William Thompson Rawes, 1833-1885, the son of John Rawes of Keswick, and Dinah Burrows, 1835-1911, the daughter of William Burrows of Borrowdale were the owners of this is fine large Victorian bible. The bible is ornately bound in leather decorated with gold leaf. It is in excellant condition. The bible has descended down through their family and is now in the possession of their great-granddaughter Mary Rawes of Poulton le Fylde, Lancashire (Jamaica Line). The bible is entitled 'Brown's Self-Interpreting Family Bible: containing the Old and New Testaments: by the late Rev. John Brown.' Published Edinburgh by Alexander Hutchinson & Co. Following the title page are four decorative pages specifically put aside for family entries. The pages and their entries are itemised below.

[Page one: highly decorated with a frieze in red ink. In the upper portion are printed the words 'Family Register', followed by 'Parents Names'. Space is set aside for entries prompted by printed wording such as Husband, Wife etc.:] FAMILY REGISTER PARENTS NAMES HUSBAND William Thompson Rawes BORN at White Moss Cottage Parish of Grasmere Aug 30 1833 WIFE Dinah Burrows BORN at Stone Thwaite, Borrowdale Nov 10th 1835 MARRIED at the Parish Church Crosthwaite by the Rev Holden Donald Hill Nov 10 1858 [Written in a different hand] William Thompson Rawes died at Rydal Feb 21st 1885 in his 52nd year. Dinah Rawes died at Rydal Oct 22. 1911 in her 76th year.

[Page two: on the reverse of page one in the same style with 'Childrens Names' printed in the upper portion.] CHILDRENS NAMES Mary Jane, their Daughter born at Grasmere Oct 13 - 1859 John, their Son born at Grasmere Sept 19 - 1861 Joseph William, - Rydal Jany 7 - 1864 Lily th[eir] Daughter - Rydal August 11 - 1869 Annie their Daughter - Rydal Decr 15 - 1872

[Page three: in the same style with 'Marriages' printed in the upper portion.] MARRIAGES Married Dec 23rd 1889 to Maria Elizabeth Andrews born Nov 30th 1866 Married Oct 2nd 1888 to Ruth Bell. Born Nov 3rd 1864. Both at Rydal by the Rev E.E. Stock M.A. Vicar Married at Rydal, July 14 1897 to Angus Backhouse bron July 16 1869 Notes:- John Rawes married Maria Elizabeth Andrews. Joseph William Rawes married Ruth Bell. Lily Rawes married Angus Backhouse.

[Page four: on the reverse of page three and in the same style with 'Deaths' printed in the upper portion.] DEATHS William Thompson Rawes died at Rydal February 21st 1885 in his 52nd year. Mary Jane Rawes daughter of the above died at Rydal July 29th 1891. in her 32nd year. John Rawes died at Adelaide, S Australia (son of the above) April 9th 1911 aged 50 Dinah Rawes died at Rydal Oct 11th 1911. aged 76. Ruth Rawes died Oct 2nd 1939 aged 74 (wife of JW Rawes) Transcribed by Julian Rawes, 2003.