Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 302
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Diese beyden Ehegatten, als Mr: Jacob Jost und seiner ehelichen \ Haus=Frau Maria Elisabeta eine gebohrne Darantin ist ein Sohn zur \ Welt gebohren, Namens Jacob Jost im Jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1774 \ den 12. Tag August um 1. Uhr Nachts im Zeichen dem \ Löwen. \ Dieser Jacob ist Gebohren und Getauft in America, im Staat Pennsyl= \ vanien in Bucks Caunty in Bedminster Taunschip \ Obgemelder Jacob ist Getauft worden den 2. October 1774 \ von Herrn Conrad Röller Tauf=Zeugen waren die obige Eltern selbsten \ Wurde Confirmirt durch Hrn. Conrad Röller im jahr 1792. 

Wann wir kaum geboren werden: ist vom ersten Lebenstritt bis ins kühle Grab der Erden, Nur ein kurz gemessner Schritt. \ Ach mit jedem Augenblick! Gehet unsre Kraft zurück, Und wir sind mit jedem Jahre, allzu reif \ zur Todtenbahre; Und wer weiß in welcher Stunde, uns die letzte Stimme weckt: \ Dann GOtt hat’s mit seinem Munde, Keinem Menschen noch endeckt. \ Wer sein Haus nun wohl bestellt geht mit Freuden aus der Welt. \ Da die Sicherheit hingegen; Ewigs Sterben kan erregen.

Verfertigt von F. Krebs. \ READING: \ Gedruckt, bey \ J. Schneider u. Co. \ Im Jahre \ 1797.

[In heart on 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 Freude \ bleibet ewig= \ lich.

[In heart on right]
Ich bin getauft, ob ich gleich sterbe, \ Was schadet mir das kühle Grab? \ Ich weiß mein Vaterland und Erbe, \ Daß ich bey Gott im Himmel hab, \ Nach meinem Tod ist mir \ bereit, Des Himmels \ Freud, das Feu= \ erkleid.

Translation:

To these two married people, namely Mr. Jacob Jost and his lawful wife Maria Elisabeta, a born Darantin, a son was born into the world, named Jacob Jost, in the year of our Lord Jesus 1774, the 12 day August, at 1 o’clock at night, in the sign of Leo. This Jacob was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in Bucks County, in Bedminster Township. Above mentioned Jacob was baptized the 2^nd of October 1774, by Mister Conrad Röller. Sponsors were the above parents themselves. Was confirmed by Mr. Conrad Röller in the year 1792. 

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 we grow ripe for the bier. 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.

Prepared by F. Krebs.
Reading: Printed by J. Schneider and Co., in the year 1797.

[In heart on 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 heart on 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, the garment of celebration, is prepared for me.

Category: Birth, Baptismal and Confirmation Certificate (Geburts, Tauf, und Konfirmationsschein)
Media Type: Letterpress Prints
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered; applied cutouts; printed form. The main text and imprint, in fraktur with blanks infilled in German script, is within a large heart in the center of the document. Two verses are within hearts below it. The hearts are surrounded by hand-drawn flowers and stars as well as various applied cutouts of birds. In the upper center is a crown. Beneath the small hearts are tulips. The entire document is enclosed within a decorative border.
For a related example, see FLP 264.

Associated Names: Schneider, Jacob
Provenance: Levi E. Yoder

Bibliography:

“Johann Jacob Friederich Krebs” 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. 460-467.

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 4, p. 122.

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

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of printshop.
Region/County:Berks
City/Town/Township:Reading
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1797
Image Dimensions Width: 33 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 265
Creator Name: Friedrich Krebs (1749-1815) - Decorator
Friedrich Krebs (1749-1815) - Scrivener
Jacob Schneider (active 1796-1804) - Printer/Publisher