Bible presented following First Wedding in Belgrave Primitive Methodist Church, Leicester, 1882

Bible presented to the Lumley family
Inscription within the Bible
Close up picture of the signatures

As a very young girl, I was always fascinated by a Bible that my grandmother, Fany Spencer Lumley, had in her bedroom.  It’s small, has gilded pages, and a clasp that holds it closed.  When I visited, I would ask to hold it; and permission given, had to sit with my mother and grandmother never leaving the room  with the Bible.   When my grandmother passed, I was given the opportunity to choose one of her possessions; and of course chose the Bible.    An inscription written in flowering hand writing was inside written on the first page…..which I never seemed to be able to read.  Thus, the Bible was placed on my bedside table and was dusted and cleaned for many years without reading the inscription.

Although I worked full time, had a husband and three children, ran a household, I have always studied various classes and seminars that interested me.  In one seminar, each of us had to speak about something that was meaningful in our lives.  So, as I was getting ready for work, I sat down on the bed determined to read my way through the inscription.

“Presented by the Trustees of Belgrave Primitive Methodist Church to Mr and Mrs Lumley on the occasion of their marriage, being the first in the Church.  

Praying that the Father of All Mercies may from this time bless, preserve and watch over them and that after having lived together here in the Comforts of Religion they may live together hereafter.

March 26, 1882

N. Haigh, Minister

H. Scotten, Trustee”

The day that I read the inscription was 100 years to the date!

I am uncertain about the name of the  Trustee as the writing is fading.  I am sending photos of the Bible including the inscription as well as a close-up of the signatures.  At 82 now, I thought that this might be of interest to you.

Finally, this Bible was held by the officiant in the wedding of our granddaughter, January 23, 2021.

Patricia M. Steele , North Fort Myers, Florida

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