James Miller Reeves Family Bible
Introduction
JAMES MILLER REEVES BIBLENational Publishing Co. Printed 188-
Transcript or Summary
[Presentation Page]Presented to James M. Reeves by E.C. Reeves, Christmas, 1885
CERTIFICATE
This Certifies that the rite of Holy Matrimony was celebrated between James M. Reeves of Johnson City, Tenn and Myra Clark Gaines of Reedy Creek, Tenn on January 18th 1876 at the residence of parents of the bride, Sullivan Co. Tenn. by J.S. Petty, Minister of the Gospel, M.E. Ch. Witness: N.T. Dulaney, M.D., Sam'l H. Hunt
[Obviously, this fancy, full-page certificate was filled out about ten years after the marriage. The script is beautiful, and I have not been able to identify the writer.]
BIRTHS
James Miller Reeves was born in Washington Co., Tenn. July 10th 1845.
Myra Clark Reeves was born in Sullivan Co., Tenn. September 9th 1856.
James Miller Reeves Jr., son of J.M. & Myra C. Reeves, was born Oct 15th 1876.
Myra C. Reeves was born Oct 15th 1876.
Myra Gaines Reeves, daughter of J.M. & Myra C. Reeves, was born September 27th 1889.
[These entries were made by the person who wrote the Certificate. The birth of their daughter, Myra, was entered with slightly different ink, and a few letters were formed a little differently. Myra Gaines Reeves, born in 1889, married Joseph Milton Hardin; they were my parents]
Edmund Pendleton Gaines, son of John S. & Letitia D. Gaines was born Oct. 22nd 1827.
Emily Esther Easley, daughter of John and Mary Easley was born January 20th 1827.
[E.P. Gaines and E.E. Easley were parents of Myra Clark Gaines Reeves. WRHB]
DEATHS
Edmund Pendleton Gaines died July 18th 1888.
Emily Esther Gaines died June 14th 1894.
Myra Gaines Reeves died June 22nd 1910.
James M. Reeves Sr. died October 25, 1927.
James M. Reeves Jr, died March 17, 1934
[The first two entries were by the person who wrote the births. The death of Myra Gaines Reeves is recorded in similar handwriting, but I think it was not done by the same person. James M. Reeves, Sr. probably was done by his daughter-in-law, Ola Boyd Reeves. After I received the Bible, I recorded the death of James M. Reeves, Jr. WRHB]
MARRIAGES
James Miller Reeves Jr and Ola Bertha Boyd were married June 10, 1908.
Myra Gaines Reeves and Joseph Milton Hardin were married August 31, 1920.
Willie Reeves Hardin and Weldon Vemor Bivins were married April 26, 1941.
[The first marriage is in the same handwriting as the death of James M. Reeves, Sr. I recorded my parents' marriage and mine after I received the Bible. I also added the following on the BIRTH page:]
Willie Reeves Hardin, Aug. 16, 1923 - Olustee, Okla.
Lynn Ramsey Hardin, March 1, 1927 - Olustee, Okla.
Milton Avery Hardin, Feb. 15, 1933 - Eldorado, Okla.
Commentary
[This Bible, printed in 188-, belonged to my grandparents, James Miller Reeves and Myra Clark Gaines, who married in 1876 in Sullivan Co, TN. They lived and died in Johnson City, Washington Co. TN, and were buried in the Peter Reeves Cemetery in Johnson City. The Bible has been kept in the family home until 1969, when my aunt, Ola Boyd Reeves gave it to me. It is a large, ornate “family Bible” in very good condition. It weighs twelve pounds.]Submitted by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins (Mrs. Weldon V. Bivins) 5713 Lawson Lane, Oklahoma City, OK 73132