McCarrell Bible

Dwight received a note from Margaret McCarrell who owned the Bible which helped us break through our brick wall of Margaret Carroll (Margaret McCarroll Graham).  Click here for information from that Bible.  Here are photos of that note and a transcription.

Hi Cousin

On 10/13/16 I donated the James McCarrell Bible to:  The E. Tenn. Historical Society located @ 601 Gay St. in downtown Knoxville---It's just blocks from Interstate 40. From I-40 follow Downtown/local traffic signs to downtown Knoxville---P.O. Box 1629 Knoxville, TN 37902 www.easttnhistorycenter.org 865-215-8824
[Steve Cotham accepted the Bible]

It's right across from the Tennessee Theater on Gay St.  They have the Bible Room in the basement.  In order to see it (along with all of the loose papers found in the Bible) call them before you arrive.  They are on the 3rd floor.  They will get the Bible, and it will be on the 3rd floor when you arrive.  I believe I did the right thing.  I took it out of the Bank's lock Box and carried it to the McClung Historical Collection on same day.

I copied those direction from I-40 from a pamphlet I read in 2009 " The East Tennessee History Center Bringing History to Life".  They have security at the door (When I got off the elevator on the 3rd floor--I have to put my pocketbook in a locked box---when you leave, you get your pocket book back)

They are open:  Mon Tues 9Am-8:30 PM   Wed-Fri 9 AM-5:30 PM  Sat. 9AM-5PM  Sun. 1-5PM

The first floor has a gift shop, the last street car that went down Gay St, Ellis and Ernest Drug Store that closed on Cumberland Ave. many years ago etc. 

Now, I don't worry about it. The front cover (made for me) reads:
McCarrell Bible
James McCarrell Sr. Bible
Edington: Printed by Mark and Charles Kerr. His Majesty's

Printers
MDCCLXXXIX (1789)
and loose papers from the Bible
The original Bible was donated to the McClung Historical Collection in 10/16. It is very fragile and the title page is missing pages with family entries and the loose pages were scanned.  A copy of all scans was placed in the McCarrell Genealogy vertical file in 2016.  Use these copies to make copies from.  (This is the front page to me)

Steve Cotham has been a friend a long time.  He had some info on the McCarrell Bible already on file.  And they copied all of the hand written minutes of our Mt. Olive Baptist Church.  I did alot of copying of records years ago for my brother Jack.  At that time, records were in the basement of our local library 4 or 5 blocks from Gay St.  This new building is attached to our Old Post Office Building.  TVA at one time was in this old Post Office Building.  This new building cost several millions in 2004.

Before they accepted the bible and made the above notes for me, Steve sad it was printed in 1782 in 10/9/16.  On 10/13/16 the notes say it is dated 1789. Steve said he couldn't believe the Bible still had the cover.

Margaret (over)

In 2009 I picked up this pamphlet "Bringing History to Live"  East Tennessee History Center (has no date).  I wish you had a copy and wonder if you could order one on the internet.  If not, I can make you a copy.  This center was founded in 1834.  This pamphlet has so much information----not very big----M

Family Bible of Valentine Fry

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NOTES FROM THE FAMILY BIBLE OF VALENTINE FRY certified to be a true copy of the original document 9-27-1994 County of Wythe, State of VA.  Mary N. Cassell Notary Public. (Was commissioned Mary N. Brown (or Bison) Commission expired 7-31-95.

"This holy Bible is the property of Valentine Fry of Wythe County, Commonwealth of Virginia. United States of North America. Western Continent, thereof.  This Bible got 14 years before this date this Sat. the 22nd Dec. y 1839.  ?? A hint, and a dash, to the knave; and a rub to the careless. B. Knaves; I pray, do not, let any be mean enough to steal this holy book, or any other, or any thing else: for fear of Sin, Shame, and disgrace. Therefore, let the knave who know's himself, not truly honest. to take the hint, and the dash. for  a caution hereafter.  how, careless, do not keep this holy book, or any other loan to you; for fear of Shame, and censure, and no reliance hereafter, to be given to thee.  Moreover, If this book, or any other thing else should be stolen, or left gone by a loan, or otherwise, no matter how, if the honest hearted should find the same, or anything else, no matter how, he knows his duty is to make it known's, which show's the honest heart; with love to work divinely.  And in returning the same to the owner, let it be he, or she, they let the world be known's that they have found the same that the owner of the same may pay your demands, if it be within the bountys of reason; And is no charge, or demands the more; I should you augment with love, and gratitude for your kind honesty.    ____for your negligence.  This is the end of the hint, and the dash to the knave, and the rub to the careless. Therefore, let both look up, and see the  owner's name in full view, before your eyes. that you may make your escape from the above statements, as a prescription of your well wishes in a good cause.   Search the Scriptures for proof of the Same, in this 39th vse. of the 5th chap. St. John.  F.B. The time of life is the time to serve the Lord and therein, to commence the same devotion, is the vigour of thy youth, and there to continue untill death for your preservation, beyond the grave.    Proof in Ditts.?

