Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 126
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Watermark: CK
Transcription:

1814 den 6ten \ May \ Ist Margretha Benßin Auf diese Welt gebohren worden, von Christlichen \ Eltern, in Rackenheim Caunty, im Staat Virginien \ der Vater war Johannes Benß die Mutter Anna \ Maria eine gebohrne Schweitzerin Taufzeugen \ sind gewesen Margretha Bentzin \ Laß die angeerbte Sünd, Durch dein Blut sich von ihm scheiden, \ Durch dein Geist es dir verbindt, Daß sichs mög in dir ver= \ kleiden, Und den Namen den wir geben, Schreib ins \ Lebensbuch zum \ Leben. \ Geschrieben Von Peter Bernhart \ 1814

Translation:

1814, the 6th of May, Margretha Lenßin was born into this world, to Christian parents in Rockingham County, in the state of Virginia. The father was Johannes Lenß, the mother Anna Maria, a born Schweitzerin. Sponsors were Margretha Lentzin. Let the inherited sin depart from him through your blood; through your spirit bind it to you that it may clothe itself in you. And write the name that we give in the book of life to live. Written by Peter Bernhart, 1814.

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 with blanks infilled in German script is within an oval frame topped by a heart in the center of the document. It is flanked by two tall plants with a variety of flowers and two birds.

When published in Stopp, the surname was transcribed as Bentz.  Weiser transcribed it as Lennss or Lentz.  The correct transcription appears to be Benss or Bennss, based on the close similarity of the first letter of the surname on this certificate and the B in Bernhart, and comparison with the letter "L" used on other Bernhart fraktur.

Associated Names: Schweitzer, Anna Maria
Provenance: Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch

Bibliography:

"Peter Bernhart"  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. 1, pp. 95-97.

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1999) vol. 5, pp. 220-221; published on p. 221.

Klaus Wust, Virginia Fraktur: Penmanship as Folk Art (Edinburg, Va.: Shenandoah History Publishers, 1972).

Sotheby's (January 23, 1974), lot 151.

Secondary Place County: Geographic Coverage State/Province:Virginia
Geographic Coverage Note:Based on location of birth
Geographic Coverage Region/County:Rockingham

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of printshop
Region/County:[Shenandoah]
City/Town/Township:[New Market]
State/Province:[Virginia]

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1814
Image Dimensions Width: 20.3 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1104
Creator Name: Peter Bernhart (active c. 1794-1819) - Decorator
Peter Bernhart (active c. 1794-1819) - Scrivener
[Ambrose Henkel (1786-1870)] - Printer/Publisher