Memorial record made by Thomas J. Stevens on heavy tan paper. The unique open-letter style is done in black ink with gold highlights on upper case letters and black inked lower case letters. His lettering is "shaded" by red hash marks above them. Text surrounded by a thin black border line with flowers with long black stems coming out of corners and the center of the sides towards the script. Flowers have red petals and green leaves and the script is accented with gold and green. Border has gold accents at the corners.
The top half of the record begins with, "IN MEMORY/ of/ Our Beloved Parents" and continues with their names and dates as follows: "Benjamin Beiler. Born 26th April, 1830/ Died 6th Jan. 1910. Aged 79 yrs. 8 mos. 9 days./ Mary E. [Esh] Beiler. Born 12th July. 1835./ Died 25th Nov. 1908. Aged 73 yrs. 4 mos. 12 days."
The bottom half of the record is a poem which reads: "God His message sent to call them/ From their Labor here below;/ And we hope to those fair Mansions,/ Where the weary Pilgrims go./ Oh Children dear why do you weep,/ Since we a resting Place have found/ So calm and peaceful we shall sleep/ Beneath our green and mossy mound./ Oh let them sleep on so free from all pain/ Oh make not their sweet Spirits to suffer again;/ They slumber so soundly, Oh let them sleep on;/ Their sickness is ended their troubles are gone./ Gone But not Forgotten."
The signature at the bottom reads: "Thomas J. Stevens./ Lancaster./ Pa./ 22. June 1915."
This is one of two signed pieces done by Stevens. Another large family record is of the Amos and Mattie Lapp family, is undated and is owned by Goshen College's Mennonite Historical Library. Other pieces were done by Stevens for the Amish (several owned by Parmer). See also in HCLC collections, family records in Bibles P94.15.2 and P95.22.1.
Provenance
Seller purchased at sale of Lydia S. Stoltzfus (Mrs. Isaac F. Stiltzfus), New Holland, the granddaughter of Ben & Mary Beiler. Her father was David E. Beiler (Fisher #7783). Thus, the fraktur appears to have been owned by the son, David E. Beiler, and perhaps commissioned by him.
Paper is darkened, especially around edges. Some light soiling and fingerprints. Minor foxing, especially near top left corner. Some light creasing, especially around edges. Small light colored areas of wear around the periphery. Small hole 1 1/2" below signature. Top edge is worn. Dark brown stain, bottom edge towards right and at top right corner of border. Back has greater areas of wear and soiling with some water stains. Framed in archival materials, Feb. 2000, by Lancaster Galleries.
Object ID
P.00.06.1
Notes
See object file for bio sketch of Stevens done by seller John (Jack) Parmer. Includes family genealogy of Benjamin Beiler (Fisher Book #7781). He lived 1830-1910 and in 1857 married Mary Esh (1835-1908). Benjamin Beiler was also a gifted artist and did bookplates, etc. Parmer notes that one elderly Amish woman, Lydia S. Stoltzfus Petersheim, recalls Stevens in 1925 as a "little Englishman", walking from farm to farm carrying his wooden artist's case. At this time she was a 9-year-old child and Stevens inscribed her Bible.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Irene N. Walsh, Heritage Center Collection
Three leaves of family record pages of the Long family Bible have penwork by Francis Blum, David C. Hoke and Thomas J.Stevens.
P.94.15.02 A: Printed on the front side only, this page is dominated by a huge gold wedding ring and other symbols of marriage. Entries made in ink script state that William Long and Ella E. Shimp were married in East Petersburg, on March 4, 1900, by A.S. Hottenstein.
P94.15.02 B: Framed page shows both sides. Front side repeats marriage info of William and Ella (E. Shimp) Long, done in pen work of Francis Blum whose name is written at the bottom of the page. Elaborately decorated "W" initial letter of William Long. This oversize letter dominates the page. Blum uses various styles of lettering for remaining entries. Decoration is done in red and black ink as well as watercolor.
The reverse side lists the births of William and Ella Long and their five children (Norman S., Mary Edna, Raymond S., William S., and C. Earl Long). The first 3 names are by Blum, but the last two children's entries are done in different hands; William is done by David C. Hoke and Earl is done by Thomas J. Stevens. Signed at the bottom "David C. Hoke, Lititz, Pa., June 21, 1910".
P94.15.02 C: Front side has heading "DEATHS", reverse has "MEMORANDUM". No entries on either side.
Pages have ragged edges where torn from Bible; overall acid burn with some dark stains and soiling; reverse side of page C has residue and paper loss at bottom left corner and top right corner.
Page B was mounted and framed by Brian Howard in 1996. It shows both sides of page.
Object ID
P.94.15.02a-c
Notes
P.94.15.01 A-B records have for more work by Blum and Hoke.
The Long and Walborn families were related due to intermarriage by two children (Alverta Walborn and Raymond Long).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
The Holy Bible : containing the authorized and revised versions of the Old and New Testaments arranged in parallel columns : the text conformable to that of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge : copious marginal references, chronological tables, and many important and valuabel aids to the study of the holy scriptures, written to increase the interest in and simplify the word of God
Viewing bibles contingent on staff availability, an appointment may be required.
From the Collection of the Heritage Center Museum, #PO5.3.1
Longenecker family bible.
Portrait of an unidendified young couple, (17 x 11 cm., by Joseph Hess, photographer, successor to Rote, No. 50 1/2 N. Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.) inserted on page 1 of the family portrait page.
