Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Weiser Number: 429
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Ge=Burds Und Tauf \ Schein
Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als \ Abraham Bien und seiner \ ehelichen Haus=Frau Catharina \ eine gebohrne Hamscher ist ein Toch \ ter zur Welt gebohren Namens E \ lisabeth im Jahr unsers HErrn Je \ su 1802 den 7 Tag September um 5 \ Uhr morgens im Zeichen de Wage Die \ se Elisabeth ist Gebohren und Ge \ tauft in America, im Staat Penn \ sylvanien, in bocks Caunty in rack \ hill Taunschip Obgemelde Elisabeth \ ist Getauft worden den von Herrn \ Jacob Sent Taufzeugen waren \ Peter Hamscher and seine Frau Eli \ sabeth \ Wann wir kaum gebohren werden ist vom er \ sten lebenstritt bis ins kühle grab der er \ den, nur ein kurz gemesner schritt ach mit Je \ dem augen blick gehet unsre kraft zurück und \ wir sind mit Jedem Jare allzu rief zur Tod \ tenbahre.

[top left]
Ich bin getauft, ich steh im \ Bunde, Durch meine Tauf \ mit meinem Gott So sprech \ ich stets mit frohem munde \ In Creutz, in Trübsal, Angst \ und Noth. Ich bin getauft, \ deß freu ich mich, Die Freu \ de bleibet ewig=lich.

[top right]
Ich bin getauft; ob ich gleich \ sterbe, was schadet mir das küh \ le Grab? Ich weiß mein Va= \ terland und Erbe, das ich bey \ Gott im Himmel hab’; nach \ meinem Tod ist mir bereit, \ des Himmels Freud und Feyerkleid.
 

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely Abraham Bien and his lawful wife Catharina, a born Hamscher, was born into the world a daughter named Elisabeth, in the year of our lord Jesus 1802, the 7th day of September, at 5 o’clock in the morning in the sign of Libra. This Elisabeth was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in Bucks County, in Rockhill Township. Abovementioned Elisabeth was baptized on the [blank] by Mister Jacob Sent. Sponsors were Peter Hamscher and his wife Elisabeth.
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. 

[top 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.

[top 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.

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

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The main text in Fraktur is in center within rectangular frame. The two verses are in boxes in the upper corners. At the bottom is a grouping of fruit, grain and corn. The main text is flanked by two birds on branches, and by two putti, one holding a banner and the other holding a branch and a wreath. At the top center is a putto on a cloud, holding two trumpets.

The motifs are copied from printed forms that were widely available by the 1830s.

Associated Names: Sent, Jacob
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of birth
Region/County:Bucks
City/Town/Township:Rockhill Township
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1830
Image Dimensions Width: 41.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 51
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener