Typical small pocket testament published by The American Bible Society in 1864. The exterior is in worn but good condition with light surface abrasions on the corners and spin. The first few pages show wear and much writing in pencil that is hard to discern. What can be made out reads as follows:

Inside front cover among some ink scribbling is “NELSON SYLVESTER 1^ST MICH. CAV.  COMPANY A (??) … the 16 DAY OF OCTOBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1864.”

Next page has more ink scribbling with a very faint pencil inscription running horizontally.  It is too light to make out.

The next page has a pencil inscription that reads “MR. NELSON SYLVESTER WAS BORN IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 184… rest of page is torn. This is followed by the next page on which Sylvester wrote “REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY AND KEEP IT HOLY THAT THY DAY MAY BE LONG THAT THY LORD GOD GIVETH THEE.”

The very last page has written in pencil “THIS IS MY BOOK AND THIS IS MY NAME NELSON SYLVESTER.” There is also some kind of a message written inside the back cover but it is too light to read.

Nelson Sylvester was 24 years old when he enlisted as a Private in Company A, 1^st Michigan Cavalry at Sterling on December 15, 1863. At some point in his service he was appointed Corporal. He was mustered out on June 24, 1865. The 1^st Michigan was part of Custer’s famous Michigan Brigade. Sylvester joined that organization 6 months after becoming famous at Gettysburg and served with it till the close of the war.

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