Bibles of Cleveland County

The Bibles of Cleveland County collection features Bibles owned by families in Cleveland County, dating back to the mid-1800s. Each record contains photographed and scanned images of the Bible's covers and text block. Handwritten family history pages are included for all Bibles where filled out. Contributors to the collection include the Earl Scruggs Center on behalf of the Cleveland County Historical Collection and the Gardner-Webb University Archives.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

Rev. John W. Suttle Family Bible

Oxford University Press

This Bible was published by Oxford University Press in London. It is a S.S. Teacher’s Edition. The leather covers show signs of red rot. This Bible belonged to the Rev. John W. Suttle, who was known to many in his community as the “Little Minister.” Suttle was a circuit preacher for a number of years and only presided over rural congregations, serving as many as six at a time. The “Little Minister” also served as both the moderator for the Kings Mountain Baptist Association and a member of the Gardner-Webb University Board of Trustees for over forty years. He retired in 1955 after a 65-year career

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.
The O.M. Mull Bible

Whitman Publishing Company

This Bible was used by O.M. Mull to take his oath of office as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1941. Mull, a native of Shelby, NC, served in the N.C. legislature in 1907, 1919, 1929, 1939, 1941, and 1947. This Bible was printed by the Whitman Publishing Company in Racine Wisconsin. The “Oath of the Office of the Members of the House of Representatives” includes an error in which Aaron Ashley Flowers Seawell (Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court) signed the document twice; one of his signatures is marked through with pencil and O.M. Mull’s signature is written above it. The text block of the Bible also notes that is a self-pronouncing, meaning that the text contains editorial marks to show pronunciation, accent, and syllables.

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.
O.Max Gardner Bible

Unknown

This Bible was used by Oliver Maxwell Gardner in taking his oath of office as governor of North Carolina in 1929. It is made with India paper and is a "self-pronouncing" Bible. The leather covers show evidence of red rot.

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.
Hamrick Family Bible

Unknown

This Family Bible was started by Dr. Timmons G. Hamrick and his first wife Cora Lovelace Hamrick in 1878. In 1910 Dr. Hamrick moved his family from the Caroleen Mill community of Rutherford County to establish the first hospital in Cleveland County within Shelby city limits. The spine of the Bible is damaged and the leather covers show signs of red rot. The Bible includes tin type photograph portraits of the Hamrick family.

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.
Willis Family Bible

American Bible Society

This bible was first owned by Joseph and Mary Willis who lived near Polkville in Cleveland County. Joseph served in the Civil War, being captured by Union Forces just two weeks prior to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. He was imprisoned for three months. This Bible was published by the American Bible Society (New York) in 1864. The spine is damaged and the covers show signs of discoloration.

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.
James Young Family Bible

Jesper Harding

This Bible was published in 1851 by Jesper Harding of Philadelphia. The spine has been torn off, leaving the sewing support of text block exposed. The covers have been tied together with string; however, the covers have been attached backwards. This Bible was owned by James Young, grandfather to O. Max Gardner (gov.) and a distant relative of Fay Webb Gardner.

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.
James Milton Webb Bible

John B. Perry

This Bible was published by John B. Perry of Philadelphia in 1851. The spine shows signs of damage and the covers have some discoloration. This Bible was owned by James Milton Webb, the first pastor of First Baptist and the great-grandfather of Fay Webb Gardner.

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.
Whitworth Family Bible

John B. Perry

This Bible was first owned by Fendall Whitworth who, in 1812, was born in Lincoln County before the formation of Cleveland County. The Bible lists many important persons and dates in the Whitworth family including the death of Fendall’s father William, a Revolutionary War veteran. The spine of the Bible is damaged and the covers are discolored. The Bible was published by John B. Perry (Philadelphia) in 1851.

Interior pages are available as supplemental PDF.