First off, the bible itself is in very good condition, and the seller could only find one torn page. The binding is still tight and the pages in the photos look crisp. This was a treasured and well-kept family bible. The births start c1843 and the marriages around 1868.
Looking online, one name in the deaths section showed that a Leslie Fermon Phelps (1871-1878) died at Louisville, Saint Lawrence, New York and he was born at Potsdam, Saint Lawrence, New York. His parents are given as William Fermon Phelps and Ellen Frances Calkins (the bible shows Mrs Phelps' handwriting with the name "E.F. Phelps, Potsdam, N.Y. 1871"). The dates of both William Fermon Phelps and Ellen F. Calkins are given in the bible.
According to the information at Familysearch, William Fermon Phelps (1843-1923) was the son of Samuel Mix Phelps (1806-1856) born Vermont, and Catharine A Hoxie also of Vermont.
Samuel Mix Phelps was the son of Abel Phelps born 1774 in Goshen, Litchfield, Connecticut, and his wife Polly Pelton of Vermont. Abel Phelps was the sone of Lieutenant Abel Phelps born 1739 (possibly a Revolutionary War veteran?) and his wife Lucy Beardsley. The Lieutenant is shown as the son of another Abel Phelps, born 1705 in Connecticut with two spouses, a Jerusha, and a Mary Pennock.
This Abel (born 1705) was the son of Joseph Phelps (1666-1716) and Sarah Hosford. Joseph is shown as the son of Lieutenant Timothy William Phelps born Connecticut (1639-1719) another Lieutenant! and Mary Griswold.
Lieutenant Timothy William Phelps was the son of William Phelps born 1599 Tewksbury, Gloucester, Gloucester, England, died 1672 same, and Mary Dorothy Dover.
And so on, and so on, up to Richard Phelps from Stafford, England. So quite possibly this family bible was for one of the families of Colonial America. This is one family bible that should be kept in the family or donated to a genealogical society. Unfortunately the dates of birth, marriage and death only go back to 1843 (Only!) I wish I could find a family bible going that far back, let alone connecting to one of the old families.
If you would like to take a look at this family bible, the eBay Item Number is 330394307387
2 comments:
I did buy the bible. I did some research and this line is related to me through 9:04:18 AM. Timothy Phelps. Our Phelps line can be traced back to William b. 1599. Beyond that is speculative.
Oh that's excellent! I would love to find a family bible that gave such an outline of my own family. I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for THAT one.
Also, congrats on the great purchase.
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