Reuben Perkins Bible
The family Bible, which measures about 5" x 7" is now 207 years old. The first record
reads "Reuben Perkins his bible in the year of our Lord 1791. Reuben Perkins was born
---illegible for 3 lines which appear to have been erased." The Bible contains
handwritten records of births and deaths by at least four persons. The latest entry was
1919.
Sometime after that date the Bible was delivered to a Belmont County Extension Agent.
Margaret Perkins of Belmont who has protected the artifact for many years, states that the
Agent gave the Bible to her father, Dennis Perkins perhaps as early as the 1930's. The
late Frank Perkins told me several years ago that a Mr. Ruschak found the Bible among
stored items in an old barn along Captina Creek. It is assumed that he gave it to the
Agent.

Margaret Perkins has graciously passed the Bible to me for an indefinite time. It is being
protected and will eventually be given to a younger generation. Herewith is the
information pertaining to births & deaths as recorded by our ancestors:
Verbatum:
Elizabeth Perkins was born February the 23 1770
Averhart Perkins was born November the 26 1786
Reuben Perkins Junior was born July the 19 1788
Luis Perkins was born (illegible) September the 29 1789
Elias Perkins was born April the 27 1791
Elezabeth Perkins was born December the twenty fourth in the year of our lord one
thousand seven hundred and ninety two.
Elijah Perkins was born November the seventeenth in the year 1794
Rachael Perkins born October the 16 day 1796
Elizabeth Perkins deceast on Tuesday near twelve o'clock at night September the twenty
fifth in the year of our Lord Seven hundred and ninety eight September 25 1798