Posted 12 years ago
jennyhaps
(11 items)
This Bible has been passed down through my Husband's Family. It belonged to his Great Grandmother, Mary Etta Neville Haptonstall. Mary Etta Neville was born to James E Neville and him to Benjamin Franklin Neville. The one this Bible came from. Benjamin was born to James R Neville. From there I am not too sure but I do believe that they are in the family line of John Neville who immigrated to America on The Ark and the Dove but I am not 100% sure. I do know that the Nevil (Neville)(Nevill) line has a lot of English ties but wish I knew a little more. This Bible has the original Marriage Certificate of Benjamin Franklin Neville in it along with other Marriages, Births, and Deaths. It also contains OLD metal portraits. My Husband and I tried taking it to several Antique Shops to try to get a friendly appraisal but had no success. All they said is that it wasn't worth much even given the proven history yet they were very eager to try to convince us to sell it. We would just like to see if anyone knows anything about the Neville family or anything about Bibles of this sort from this time. I would greatly appreciate it.
You might ask around some of the colleges around you to see if there is someone who can repair the book for little money ,most hve someone ......so you can keep passing it down.....and down ...and down ,,,smiling ,,good luck and thanks for showing it as well..
most bible colloctors want them back from the 17th century and down very few in the 18th are rare to them,... is what I was told ...but its really a family jem to you and yours....thats what counts
your bests chance to find info you want woukl be ... the church of latter day saints..mormans have great records of people and its free ...just takes a little work on your end...good luck
Most antique shops are not good sources to appraise an item like this. Try http://www.earlyamerican.com (Early American History Auction House).
My grandfather had a Bible that looks very similar. My cousin had it restored because it was practically in shambles. It costs over $600, but it is beautiful!
The "old metal photo's" (tin types) in the book alone may be worth a good amount depending on their content. I'd also suggest getting a good appraisal, preferably a from someone not a dealer.
Benjamin Franklin Neville is my ggg grandfather and James R. Nevill my gggg grandfather. While it may not have monetary value the family bible you have is a treasure and I would love to see more of it. If you ever decide to part with it would you let me know first? It would be wonderful to have it to support my Neville/Nevill genealogy findings. Thank you for sharing.