Family Bible Has Arrived!

I recently posted about the family Bible owned by Philip Creasy and sent to me by Melissa. To recap what happened: Melissa had owned this Bible for several years & attempted to find a family related to Philip Creasy. She found & read my website, Our Leaves & Branches, where she saw Philip Creasy. Melissa contacted me & sent me this heirloom.

Philip M. Creasy, 1867 – 1934

is my half 2nd grand uncle. His father, Christian Gruissy, 1811 Switzerland – 1907 OH, is my 3rd great grandfather. Christian married twice, to Mary Grorisclauss, my 3rd great grandmother and to Mary Wise, mother of Philip M. Creasy. [Note that two of Christian’s sons, Reuben & Philip changed their surnames from Gruissy to Creasy.] Philip was a grocer. My paternal grandmother told me: One day a man came into his shop to look at a gun. He left and returned later. He looked at the gun again. He asked for as box of shells. He put a shell in the gun and shot Phillip; killing him. However, his obituary tells us Philip died of a stroke. He & his parents & other family members are buried in South Lawn Cemetery, Beach City, OH.

I was very excited and wondered what information the Bible would contain. I considered sleeping beside my mailbox, waiting for its delivery. In reality, I was in Illinois visiting our daughter when the package arrived. Home again, I tore open the box.

First reaction, this Bible is huge! Melissa had placed the Bible in a plastic bin& wrapped it in bubble wrap. The cover is 10 x 12 inches and four inches thick.

About the Bible: It was printed in 1893 in Philadelphia by A. J. Holman & Co. There is a wonderful color plate and many black and white illustrations. One page declares the Bible a “new self – pronouncing dictionary of the Bible, containing every important scriptural word”. The pages are yellowed and some are crumbling along the edges. I will purchase an archival safe box for its storage. 

About the genealogical findings: Melissa kindly place a yellow ribbon in the center of the Bible, where family information was recorded. First there is a page for Holy Matrimony details. Mary Wasem of Ragurville, O, Tus. [Ragersville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio] and Phil Creasy of Beach City, O. S. [Stark County, Ohio] were married on the 8 day of March in the year of our Lord 1888.

Then there is a two page spread for a ‘Family Record’. 

“Mary Wasem born Ragurville, O., 2 of Oct. 1867, married 8 Day of March”

“Phil Creasy born Wilmut, O., born 19 of Jan 1868”

“Harry Creasy born Ragersville, O, Tusc, 10 of January 1891; married 15 Day of April 1925”

Interestingly, it looks like the birth years were erased and rewritten. The pencil is certainly darker than the original. I did know Phil’s birth date but had his birth year as 1867. I did not know Mary’s birth date or location. I had their son’s birth information but not his marriage date. 

There are many more lines in the Bible but no other information. There are no other children listed and I had found none during my research. While Harry’s marriage date is shown his wife’s name is not included. Harry’s daughter is also not listed.

I wish there was more genealogical data included but I believe this Bible is still very special. Each year my husband & I host a big family cookout on Independence Day. I always set out family charts and evidences of my most recent research. This year this Bible will be centerpeiced along with a chart showing our relationship to Philip. 

The best part is holding and turning the pages of this old Bible that Philip & Mary once held. I learned about Philip, researched his life & now I have the Bible he owned!

Selected Sources:

·    1870 U. S. Census, Stark County, Ohio; 7 June 1870; Page 605B; Lines 24 - 30; National Archives, Pittsfield, Mass., M593 Roll 1269.

·   1880 U.S. Census, Stark County, Ohio; 1880; ; Pages 419 A & B; Stark Co. Genealogical Society, N. Canton, Ohio; NOTES: Christian "Gruissi".

·         Marriage Record for Philip Creasy and Mary Wesem, 8 March 1888, Ohio Marriages, 1800 - 1958, Microfilm #890366, page 591, Family Search.org. Philip, 20, b. 1868; Married in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

·         Birth Record for Harry Lewis Creasy, 10 May 1891, Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821 - 1962, Microfilm #890359, v 3B, page 2. Family Search.org. Parents: Philip Creasy and Mary Wasem. b. in Auburn, Tuscarawas, Ohio.

·      Mann, Marcia. Index to 1934 Obituaries in the Canton Repositroy. Canton, Ohio: Stark County District Library. "Philip Creasey." Canton Repository March 17, 1934: 5.

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