Margaret Kember's Life of Christ
In fact, it isn't a Bible at all, although referred to as such in the family. It is a Life of Jesus Christ by the Rev. John Fleetwood, D.D., an undated copy of a book produced in lots of editions over many decades well into the 19th century. Inevitably it is showing its age, yellowed with front pages missing and both covers detached. (Actually held on to the spine of the book by 3 pieces of string!)
The book has been handed down from mother to daughter and is of interest for the handwritten entries noting the births of Kember descendants over several generations, covering dates from 1822 to 1954. Also in the book are 3 loose pieces of paper, much creased and somewhat faded, listing a number of births between 1769 and 1822.
The earliest entries, for Thomas and Ann Kember in 1769 and 1770.
The earliest entries are for Thomas and Ann Kember in 1769 and 1770. No places are recorded; the marriage of Thomas Kember and Ann has not yet been found, nor has Thomas's baptism. Neither event is recorded in Guston near Dover, where all seven of their children were baptised.
Loose sheet recording Ovenden births.
Another loose sheet also appears older and records births of Ovenden children between 1811 and 1831. Thomas and Ann's first child, Ann Cooper Kember, married Henry Ovenden; their children were also all baptised in Guston. The families recorded seem to be those who lived nearby and it seems likely that it was the work of Margaret Kember's mother Ann Kember née Bailey.
Margaret Kember married John William Sharp in 1855. John is something of a mystery, having given four different places of birth in various censuses and several inconsistent ages. His father's name on his marriage certificate was Richard, but he was apparently brought up by an uncle. No likely baptism has yet been found.
Entries for John and Margaret Sharp, née Kember.