jamesbible

BIBLE RECORDS

Union County Illinois Genealogy Trails

WILSON JACOB JAMES BIBLE

Contributed by C. W. “Jim” James, Jr.

Inscriptions from the Bible of Wilson Jacob James
Born: 3/2/1816 Wolf Lake, IL - Died: 6/25/1866 Alto Pass, IL

The following is a transcription of the writings found in the above referenced Bible. Most, if not all the writings, appear to have been authored by George W. James (Born: 10/5/1847 Died: 9/1/1937). George W. James was the son of Wilson J. James and brother of William Lafayette James (Born: 3/2/1860 Died: 2/8/1956). William L. James was my Grandfather.

History of this bible:
This Bible was originally the property of Wilson Jacob James (b: 3/12/1816). There is a hand written note in the Bible that says it was purchased by Wilson for $3.00.

It was then passed on to his oldest son, George W. James. Upon the death of George W. James in 1937 the Bible was passed to William L. James, the youngest son of Wilson, and George’s brother. Upon the death of William L. James in 1956 the Bible was passed to Conrad W. “Jimmy” James who was the oldest living son of William. Upon the death of Conrad W. “Jimmy” James in 1977 the Bible was passed on to Conrad W. “Jim” James, Jr. the only son of Conrad W. “Jimmy” James.

Most of the writings allude to a gathering of people that were present over the dying body of Mary Ellen Morris on December 7, 1867 at the then home of George W. James. It would seem that this home was also the home of Wilson J. James before his death in 1866. In subsequent years, George W. James would make entries on the anniversary date of this happening. What follows is what was handwritten in the Bible and in the words of George W. James.

- C.W. “Jim” James

Names of persons that were assembled around the dying form of Mary Ellen Morris on the night of Dec 7th 1867 which was Saturday night.

Were as follows

1st Wm K. Lee                    5th Sophronia Lee
2nd P. M. Hagler                6th Texas Hagler
3rd James Baker                7th Mary M. Abernathie
4th G. W. James                8th Nannie Morris

How many of them will be together and where ten years from this date.

Dec 7th which was Monday night year 1868. Geo. W. James was at the same place which was the residence of Wilson J. James deceased. W. K. Lee and wife were at their residence about ¼ mile from there. P. M. Hagler and wife and also Nannie Morris were at their home east of the rural road some six miles from there. Mary M. Abernathie was at her home 2 ½ miles west of there. James baker was in Carbondale, Ill some 14 miles from there.

This is Friday night Dec 7th 1869.
The anniversary of her death. George W. James is tonight at the same place that he was then. W. K. and Sophronia Lee are at their residence ¼ mile from here. P. M. and Texas Hagler are suppose to be at their residence about six miles east of this place. W. R. and M.M. Abernathie are suppose to be at their residence 2 ½ miles west of here. Nannie Morris is one half mile. James Baker is suppose to be at his residence 1 ½ miles north east of here on Frank Ferrills (?) farm.
T. W. & Mary Boren are tonight at the same house with G. W. James (G. W. James is now writing this) and T. W. & Mary Boren are shelling corn.

This is Friday night December the 7th 1877 and the 10 years spoken of by G. W. James on the next page has rolled around and found all those spoke of on the same page still alive. Wm K & Sophronia Lee are suppose to be at Portland Oregon. James Baker suppose to be in St. Louis Mo. P. M. & Texas Hagler are on W. R. Abernathie’s place near Alto Ill and so is Mary Abernathie. George W. James and Nannie Morris are at the same place they were then now the residence of Geo W. James only they are in the frame part of the house. They are sitting by the fire.

I am thankful to the heavenly father for sparing us all our lives through the 10 years for it is a thing that will not often occur with so many person as far advancing in age as all of theirs were. I will again say How many and where will they be living 10 years from this date Friday night Dec 7th 1877.

Wrote by G. W. James who has a bad cold and is not very well. The night is clear and not very cold.

This is Friday night again and Dec 7th 1883. G. W. James and Nannie Morris are again sitting in the frame part of the same building mentioned above. G.W. James again has a slight cold and has just taken a dose of pills. The weather is quite warm and clear. It is now about bed time 12 min until 10 o’clock PM. G. W. James

This is another 7th of December night year 1892 and all of the 8 persons mentioned on another page as being present at the death of Ellen Morris are alive or were a few months ago. Just think of it how long ago. A quarter of a century and all alive. A thing that rarely ever occurs.

I will again ask how many will be alive and where at, at the end of the 3rd ten years. As it is not probable and surely not possible that all will be living at the end of another quarter of a century.

The writer himself although age has told lightly on him is beginning to realize very distinctly that he is growing old.

W.K. & Sophronia Lee at present live near Portland Oregon. James Baker at Dallas Texas. P.M. & Texas Hagler in Alto Pass Ill. Miss Mary Abernathie two (2) miles south of Alto Pass Ill. George W. James (& Nammie Morris) now Mrs. George W. James are living at the same old place the James residence sitting by the fire tonight in the frame part of the building before spoken of by themselves. The bal of the family gone to bed.

George W. James
December 7th 1892

Sunday Dec 7th 1919
Fifty two years have now gone by since the death of Mary Ellen Morris and all the 8 persons that were there that night but one (the writer George W. James) have gone to the great beyond. But me I am left alone (Oh how sad)

Yes oh how sad I am no one on earth but me can ever know.

