The Book of Common Prayer. London: Thomas Baskett, 1754. 

18mo, 3 5/16 x 5 3/4 in. Contemporary dark red morocco gilt, with gilt stamped presentation to rear board: "JOHN FLEWWELLING / GIFT TO / ELIZABETH FLEWWELLIN[G]." 

John Flewelling (1701-after 1775) and Elizabeth Blue Smith (1702-1755) were prominent Loyalists who lived in Newburgh, New York in the Hudson River Valley during the American Revolution. The area was an epicenter of activity during the Revolution, with General Washington headquartering in Newburgh and the Valley often home to the Continental Army. Two of the Flewelling's children were engaged in dramatic and, at times, violent episodes of Loyalist resistance during the conflict.
 

John Flewelling (1726-1787) organized an escape attempt for 18 members of the Loyalist community of Newbergh in 1777. They aimed to rendezvous at a location near the New Jersey border where they had arranged safe passage to New York City. Upon embarking, Flewelling met a group of strangers who assured him that they were also Loyalists. Upon reaching the rendezvous point, however, they revealed themselves to be Patriots who had learned of his plot and arrested Flewelling and the other Loyalists. He was imprisoned in Goshen, then in a prison ship on the Hudson River, from which he managed to escape and finally arrive in New York City. 

James Flewelling (1740-1779) joined Loyalist guerrilla leader Claudius Smith (1736-1779) and his sons. The gang was one of several independent groups of marauders who operated in the wilderness of the Hudson River Highlands, implementing guerrilla tactics principally robbing and looting livestock and valuables from Patriot families and defending Loyalist families. After one of his men killed Patriot leader Major Nathaniel Strong on 6 October 1779, Governor George Clinton proclaimed Smith an outlaw with a bounty of $1,200. 

Despite an attempt to flee to Long Island, Smith was eventually caught and hanged early in 1779. In revenge, Flewelling and the rest of Smith's Band murdered an innocent Whig, John Clark. Flewelling and the others were arrested and hanged in Goshen on 8 June 1779. 

A beautifully bound Book of Common Prayer with a fascinating Loyalist history. 

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References:

Kieran J. O'Keefe. "Religion, Wealth, and Geographic Location. The Loyalist of Newburgh, New York". New York History. Vol. 99, No. 2 (Spring 2018). Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, pp. 158-182. 

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