Apparently, this book once belonged to James Breckinridge (1763-1833), who was a renowned attorney at law, politician, and general in the Revolutionary War. The title is “The History of England, from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution in 1688.”
It was written by David Hume, published in London in 1799 and illustrated with metal engravings.
James Breckinridge had his law office conveniently located behind the Botetourt Courthouse. It was later added onto and in 1966 opened as the Museum of the Botetourt County Historical Society. The General James Breckinridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution helped decorate the law office to replicate how it might have looked during James Breckinridge’s life. A member of that chapter, Anne Bryan Larson, donated many books for the built-in bookcases. This Volume 3 is one of the Volumes 2, 3, 5-8 she donated.
When BCHS Museum moved out of its original location in 2021 to nearby 26 East Main Street, Fincastle, all of the artifacts that had been donated were taken with it. This book is now displayed in the Botetourt Museum of History and Culture parlor. The former law office and museum building, which is owned by Botetourt County, is to be moved beside the Old Jail and behind the 4-H office to make room for a new, larger Botetourt Courthouse.
~ Botetourt Museum of History & Culture
