Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 303
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Watermark: Fleur-de-lis
Transcription:

Diese beyden Ehegatten, als Mr: Johann Henrich Wind und seiner ehelichen \ Haus=Frau Catharina eine gebohrne Herrin ist eine Tochter zur \ Welt gebohren, Namens Susanna Margaretha im Jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1784 \ den 6 Tag Juny um [blank] Uhr [blank] im Zeichen de [blank] \ Diese Susanna Margar: ist Gebohren und Getauft in America, im Staat Pennsyl= \ vanien in Northampton County in Ober-Sacon Taunschip \ Obgemelde Susanna Margar: ist Getauft worden den [blank] 17 [blank] \ von Herrn Jacob von Buszkerk Tauf=Zeugen waren Balser Buchecker und \ seine Frau Margaretha.

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. Johann Henrich Wind and his lawful wife Catharina, a born Herrin, a daughter was born into the world, named Susanna Margaretha, in the year of our Lord Jesus 1784, the 6 day June, at [blank] o’clock [blank] in the sign of [blank]. This Susanna Margaretha was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in Northampton County, in Upper Saucon Township. Above mentioned Susanna Margaretha was baptized on the [blank] 17 [blank] by Mister Jacob von Buszkerk [van Buskerk]. Sponsors were Balser Buchecker and his wife Margaretha.

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

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered; woodcut motifs on printed form. The main text and imprint in Fraktur, with blanks infilled by hand in German script, is within a large heart in the center of the document. Two verses are within hearts in the lower corners. Next to each of them are flowers as well as an inward-facing mermaid produced by a woodcut stamp. In the upper corners are two flowers.

Associated Names: Wind, Susanna Margaretha
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

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. 124.

Secondary Place Town/Township: Geographic Coverage State/Province:Pennsylvania
Geographic Coverage City/Town/Township:Upper Saucon Township
Geographic Coverage Note:Based on location of birth.
Geographic Coverage Region/County:Northampton [now 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): 1797
Image Dimensions Width: 32.7 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 264
Creator Name: Friedrich Krebs (1749-1815) - Decorator
Friedrich Krebs (1749-1815) - Scrivener
Jacob Schneider (active 1796-1804) - Printer/Publisher