Seven Generations of the Family Bible

By Steve Johnson

It had been more than a year since Mom had passed away, and I was finally ready to start organizing her things. Her clothes were still in the closet, and the same sheets were on her bed. Her favorite coffee cup was still in the Keurig, waiting for another brew. While looking through the piles of documents on her desk, I reflected on the amazing life she had lived. A single mom with two children throughout the late 1950s, putting herself through college and later working for NASA on the Apollo program as well as the Department of Energy on the nuclear weapons testing program. She would go on to speak before the US Congress and write a book concerning her time at the Nevada Test Site. To say that she was an overachiever would be an understatement.
While looking through the piles of documents on her desk, I came across some handwritten notes concerning a Bible that had been in the family for more than 250 years. I remember the day Mom had received the Bible and we always wondered about the bullet hole. We figured that Grandpa Love had acquired it while preaching throughout the Ozarks in the late 1800s.
For more than fifty years, Mom had attempted to track the Bible back to its original owners, but real life had a way of complicating the process. It was not that long ago that she had made several trips to Arkansas, searching for clues.
As I read through the old family notes, some dating back more than 100 years, I decided to take the files to the kitchen table for a more thorough examination. While making a cup of coffee, I removed the Bible from the safe and placed it on the table next to me. It was there I decided to continue Mom's work. Eventually, I was able to identify seven generations that had carried the
Bible. I discovered who'd had it, when they'd had it, and where they were beginning in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1766, to Tennessee, USA, where it remains today. The following novel is based on that research.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667899510

Book preview

SEVEN GENERATIONS OF THE FAMILY BIBLE

Copyright © 2022 by Steve Johnson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For more information, to inquire about rights to this or other works, or to purchase copies for special educational, business, or sales promotional uses, please write to:

Steve Johnson

PO Box 247

Burns, Tennessee

37029

FIRST EDITION

ISBN: 978-1-7363152-8-6

DEDICATED TO MY DEAR MOTHER

The one who built the foundation beneath me

The one who developed and nurtured my personality

The one who loved me unconditionally, in spite of myself

Dorothy Clayton

1936–2017

Special Thanks

To my beautiful Wilai, my children, and my grandchildren for enduring endless lectures on exactly how I connected the dots to this amazing story.

To Kennedy Rockefeller for her amazing job narrating the original audiobook, The Family Bible by Stephen Johnson.

A special thanks to Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) and Paris Reidhead (1919–1992) whose sermons I borrowed and slightly modified.

Special thanks to Brenda Walker Photography

Preface

Introduction

The First Generation

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

The Second Generation

Chapter 3

The Third Generation

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

The Fourth Generation

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

The Fifth Generation

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

The Sixth Generation

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

The Seventh Generation

Chapter 15

About the Author

Generations That Carried the Family Bible

Preface

As my research continues to move forward, and with new information constantly emerging, I felt that a new edition of The Family Bible was necessary. For the past few years, I had been working on a series detailing the lives of each person in each generation and soon became overwhelmed by the sheer number of names. New information provided by distant family members and researchers had also surfaced which forced me to rewrite three of the chapters in the original book. Eventually, I decided to combine all of the research into one book and retitle it Seven Generations of the Family Bible. I also removed the first chapter of the original book simply because it did not introduce any distant ancestors.

Throughout this project, I have met with distant family members, friends, and historians in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas, searching for any documentation, long-lost family stories, and old wives’ tales that would help me to better understand those who carried the family Bible and the times in which they lived.

There were times when no documentation was available and when there is no documentation to guide the story, it is only our perspective and imagination that is left.

It is said that no two people will ever read the same book. My hope is that those who do choose to read this fascinating story will enjoy it and pass it on for posterity. For a time will come when no one will remember who we were.

Introduction

It had been more than a year since Mom had passed away, and I was finally ready to start organizing her things. Her clothes were still in the closet, and the same sheets were on her bed. Her favorite coffee cup was still in the Keurig, waiting for another brew. While looking through the piles of documents on her desk, I reflected on the amazing life she had lived. A single mom with two children throughout the late 1950s, putting herself through college and later working for NASA on the Apollo program as well as the Department of Energy on the nuclear weapons testing program. She would go on to speak before the US Congress and write a book concerning her time at the Nevada Test Site. To say that she was an overachiever would be an understatement.

While looking through the piles of documents on her desk, I came across some handwritten notes concerning a Bible that had been in the family for more than 250 years. I remember the day Mom had received the Bible and we always wondered about the bullet hole. We figured that Grandpa Love had acquired it while preaching throughout the Ozarks in the late 1800s. For more than fifty years, Mom had attempted to track the Bible back to its original owners, but real life had a way of complicating the process. It was not that long ago that she had made several trips to Arkansas, searching for clues. As I read through the old family notes, some dating back more than 100 years, I decided to take the files to the kitchen table for a more thorough examination. While making a cup of coffee, I removed the Bible from the safe and placed it on the table next to me. It was there I decided to continue Mom’s work. Eventually, I was able to identify seven generations that had carried the Bible. I discovered who’d had it, when they’d had it, and where they were beginning in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1766, to Tennessee, USA, where it remains today. The following novel is based on that research.

The First Generation

John Ramsey, born 1740, and Elizabeth Legate, born 1744

Married January 16th, 1765

1. Elizabeth Ramsey, born November 13th, 1765

2. Margaret Ramsey, born June 14th, 1767

3. Charlotte Ramsey, born October 18th, 1769

4. Robert Ramsey, born July 3rd, 1772

5. Thomas Ramsey, born May 7th, 1774

6. Margaret Ramsey, born February 21st, 1777

7. Barbara Ramsey, born April 21st, 1779

Chapter 1

Ayr, Scotland—1772

AS A COOL morning breeze blew through the cozy cottage windows, the sudden cry of a newborn baby filled the air. In the next room, John Ramsey and his two daughters, Elizabeth and Charlotte, smiled brightly at one another. They knew what it meant. Moments later, the midwife walked into the room. Her plump rosy cheeks pushed upward as she gazed lovingly down at the baby wrapped tightly in swaddling clothes. Handing the baby to John, she said sweetly, Congratulations, Mr. Ramsey. You have a healthy baby boy! It was a very easy delivery, and you may see Elizabeth in a few moments.

John sat down as Elizabeth and Charlotte gathered around, admiring their new baby brother. Peering down at the newest addition to their family, they talked about what name he would have. Elizabeth, who was now six years old, talked about how she would help her mother in taking care of her little brother, while Charlotte, who was only three, looked on in amazement. John smiled as he whispered soothing words of encouragement to his new baby boy.

After a few moments, the midwife announced, You may go in now, Mr. Ramsey.

John rose with the baby and walked into the bedroom, followed by young Elizabeth and Charlotte. There, his beautiful bride, Elizabeth, lay smiling, still flushed from the experience. John handed the baby to Elizabeth, and the family stood close, admiring their new addition. It was a good day at the Ramsey home.

The following day, Reverend McQuhae arrived early to baptize the newborn. John greeted him at the door with a handshake. And a good morning to you, Reverend. Thank you for coming.

Glad to be here, John. This is a special day indeed. Reverend McQuhae said. Stepping into the main room of the cottage, he continued. I trust all is well and the baby’s first night was uneventful?

The baby slept most of the night and seems to be very healthy, indeed, thank the Lord, John said. Can I get you something to drink? How about some hot coffee? His smile turned into a slight grin. I purchased it at the Port of Moka the last time we were in Yemen.

Some hot coffee would be fine, thank you John, Reverend McQuhae replied with a brisk nod. Walking over to Elizabeth, he cheerfully asked, And how are the mother and child doing today?

Elizabeth covered her chest as the baby continued nursing at her bosom. Morning, Reverend. We named him Robert, and it seems that he cannot get enough to drink. Smiling down at baby Robert, she added quietly, He sure is a hungry one, he is. Please excuse me for a moment while I make myself presentable.

Take your time, Elizabeth, Reverend McQuhae replied. I’ll be enjoying a hot cup of coffee with John. Walking back over to the fireplace, he sat down at the table as Elizabeth disappeared into their bedroom. Coffee from Arabia? I guess that’s one advantage of being a seaman.

I’m not sure if there is any advantage to being a seaman, Reverend, John replied with a shrug. I’m gone for months at a time and only home for a few weeks in between. It was just dumb luck that I happened to be home when Robert was born. His shoulders slumped, despair clear in his gaze. I have to tell you, being away from home has a tendency to wear on a man. There are times when I wish I would have learned another craft.

Well then, why don’t you quit sailing and do something else? Reverend McQuhae asked, as if it were the easiest thing in the world. It was a topic that John had thought over relentlessly these past few years. One that he and Elizabeth had discussed many times late into the night, after the girls had gone to bed. Now he had another child, a son at that, which would make boarding the ship that much harder.

Still, John’s mind reeled. I’m thirty-two years old, Reverend, and have been sailing since I was sixteen. Half my life! John sighed, scratching the top of his head. All the logical reasons came flowing with ease. It’s all I know, and if I were to change occupations now, at my age, I would be hard-pressed to earn enough to provide for Elizabeth and the children. Who is going to hire a thirty-two-year-old apprentice and pay me what I am earning now? I’m hoping that we can save enough in the next ten to fifteen years that I can quit sailing and maybe start some kind of business in Ayr. John leaned back into his chair and said listlessly, Perhaps a bookshop or something? For I do enjoy reading.

You know, John, a little faith goes a long way, Reverend McQuhae replied after a moment of contemplation. Believe the Lord will provide, and He will. Pray about it, and I know the Lord will lead you in the right direction.

Elizabeth entered the room, dressed in her Sunday best and holding baby Robert close to her chest, she smiled and said, Okay, Robert and I are ready whenever you men are done talking.

The family gathered together as Reverend McQuhae opened his Bible and started the ceremony with a prayer. Elizabeth handed their newborn son to John while young Elizabeth and Charlotte stood close to their mother. Everyone was silent as Reverend McQuhae began the holy ceremony.

Toward the end of the ceremony, Reverend McQuhae placed a small Bible on the lap of little baby Robert and said, The dawn is the beginning of a new day, as is the birth of a child the beginning of a new life. I present this Holy Bible to you, Robert Ramsey, and pray that this will be the first book you learn to read from—the first book you read from at the beginning of each day and the last book you read from at the end of each day. The first complete book you read during your new life and, Lord willing, the last book you will read at the end of your life. I pray the Lord blesses you with all the seasons a full life can experience.

After the ceremony, John handed Robert, along with Robert’s new Bible, back to Elizabeth. Holding her newborn baby along with his Bible close to her chest, Elizabeth thanked the Reverend fervently. That evening, she started reading the Bible to Robert before bedtime and would continue teaching all their children to read from their own Bibles throughout the coming years with the Reverend’s words ringing in her ear.

As the years passed, John and Elizabeth were blessed with three more bundles of joy: Thomas, born in 1774; Margaret, born in 1777; and Barbara, born in 1779. Most of the children spent their days doing chores, feeding the animals, working in the garden, playing, and studying, while Robert spent most of his time daydreaming as he gazed out over the Firth of Clyde.

Much like his father, Robert enjoyed reading, and it was on a warm summer night in 1780 that young Robert demanded his father’s attention. John was at home, attempting to read an Ethiopian Bible that he had just purchased in Africa, when young Robert began tapping on his shoulder. Father, I have a question.

John was in deep thought as he compared handwritten notes he had made while in Africa to the script in his new Bible. He took a big puff from his ivory pipe and asked, What is it, son?

Wanting his father’s full attention, Robert leaned over the table next to the large book and, looking up at his father, said intently, I was wondering how one could navigate at night.

John’s eyes left the book as he turned his attention to his son.

Smiling at his father, Robert asked, How do you know which way you are going when it is dark out and you cannot see?

Taking another puff of his pipe, John thought about the question while gazing at Robert. Leaning back in his chair, he put the pipe back in its holder and said, Son, you are much too young to be pondering such things.

Happy to have his father’s full attention, Robert stood back with his fists on his hips and exclaimed, Father, I am eight years old, and I want to know everything!

John looked at his son for a moment and, laughing out loud, asked, Now, where have I heard that before?

Smiling pridefully, Robert looked up at his father and said without hesitating, I read it in one of your books.

John remembered how he had been at that age, wishful and interested in all that went on in the world. John had set himself on an adventurous course, traveling throughout the world, learning different languages as he interacted with different cultures. Unfortunately, it had led to him missing many of the important events in the lives of his family, and he could now see that Robert was about to head down the same path. John cherished these moments with his family and was not about to let this one get away. Shaking his head, he smiled and said, My son, once again, you are much too young to be reading some of those books. Taking a deep breath, John continued, All right. Let us go outside and see what we can learn. Taking Robert by the hand, he led his oldest son, followed by Thomas and Margaret, outside, past the garden, and to the front gate. It was a cool summer night, and the waning moon had just crested the horizon. As John looked into the night sky he pondered the best way to explain the task to his eight year old son. A task that had become second nature to him.

