In 1997 I met with a long-time friend whom I've known for over 25 years. In an attempt to update him on my life and activities since we'd last met, I told him about my genealogy hobby and research. As I discussed my research, he jumped in to tell me about the old bible he'd found in an antique store in Arizona in the early 1980's.
        Douglas told me that he didn't really know what drew him to the old bible, beyond the fact that the writing inside was beautiful. He told me that there were times when he'd display the bible on a stand with a soft light beaming down on the pages. As he was talking, he said "This family in the bible was from the area you are researching! Tell me some of your names!"
         When I came to HUSTED, he leaned forward and exclaimed, "That's IT! The Bible belonged to some members of the HUSTED family!" We both were just amazed at the coincidence and when he flew back to Seattle, he found the bible and insisted on giving it to me. When I offered to purchase it, Douglas, he said, "No, this is too much of a coincidence. I feel like it belongs to you!"
         So as Douglas shared with me, I now share with you. The bible that Douglas purchased so many years ago has been on quite a trip around the country. It was printed in Scotland, owned by the Miller family in New York and has records listing events from New York to Tennessee to Connecticut and finally--it was found in an antique store in Phoenix, Arizona. The bible is worn on the outside, and covered with old, dark brown leather. Its size is approximately 15 "x 10" x3". The front and back covers have fallen off, and some of the pages are yellowed and speckled with age, and I'm not sure if the black dust in the spine is mold or coal dust --but overall, it's in remarkably good condition! And in 1999, it was returned to a close relative of this Husted family.

The bible appears to be the family record of the Alfred and Caroline HUSTED family of New York, Nashville, Tennessee and New Canaan, Connecticut. The first page opens to "Memmorandum" of the life of Catherine Miller, daughter of John George Miller of New York City.I do not know how Catherine and her husband George Paul SHEP fit into the Husted family on the following pages.

I will transcribe everything that I see here, and then include thumbnails for larger copies on secondary pages.

Note: While I do descend from the Robert HUSTED family, through his daughter Ann (m. Richard HARDY 1650, Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut), this is NOT my direct family line.
        The following words are typed exactly as I see them, with any misspellings or punctuation left intact. For more careful review of all the records, please click on the thumbnail and review the rather large jpg files on linked pages.

The First of June 1774 Was born Catherine Miller between12 o clock and 1 her fathers name was John George miller his Wife name was Maria agnes She was christened Sunday following Her god father was Lewis Dixon his wife's name was Catherine 1790 Died Maria agnes Miller on friday the 29 (27?-mp) of November and the Sunday following she was Buried in the swamp Church <yard> on William Street in new york. aged 50

In 1803 Died John George Miller october 14 on friday morning Between 1 and 2 of 4 Days Sickness buried friday afternoon in the Swamp Church <yard> William Street new york aged 83

In the year of our Lord 1790 Married George Paul Shep To Catherine miller on the 6 Day of April in new york By Docter (Docten?) Kunzey

In the year 1813 Died George Paul Shep on Mondey morning March the irst of 5 Days <Between 4 and 5 o 'clock in the morning> Sickness berred on Wednesday the 3 in the afternoon in the Swamp Church yeard in Willim Street in New York Aged 59 years and 10 months

Also of the same disease, on the 7th inst. ALFRED SEYMOUR HUSTED aged four years one month and seven days. Both children of George S. and Margaret Husted.

"My Lord has need of these flowrets gay,"
The Reaper said and smiled.
"Dear tokens of the earth are they,
Where He was once a child.

"They shall all bloom in fields of light,
Transplanted by my care,
And saints, upon their garments white,
These sacred blossoms wear."

And the mother gave in tears and pain,
The flowers she most did love;
She knew she should find them all again
In the fields of light above.
COM.