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This bible is an original 1847 Harding full pocket Bible (Old & New Testament) with a documented Civil War connection. This is a pocket sized Bible so it was likely carried with the militia soldier. Read further for more provinance on the Bible and Civil War connection.
There is a faint pencil notation reading “MO / 87er”, consistent with personal markings used by Missouri militia soldiers (Enrolled Missouri Militia units). The Bible was purchased from an estate sale in Withamsville / Amelia, Ohio, an area where many Missouri veterans settled after the war.
Inside the front blank page is a beautiful period inscription: “Presented to John S. Bush by his Father. March 19th 1861” This date is just three weeks before the start of the Civil War, and strongly suggests the Bible was gifted to a young man preparing for service. The military did not keep great records of enrollment of MO milita members. Further in depth research may be needed for verification of the correlation between the monogram and militia member.
Inside the Bible is a silk‑backed embroidered ribbon reading “Remember” — a style commonly stitched by mothers, sisters, or fiancées for soldiers heading off to war. The ribbon was found placed on Joshua VIII, a chapter describing military strategy, courage, and battle. A rare find by itself and helped to further verify the bibles provenance to a soldier during the Civil War.
Features:
- 1847 Harding full Bible (Old & New Testament)
- 1861 pre‑war presentation inscription
- Period Silk embroidered “Remember” ribbon/bookmark
- Pencil soldier notation “MO / 87er” Missouri militia
- Tight Civil War provenance and migration pattern
- Found in a Clermont County, Ohio estate
- Binding and pages show age‑appropriate wear
- A rare surviving personal soldier’s Bible with wartime keepsake
The Bible is in great condition. No loose pages or tears/staining to the pages. The spine is in great condition. The red softcoves has some general wear from use. The Bible had a ribbon to keep the Bible closed which has been ripped. The gold gild page endings is in great condition with minimal wear. See photos for further details and measurments.