Using a stick, John began to draw a crude diagram of the night sky on the ground, ever aware of Robert’s watchful eye. As Thomas and Margaret began chasing each other through the garden, John began the lesson. There are many ways of finding your direction at night, depending on your location, John said as he finished his drawing. Leaning back, he pointed at the diagram. "Tonight, I will explain the most common way of finding your direction from our current location. This is what you will be looking for in the night sky. It is a group of seven stars known as the Starry Plough.¹ It’s also known as the constellation Ursa Major. Pointing with the stick, John continued to explain the image. There are many other names for it, but we will call it the Starry Plough. This is the plough, and this is the handle."

Drawing another image on the ground with the stick, John continued, "There is another group of seven stars that look almost the same, only smaller in size and not quite as bright. That group of stars is known as the Little Bear, or Ursa Minor. We will call it the Little Bear.²"

Pointing to the drawings, he reiterated, This is the Starry Plough, and this is the Little Bear. At the tip of the Little Bear’s tail is a star known as the Pole Star. It is the only star in the sky that has not moved since the fourth day of creation, and it stays directly over the North Pole, which is the center of our world. It is also one of the brightest stars in the night sky, John explained to a wide-eyed Robert, who looked up, searching the night sky.

John chuckled and went on. To verify that you are looking at the correct star, you must first focus your attention on the two stars at the front of the Starry Plough, furthest away from the handle. You then draw a line using the two stars, straight up, and travel five times the distance away from the corner star, John went on, Robert’s attention completely captivated by the lesson. It will take you to the last star at the tail of the Little Bear, which as you know, is the Pole Star. It, too, has been known by many names throughout the ages, such as the North star, Polaris and Stella Polaris, but we will call it the Pole Star. The reason that it’s called the Pole Star is because all of the other stars rotate around it.

Handing the stick to Robert, John looked up to the sky and told his son, Now I want you to look into the sky and tell me what you see.

Robert studied the sky for a moment. Then, looking to the ground and back into the night sky, he pointed to the Starry Plough. I see it right there. The Starry Plough is right there, and the Little Bear is over there. Using the stick, he pointed to the two guiding stars at the end of the Starry Plough and drew a line to the tip of the tail of the Little Bear. Right there! That is the Pole Star right there! Robert looked to his father, eyes wide, brows high, and asked, Right, Father?

Happy with his son’s progress, John said, Well done. You picked that up fast, son. John patted his son on the back, then looked down to his crude drawings for a moment. Glancing up at the sky, he said, Now I want you to face the Pole Star, so you will know that you are facing north.

Robert dropped the stick, straightened his posture, and immediately faced the Pole Star. John thought perhaps his oldest son was truly interested in what his father did. Perhaps Robert would take the path his father had taken so many years before. He continued speaking., Directly behind you is south. Now, hold your arms out. Robert held his arms out and watched his father intently. East is to your right, and west is to your left. Now then, as you are leaving the house, what will be your heading? John asked.

Turning his head to the right, Robert looked toward the doorway of the house.

John chuckled when Elizabeth and Charlotte both dropped out of sight. At the same time, Robert continued, focused on his father’s instructions. Turning to his left to face the Firth of Clyde, Robert thought for a second and said, My heading is west. Right, Father?

John smiled and said, Well done. Now, if you are going to the harbor, what will be your heading?

Once again, Robert thought carefully before he answered. Pointing toward the harbor, he replied, My heading will be north.

Nodding his head, John asked, Now, if you are going back into the house, what will be your heading?

That’s easy, Father. My heading will be east.

You are correct, my son. Now, let us head east. John was satisfied that his son had a clear understanding of one of the basic skills of navigation. Picking Robert up, he gave the boy a tight hug and said, Son, you’re growing up much too fast. Looking forward to getting back to his pipe and book, he put Robert down and headed toward the house.

Two steps later, Robert had another question. Father, what are stars?

Stopping in his tracks, John looked once again into the night sky and paused for a moment before he answered. I am still not clear on that one, son. In our Bibles, the book of Jude refers to some of them as wandering stars, and Matthew 24, tells us that immediately after the tribulation, the stars will fall from heaven. Other cultures consider them angels and demigods. The Roman general Julius Caesar felt that they were sparks scattered throughout the firmament, made up of nothing more than fire. Enoch called them luminaries and explained in detail the revolutions of the luminaries in heaven. He goes as far as to tell us that they are all conducted by the Holy Angel Uriel. Pausing for a moment, John took a deep breath, then continued, To answer your question, son, I’m not exactly sure what they are.

