A Bible dating back to the Revolutionary War has been returned to its rightful place in the Root family home.
A Bible belonging to William and Hannah Root has been donated to Cobb Landmarks, the nonprofit organization that operates the museum bearing the family’s name.
Gary Lassiter, a descendant of the Root family, recently delivered the Bible to members of Cobb Landmarks. According to the organization, the Bible was originally published in 1700 and belonged to a Presbyterian minister named John Simpson.
Simpson, Hannah Root’s grandfather, lived in Chester County, South Carolina, and identified as a patriot during the Revolutionary War, Cobb Landmarks said.
In 1780, he joined a militia led by Thomas Sumter and in that same year, Lord Cornwallis, a British commander stationed in the south, ordered Legion Commander Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton to locate Sumter and his militia. Christian Huck, a loyalist commander, was also sent to capture Simpson on June 11, 1780, at Fishing Creek Church where the reverend had been a pastor since 1774.
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When Huck arrived to find no one at the church, he ordered the building burned and began marching towards Simpson’s home. The pastor’s wife, Mary, was told about Huck’s move toward the property and “took her children to hide in an orchard near the home,” Cobb Landmarks said.
Huck arrived and his men ransacked and set fire to the house, as well as the library and barn. Once the British soldiers left, Mary Simpson ran into the burning library and was able to save two aprons full of books, including the family Bible.
Credit: Cobb Landmarks
Credit: Cobb Landmarks
Cobb Landmarks say the Bible was rebound in 1788, and was passed down to Leonard Simpson, Hannah Root’s father. The Bible came into ownership by the Roots upon Leonard Simpson’s death in 1856. The Bible was rebounded again in 1860 and later in 1888.
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While it’s been rebound several times, it still contains the original front and back covers. It also has the signatures of the Rev. John Simpson, William Root and his sons, Willie and Jim.
"Cobb Landmarks is truly honored to have this Bible in our collection and we thank Gary Lassiter for his generosity and his faith in our organization to care for this treasure," said Cobb Landmarks Executive Director Trevor Beemon.
Cobb Landmarks will design an exhibit panel and build a special case to display the Bible at the Root House Museum in Marietta.
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