A Treasure Hunt

Are there one or more "books"?

On the Early History page, Dr. Saylor references a small German Collection of Religious Readings printed in 1575.

During February 2012, I found a page typed by Dr. Saylor in 1923 titled History of the Old Saylor Bible, see below.

If we can find either or both of these books? A Treasure is an understatement. The hunt is on!

Click to view	Dr. Saylor clearly states that on the last page is written, "Printed at Zurich by Christopal Froschour and finished the 16 day of May 1539"	November 23, 2012 I received my first online reply from Kathy Thomas leading me to the Bible pictured to the right. This Bible was printed at Germantown by Chriftoph Saur in 1763. This Bible was also preserved by the Blough family until finding it's current home with the Allegheny Mennonite Conference in Somerset, PA. During 2010 this Bible was donated to the Conference by Leslie Forsythe and her siblings. My thanks to the Blough family and the Conference for keeping this valuable piece of history preserved.
At the bottom of Dr. Saylor's page he writes, "The book is of rather oddshape as compared to our modern bibles rather long and narrower than most books of its size weighing twelve and one half pounds."		This Bible measures 10 5/8 inches high, 8 inches wide and 4 1/4 inches deep and weighs 7 pounds. So were multiple Bibles passed through the Saylor and Blough families? The search continues!

If you can provide information, please contact me at [email protected]

In the will of Jacob Saylor (1715-1793) found in Somerset County, PA, Estate record Number 3 of 1796, indicates that his Bible and Menno Simon book were given to his grand-son, Jacob Saylor (1766-1830) a son of John Saylor (1740-1822). These might be the books listed above.

However, other books were bequeathed. A Philip Diedrick book and hymnbook went to Christian Knege. A daily testament and Golden Apple book went to his daughter Catharine Berkey. A Testament and hymnbook went to his daughter Magdalena.

However, a grand-daughter of Jacob (1715-1793), Catherine Saylor (1776-1848) a daughter of John Saylor (1740-1822), married Jacob Blough (1775-1849) and he is the Conemaugh Township Jacob Blauch mentioned in the History of the Old Saylor Bible above. Other Blough family sources indicate that the bible was past down through Blough ministers and might be with a Mennonite Church today. Five pages of the estate record are displayed below with a recent transcription and the Shetler references to the early Mennonite ministers. Other leads will be displayed as the hunt continues.

Page 1
English

Page 2
English

Page 3
English

Page 4
German

Page 5
English

Transcription

Two Centuries of Struggle and Growth 1773-1963 A History of Allegheny Mennonite Conference By Sanford G. Shetler

[The first 4 images from the collection of Dr. E.C. Saylor at the Berlin Area Historical Society, Berlin, PA,
were apparently presented to Dr. E. C. Saylor from David Blough of Friedens, per the the next 2 images.]