This Bible was found at a flea market in Smith’s Falls by Charles Dobie. In early August 1998, this website Bible listing was discovered by a friend of a member of the original Foley family and the Bible was re-united with it’s proper family.
From a book collector’s point of view, these volumes are in fair to poor condition, with the covers of volume 1 loose and those of volume 2 barely hanging on. The paper quality is poor — about one grade better than newsprint, and they smell musty. Most pages seem to be intact although a few may be loose. The covers are attractively embossed brown fake leather, and MARY & JOHN FOLEY. is embossed in gold letters on the front cover of each volume. The end papers of each volume are marbled paper of good quality, but all are loose.
Both volumes have flower petals pressed between various pages, and they have stained the paper. Volume 1 contained four photographs and a pew ticket, which are described below, and which may be displayed by clicking on the previously linked text. There is also a lock of red-blond hair tied with a small red ribbon, in volume 2.
Unfortunately, the original source of the Bible is unknown.
The title page of both volumes reads:
THE
COTTAGE BIBLE,
AND
FAMILY EXPOSITOR;
CONTAINING THE
OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS,
WITH
PRACTICAL EXPOSITIONS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES,
BY THOMAS WILLIAMS,
AUTHOR OF "THE AGE OF INFIDELITY ...." [etc for 2 lines]
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
THE REFERENCES AND MARGINAL READINGS
OF THE
POLYGLOTT BIBLE,
TOGETHER
WITH ORIGINAL NOTES, AND SELECTIONS [etc for 3 lines]
THE WHOLE CAREFULLY REVISED,
AND ADAPTED TO THE USE OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BIBLE CLASSES [etc]
EMBELLISHED WITH MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS
EDITED BY REV. WILLIAM PATTON.
Understandest thou ... [etc. for 2 lines]
Complete in Two Volumes. -- Vol. 1 [and 2]
Hartford.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY CASE, TIFFANY AND COMPANY.
1855.
The second blank page, (the second after the first marbled front
paper) is signed in pencil: "John L. Foley"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
// First volume
[Four photographs and a church pew ticket were found tucked into
Volume 1 at page 337. Click to VIEW THEM.]
Photo 1: -- Young man facing 1/4 right, seated in chair & leaning on
table. Photo clear.
Photo 2: -- Young woman with long flowing hair, seated facing 1/4
right. Mounting at bottom reads: "HARTS WATERTOWN, N.Y.
Photo 3: -- Tintype in cardboard mounting. Two women in 30's or 40's
facing front. Paper glued to backing reads in ye Olde
English type: "J[?] McParland - Gananoque." Photo dark.
Photo 4: -- Young woman with braided hair, seated facing 1/4 left.
Faded and dirty.
Pew Ticket: Cream-coloured paper, 3 inches by 1 3/4 inches, printed in
black ink; text within an ornate frame:
THE METHODIST CHURCH OF CANADA
---
Quarterly Ticket for August, 1877.
---
I will be as the dew unto Israel.
--Hosea 14. 5.
[signed] Mrs J. Foley
[initials] L.C.
// Second volume
[Four pages between the Old and New Testaments are provided for family
information. Each has the printed heading "FAMILY RECORD" etc., all
within an ornate floral frame.
// Page 996
FAMILY RECORD
PARENTS' REGISTER
Father
-----------
Mother
[this page has no written entries]
// Page 997
FAMILY RECORD
MARRIAGES
John Foley and Sarah Jane Webster
Was married on wensday the 23
Day of march 1864.
Father died January 31st 1914
Mother died Feb. 1915
Wesley Foley and Susanna Humphrey
was married on wensday the 11
day of January 1899
Wesley Foley died Sunday May
the 16 1937
// Page 998
FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS
John L Foley was
Born on wensday the 14
Day of march 1839
John Campbell Humphrey Foley was born
Saturday June the 29 1912.
Maggie Elizabeth Foley was
born on thursday the third day
of January 1907
Wesley Foley was born on
Sunday the 1 day of July
1866
George Leonard Foley was born
on thursday the second day of
January 1902
Edna Jane Foley was born on
monday the 4th of may 1903
// Page 999
FAMILY RECORD
DEATHS
Father died on thursday
The 21 of december 1854
Mother died on saturday
the 11 day of Febuary 1899
// Page 1000
[on a blank page which is the reverse side of an engraving]
George Leonard Foley son of Wesley Foley
was married on Wednesday,
Aug. 30th 1933 to Ruth Robena McNeil daughter
of Robert McNeil.
Edna Jane Foley was married on
Saturday November 18th.1933 to Archie James Johnston
Maggie Elizabeth Foley was married on
Saturday June 22nd. 1929 to Geo. Paul Slack.