The hunt is on for the ‘elusive’ James Doubleday as a family tries to track the owner of a Bible that dates back to 1854.
Bob Atkin is hoping readers will be able to help trace the history of a Bible found in his mother’s home after her death in August this year.
He said: “There is a handwritten entry in the Bible that reads,”James Doubleday, A reward from the Wesleyan Sabbath School, Whaplode Drove, 1854”.
“There is another page in the Bible with hand written entries, referring to ‘Holding’ and ‘Barker’ family names, dating between 1872 and 1892.
“I have managed to trace the ‘Holdings’ and ‘Barkers’ to my late mother, through her birth surname, ‘Pentelow.’
“All had connections around the Whaplode Drove, Thorney and Wisbech area. James Doubleday, however, has proved very elusive and I have been unable to trace him, or indeed, the Wesleyan Sabbath Sunday School, which would have been a Sunday school associated with a Whaplode Drove chapel.
“I have contacted the curator at Wisbech museum but he was unable to help and was not aware of the chapel, even. He spoke to a local historian who suggested I contact Doubleday Tractors.”
Attempts to contact Doubleday Tractors have not received replies.
“I would like to find information about the chapel, and the very elusive James Doubleday, and I hope readers may be able to help fill in the blanks,” added Mr Atkin.
Do you know who James Doubleday was or the chapel referred to in the Bible - contact the newsroom on 01354-661955.
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