Before his death in 1968, Padre Pio was known throughout the world as a very holy man -- many even called him a living saint. This humble Italian priest who bore the wounds of Christ received thousands of letters and visitors each year, seeking his spiritual counsel, healing, and prayer. Padre Pio's intense spirituality and holiness remain legendary and life-changing.

This is the comprehensive life story of the priest who became world famous for his stigmata, miracles, and supernatural insights. Read in detail about the many miracles of Padre Pio, and discover how knowing this powerful saint can change your life, too.

By far the best biography of Padre Pio ever written -- revised and expanded with more details and sixteen pages of photos.

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us.

In 1793 the Virginia General Assembly, concerned that large numbers of people of color were hiring themselves out, claiming to be free when in fact they were slaves, passed a law to restrain the practice of negroes going at large. This law required all free Negroes and Mulattoes to register with the clerk of the court where they lived. Registration was required once a year within the Commonwealth's independent cities, such as Richmond, Norfolk and Charlottesville; every three years for those residing in counties such as Fairfax, James City or the Isle of Wight. Failure to present registration papers would result in imprisonment as a runaway slave. The registers that exist for the city of Norfolk were prepared between 1835 and 1861 (the first year of the Civil War), and record vital information for approximately 600 men, women, and children. This valuable data has been abstracted and arranged alphabetically by the registrant's surname (if available). Six categories of information have been abstracted from the registers: approximate date of birth, description of physical features, manner of manumission, date or dates of registration, and date ordered to be registered. Other pertinent information is included for some individuals. A final section of the book describes the plight of thirteen free people who were hauled into court in the early 1830s, for failing to leave the state within the twelve month period following their emancipation (as required by law).

Kemp, Sparrow, and Greenwood Families of Norfolk, Virginia traces the history of an 'African-American' family that arose, after the Civil War, through the marriage of Benjamin Franklin Kemp and Mary Louisa (Dodie) Sparrow, from several very different strains: African slaves and Scots aristocrats through the Kemps;free people of color and native American Indians on the side of the Sparrows (the ancestors of Dodie's mother); and German burghers in the Greenwood inheritance (from Dodie's father). This history seeks to trace these three families to their earliest known origins, as well as present a narrative history of the nineteenth and twentieth century representatives down to the present time. Of immediate interest to those of the Kemp, Sparrow, Taylor, Vagner, Curdts, McGehee, Williams, Vanderbilt, Marlborough, and other related families (the name Greenwood died out of the family in 1944) as well as possible members of the lost lines of the Kemp and Sparrow families, it portrays a mixed race, or 'mulatto' African-American family in such a way as to provide clues to others of similar background as to how their own roots can be unearthed, despite scanty information... Appendices include: Patrilinear Ancestors of Martin Greenwood, Patrilinear Descendants of Hen Lotz, The Children and Grandchildren of Martin and Margaret Greenwood, The Family of George Alexander and Adeline M. McGehee Smith, The Children and Grandchildren of William and Lydia (I) Kemp, and The Children and Grandchildren of Franklin and Mary (Sparrow) Kemp. Endnotes and a full-name index complete this work.

Who were the Apostles really? What happened to them after the end of the Gospel story? You'll be surprised by the wealth of detail Ruffin has dug up for each apostle - even Judas Iscariot.

The last words of the dying often provide insight into their feelings about life. Some are peaceful (It is very beautiful over there--Thomas Alva Edison); many are spiritual (Don't ask the Lord to keep me here. Ask him to have mercy--Walker Percy); others are angry (God-damn the whole frigging world and everybody in it--except you Carlotta--W.C. Fields); still others reflect the weary fight against death (I'm bored of it all--Sir Winston Churchill).

Nearly 2,000 deathbed quotations from saints, popes, statesmen, scientists, soldiers, musicians, athletes, artists, entertainers, writers, criminals and others are included in this reference work. Each entry includes a brief biographical sketch of the person and sets the quotation in context. The sources for the quotes include biographies, newspaper and magazine accounts, and, in a few instances, firsthand accounts.