed by the Vicar of the Parish, with much feeling and earnestness of manner. He took occasion to dwell freely upon the high estimation in which the host and hostess were held by the neighbourhood, for their general and liiberal support of all useful institutions, and for their benevolent, and prompt attention at all times to the wants of the poor. The day was most happily spent, and a solemn feeling of thankfulness was mixed up with the festivities."