I've "rescued" an old bible dated 1857 which originally belonged to the ELDER Family of Illinois. The bible contains the following: Marriage Records: · Charles S. ELDER Sr. and Mary E. MARTIN, married 2 Sept 1856, by the Rev. E. P. INGERSOLL Birth Records: · Charles Stuart ELDER Sr., b. 7 May 1835 · Mary Elvira MARTIN, b. 14 Sept 1835 · Lora Martin ELDER, b. 10 Aug 1857 · Henry Rossiter ELDER, b. 26 July 1858 · Josephine ELDER, b. 17 July 1859 · Edgar Burnham ELDER, b. 2 Feb 1861 · Lucy ELDER, b. 20 Oct 1863 · William Augustus ELDER, b. 13 Mar 1865 · Lottie ELDER, b. 3 Feb 1869 · Grace ELDER, b. 23 Jan 1870 · Eloise V. ELDER, b. 7 Feb 1873 · Charles Stuart ELDER Jr., b. 17 Mar 1876 Death Records: · Henry Rossiter ELDER, d. 6 Jan 1860 · Lucy ELDER, d. 22 Nov 1865 · William Augustus ELDER, d. 19 Feb 1867 · Eloise V. ELDER, d. 13 Sept 1873 · Charles Stuart ELDER Jr., d. 30 May 1886 · Mary Elvira ELDER, d. 17 July 1889 · Charles Stuart ELDER Sr., 12 Apr 1911 Additional Items: · Funeral Notice for Mrs. Ruth L. MARTIN d. 26 Feb 1866 at Middleport, IL, age 62 years and 7 months, the widow of the late Colonel Porter MARTIN of Martinton, son – James P. MARTIN of Middleport, son-in-law – Mr. STEARNS of Martinton, previously lived in Williamstown, VT · Dried field flowers · Library Book card referencing a 1750 cookbook · Funeral Notice for Mr. Henry FERRE, 24 Jan 1855 · Handwritten poem “Heaven help the Sons of Liberty” Based on limited research I believe that Charles Stuart ELDER was born in Waterloo, New York to parents Augustus ELDER and Lydia STUART. He and Mary Elvira MARTIN were married in Bloomington, Ohio and were living in Lexington, IL during the 1880 census with 5 of their children and Mary's Mother Catharine A. MARTIN. Charles was living at Chenoa, IL when he died in 1911. It appears that the older children were probably born at Bloomington, IL and the younger kids at Chenoa, IL. Lora Martin ELDER married Charles Fordyce CHURCHILL on 19 Oct 1876 and appears in the 1880 census living in Chenoa, IL with her husband and 2 year old daughter Lena L. CHURCHILL. Grace ELDER married Harry Carlton THOMPSON on 31 Oct 1894 at Chenoa, IL and d. 15 Nov 1953 in Wichita, Kansas. Not sure how Ruth & Porter MARTIN mentioned in the funeral notice are related to Mary E. MARTIN (possibly and Aunt & Uncle), however, I find Porter MARTIN b. 14 Feb 1799 at Williamstown, Vermont the son of James MARTIN and Martha COBURN, married to Ruth A. LADD on 14 Apr 1828. Porter MARTIN died 27 Apr 1865. Ruth A. LADD was b. in 1802 in Tunbridge, VT to parents Anson LADD and Ruth MOULTON. The bible is in poor physical condition, however, I'm hoping to locate someone from the family so that this wonderful old treasure can be returned to family. If you are a member of this family or know someone who might be, please contact me. Thanks, Shelley