Peter Jeremiah Norris Childhood Bible, 1836

This small bible was a gift to Peter Jeremiah when he was 14. It was probably a birthday gift as the dedication from his aunt Sarah Ann Norris is dated 14 November 1836, the day after his birthday.

The original is in the collection of The Virginia Historical Society, a gift of Mrs. John R. Norris, Fredericksburg, Va., 7 November 1991, MSS 6:4N7997:1; Manuscript/Original Pages; 4 leaves; handwritten; 8 1/2 X 11 in. Mrs. John R. Norris is the former Mary Mason Green, and was married to one of Peter Jeremiah's sons. Images of the bible cannot be put online without their permission.

Peter Jeremiah has a distinctive handwriting, with many flourishes in the formation of his letters. His signature always stands out when found in court records. The bible has an inscription in his handwriting “Presented to Peter J. Norris by his affectionate Aunt S. A. Norris Novembr. 14, 1836.”

In a different handwriting, perhaps his aunt’s, “Peter J. Norris From his affectionate aunt. S. A. Norris”

This poem was written in it, perhaps by Peter J. when he was younger as the handwriting is similar to his adult handwriting. A longer version is found as Reading Lesson XXXIX. The Bible in Cobb’s New North American Reader, Fifth reading book, page 126. Lyman Cobb wrote school books beginning in 1825, and they were widely adopted by cities such as Baltimore.

“This little book I’d rather own,

Than all the gold and gems

That are in monarch’s coffers shone,

Than all their diadems.

Nay, were the seas one chrysolite

The earth one golden ball

And diamonds all the stars of night

This book were worth them all.

==

Ah, no, the soul ne’re found relief

In glittering hoards of wealth

Gems dazzle not the eye of grief

Gold cannot purchase health

But here a blessed balm appears

To heal the deepest woe;

And he that seeks this book in tears,

His tears shall cease to flow.”

P.J.A. Novb. 14th 1836

On another page family birth dates were written in various handwritings.

Richard Norris was born May 30th 1800. (this is his father.)

Elizabeth C. Hall was born October 22nd 1779 (She was Peter's mother, though this is clearly the wrong year, given the death information further down on the page. She was really born in 1799.)

P. J. Norris was born Novb. 13th 1822

Thomas W. Norris was born March 21st 1824

Sarah Ann C. Norris was born Feby 5th 182(edge torn off)

Departed this life 7th May 1825 Elizabeth C Norris in the 26th year of her age.

Family Bible of Peter Jeremiah Norris and Cornelia Guinn Norris, 1864

This full size bible is an edition printed by the American Bible Society 1864. It is also in the collection of The Virginia Historical Society, another gift of Mrs. John R. Norris, Fredericksburg, Va., 7 November 1991, MSS 6:4N7997:2; Manuscript/Original Pages; 4 leaves; handwritten; 8 1/2 X 11 in.

Marriages Page Peter J. Norris and Cornelia H. Guinn were married Nov 22nd 1855.

John R. Norris & Mary Mason Green were married July 27th 1886.

Thomas B. Norris & Bertha Lee Willis were married Sept. 1st 1886.

Charles H. McGhee and Laura E. Norris were married Nov. 15th 1887.

Deaths Page P. Jarry Norris, son of P. J. & C. H. Norris departed this life on Friday evening the 24th December 1867 at ten minutes past seven o’clock. Aged 4 years and two days.

Peter Jeremiah Norris son of Richard & Elizabeth Clayton Norris died at Culpeper Sept 24th at 6 PM in 1893.

Suddenly at the old home in Culpeper Cornelia Helen departed this life on Thursday morning just before nine o’clock April 16th 96. She was laid to rest on Monday at 3;30 P.M. from the M.E. Church. Funeral sermon by Rev. H. P. Mitchell.

Mrs. Mary Guinn departed this life on Monday morning at 5:30 June 25th 1883 age 88 years 6 months and 4 das. “Blessed are they who die in the Lord.”

At Denver, Col on 16th Feb J. R. Norris Jr. age 4 months. In 1893.

Died sudenly at Fredericksburg, Virginia January 19th 1907 Hannon Edwards Norris.

Births Pages John R. Norris son of Cornelia H. & P. J. Nirris was born Sep. 29th 1859.

(Squeezed underneath his father's birth record.) John R. Norris Jr. son of J.R. & Mary Norris born Oct. 2nd 1892.

Laura E. Norris Born Feby 5th 1861.

Thomas B. Norris Born July 18th 1863.

P. Jerry Norris Born Decembr 21st 65

Edgar Warren Norris Born May 27th 1868.

Cornelia H. Norris Born March 13th 1870.

Hannon E. Norris. Born May 10th 1872.

Ivan Merle Norris was born January 31st 1876.

Sanford McDonald Norris daughter of J.R. & Mary M. Norris was born Sept. 14th 1887.

Cornelia Lee Norris daughter of T.B. & B. L. Norris was born July 7th 1887. (Richard Norris through Sarah A. C. Norris were obviously copied from the bible Sarah Ann Norris gave Peter Jeremiah Norris when he was a child.)

Richard Norris born May 30th 1800 Father of P. J. N.

Elizabeth C. Hall born Oct. 22nd 1779.

P. J. Norris Sr. born Nov. 13th 1822.

T. W. Norris born March 21st 1821.

Sarah A. C. Norris born Feb. 5th 1825.

Cornelia Helen Guinn born July 31 1833 wife of P. J. Norris

Hannon Edwards Norris born May 10th 1892 Died Jan 19th 1907