Item Info

Scripts/Text: Roman print
Language: English
Weiser Number: 509
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; ink
Transcription:

CERTIFICATE \ OF \ BIRTH & BAPTISM.
To these two parents: As John Angeney and his Wife \ Magdalena a daughter of Fre: Kern \ was born a son on the 8^th day of \ January in the year of our Lord 1821. \ This child was born in Rockhill Town \ ship in Bucks County, in the \ State of Pennsylvania in North America; \ was baptized by the Rev. A. Strasburger \ and received the name Jacob \ Witness present at the Act of Baptism: \ Frederick Kern and his Wife \ Hannah his grandparents.

‘Twas the commission of our Lord, \ To teach the Nations and Baptise: \ The Nations have received the word, \ Since HE ascended to the skies. \ Repent and be baptized, he said, \ For the remission of your sins \ And thus our sense assists our faith \ And shows us what his gospel means. \ An inward baptism of pure fire, \ ‘Tis all my longing soul’s desire; \ Kindle in me the living flame, \ Baptise me in Jesus’ name! \ Wherewith to be baptiz’d I have, \ This, only this, my soul can save.

[on eagle’s banner]
E PLURIBUS UNUM

[in upper left]
Infinite joy or endless woe, \ Attends on every breath; \ And yet how unconcern’d we go \ Upon the brink of death!

[in upper right]
Our wasting lives grow shorter still \ As days and months increase, \ And every beating pulse we tell, \ Leaves but the number less.

[on bottom]
Printed and for sale by G. S. Peters,--Harrisburg, Pa.

Category: Birth and Baptismal Certificate (Geburts und Taufschein)
Media Type: Letterpress Prints
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-lettered, hand-colored, on printed form. The central text in Roman print with blanks infilled by hand is in a decorated rectangular frame in the center of the document. A basket with flowers and one of the verses are below it. Two verses are in frames in the upper corners. The main text is flanked by two large inward-facing angels with lyres, one holding a wreath and the other with a bird. A spread-winged eagle holding a banner in its beak is in the upper center. In each lower corner are two birds perched on a tree with leaves and fruits. Between them are two baskets with flowers as well as three bunches of flowers. The entire page is enclosed by a decorative border.

Associated Names: Strasburger, A.
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 3, p. 75.

Secondary Place Town/Township: Geographic Coverage State/Province:Pennsylvania
Geographic Coverage City/Town/Township:Rockhill Township
Geographic Coverage Note:Based on location of birth
Geographic Coverage Region/County:Bucks

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of printshop
Region/County:Dauphin
City/Town/Township:Harrisburg
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1847
Image Dimensions Width: 41.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 140
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
Gustav S. Peters (1793-1847) - Printer/Publisher