Item Info

Scripts/Text: Roman print; Roman script
Language: English
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

[Main text]
CERTIFICATE \ OF BIRTH AND BAPTISM.
TO THESE TWO PARENTS: Daniel \ Jacoby and his Wife Margaret \ a daughter of Josiah Williams \ was born a Son on the 7th day \ of December in the year of our Lord 1843, \ This Child was born in Richland Township, \ County of Marion and State of Ohio, \ North America; was baptized by \ the Rev. Solomon Sheperd, and received \ the name of Silas
Witnesses present at the baptism: his parents

[upper left corner]
Infinite joy or endless woe, \ Attends on every breath; \ And yet how unconcern’d we go \ Upon the brink of death!

[upper right corner]
Our wasting lives grow shorter still. \ As days and months increase \ And every beating pulse will tell, \ Leaves bu the number less.

[below children and central text]
‘Twas the commission of our Lord, \ Go teach the nations and baptize: \ The nations have received the word, \ Since he ascended to the skies.

He sits upon the th’eternal hills, \ With grace and pardon in his hands, \ And sends his cov’nant with his deals, \ To bless the distant heathen lands.

Repent and be baptiz’d, he saith, \ For the remission of your sins; \ And thus our sense assists our faith, \ And shows us what his gospel means.

[lower center]
ST. MATTHEW, CHAPTER XVIII
Go ye therefore and teach all na- \ tions, baptizing them in the name of \ the Father, and of the Son, and of \ the Holy Ghost;

Teaching them to observe all things \ whatsoever I have commanded you; \ and lo, I am with you always, even \ unto the end of the world. Amen.

[lower left corner]
Our souls he washes in his blood, \ As water makes the body clean; \ And the good spirit of our God, \ Descends like purifying rain.

[lower right corner]
This we engage ourselves to thee, \ And seal our cov’nant with the Lord; \ O may the great eternal Three, \ In heav’n our solemn vows record!

[along lower border]
Printed and for Sale by V. Kastner, Columbus, Ohio.
 

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 Roman print and script within a rectangular frame is in the center of the document. It is flanked by two praying children. The verses in Roman print are in the corners and in the lower portion of the document. In the upper center are several flowers, including a rose. On the lower sides are clusters of fruit, including a watermelon, pear, apple, and grapes. In the lower center is a flower. The entire document is framed by a decorative border.

Notes:

Victor Kastner acquired woodcuts used by printer Johann Herman (active from 1816 until his death in 1833) in Lancaster, Ohio.

Associated Names: Williams, Margaret
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1999) vol. 5, p. 175.

Secondary Place Town/Township: Geographic Coverage State/Province:Ohio
Geographic Coverage City/Town/Township:Richland Township
Geographic Coverage Note:Based on location of birth
Geographic Coverage Region/County:Marion

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of printshop
City/Town/Township:Columbus
State/Province:Ohio

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1840
Image Dimensions Width: 37.1 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1188
Creator Name: Victor Kastner (active c. 1840) - Printer/Publisher
Anonymous - Scrivener
Anonymous - Decorator