Synopsis: Two facing pages of the Harper family Bible, the family of Dr. James Rufus (J. R.) Harper of Cooke County, Texas. The Births page lists six children born 1876–1893, beginning with Everil on 15 September 1876. The Deaths page, kept in several hands from 1876 to 1984, records the family’s deaths, including Fern Harper Fortenberry on 15 January 1977, the link to the Fortenberry family.
Births
The Births page of the Harper family Bible records six children, Everil, Zuma, Henry, Fern, Marvel and Jewel, born between 1876 and 1893. Fern Harper, born 24 March 1889, later married into the Fortenberry family.
Synopsis
The "Births" page of the Harper family Bible, written in ink on a printed decorative page. It lists six Harper children: Everil (15 Sept 1876), Zuma (25 Feb 1881), Henry (2 Nov 1887), Fern (24 Mar 1889), Marvel (29 Jan 1891), and Jewel (6 Mar 1893). The Deaths page shows Fern became Fern Harper Fortenberry, which is the link to this family. The death page's margin note names the father as Dr. J. R. (James Rufus) Harper of Cooke County. Fern married William Everett Fortenberry (1882–1962). The image is clear, so no enhancement was needed.
Full Transcription
Transcribed from the images already shown in this post (click any image above for the full-size original). Spellings are kept as in the original. [?] marks an uncertain reading, and words in brackets are editorial notes.
Births
Everil Harper Sept. 15th 1876
Zuma Harper Feb. 25th 1881
Henry Harper Nov. 2nd 1887
Fern Harper Mar. 24th 1889
Marvel Harper Jan. 29th 1891
Jewel Harper Mar. 6th 1893
Deaths
The Deaths page of the Harper family Bible spans 1876 to 1984 and includes Fern Harper Fortenberry, who died on 15 January 1977. A margin note identifies J. R. Harper as Dr. James Rufus Harper of Cooke County, son of Denton County doctor George Harper. According to the family, Sarah Ellen and Ida Harper were J. R. Harper’s earlier wives, and Kittie was his third wife.
Synopsis
The "Deaths" page of the Harper family Bible, written in several different hands and inks over about a century:
- Sarah Ellen Harper, 24 Sept 1876
- Ida Harper, 15 Mar 1881
- Kittie Harper, 6 Sept 1918
- Henry Harper, 10 May 1919
- Marvel Harper Christian, 25 June 1979 (the day is overwritten)
- J. R. Harper, 14 Aug 1919 (the year is overwritten from 18__)
- Zuma Harper Berry, 2 Oct 1936
- Everil Harper Christian, 9 Nov 1964
- Fern Harper Fortenberry, 15 Jan 1977
- Jewel Harper, 1984
Full Transcription
Transcribed from the images already shown in this post (click any image above for the full-size original). Spellings are kept as in the original. [?] marks an uncertain reading, and words in brackets are editorial notes.
Deaths
Sarah Ellen Harper died Sept. 24 1876
Ida Harper died March 15th 1881
Kittie Harper died September 6th 1918
Henry Harper died May 10th 1919
Marvel Harper Christian died June 25, 79
J. R. Harper died Aug. 14th 1919
Zuma Harper Berry died Oct. 2, 1936
Everil Harper Christian Nov. 9, 1964
Fern Harper Fortenberry January 15, 1977
Jewel Harper 1984
[Left margin, written sideways:] J. R. Harper full name James Rufus a Cooke Co. doctor. His father George Harper was a Denton Co. doctor.