Item Info

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

[Central text]
Geburt und Tauf-Schein.
Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als: Peter Neukommer \ und seiner ehelichen Hausfrau Margareta geborne \ Lawgern ist eine Tochter zur Welt geboren im \ Jahr unsers Herrn Jesu 1815 den 7 ten Tag November \ Dieses Mägen ist geboren, in Tobyn taunschip in \ Cumberland Caunty, im Staat Pensylvanien \ in Nord=Amerika; und ist getauft worden und erhielt den \ Namen Maria Anna den 21 ten Tag April im \ Jahr unsers Herrn Jesu 1816 von Hrn. Pfarr Obenhaus
Die Tauf=Zeugen waren: Daniel Lawger und seine Frau.

[in upper left]
Wann wir kaum geboren werden, \ Ist vom ersten Lebenstritt \ Bis zum kühlen Grab der Erden, \ Nur ein ab gemeßner Schritt. \ Ach! mit jedem Augenblick \ Gehet unsre Kraft zurück, \ Und wir sind mit jedem \ Jahre, Allzureif zur \ Todtenbahre!

[in upper right]
Und wer weiß in welcher Stunde, \ Uns die letzte Stunde weckt, \ Denn Gott hat’s mit seinem Munde \ Keinem Menschen noch entdeckt. \ Wer sein Haus nun wohl be= \ stellt, Geht mit Freuden aus \ der Welt, Da die Sicher= \ heit hingegen, Ewig’s \ Sterben kann \ erregen.

[in lower left]
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, deß freu’ ich mich, \ Die Freude bleibt mir ewiglich.

[in lower center]
Ich bin getauft in deinem Namen, \ Gott Vater, Sohn und Heil’ger 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 lower 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 und Feyerkleid.

Chambersburg: Gedruckt bey F. Wilhelm Schöpflin.
 

Translation:

[Central text}
Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely Peter Neukommer and his lawful wife Margareta, born Lawgern, a daughter was born into the world in the year of our Lord Jesus 1815, on the 7th day of November. This girl was born in Tobyn Township, Cumberland County, in the state of Pennsylvania in North America, and was baptized and received the name Maria Anna on the 21st day of April in the year of our Lord Jesus 1816 from Mister Pastor Obenhaus.
The sponsors were: Daniel Lawger and his wife.

[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 hour 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 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 lower center]
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 lower 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 and celebration is prepared for me.

Chambersburg: Printed by F. Wilhelm Schöpflin.
 

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

Hand-colored; hand-lettered; printed form. The main text in Fraktur within a rectangular frame is in the center of the document. Two verses in Fraktur within hearts are above it, and three verses in Fraktur within rectangular frames are below it. In the upper corners are a variety of fruit, including grapes, apples and a pear on the right, and a rose hip in the left. In the upper center is an eagle behind a shield, with arrows in its claws and a branch in its beak. In the lower corners and center are three cherubs. The one on the left is holding a post horn, letter and a garland. The center one is holding two branches. The one on the right is playing a harp. On the sides are two female figures that suggest the printer’s admiration for the French Revolution. The left figure holds the fasces in one hand and the pole with the Phrygian cap in the other. The figure on the right is holding a wreath in one hand. She is surrounded by an abundance of fruit, a cornucopia, and an urn.

Associated Names: Schöpflin, Friedrich Wilhelm
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997) vol. 2, p. 52; published on p. 53.

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

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1815
Image Dimensions Width: 37.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1164
Creator Name: Friedrich Wilhelm Schöpflin (1777-1825) - Printer/Publisher
Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener