Family Bible Question

[Annette Witherby]

Would someone be able to help me with deciphering the numbers on the inside front page of our family bible.

ie. No. 6  and nos. 645.

My thought is that it is the 6th copy to go to a family member but I am not sure about the 645.

Any help appreciated.      Annette

[suey]

Sorry you have not had more respose to your question Annette.

Is it possible that there were 645 Bibles printed originally? and as you say No 6 was given to William

In the flourish under November is No.9 and a name or place and London, was this where William Witherby lived maybe...
Modified - That does say No 9 Birchin Lane, London

Do you know anything more about Thomas and William Witherby?

oooo here's something interesting, the National Archives has the Will of Thomas Witherby, Law Stationer of Birchin Lane London -date 1798, you can download a copy for £3.50 GB not sure how that works from Oz but looks good.

Let us know how you get on...
Suey

[suey]

Found these snippets by Googling

WITHERBY, George Henry, stationer, Birchin Lane 1789L-1814P. Livery Sta. Co. by 1792. See Thomas Witherby.

WITHERBY, George, stationer, Nicholas Lane 1792U.

WITHERBY, Thomas, stationer, Birchin Lane 1759K-1765K; 9, Birchin Lane 1767K-1830P. Trading: as Thomas Witherby 1759K-1778K; as Thomas Witherby and son 1779K-1788K; as Thomas Witherby and sons 1789L-1800P; as William and George Henry Witherby 1801P-1814P; as W. G. and W. H. Witherby 1815P-1830P+. Free Coopers' Co. by 1767, livery by 1792. Sometimes described as law stationers. Common councillor Langbourne ward 1767-97. Firm established 1740, still existed as Witherby and Co. Ltd. 147, Cannon Street 1975. Son Thomas livery Coopers' Co. by 1792.

Found it here  http://www.devon.gov.uk/etched?_IXP_=1&_IXR=100165
but I'm not sure what it's all about 

[millymcb]

Hi

Is this Mr Witherby a relative?

I was just thinking that 645 seems a lot of copies if it is for family members... I wonder if -(as he appears to have been a stationer) - it is some kind of corporate gift... like people give diaries now with their company name on. 

As I say - just a thought

[suey]

Good thinking millymcb - or maybe he just gave the first few to family members and sold the rest. 

[Annette Witherby]

Hello to you both.

Lots of food for thought and as I am off to bed shortly I will write in the morning with details.  Yes this is my husband's family.

Annette

[millymcb]

I think Suey's  idea he gave the first few to family and the rest to others is quite a good suggestion

[Annette Witherby]

Hello to you both once more,

Many thanks for your input.

William, b 1758 - 1840 was one of 10 children, 5 of whom reached maturity.
My husband is a descendant of William Witherby.
We knew the family were the founders of the existing Witherby & Co Ltd. Stationers.

Your suggestion regarding the distribution of the bibles does sound feasable.   They just may have printed out over 600 bibles for selling.  We were lucky to have no. 6. 

Thankyou, Suey for the additional information regarding the will of Thomas and we will persue this further.

Thanks again.    Annette