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BIRTHS From the records of my father Holy Bible  Wherein a record of 7 sons and ___Daughter and 3 died of the  ____children

As? I? Valentine, was born on Friday, 17th March A.D. 1786. and wife Mary Kath. was born on Sunday the 19th. March, A.D. 1786.  Child. Jacob was born on Sunday the 6th. April A.D. 1804

Andrew was born on Friday 13th May A.D. 1808.  Hiram was born on Thurs. 8th March A.D. 1810. Absalom was born on Sat. 16th March A.D. 1811.  Matilda was born on Sunday the  8th Oct. A.D. 1812.  Isaac was born on Sat.  19th Sept, 1814. 7) Nehemiah was born on Thurs 7th Nov. A.D. 1816. 8) Mary was born on Sunday 27th. Sept. A.D.1818. 9) Elizabeth was born on Sat. 22nd, April A.D. 1820. 10)Susana was born on Thurs. 14th of Feb. A.D. 1822. 11) Deliah was born on Sunday 28th Dec. A.D. 1823. 12) Abram was born on Sunday the 21st Jan. A.D. 1827.  13) Jane was born on Sunday 4th of Jan. A.D. 1829.  14)Margaret was born on Thurs. the 28th July A.D. 1831. 

MARRIAGES (County of Wythe) 12) Abraham married Leida? Estwood on Sat. the 1st March A.D. 1845.  13) Jane married Joseph Porter a neighbour, on Tues. 6th April A.D. 1847 Both of the County of Wythe, VA. 14) Jane, late Jane Porter married D___  ___ippi, a widower, on Thur. 28th Dec. A.D. 1848. (Both of Wythe County S. Virginia.)

DEATHS  On Monday the 2nd Sept A.D. 1833, then my husband Val Fry who was the father of 13 children. departed this life. in his perfect senses in hope of being devout.   Sunday the 12th Oct. A.D. 1845, then my Daughter Margaret Fry departed this life. in her 15th year, and in perfect senses, and supposes to be dearest? who was buried on Tues. the 14th Oct A.D. 1845 at 11 o.clock. both days beautiful.  Tues. the  20th April 1847 then Joseph Porter son in law, departed this life in his perfect senses. who married Jane.    Sunday 27th June 1847. ____the funeral of the above Margaret was preached by the Rev. W.B. Wint--- in his 47 year (Supposes)

BIRTHS  John Mitchel Fry a grandchild was born on Thurs. the 2nd March A.D. 1837.  Andrew Jackson Rosinbum? was born on Thurs. the 16th May A.D. 1839

Thanks to Suzy Fry who transcribed this information which she got from Rosa Bosch.  This was all written by Mary Yonce Fry in 1830's.  Double-click on the documents to enlarge them.

G.E. Graham Bible owner?

There were a few other things in this Bible bought at a garage sale in Arizona.
A clipping of Benjamin Graham and his wife Viola Deputy's 68th Anniversary.
But, the big clue was the marriage certificate of Edith Graham and Ben Hagen.
The obituaries were found through 1956, so it belonged to someone who lived longer. Edith Estella Graham Hagen did not die until 1963. Since her marriage certificate was found in the Bible, I think she or one of her children had the Bible.

G. E. Graham Family Bible

David (whose wife is a Graham descendant) went to a genealogical bulletin board and started corresponding with a gentleman who had recently purchased a Bible at a garage sale in Arizona.
We aren't sure how the Bible made it to Arizona or why it would be sold in a garage sale but it had belonged to someone in the George Erastus Graham family.