With more questions, Robert continued. Father, in Genesis 1:3, God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light, and then in Genesis 1:14, it appears that God created more light when He said, ‘Let there be lights.’ I don’t understand the meaning of this. Why would God create light on the first day and then again on the fourth day?

Looking at his son, John shook his head and smiled. He knew then that Robert’s curiosity was truly more than just a passing interest. He stood silently as he attempted to formulate an answer to Robert’s question. Son, your questions are quite perplexing. I’ll do my best to explain what I believe it means. After thinking a moment longer, he said, Let us go inside and take a look in your Bible.

Together, they walked into the house, and John sat down at the table. At the other end of the table sat Charlotte and Elizabeth, quietly sharing their thoughts with one another whispering in each others ears as they tended to the evening meal. Thomas and Margaret’s soft laughter filtered through the open doorway as they continued to play outside. John’s wife, Elizabeth, sat content, watching her family from the corner of the room as she fed young Barbara who had just turned one year old.

Leaning over in his chair, John picked up a long stick lying in the fireplace. While relighting his pipe, he watched Robert closely as he carried his Bible to the table, sat down, and looked up anxiously at his father. Puffing on his pipe, John gazed at Robert, considering the best way to answer his son’s perplexing questions.

Robert placed his hands over his Bible, appearing to wait patiently with hope and curiosity as he pondered the new things he had learned. He had learned so much, and yet John knew the boy would learn even more before the night was over.

After thinking a moment longer, John said, Turn to Genesis 1:3 and read that for me, please.

Robert turned to the page and began to read.  ‘And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.’ 

John could feel Thomas’s searching gaze on his back as Thomas and Margaret entered their home. Margaret ran over to her mother while Thomas sat down at the table next to Robert. It had grown silent in the house, with only the sound of the crackling wood in the fireplace and the smell of tobacco mixed with the fragrance of the evening meal lingering in the air.

Taking another puff of his pipe, John thought for a moment before attempting to explain what it all meant so that it would make sense to Robert. Well, we know that God had not yet created the sun and the moon, so I believe that Genesis 1:3 was speaking of the glory of God that shone on the world as it was being created. He thought for another moment, then said to Robert, Turn to Revelation 21:23 and read that for me, please.

Robert turned to Revelation 21:23 and began to read out loud.  ‘And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.’ 

John continued to puff on his pipe, thinking carefully before continuing his explanation. He was well aware that all of his children as well as his wife were paying as much attention to his words as Robert was. Finally, he said, The lights mentioned in verse 14 are the sun, the moon, and the stars that were placed in the firmament to determine signs and seasons, for days and years. It is clearly written, and these lights are much different than the light that shines from our Creator God. The light that shines from the sun and the moon will create a shadow proving that it comes from a certain location. The light that shines from our Creator God shines in all directions and leaves no shadows. The light of our Creator eliminates all darkness.

Robert looked at his father, enthralled, as the explanation came out in carefully detailed, smooth-flowing words. Much thought had been put into his explanation, yet John could see a hint of confusion in his son’s eyes as Robert tilted his head, struggling to understand.

I think it may help if we first understand what the firmament actually is, John said, realizing that he would have to go much deeper than a carefully worded superficial explanation. Maybe then we can better understand the purpose of the sun, the moon, and the stars and what they are made of?

Robert nodded, and his father went on. The firmament is described in Isaiah 40:22, which tells us that it was our Creator God that stretched out the heavens as a curtain and spread it out as a tent to dwell in. In the book of Job, Elihu also described the firmament when he asked Job, ‘Hast thou with him spread out the skies, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?’ 

John watched as Robert gripped his Bible tightly, hanging on to his father’s every word. "Enoch also tells us how the sun, the moon, and the stars ascend and descend through the gates of heaven, and in Genesis 7:11, it tells us that the windows of heaven were opened and the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. I have come to believe that there are gates and windows in the firmament that we cannot see. However, to know the exact makeup of the sun, the moon, and the stars seems to be beyond our current understanding. Enoch is the only man to have written a detailed account of heaven describing the luminaries. As for me, if Job could not answer God as to the specifics of our cosmology, I would be a fool to claim that I had even the slightest