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,

 

Karen at Sew Many Ways Linky Party

 

Best Wishes

 

 

 

Daphne xxx