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WM"They had copies of the writings, but were they put in a fixed order and established as complete Scripture?"

UC Good question. I'm sure the fixed order is not that critical since they were probably smart enough to put the epistles together, the gospels together, the Hebrew scriptures together in some logical order. But as to whether all or any of the patriarchs had all the scriptures, I don't know. Perhaps a study of their extant writings would indicate what they had, but would also not rule out what they had but just did not quote from.

Apparently, they had something more to go on than just "word of mouth".

Act 17:10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Act 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Apparently, they had something more to go on than just "word of mouth".
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I think your absolutely right that they were compiling writings. The Torah was already established and they had copies of the OT writings that made up the Talmud. I also think it is safe to believe that every church that received a letter made copies and these were passed on as well. The point I was trying to make was that until St. Athansius, on his own initiative, put together a definitive list we do not have a completed Canon. I have yet to find any historical record of the Canon being established and fixed prior to this date. Thus, the myth that the RCC established the Canon is debunked. The RCC affirmed a deed that was already done.