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This compelling manuscript ledger was kept by noted Texas Baptist preacher Ernest J. Gregory (1895-1977) of San Antonio. In 1946, Gregory founded the Mexican Baptist Orphans Home of Texas in San Antonio. The orphanage, also known as the Mexican Baptist Church Home, was just the second orphanage in the state of Texas (Buckner Orphanage was founded in Dallas in 1879). After establishing the orphanage, Rev. Gregory headed the facility for its first 16 years of operation. He had also served as a missionary in Mexico for 8 years, pastor in Archer City, Texas for 3 years, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Alice, Texas for 6 years, and superintendent of the Baptist City Missions in San Antonio for a year.

Throughout much of his career, Rev. Gregory presided over wedding ceremonies of Texas couples. He kept the present volume for 30 years in which he married nearly 
250 couples dating from 1936-1966. Vast majority of couples were from cities and towns throughout Texas. Couples were often married in Rev. Gregory's own home or study, and were charged fees ranging from $2 in the 1930s to $30 in the 1960s. All entries penned in Rev. Gregory's own hand, and volume makes for a treasure trove of original Texas genealogy. The front flyleaf  bears Rev. Gregory's ownership inscription.