Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 492
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; ink
Watermark: A. Rahn
Transcription:

Geburts und Tauf=Schein \ Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als: \ Johann Georg Kuntz und seine ehelichen \ Hausfrau Lidia eine geborne Stehlingern \ ist ein Sohn zur Welt geboren, den 23 Tag \ Februar im Jahr unsers Herrn, 1822. Dieser \ Sohn ist geboren in Magunsche Taunschip \ in Lecha Caunty, im Staat Penselvania \ in Nord=America; und erhielt durch die Heil. Tauf den Namen \ Samuel den 23 Tag Februar \ im Jahr 1822 von dem Ehrw. Hrn Pfarrer Dering \ Die Tauf=Zeugen waren: Leonhart Stelinger \ und seine Frau Markreta.

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

[in upper right]
Und wer weiß, in welcher Stunde \ Uns die letzte Stimme weckt, \ Denn Gott hats mit seinem Munde \ Keinem Menschen noch entdeckt. \ Wer sein Haus nun wohl bestellt, \ Geht mit Freuden aus der Welt; \ Da die Sicherheit hingegen, \ Ewigs Sterben kann erregen.

[ columns in lower center]
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, 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.

[bottom columns in lower center]
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 seyn!

[on bottom]
Reading: \ Gedruckt und zu haben \ bey \ Carl A. Bruckman.

Translation:

Birth and baptismal certificate. To these two married people, namely Johann Kuntz and his lawful wife Lidia, a born Stehlingern, a son was born into the world, the 23 day February in the year of our Lord1822. This son was born in Macungie Township, Lehigh County, in the state of Pennsylvania in North America, and received through the Holy Baptism the name Samuel, the 23 day February in the year 1822, from the honorable Mr. pastor Dering. The sponsors were Leonhart Stelinger and his wife Markreta.

[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.

[top columns in lower center]
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, 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.

[bottom columns 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!

[on bottom]
Reading: Printed and to be had from Carl A. Bruckman.

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

Hand-lettered; printed form. The central text and two of the verses are within a frame in the center of the document. Two 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 a bird. A putto, with a trumpet and a letter, lounges on clouds in the upper center. In each of the lower corners are two birds perched on a leafy branch. Below the main text is an oval frame with flower garlands containing a small portrait bust or cameo of a woman in profile. A wheat sheaf, cornucopia and leaves are between the verses in the lower center. The document is not colored.

Associated Names: Stelinger, Marcreta
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 4, p. 286.

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

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): 1822
Image Dimensions Width: 41.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 143
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
Carl Augustus Bruckmann (1792-1828) - Printer/Publisher