It is unknown exactly when the bible was purchased but it would have been some time between 1871 and 1898 and most likely was closer to the earlier year. This is verified by the publication date of 1871 shown in the bible and the first hand written entries, done in a "scribe" style of print often referred to as "Old English", made on or before 1898. (Much of the name, as well as birth, death and marriage information from the 1800's used in this writing, comes from the bible).
![[Mary McCann]](mmccann.jpg)
It appears that the first owner of the bible was Mary McCann(#11). A number of things such as
newspaper articles, old pictures and flowers were stored between the pages by different people over the
years. In September 1991, I went through the bible page by page and extracted the inserted material for
review. A number of the written newspaper articles are as old as 1884. They are primarily religious articles
or death notices, and I suspect the earlier items were placed here by Mary McCann. There are a number
of poems, receipts and postcards that were inserted in the early 1900's. In addition, a few articles were
inserted from 1948.Handwritten entries, few in number, have been written in the bible. For the most part they are birth, death and marriage dates for the McGowan family as well as an entry on the Saxby Gale and one referring to bringing in the 20th century.
Literacy is an item of interest pertaining to the 1871 census. Given that there are numerous inconsistencies and possible errors particularly in earlier census information, it was recorded in 1871 that John McGowan(#3) could read but could not write. Mary McCann(#11) could neither read nor write. However, records for 1891 show that by this time, they could both read and write. Of course, it is quite possible that reading and writing knowledge was obtained sometime during this twenty year period. Literacy confidence may have been a major factor in the decision to purchase the bible.