Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Weiser Number: 115
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Geburt und Tauf=Schein.
Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als: \ Sebastian Keller und seiner ehelichen Hausfrau \ Veronica Eine geborne Singerin ist \ eine Tochter zur Welt gebohren im Jahr unsers \ Herrn Jesu 1826 den 9 ten Tag October \ Diese Tochter ist gebohren in Londonderry \ Taunschip in Dauphin Caunty, in dem \ Freystaat Pennsylvania in Nord=America; und \ ist getauft worden und erhielt den Namen Catharina \ den [blank] ten Tag [blank] im \ Jahr unsers HERRN JESU [blank] von Herrn \ Pfarrer Johannes Speck \ Die Tauf=Zeugen waren Vater und mutter

Ich bin getauft, ich stehe 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, deß 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 Feyerkleid.

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 sein!

Härrisburg, \ Gedruckt bey John S. Wiestling.

[in heart on left]
Wann wir kaum gebohren werden, \ Ist vom ersten Lebenstritt \ Bis ins kühle Grab der Erden, \ Nur ein abgemeßner Schritt. \ Ach! mit jedem Augenblick \ Gehet unsre Kraft zurück, \ Und wir sind mit jedem \ Jahre, Allzureif \ zur Todten= \ bah= \ re

[in heart on 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 hinge= \ gen, Ewig’s sterben \ kann erre= \ gen. 
 

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate.
To these two married people namely Sebastian Keller and his lawful wife Veronica, a born Singerin, a daughter was born into the world in the year of our Lord Jesus 1826, on the 9th day of October. This daughter was born in Londonderry Township, in Dauphin County, in the Free State of Pennsylvania, in North America, and was baptized and received the name Catharina on the [blank] day of [blank] in the year of our Lord Jesus [blank] from Mister pastor Johannes Speck. The sponsors were father and mother. 

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!

Harrisburg, printed by John S. Wiestling.

[in heart on 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 heart on 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.
 

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

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered; printed form. The text in Fraktur as well as a cherub holding two leafy branches are within a rectangular frame in the center of the document. Two verses within hearts are in the upper corners. In the upper center is an eagle with a shield, a branch in its beak and arrows in its claw. On the sides are two angels with wreaths in one hand. Below them are two putti. The one on the left is holding a trumpet and a letter, and the one on the right is playing a harp. In the lower center is a variety of fruit, including apples, pears, grapes, and a rose hip. In addition to these printed images, the document features hand-drawn flowers in the lower corners, next to the hearts, and next to the angels.

Associated Names: Wiestling, John S.
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 3, p. 24.

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

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): ca. 1813
Image Dimensions Width: 40.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1022
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
John S. Wiestling (1787-1842) - Printer/Publisher