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Sunday 21 October 2012

QUARTO BIBLE DATED 1846


Good Morning to you,

Long before Thrifting, Car Boot Sales, Goodwill and the like became fashionable, as a teenager, I loved nothing more than scouring Junk Shops. Phyllis was horrified, as she really couldn't understand my fascination with these places as she felt they were dusty and dirty.

Junk shops were usually compiled from house clearances, that is to say, someone who had passed away and had no relatives who wanted ownership of their possessions. Or people who just wanted to buy new things and so disposed of the old.  Junk shops weren't particularly popular,  they were used more out of necessity.  It was a time when the sleek, clean lines of G Plan were in vogue and young couples didnot want old items in their home.

When George and I were courting, we were out and about one day in Farnborough and came across a shop which was filled with everything imaginable.  Nothing was presented as it is today to catch the buyers eye, the shop was a mass of higgildy, piggildy piles.  This intrigued us, so we spent an hour or so lifting this and moving that to see if there was anything of interest.  The owner of the Junk Shop really didn't mind, he was pleased we were interested and was happy with the prospect we might buy something,
 
and buy we did.
 
Underneath a pile of old books we found 2 Bibles.  One very large Bible and one Quarto Bible.



This is the smaller of the two, the Quarto Bible which I have decided to show you today.  This is a plain covered Bible which is the lesser ornate of the two.

The cover is brown and it is gilt bound. I picked up this Bible because I thought, although plain, it looked old and  my interest was piqued.



This is a clasped Victorian Bible, but as you see the clasp is not attached and the spine has come away, but,


two thirds into the Bible, it recorded the history of one family from 1828 - 1889.

This bible belonged to Robert William Haynes who was born in 1828.



There is a blank page before we come to the first page of the Bible which tells you this is a Miniature Quarto Bible.


The Quarto Bible, as you can see from the photograph, contains the Old and New Testaments according to the authorised version.




You can also see that this edition of The Quarto Bible was printed in London in 1846.


This page lists the Chronological Maps as there are plates included for assorted maps of places and of biblical reference throughout the Bible.


A few pages before The New Testament begins we  come to the part of the Bible which has been hand written by Robert William Haynes, the owner of this Bible. This section records part of his family history.

Robert was born on 18th June 1828 and was baptized at All Saints Church, Poplar, which is in London.

On 4th February 1857 Robert  married Lucy Catherine Hayes at St Pancras New Church, in London. They were married by Reverend Lawford W.J. Dab.
 
Robert's new wife, Emily Catherine Hayes was born on 11th May 1833. Emily  was baptized at St Clements Church, The Strand, London.
 
Robert and Emily had three children.

Their first child was Harry Valentine born 23rd December 1857 but sadly Harry had a very brief life and died on 2nd February 1858. Harry was buried in Finchley Cemetery on 7th February 1858.
 
Their second child was a daughter, Lily who was born on 25th July 1863 and baptized at St Michael's Church Wood Green, London on 20th August 1863.
 
Their third child was Mabel Kate, born on 28th October 1864 and Mabel was baptized at St Michael's Church Wood Green, London on 30th November 1864.
 
Then so very sadly, Robert lost his wife, Emily. Robert wrote,
 
"Sunday morning 25th September 1870, at 8 o'clock my beloved wife entered into rest."
 
"Oh the sweetness of that word Rest! - to cease from all the weariness of life; to be done with it's cares, it's perplexities, its miseries; to have fought the good fight of faith, and ended the struggle; to have finished the work which God has given us to do, and now to lie down and be at peace."

Robert continued,
 
"My beloved wife was buried in her father's grave in Highgate Cemetery on 29th September 1870."
  
 


The Family Register continues and we see that Robert re-married.  He married Lucy Fancott, who was born on 20th February 1848. Lucy was baptized at St Paul's Church, Hammersmith, London in March 1848. Robert and Lucy were married at St Michael's Church, Coventry, Warwickshire by Reverend R.H. Baynes on 9th October 1871.

Lucy was the second daughter of Henry Fancott of Coventry.  Henry Fancott was born at  Napton on 3rd October 1815.
 
Robert and Lucy's first child was Lucy Emily who was born at 6.00am on 31st July 1872.  Lucy was baptized privately by Reverend J Thomas, Wood Green on 26th October 1872.

To lose a wife is so very sad, but to lose a wife for a second time is such a tragedy.

Robert wrote.
 
"On Wednesday morning October 23, 1872 at half past seven o'clock my  beloved wife Lucy was taken from me.  God's will be done."
 
Robert continued, "Tuesday October 29, 1872 my beloved Lucy was buried in my grave at the cemetery, Brompton."
 
The next entry reads. "Saturday 26th July 1873, at a quarter past one o'clock in the afternoon my darling babe Lucy Emily died, during my absence in the United States.  She was buried in my grave in the Cemetery, Brompton on 1st August 1873."
 
To read that Robert lost two wives and two babies during his life  is so terribly sad.

The pain and heartache this family went through, firstly to lose  baby Harry and then to lose  Emily, Robert's first wife and mother to his children. To re-marry and lose Lucy his wife, followed by baby Lucy must have been heartbreaking. 
  
I did not know this family but you can feel the pain and heartache they went through.

Although Robert lived 184 years ago, reading Robert's Bible, has given me an insight into his life all those years ago. When reading you can feel his pain and suffering.
 
Next Sunday I will share with you more about Robert's family and their Bible.
 
Until then, take care and have a good week.
 
This week I shall be joining,
 
 
Best Wishes
 
 
 
Daphne xxx
 

17 comments:

  1. Good morning Daphne,

    What an interesting find.

    Lovely to read the story and imagine what life was like then.

    Looking forward to next week's instalment.

    Fiona

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    Replies
    1. Good Afternoon Fiona, It was an interesting find and it has moved from house to house with us. It's fascinating to see how life has changed and to read someone's handwriting who lived a life so many years before I was born. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. Best Wishes Daphne

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  2. I also love searching through antique shops and flea markets (junk shops) looking for hidden gems. Old books are such a treasure especially now as we are in the age where books are read electronically. It makes one think. Many times a bible was the only book in a household because literature was so expensive and difficult to obtain children learned to read using the family bible. Times have certainly changed :)

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  3. Buen intento de hallazgo en cada rincón de mi casa hay algo interesante de familiares y algunos obtenidos de grandes tiendas,muy lindo su blog,abrazos hugs,hugs.

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    Replies
    1. Good Afternoon Rosita, thank you for visiting my blog it is lovely to meet you. Also thank you for your kind comments. I love old books aswell as they are fascinating insight into times gone by. Enjoy your Sunday. Best Wishes Daphne

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  4. Good Afternoon Prairieharmony, I agree, even now I enjoy scouring flea markets. Finding books which have been dated and given as a gift to someone is a wonderful find. I often wonder what that person felt on receiving the gift. That was an interesting fact which you mentioned, about a bible being the only book in a household. We forget in this time of plenty how hard it was for our ancestors. Enjoy your Sunday. Best Wishes Daphne

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  5. Hi Daphne, Genealogy is one of my "hobbies", and this is so interesting. I always find people's lives interesting, especially in older times. This story reminds me of my 3rd great grandfather's life. Looking forward to hearing more about this family.
    Babs

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    Replies
    1. Hello Babs, This post really hit the spot for you didn't it. Genealogy is such an interesting hobby. I'm so pleased you enjoyed reading about Robert and his family and I look forward to sharing more with you on Sunday. Best Wishes Daphne

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  6. That is really fascinating. Very sad story indeed.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Daniela, Yes it really was a sad story. I knew that life expectancy wasn't too long in the Victorian times, but when you read someones personal account it really hits home. Best Wishes Daphne

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  7. Wow! That is a fascinating treasure! I love that it contains a family history of a man who lived so long ago.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Gina, Yes the Bible is fascinating and it has moved with me for over 42 years! The icing on the cake is the fact that it contains the history of Robert's family. I just wish I could return it to the right family, because I know they would love to read about their ancestors. Have a lovely day, Best Wishes Daphne

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  8. Good morning Daphne!Lovely book!You are so lucky to find it!And its a very old book a real antique!Wish you a great week!
    Dimi...

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  9. Kalispara Dimi, It is a lovely book and one which I treasure. one day both my daughters will inherit each of the bibles which I found all those years ago and I know they will love them as much as I do. Have a lovely day. Take care, Best Wishes Daphne

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  10. That is really something! To have found this very important piece of history in someone's life and be able to treasure it is wonderful. I feel bad for the family that it belongs to and they don't even know it is missing, probably! I would certainly treasure having something like that passed down from my family. Glad that you found it and are taking good care of it.

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    Replies
    1. Good Afternoon Kelly, I absolutely agree, this Bible is certainly part of someone's life and what a treasure it would be for the family. I did try a few years ago to trace the family, but I reached a dead end I'm afraid. You never know, someone, somewhere might read my blog and recognise the names and then it can be returned home. Best Wishes Daphne

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  11. En mi casa se conserva una biblia muy antigua dorada y se conserva muy bien es un lujo tenerla y leerla ,lindo su post es un tesoro,abrazos hugs,hugs.

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Dear Friends,

It is so wonderful to know you enjoy reading Ivy, Phyllis and Me! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. I really do appreciate it.

Best wishes to you.

Daphne

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