It never ceases to amaze me what comes through the door at 1515. My Cousin was going through boxes at home and found this little gem.
Check out the ornate clasp to open it.
Mary Wilson was my Great Great Grandmother. The inscription in the Bible states September 16, 1860. I assume it was a Wedding present, since she was married on September 6th. I knew what county they lived in but not the town. Through my genealogy research I find every piece is such a new clue to the past about your relatives.
The print date on the Bible is 1854 and it was purchased at a book store in Terre Haute Indiana.
In the back is written about her death during childbirth to her daughter Mary. My Great Grandmother was only 7 years old. Because of this Bible I also know the correct spelling of Mary Lewella the daughter that also died.
I have posted about Mary before
This was the piece of lace she embroidered in 1860 that hangs in the dining room at 1515.
The take away from this story is to SHARE your family heirlooms with your family! I had no idea they had this Bible. I am the family genealogist and these items when I see them bring me to tears with enjoyment and seeing something that my ancestor cherished. Each one of the three families keeps bring things from our homes back to 1515. The sad thing is .....if we did not have 1515 would I of ever seen these bible or known about it?
Our extended family also has our Mitchell family bible from the 1760's. It is not in my possession but when we had a reunion of the family going back to the 1760's I kept thinking how sad that the people in that room did not get a chance to see or touch the Bible that their ancestors carried during the Revolution War and it still exists today. I feel something like that can not belong to just one person? Am I wrong?
So now I am off to look up the date that my Mary Wilson other daughter gave the Bible to my Great Grandmother for Christmas one year.....I know it is in the diaries of my Aunt Annie. I would not be able to do that if my Dad's cousin had not brought them to 1515.
1515 it has changed all our lives.