I am now alone in the log part of the building the same room we were all in on the night of Dec 7th 1867.

Tears dim my eyes today so I can scarcely see what I am writing. I have a slight cold again. Weather about freezing point & partly clear.

Those living with me at present are my sister H. M. Powell (?) my grandson Pat James and Zilfiha (?) Smith.

Now again I wonder if it is possible that I will be living at the end of another 10 years and who will be with me then and where. Wishing all things well.

Sunday 11:15 AM Dec 7th 1919 Geo. W. James

Dec 8th 1919
It makes me sad to look in this dear old book. It makes me think of the happy home it use to be but it has changed now.
HMP
(NOTE: One would assume this is the sister mentioned in the previous entry making her own note in the bible the next day after the previous entry.)

Thursday night 8 PM Dec 7th 1922

55 years has passed by since the death of Mary Ellen Morris and George W. James is still a live and feeling fairly well for which I am thankful to my creator. I am in the same old room tonight where I was 55 years ago. Those living with me at the old home now Eula James and Pat James. Pat’s little daughter Georgia Kathleen James was with us for supper but has gone home now. She resembles and puts me much in mind of the Marry Ellen Morris spoken of above.
George W. James

Sunday night Dec 7th 1924

This is another Dec 7th night. It is warm and raining. With me at the old home tonight are Eula James my present wife, my bro W. J. James, my grandson Pat James. My little great grand daughter Georgia Kathleen James was here again tonight for supper but has now gone over home. Again I have a slight cold will take a dose of castor oil. I am thankful to the all wise Ruler for my long life and health and the many blessings bestowed upon me and mine.
George W. James

Thursday night 6:17 PM Dec 7th 1928

61 years has now gone by since the death of Mary Ellen Morris and through the mercy of an all wise Creator the writer (Geo W. James) is still living and enjoying fair health for one of his age.

With me tonight in the same old room and same old house are Mrs. Eula James, my bro W. J. James, grandson Pat James, Boyd Shelton and again tonight my grand daughter Georgia Kathleen was with us for supper. Weather partly cloudy tem about freezing. Again I am thankful to my Creator for my long life and many blessings bestowed upon me and those with and around me.
George W. James

Dec 7th 1932

This is George W. James again. Wednesday evening 4:30 PM. Weather clear and about freezing. Again I have a slight cold.

I am sitting in the same old room where little Mary Ellen Morris died Dec 7th 1867 65 years ago tonight. With me are grand son Pat James and great grand daughter Georgia Kathleen James. Eula James just now came in.

Hoping I may live to see another 7th of December. I am thankful to my Creator for my long life and health.
George W. James

Friday 6:35 PM Dec 7th 1934

Geo W. James writer
First snow of winter today tem 24
GWJ

Sat Dec 7th 1935

3 PM and cloudy also very foggy.

Again this is George W. James at old house alone all have gone to town.
GWJ

George W. James died 9/1/1937, two years after his last entry. He was one month shy of 90 years old.

Additional information from the Bible includes the following:

Wilson J. James
His book
AD 1861

Alexander Hamilton James was born March the 9th AD 1839
George W. James was born Oct 6th 1847
Nannie (Nancy) Condon was born Feb 28th 1849

George & Nannie Feb 23rd 1868 Sunday Night

Family Record
Marriages
Wilson J James married by the Rev T. G. James.
Mr. Wilson J. James to wife Huldah M. Abernathie
Nov the 5th day A.D. 1846

By the Rev Mr. Diamond
Mr. John W. Smith
To Miss Mary C. James
Sept 26th A.D. 1867

Family Record
Births
Wilson James was born March the 2nd day AD 1816

Huldah Maria James wife of Wilson James was born the 31st day of March AD 1828

George Washington James son of Wilson and Huldah James was born October the 6th AD 1847.

Mary Katharine James daughter of Wilson and Huldah James was born August the 2nd AD 1849.

Margaret Elizabeth James daughter of Wilson and Huldah James was born September the 5th day AD 1851.

Huldah Mariah James daughter of Wilson and Huldah James was born December the 8th AD 1852.

Temperance Caroline James daughter of Wilson and Huldah James was born March the 19th day AD 1855.

Wilson Jacob James son of Wilson and Huldah James was born September 27th day AD 1857.

William Lafayette James son of Wilson and Huldah James was born March 2nd day 1860.

John W. Smith was born Aug the 4th 1842

Mary C. (James) Smith was born Aug the 2nd 1849

William Edward son of John W. & Mary C. Smith was born June the 28 1868.

Family Record
Deaths
Margaret Elizabeth James daughter of Wilson and Huldah James died October the AD 1851.

Huldah Maria James wife of Wilson James died April 8th A.D. 1862

Wilson J. James died June the 25th A.D.1866

Nancy Fillmon James wife of George W. James Dec 18th 1916

Fountain E. James son of George & Nannie James died Sept 1, 1928

On the inside of the back cover is noted the following:
Book of Joel 2nd Chapter 20th Verse
Page 761

Going to that page, chapter and verse it reads as follows:
“But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.”

(Note: It is interesting since it appears to be written by possibly Wilson J. James sometime between his getting the Bible in 1861 and his death in 1866. The obvious connection to the Civil War stands out with the biblical mention of the “northern army”.)