With the recent swearing in of elected county officials, Gloucester’s Circuit Court Clerk Cathy Dale kept a tradition alive, employing one of the county’s 19th century Bibles for the ceremony.

As part of her duties, Dale is the custodian of three Bibles, the oldest of which is still in use to this day.

“I always use the oldest one,” she said.

An 1883 King James Bible made its most recent public appearance on Dec. 20 as incoming members of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, Gloucester County School Board and constitutional offices took their oaths of office at the colonial courthouse by Dale herself. Each newly elected or re-elected official placed their left hand on the 1883 Bible while taking the oath.

“The previous clerks, they always used that Bible,” said Dale.

This Bible was presented in 1894 to then Clerk of Court Samuel B. Chapman by Gen. William B. Taliaferro. Chapman served as clerk from 1887 until his death in 1896.

According to documents provided ...