Roe Family Bible

Family Bibles were common in the Nineteenth Century. In early New England schools were established shortly after the church was built. Being able to read the Bible was a community priority. The oversize books also contained space to list family births, marriages and deaths.

The early Roe family was deeply religious and devoted to the Presbyterian Church in Augusta and Branchville. Our family Bible was published in 1848 although we don't know when it was purchased. A date of June 28, 1875 is written on the bottom left of the Death's page. Perhaps that is the date the family began recording. Earlier dates were entered beginning with Nathaniel Roe in 1799, but many are in the same handwriting so may not have been recorded as they occurred. Dates recorded continue through the Twentieth Century with the last entry being the death of Russell N. Roe in 1965.

The Bible is 9" by 11.5" by 2.5". After almost 170 years it shows a great deal of wear. The cover is taped and loose from the binding. Some pages have been taped and are brittle. Some of the ink has faded. Still it is a primary source for the dating of the major events of our lives. To provide access for genealogists the Family Record portion of the Bible has been scanned to pdf. View here.

The Roe Family Bible is currently in the keeping of Jon Roe (2017). Anne Roe Shay will be the next custodian. At some point the family will have to find a permanent repository.