Religious Diary entry dated 1827, from Esther Holmes' bible

Archive

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Bedford Historical Society

Name/Title

Religious Diary entry dated 1827, from Esther Holmes' bible

Entry/Object ID

70.38.2b

Scope and Content

Religious Diary entry dated 1827, from Esther Holmes' bible ----- She was one of the heroines of the Revolutionary War and lived in Bedford at the foot of Indian Hill. In 1778 she learned that the British "Light-Horse" were advancing and at once she climbed to the highest part of the hill and waved her red petticoat to notify the villagers that the enemy was advancing. This warning enabled the people of Bedford to hide their most valued possessions. Bedford was burned at this time. Esther Holmes gave her Bible to her favorite niece Sarah Clark Haite. It was preserved in the family of Wm. Benedict as an heirloom for about forty years. It was then given to Lydia J. Reynalds a great grand niece, who in 1921 presented it to Katherine Bell Clark a great-great-grand niece of the original owner. -copy of manuscript note pasted in Bible. (old placard)