Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 386
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Light blue wove paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Geburt und Taufschein. \ Diesen beiden Ehegatten: als Wilhelm Portzline und seine \ Eheliche hausfrau Gertraut eine Tochter von Benjamin Zeller ist ein \ Sohn zur welt Geboren den 24ten tag October im Jahr unsers erlösers \ 1819 dieser Sohn ist geboren in Perry Taunschip Union Caunty im Staat \ Pennsylvania und ist Getauft worden von dem Ehrwürdigen Prediger \ Johan Kaufman und erhielt durch die heilige taufe den namen Frantz \ Carl die taufzeugen waren. Peter Goodling und seine Ehefrau Feronica \ Gar anders muss mein Name prangen, vor Gott, der doch die seinen kent, er hat mich in \ der tauf empfangen, recht vätterlich sein Kind genent, in seiner hand \ greift er mich an, nichts ist das mich auslöschen kan. \ Francis Portzline

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely Wilhelm Portzline and his lawful wife Gertraut, a daughter of Benjamin Zeller, a son was born into the world on the 24th day of October, in the year of our Savior 1819. This son was born in Perry Township. Union County, in the state of Pennsylvania, and he was baptized by the honorable preacher Johan Kaufman, and he received through the holy baptism the name Frantz Carl. The sponsors were Peter Goodling and his wife Veronica.
How differently must my name glitter before God who knows his own, he has admitted me through the baptism, like a father he has called me his child. He holds me with his hand so that nothing can destroy me.
Francis Portzline

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

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The text in Fraktur and German script within large heart, at bottom center of heart is a pair of overlapping hearts, flanked by a pair of scrolled motifs. At top center are an encircled rosette, as well as a smaller rosette, leafy flowering stems, and two birds. Below the heart are leafy stems of tulips, and a bird and two parrots on stems of flowers. Next to them is a woman holding a wreath and a bird. Artist’s signature is in Roman script at the bottom. He made the certificate for his grandson.

Associated Names: Zeller, Gertraut
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

“Francis Portzline” in Russell D. and Corinne P. Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes: Guide to the Fraktur Artists and Scriveners (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997), 2nd ed., vol. 2, pp. 623-626.

Ruthann Hubbert, “Francis Portzline,” in The Snyder County Historical Society Bulletin (1982): 19-29.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of birth
Region/County:Union
City/Town/Township:Perry Township
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1840
Image Dimensions Width: 38.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 28
Creator Name: Francis Portzline (1771-1857) - Decorator
Francis Portzline (1771-1857) - Scrivener