Inside Mary Reiter Long's Bible

Thomas Henry Long and Mary Reiter Long seated. L-R: Curtis Long, Cecil Long Dodson, Clarence Long, Katie Long Bruns, Fred Long, Lecy Long Guinther, Roy Long, Lawrence Long, George Long, John Long (Estie Long not there).

The Bible was apparently not just a source of inspiration but was used as a file drawer, also. . .unless she used slips of paper as book marks like I usually do. There were many things in her Bible that weren't exactly religious, but they are a slice of life in the 1920's and 1930's. (I've photographed some on the page where they were found)I've often heard my mother comment on how much people of the Depression loved Edgar A. Guest's poems.

There were several slips of paper with addresses as well. I think this hospital was in St. Louis. Another address was "6757 Schofield Pl." David Long informed me recently this was Lecy Long and Harry Guinther's address. There is a Schofield Av. in the University City area. I have notes that say my dad (LeRoy Long) lived with Lawrence in University City at some time to help pay the rent---he lived several streets over near Page and Pennsylvania.
Other fun items stuck in the pages are T.H. Long's subscription to a The Farm Journal, a valentine (no name on it), and a gift tag from George and Pauline Long.
Some receipts from the A & P grocery and one from a David Gillman Dry Goods in De Soto, Mo.

The paper above and below are from the Dept. of Agriculture (Nov. 1933) about an adjustment program for corn-hog producers. I thought that was an interesting chart below showing exports to Europe.
There were two clippings from the paper---one was an obituary for George B. Morse (born at Morse Mill) and the other a social update on who was visiting whom. The last one mentions Mrs. W. D. Alderson---I know an Alderson family had an adjoining farm. The other side is page 2 of an obituary but there are no names with it---just condolences "It was great consolation to his loved ones when just about a week before death relieved him of his sufferings he made a profession of his faith in Christ. . ."
This was my favorite---a dress pattern and a slip of paper that says "plow ____ no. 19". Such is the life of a farmer's wife!

Mary Reiter Long's Bible

This Bible belonged to Mary Celecy Reiter Long. Although she didn't write as much as my mother did in her Bible, she did have a few notes, but most were in pencil and are very faded and hard to read.
Here is her name. On another page very faintly written are:" Mrs. Mary Long De Soto, Mo. May 30, 1915" Then, written across the page is "4115 Castleman" which is in St. Louis. I'm guessing that was either Lawrence or Roy's address since they both lived in St. Louis.
There were all sorts of items stuck in the pages---the picture above has no writing on it. The Bible lesson below is September 1924.
There were a number of pages folded very neatly like the one below:Below: Mary Celecy Reiter and Thomas Henry Long

Come back in a few days for more of what was in Mary Reiter Long's Bible.

Bibles: 1940's and 1930's

I have inherited a number of Bibles over the years---none of them are exactly rich in genealogy, but they are rich in what my family values. I love looking at the pages, what my family members have marked---the scripture that was important to them, the items that mark the pages, the notes---they are all windows into their souls. The Bibles above belonged to my parents and my great-grandparents---Thomas Henry Long and Mary Reiter Long.

The Bible pictured above was one my father, Le Roy H. Long, carried overseas when he was in the Navy during World War II. It is also the Bible that my mother slipped in my suitcase anytime I went to camp or off to college. She said, "It will keep you safe like it kept your dad safe during the war."
It has a page inscribed by the Commander in Chief---Franklin D. Roosevelt. I think it's interesting that he acknowledges that it is a source of inspiration despite what the recipient's background might be. Something tells me even with that disclaimer, these aren't handed out anymore to servicemen from the President of the United States.


This Bible was Mother's as a child. In her later year's mother went by "Louise Alice", but this Bible confirms that her name was originally "Alice Louise Wicker"
It also has a bit of genealogy in a more adult handwriting.
Indeed, Mother must have used this Bible during World War II because I found this tucked in the pages---the name is mis-spelled but there's no denying that is Norman Schwend!
Also, there is a lock of hair---don't know whose it is---it's very pretty---almost golden in color---reminds me of my daughter Rebecca's hair.
Of course there are passages marked. I'm not sure if these were significant passages, passages that were being studied or passages she had to read aloud in a Sunday School class.
The back cover is a reminder that this is, indeed, a child's Bible: source of inspiration, source of entertainment and source of writing a note to a friend sitting beside you in the pew (hint: read what's written side-ways on the right side)