William Rawes' leather-bound bible dates from 1822 and is titled 'A new Family Bible containing the Old and New Testaments, with Notes Illustrations, and Practical Improvements, selected from the Exposition of the Reverend Matthew Henry. By the Reverend E. Blomfield. Bungay 1822.' The two-volumed bible contains a number of handwritten entries transcribed below. The bible is at present in my keeping (Julian Rawes) and was passed to me in 1986 (narrowly missing being burnt) by Mary Rawes, the wife of John Rawes of Levens, Westmorland, 1910-1985. John and Mary had no children. The bible was passed from William Rawes & Betty his wife to their son Richard Rawes of Chapel Style, Great Langdale 1826-1894, and then to Richard's son John Rawes of Great Langdale 1863-1931. The bible was then passed to John's son, also called John, the husband of Mary mentioned above. It is to Mary's kindness and forethought that this valuable bible survives. The bible is in excellent condition. (Seatoller Line). William Rawes is my nam and and England is my Nation Stavley is my dwelling Plas and crist is my Salvation and when I am die and lade in my grav and all my Boons ar roten hear is a Book for you to look when I am Quite for goten May 20 1831

[Volume 1: A number of jottings on the back of the front end-paper.] 18-- 1868 1784 1794 1784 1784 1784 1852 1852 1840 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 49 84 68 58 56 Notes:- The fourth item appears to refer to the birth and death of Robert Lancaster Rawes.

[Volume 1: Birth details on the front of the first fly-leaf. It appears that this entry was made shortly after the purchase of the bible. The entry gives the brothers and sisters of William Rawes. William's birth date has been overwritten, but not changed, probably in 1870 when the date of his death was added. Also at this time, the birth details of Ballah, William's wife, were also overwritten but not changed, and her date of death added.] Mary Rawes Born April 28th 1782 Died March 23 1870 Wm Rawes Born Novm 29th 1784 John Rawes Born Novm 7th 1786 Died 1786 John Rawes Born May 3rd 1788 Joseph Rawes Born May 11th 1790 Agnes Rawes Born July 14th 1792 Died July 2nd 1822 R. Lancaster Rawes Born Oct 5th 1794 James Rawes Born Decr 6th 1796 Wilson Rawes Born Feby 24th 1799 Died Novr 30th 1821 Richd Rawes Born Feby 11th 1801 Died April 20th 1818 Wm Rawes Book Died September 10th 1870 Ballah Rawes W Rawes Wife Born April 7th 1787 Notes:- The above are the children of Lanty & Betty Rawes of Seatoller. In my section referring to 'Branches' John Rawes heads the 'Jamaica Line', Joseph Rawes heads the Joseph & Dinah Line and James Rawes heads the Portugal Line.

[Volume 1: Birth details on the back of the second fly-leaf. The handwriting of the first section of this this entry appears to be the same as the additions on the previous entry. The entries commencing with 'Grandchildren' are in a different hand.] Sarah Postlethwaite, Born, Novr 17th 1803 Wm Postlethwaite, Born, Novr 4th 1805 James Postlethwaite, Born, Febry 1st 1808 Eleanor Postlethwaite, Born, Decr 19th 1810 John Postlethwaite, Born, Novr 27th 1813 Ann Postlethwaite, Born, Octb 30th 1816 Robt. Postlethwaite, Born, Janry 10th 1819 Stephen Postlethwaite, Born, July 15th 1821 Elizabeth Postlethwaite, Born, Febry 4th 1826 ---------- William Postlethwaite, Died on the 6th of April 1859 in the 80th year of his age. ---------- Sarah Postlethwaite, Died on the 22nd of March 1865, in her 84th year. ---------- Grandchildren of Richard and Elizabeth Rawes --- John Brownlee Born 15th Febry 1873 Richard Brownlee Born 11th June 1874 Notes:- Richard Rawes of Chapel Style, Great Langdale, the son of William Rawes, married Elizabeth Postlethwaite. Richard & Elizabeth Rawes's daughter Eleanor, married Dick Brownley.

[Volume 1: Birth details on the back of the frontispiece. The handwriting is in the same hand as on the previous page, down to the death of Robert Rawes. The subsequent four entries were added at a later date. The last entry was probably added many years later.] Richard Rawes, Born July 20th 1828 Elizabeth Rawes, Born Febry 4th 1826 Died Jany 3rd 1888 ---------- Postlethwaite Rawes, Born Novr 3rd 1848 Eleanor Rawes, Born, Octr 6th 1850 William Rawes, Born, Octr 12th 1853 James Rawes, Born, Octr 21st 1855 Sarah Ann Rawes, Born, March 1st 1859 Lancelot Rawes, Born, April 30th 1861 John Rawes, Born, July 15th 1863 Richard Rawes, Born, Novr 7th 1867 Robert Rawes, Born, Novr 14th 1869 Died, Novr 14th 1869 Richard Rawes, Died Febry 4th 1894 aged 65 yrs Elizabeth Rawes, Died Jan 3rd 1888 aged 61 yrs ----------- Sarah Ann Rawes Died Feb 16th 1894 aged 34 yrs John Rawes " Aug: 3rd 1931 " 61 " Notes:- In my section referring to 'Branches' Postlethwaite Rawes heads the Postlethwaite Line, William Rawes heads the Adelaide Line, James Rawes heads the Ratcliff Line, Lancelot Rawes heads the Newling Line, John Rawes (one-time owner of the bible), heads the JP Line and Richard Rawes heads the Ontario Line.