A marriage license of Ira R. Longenecker and Ellen Garber, 28 February 1904; five bits of foil; a lock of blond hair; a newspaper clipping noting the birth of a dauther to Mr. and Mfrs. J. Herbert Fisher on Friday; 1 sheet containing questions #12-17 of a history lesson; and Hymn No. 54 removed from a hymnal placed in the Heritiage Center Acquisition File.
Presented to Barbara M. Newcomer by her parents Jacob and Barbara, May 25, 1887.
Calligraphy by David Hoke, Thomas J. Stevens, and William Henning.
Genealogy of the Longenecker family, 1875-1943.
Full leather binding with patterned blind tooling and gilt title and illustration; gilt edging; front cover loose; two pages of genealogy detached.
Contents
The names and order of all the books of the Old and New Testaments, with the numbers of their chapters (title page verso) -- History of the translation of the Bible (pages [9]-11) -- Contents of the books of the Old and New Testaments (pages 12-16) -- Revisers' preface (pages [5]-8) -- [8] pages of colored maps -- History of the religious denominations of the world, both ancient and modern / compiled from the most authentic sources, / Rev. H.D. Northrop, D.D., and others (pages 1-16) -- A comprehensive and critical description of the Israelitish tabernacle and its sacred furniture. Together with an account of the priesthood and the worship and sacrifices of the Israelites / complied expressly for "The new devotional and practical pictorial family Bible," chiefly from the writings of Dr. Wm. Smith, Dean Milman, Rev. John Kitto, D.D., Drs. von Ewald and Michelson, and other eminent authorities. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886, in the Office of the Libraian of Congress, at Washington, D.C. (pages 1-16 ) -- Compreshensive and critical history of all the books of the holy Bible, containing a concise account of each book... / compiled expressly for this edition, from the writings of Wiliam Smith, Ll.D. (pages 1-48) -- Illustrations and explanations of the Proverbs of Solomon / Edward D. Lewis (pages 1-6) -- The parables of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with illustrations and explainations by Rev. Joseph Haines (pages 1-6) -- Captivating Bible stories for the young, comprising narratives of interesting scenes and events by (pages 1-24) -- Chronological and other valuable tables, including history, prophecy, life and teachings of our Lord, early church, scripture emblems, characteristics of the Old and New Testaments, animal and mineral kingdoms, measures, weights, coins, etc., etc. The whole designed to promote and facilitate the study of hte sacred scriptures (pages 1-32) -- The patriarchs, prophets, and kings of the Bible. Embracing scenes and incidents in the lives of the principal characters of the Old Testament / compiled from authentic sources expressly for this edition of The devotional and explanatory pictorial family Bible / Philip Smith (pages 1-32) -- The tabernacle in the wilderness. Being a description of the first sanctuary erected by the Israelites to the worship of Almighty God / Joseph L. Townsend (pages 1-6) -- "My Father's house." Descriptions of the temples of Solomon and Herod / Philip Lee (pages 7-12) -- Jerusalem : the city of David and David's greater Son. With descriptions of Zion, Mount Moriah, the Mount of Olives, and other sacred localities / Thomas W. Davis (pages 13-18) -- A comprehensive description of the Holy Land / William Reyburn (pages 19-26) -- Cities and towns of the Bible, with descriptions and explanations / John Wilson (pages 27-32) -- Natural history of the Bible. Containing descriptions of the animals, birds, insects and reptiles that are mentioned in the Holy Scriptures / A.F. Thompson (pages 1-9) -- Trees, plants, flowers and fruits of the Bible. with descriptions / William Jones (pages 10-12) -- -- Illustrations and descriptions of ancient money; including the Greek, Roman and Hebrew coins mentioned in the Bible, with tables of their value in American money (pages 13-16) -- Complete and practical household dictionary of the Bible. Comprising its antiquities, biography, geography, and natural history / William Smith. With important improvements by eminent commentators, travelers and scholars... [Copyright notice dated 1883.] (pages (pages 1-128) -- [Old Testament] with the text of the Authorized and Revised versions in parallel columns] (1018 pages) -- Appendix : American Old Testament Revision company... (pages i-viii) -- Family register (1 leaf, 4 pages) -- Temperance pledge with births on verso (1 leaf) -- Scenes and incidents in the life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ / Arthur P. Hayes (pages 1-16) -- The life of Saint Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles / Charles Farrar ([8] pages) -- The parables of our Lord Jesus Christ / John Franklin, copyright 1883 ([1-28]) -- Account of the dates or time of writing the books of the New Testament (verso of title page] -- Revisers' preface (pages 1025-1032) --The The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; translated out of the original Greek; being the version set forth A.D. 1611. Arranged in parallel columns with the Revised version of 1881. Together with the readings preferred by the American revisers. Text conformable to that of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (pages 1033-1334 ) -- List of readings and renderings preferred by the American Committee, recorded at their desire. See preface to New Testament (pages 1335-1338) -- Chronological index to the Holy Bible. According to revisions of recent Christian chronologists. Pointing to the year of the world, and the year before and after Christ... (8 pages) -- Four thousand questions and answers on the Old and New Testaments, intended to open up the scriptures for the use of students and Sunday-School teachers (pages 1-44) -- Scripture difficulties explained (pages 1-4) -- A complete concordance to the Old and New Testaments (pages 1-48) -- The Psalms of David in metre (pages 1-36) -- Family portraits ([4] stiff pages).
White ribbon bookmark with red and blue stitching around image of George Washington. "The Father of Our Country' arches above. Flags are draped over a canon and sword below with plaque reading: "General /George Washington/ The first in peace,/the first in war,/ the first in the hearts/ of his countrymen."
At bottom of ribbon: T. Stevens, Coventry" (Thomas Stevens, Coventry Bookmark)
