Item Info

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

Geburts= und Tauf=Schein.
Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als Johannes \ Harry und seiner ehelichen \ Hausfrau Maria eine \ geborne Stengler ist ein Sohn \ zur Welt geboren, den 29ten Tag August \ im Jahr unsers HErrn 1812. Dieser Sohn ist \ geboren im Jackson=Township in \ Lebanon Caunty, im Staat Pennsyl= \ vania in Nord-America, und ist getauft worden \ und erhielt den Namen Isaak \ den 14 Tag Junius im \ Jahr unsers Herrn 1816 von Hrn. Hendel \ Die Taufzeugen waren die lieben \ Eltern.

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, des freu ich mich, \ Die Freude bleibt mir ewiglich.

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!

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 Feyer=Kleid.

Harrisburg, Pa.-Gedruckt und zu haben bey G. S. Peters.-1829.

[on eagle’s banner]
E PLURIBUS UNUM

[in upper left]
Wann wir kaum gebohren werden \ Ist vom ersten Lebenstritt \ Bis ins kühle Grab der Erden, \ Nur ein Kurtz gemeß’ner Schritt. \ Ach! mit jedem Augenblick \ Gehet unsre Kraft zurück; \ Und wir sind mit jedem Jahre, \ Alle reif zur Todten= Bahre.

[in upper right]
O, 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 wohlbestellt: \ Geht mit Freuden aus der Welt: \ Da die Sicherheit hingegen, \ Ewiges Sterben kann erregen.
 

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely Johannes Harry and his lawful wife Maria, a born Stengler, a son was born into the world on the 29th of August in the year of our Lord 1812. This son was born in Jackson Township, in Lebanon County, in the state of Pennsylvania, in North America, and was baptized and received the name Isaak on the 14th day of June in the year of our Lord 1816 from Mr. Hendel. The sponsors were the dear parents.

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 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!

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.

Harrisburg, PA. Printed and to be had from G. S. Peters, 1829.

[on eagle’s banner]
E pluribus unum.

[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 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-colored; hand-lettered; printed form. The central text and three verses in Fraktur are within a frame in the center of the document. Two additional verses within rectangular frames are in the upper corners. The main text is flanked by two large inward-facing angels with lyres, one holding a wreath and the other with a bird. Below the main text are two baskets and three bouquets of flowers. A spread-winged eagle, with a banner in its beak, is in the upper center. In each of the lower corners are two birds perched on a leafy tree. An urn with flowers is above the verses in the center. The entire document is framed by a decorative border.

Associated Names: Peters, Gustav 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. 48.

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

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): 1829
Image Dimensions Width: 42.1 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1168
Creator Name: Gustav S. Peters (1793-1847) - Printer/Publisher
Anonymous - Scrivener