[Volume 1: Birth details on a loose sheet of blue-writing paper inserted at the back of the book. The entries are on one side only and appear to be in the same handwriting as the entry on the first fly-leaf. This item is also listed separately under the bible of William Wilson Rawes, see that page.] William Wilson Rawes & Esther his wife Their Children 1767 Isabella Rawes Born 15th July 1768 Joseph Rawes do 20th Decr 1769 Sarah Rawes do 23rd Octr 1771 Robert Rawes do 5th April 1772 Esther Rawes do 30th Augt 1774 Ann Rawes do 19th July 1776 Agnes Rawes do 16th March 1778 William Rawes do 26th Feby 1780 John Rawes do 8th Feby 1781 Elizabeth Rawes do 26 Decr 1783 Mary Rawes do 14 Feby 1785 Richard Rawes do 11th Sepr 1787 Elizabeth Rawes do 18th May 1789 Lancelot Rawes do 22nd Augt Copy Robert Rennison Notes:- William Wilson Rawes was William Rawes's uncle. In my section referring to 'Branches' Robert Rawes heads the Weardale Line, Esther heads the Rudd Line, Richard Rawes heads the Besley Line and Lancelot Rawes heads the Lowis Line.

[Volume 1: Death details on a loose sheet of plain white paper inserted at the back of the book. The last entry is in blue ink and appears to be in another hand.] Richard Rawes (father) died Feb: 24th 1894 age 65 yrs Sons & daughters Sarah Ann, died Feb: 16th 1894. age 34 yrs Postlethwaite Rawes, died September 8th 1909, age 60 yrs John Rawes " August 3rd 1931, " 68 " James Rawes " October 28th 1931, " 76 " Eleanor Rawes " October 30th 1916 " 66 " Notes:- It is assumed that this entry was written by John Rawes, the then possessor of the bible and son of Richard Rawes.

[Volume 1: Letter on a loose sheet of white writing paper inserted at the back of the book. The writing is on one side only.] Langdale Small. Thursday Evening. 1888 John Crighton Esq Respected Sir I return the Holy Bible with the work executed and trust it may please you in its fullest measure. As to my idea and fancy. I don't consider it necessary to write the names of the individuals your offsprings marry. As a rule. the married parties generally provide a family bible for themselves and usually insert the date of entering into their matrimonial state and with whom unjoined Trusting to hear a satisfactory result and remain as usual Respected Sir" Yours" Greenoss Bill" Notes:- Langdale Small should be read as 'Little Langdale'. It is by no means clear if this letter refers to William's bible or another as it is addressed to a John Crighton!

[Volume 2: Entry on the front of the second fly-leaf.] by Wm Rawes Potatos from 2 shilling to 4s-6d per Stone in 1847 that is from £1-12s-0d to £3-12s-0d per Bushel March 21st 1847 William Rawes Notes:- William's comments about potato prices is interesting in that this was at the time of the Irish potato famine.

[Volume 2: Entry on the back of the second fly-leaf.] William Rawes is my name and and England is my Nation Stavely is my dwelling Place and crist is my Salvation and when I am die and laid in my grave and all my boons ar roten hear is a Book for you to look when I am Quite for goten May 20 1831 Notes:- It is assumed that both this and the previous item are in William's own handwriting.

[Volume 2: On the back of the title page to the section on the New Testament, set halfway through the tome.] Died April 26 1809 Bettey Rawes Born Decr 28th 1806 Died 13th April 1889 William Rawes Born Oct 31st 1808 Lancelot Rawes Born Decr 29th 1810 John Rawes Born Jany 17th 1813 Balla Rawes Born March 23rd 1815 Betty Rawes Born April 16th 1817 Died Oct 3rd 1869 Robert Rawes Born March 11th 1820 Wilson Rawes Born May 9th 1822 James Rawes Born April 9th 1825 Died Decm 30th 1827 Richard Rawes Born July 28th 1828 Notes:- The death of James is in the same hand but added later. The deaths of William (1889) and Robert (1869) have been added much later and are in a different hand. A number of dates and figures have been added in pencil. For instance above John's birth date is 66 and below is 53. There is a suggestion that in 1866 someone was calculating ages.