Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 498
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Geburts= und Taufschein. \ Diesen beyden Ehegatten \ Als Joseph Gery \ und seiner ehelichen Hausfrau Anna \ eine gebohrne Hillegas ist eine \ Tochter zur Welt gebohren, den 27 Tag \ März im Jahr unsers Herrn 1830 \ Diese Tochter ist gebohren in Oberhan \ ober Taunschip Montgomery Caunty, im Staat \ Pennsylvanien in Nord=Amerika, und ist \ getauft worden und erhielt den Namen Lidia: \ Amanda den 13 ^ten Tag Junius \ im Jahr unsers HErrn 1830 von Hrn Faber \ Die Taufzeugen waren Elisabeth \ Gery, Die Großmuter

[in the eagle’s banner]
E PLURIBUS UNUM

[in upper left]
Wann wir kaum gebohren werden, \ Ist,vom ersten Lebenstritt \ Bis zum kühlen Grab der Erden, \ Nur ein kurz gemß’ner Schritt. \ Ach! mit jedem Augenblick \ Gehet unsre Kraft zurück; \ Und wir sind mit jedem Jahre, \ Alle reif zur Todten=Bahre.

[in upper right]
O, wer weis, 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, \ Ewiges Sterben kann erregen.

[in lower center]
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 und 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 Feyer=Kleid.

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

[In bottom center]
Allentown, \ Gedruckt und zu haben \ bey \ H. Ebner und Comp.

[In script along bottom]
Jese Jesse ist gebohren den 20ten Tag Jullius 1831 und ist getauft worden den 30ten October 1831 \ H

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely Joseph Gery and his lawful wife Anna, a born Hillegas, a daughter was born into the world, the 27^th day March in the year of our Lord 1830. This daughter was born in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, in the state of Pennsylvania, in north America, and was baptized and received the name Lidia Amanda on the 13^th day June in the year of our Lord 1830, from Mr. Faber. The sponsors were Elisabeth Gery, the grandmother.

[in the eagle’s banner]
E pluribus unum

[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 lower center]
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.

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

[In bottom center]
Allentown, Printed and to be had from H. Ebner und Comp.

[In script along bottom]
Jese [sic] Jesse was born the 20^th day July 1831 and was baptized the 30^th October 1831. H

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

Hand-colored; hand-lettered, printed form. The central text is within a frame in the center of the document. Three verses within frames are below it. Two additional verses within rectangular frames are in the upper corners. The main text is flanked by two large angels with lyres, one holding a wreath and the other a bird. A spread-winged eagle, with a banner in its beak is in the upper center. In each of the lower corners are two birds perched on a leafy tree. A small urn with flowers is below the verses in the bottom center.

Associated Names: Hillegas, Anna
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. 1, p. 166.

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

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

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1829
Image Dimensions Width: 41.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 145
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
Henrich Ebner (active c. 1816-1831) - Printer/Publisher