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: \ Jacob Berger und seiner ehelichen \ Hausfrau Elisabeth geborne Walter \ ist ein Sohn zur Welt geboren, den 3. \ Tag August im Jahr unsers Herrn, 1828 \ Diese Sohn ist geboren in [blank] \ in Columbia Caunty, im \ Staate Pensylvanien in Nord=America; \ und erhielt durch die Heilige Taufe den Namen \ Johannes den 13 Tag December \ im Jahr 1828 von dem Ehrw. Hrn. Wote.
Die Tauf=Zeugen waren: die Eltern selbst
Dieser Sohn \ Johannes \ starb \ den 3ten \ Juni A.D. \ 1846.
sein Alter war \ 16 Jahre u. 10 Monate

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

[upper right]
O, wer weis, in welcher Stund \ Uns die letzte Stimme weckt, \ Denn Gott hat’s mit seinem Munde, \ Keinem Menschen noch entdeckt. \ Wer sein Haus nun wohl bestellt, \ Geht mit Freuden aus der Welt: \ Da die Sicherheit hingegen, \ Ewges Sterben kann erregen.

[lower left]
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 mir [sic] ewiglich.

[lower right]
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.

[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 sein!

Reading, gedruckt und zu haben bey \ G. Adolph Sage.
 

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate.
To these two married people namely Jacob Berger and his lawful wife Elisabeth, born Walter, a son was born into the world on the 3rd day of August in the year of our Lord 1828. This son was born in [blank] in Columbia County, in the state of Pennsylvania, in North America, and received through the holy baptism the name Johannes on the 13th day of December in the year 1828 from the honorable Mr. Wote. The sponsors were the parents themselves.
This son Johannes died on the 3rd of June A.D. 1846. His age was 16 years and 10 months. 

[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.

[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.

[lower 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.

[lower 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.

[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!

Reading, printed and to be had from G. Adolph Sage.
 

Category: Birth and Marriage Record (Geburts und Trauschein)
Media Type: Letterpress Prints
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-colored; hand-lettered; printed form. The main text in Fraktur is in the center of the document. The verses in Fraktur are in rectangular frames in the corners and lower center of the document. In the upper center is a framed image of Jesus’s baptism by John, the Baptist. On the sides are two angels. The one on the left is holding a lyre and flowers, and the one on the right is holding a lyre and a bird. In the lower corners are birds perched on a thorny branch with leaves. In the lower center is a temple with a statue. The entire document is enclosed by a border made of stars within wreaths.

Associated Names: Wote
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 4, p. 271.

Secondary Place County: Geographic Coverage State/Province:Pennsylvania
Geographic Coverage Note:Based on location of birth
Geographic Coverage Region/County:Columbia

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): ca. 1828
Image Dimensions Width: 41 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1165
Creator Name: Adolph G. Sage (active c. 1827-1841) - Printer/Publisher
Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener