Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German; English
Weiser Number: 485
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; ink
Transcription:

Geburts und Taufschein. \ Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als: \ Michael Machamer und seiner ehelichen \ Hausfrau Christina geborne Renningern \ ist ein Sohn zur Welt geboren, den 2ten Tag \ Junius im Jahr unsers Herrn, 1841 Dieser \ Sohn ist geboren in Ruscombmanor Taun= \ in Berks Caunty, im Staat Pennsylvanien \ in Nord Amerika; und erhielt durch die Heil. Taufe den Namen \ William den 15ten Tag November \ im Jahr 1841 von dem Ehrw. Hrn. Pf. Berley \ Die Tauf=Zeugen waren: Antony Hop und \ seine Ehefrau Anna.

[In upper left]
Wann wir kaum geboren werden, \ Ist, vom ersten Lebenstritt, \ Bis zum kühlen Grab der Erden, \ Nur ein kurzgemeß’ner Schritt. \ Ach! mit jedem Augenblick \ Gehet uns’re Kraft zurück. \ Und wir sind mit jedem Jahre, \ Allzureif zur Todtenbahre.

[in upper right]
Und wer weiß, in welcher Stunde, \ Uns die letzte Stimme weckt. \ Denn Gott hat’s mit seinem Munde \ Keinem Menschen noch entdeckt. \ Wer sein Haus nun wohl bestellt \ Geht mit Freuden aus der Welt; \ Da die Sicherheit hingegen, \ Ewig’s Sterben kann erregen.

[In center, in two columns]
Ich bin getauft, ich steh’ im Bunde, \ Durch meine Tauf, mit meinem Gott! \ So sprech’ ich stets mit frohem Munde, \ in Kreuz, in Trübsal, Angst u. Noth. \ Ich bin getauft, des freu’ ich mich, \ Die Freude bleibt mir ewiglich.

Ich bin getauft, ob ich gleich sterbe, \ Was schadet mir das kühle Grab? \ Ich weiß mein Vaterland und Erbe, \ Das ich bey Gott im Himmel hab’, \ Nach meinem Tod ist mir bereit \ Des Himmels Freud’ und Feierkleid.

[In lower center]
Ich bin gezählt zu deinem Saamen, \ Gott Vater, Sohn und heiliger Geist! \ Ich bin getauft in deinem Namen, \ Zum Volk, das Dir geheiligt heißt! \ O! welch’ ein Glück ward dadurch mein! \ Herr, laß mich deßen würdig seyn!

Reading, Pa. \ Gedruckt und zu haben bey John Ritter und Comp.

[on bible]
HOLY BIBLE

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely Michael Machamer and his lawful wife Christina, born Renningern, a son was born into the world, the 2nd day June in the year of our Lord, 1841. This son was born in Ruscombmanor Township in Berks County, in the state of Pennsylvania, in North America, and received through the Holy Baptism the name William the 15th day November in the year 1841, from the honorable Mr. pastor Berley. The sponsors were Antony Hop and his wife Anna.

[in upper left]
Scarcely born into the world, it is only a short measured pace
from the first step to the cool grave in the earth. O! with every moment our strength diminishes, and with every year we grow more ripe for the bier.

[in upper right]
And who knows in what hour the final voice will awaken us, because God has not revealed this to anybody yet. Who tends to his house will depart from the world with joy. Because surety, in contrast, can provoke eternal death.

[In center, in two columns]
I am baptized, I stand united with my God through my baptism. I therefore always speak joyfully in hardship, sadness, fear and need. I am baptized, that’s a joy for me. The joy lasts eternally.

I am baptized, and when I die, how can the cool grave hurt me? I know my fatherland and legacy that I will have with God in Heaven. After death, Heaven’s garment of joy and celebration is prepared for me.

[in lower center]
I am counted as one of your seeds, God Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I am baptized in your name, to a people that you blessed. O! What fortune for me! Lord, let me be worthy of it!

Printed and to be had from John Ritter and Comp.

[on bible]
Holy Bible

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

Hand-lettered, hand-colored, printed form. The central text in Fraktur with blanks infilled by hand is in a rectangular frame in the center of the document. Three verses are below it. The main text is flanked by frontal images of two large angels with lyres, one holding a wreath and the other with a bird. A putto with a trumpet and a letter, lounges on clouds in the upper center. The image of a bible, opened and radiating light and with a dove above is between the verses. A cluster of musical instruments, including a trumpet and lyre, as well as music and wreaths are below the text. Two verses are in frames in the upper corners. In each of the lower corners are two birds perched on a leafy branch.

Associated Names: Ritter, John
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. 4, p. 215.

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

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

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1843
Image Dimensions Width: 41 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 141
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
Johann Ritter (1779-1851) - Printer/Publisher