Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 448
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als Christian Zeyber und seiner ehelichen Haus= \ Frau Catharina Margetha gebohrne Hosstenin ist ein Töchterlein zur Welt \ gebohren, als Elisabetha Zeyberin ist zur Welt gebohren im Jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1785 \ den 22ten Tag Aprill um 7 Uhr nachmitag im Zeichen der \ Waag.

GOTT gebe Gnad, Kraft und Stärke, daß diese Elisabetha in der Furcht zum Lob und Preiß des Herrn, möge aufwachsen und \ zunehmen in großer Begierde der vernünftigen lautern Milch, das urspringliche Heil der Seelen zu suchen, nach abgelegtem Glaubens=Bekäntniß und Erkäntniß der Sünde durch \ wahre Reu und Buße, vor der Christlichen Gemeinde, zur geistlichen Wiedergeburt der heiligen Taufe befördert, und von Loretz \ Prediger und Diener des Worts, nach Christi Befehl, Matth, 29, v. 19. getauft, und in den Gnaden Bund \ GOttes einverleibet worden. Diese Elisabeth \ Seibertin ist, als ein Glied in die Gemeinschaft der Heiligen, durch das Bad der Wiedergeburt und Erneuerung des Heiligen Geistes, wie St. Paulus \ lehret, Titum 3, v. 5, 6, 7. in der Reformirte Kirche ist auf= und \ angenommen worden, den 15 ten Tag May 1785 und durch \ den wahren Glauben an unseren Erlöser JEsu Christo, des so theuer erworbenen Verdienstes, der himmlischen Freuden, und der ewigen Seeligkeit Erben \ eingesetzet. Mithin vergiß nicht wie der Apostel Paulus, Colosser 1. v. 12, 14. die Pflicht beschreibet. Saget dank dem Vater der uns tüchtig \ gemacht hat zum Erbtheil \ der Heiligen im Licht, u. s. w.

Tauf=Zeuge Georg Wendel Wolff und seine Ehfrau Anna Elisabetha \ Diese Elisabetha Seybertin ist gebohren und getauft in \ America, im Staat Pinsilvania in \ Lancaster Caunty in Heidelberg \ Taunschip

[added in a different hand]
Died [M]arch 8 \ 5 min[utes p]ast 4 ‘c[lock] \ 183 [def.]

[In heart on left]
Ich bin getauft, ich steh im Bunde, \ Durch meine Tauf mit meinem Gott, \ So sprech’ ich stets mit frohem Munde, \ In Creutz, in Trübsal, Angst und Noth. \ Ich bin getauft, deß freu \ ich mich,
Die Freude \ bleibet ewig= \ lich.

[In heart on right]
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, das Feuer= \ Kleid.

Translation:

To these two married people namely Christian Zeyber and his lawful wife Catharina Margetha, a born Hosstenin, a little daughter was born into the world, namely Elisabetha Zeyberin, was born into the world in the year of our Lord Jesus 1785, on the 22nd day of April, at 7 o’clock in the afternoon, in the sign of Libra.

May God give grace, power and strength so that this Elisabetha may grow up in the spirit of praise and honor of the LORD, and eagerly consume the true milk, to search for the original salvation of the souls after her profession of faith and realization of sin through sincere repentance. Before the Christian congregation she was brought to the spiritual rebirth of the holy baptism, and she was baptized by Loretz, preacher and servant of the Word, according to the command of Christ, Matthew 28:19, and she was included into God’s covenant of grace. This Elisabetha was, through the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul teaches, Titus 3: 5, 6, 7, admitted as a member of the Reformed church on the 15th day of May 1785, and through the true faith in our savior Jesus Christ is taking part in the dearly bought rewards of heavenly joys and the eternal blessedness of the earth. Do not forget the way in which the apostle Paul, Colossians 1:12, 14, described the duty. Give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light, etc.
Sponsor Georg Wendel Wolff and his Ehfrau Anna Elisabetha. This Elisabetha Seybertin was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County, in Heidelberg Township.

[added in a different hand]
Died [M]arch 8, 5 min[utes p]ast 4 o’c[lock], 183 [def.].

[In heart on left]
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.

[in heart on right]
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, the garment of celebration, is prepared for me.

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

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered; printed. The main text in Fraktur and German script within a heart is in the center of the document. It is flanked by two parrots. The two verses in Fraktur are in hearts in the lower corners. In the upper center are a crown and flowers. In the upper corners are a crowned lion and a unicorn that are holding a shield between them. In the lower center are two eagles whose bodies resemble shields. Between and next to them are flowers. In the lower corners are two birds.

Two other copies of this edition made for siblings of Elisabetha Zeyber are in the collection of the Historical Society of Berks County, nos. 158 and 170.

Associated Names: Zeyber, Elisabeth
Bibliography:

"Georg Friederich Speyer" 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), 2^nd ed., vol. 2, pp. 722-725.

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997) vol. 1, pp. 88-89.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of birth
Region/County:Lancaster [now Lebanon]
City/Town/Township:Heidelberg Township
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1790
Image Dimensions Width: 33.3 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1001
Creator Name: [Friederich Speyer (active c. 1774-1801)] - Decorator
[Friederich Speyer (active c. 1774-1801)] - Scrivener
Anonymous - Printer/Publisher