Communion altar from Brickerville United Lutheran Church (originally Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church). Rectangular altar of painted softwood, panelled construction all four sides with pegged mortise and tenon joints. Small panels over large. Door in the back with a recessed panel and knob handle. Molding around base, the edge of the top, and framing the recessed panels.
Modification to altar in 1947 by Bob Helman (signature underneath when removed 10-17-00) was a long platform shelf covering the back 2/5 of the top, with holes at the back, including an electrical outlet. Entire altar has been given a new coat of paint, a light chocolate brown on top and white on the sides. The unpainted interior has one shelf with a vertical divider.
Altar has been used since circa 1800 to serve communion, using the Brickerville United Lutheran Church's ten-piece pewter communion service which is also in collections (P97.08.01-10).
Perhaps made by Emanuel Dyer of Manheim or Mr. Zartman of Brickerville.
Large crack on top, approx. 4" from front, running halfway across top. Recently painted. Some separation at moldings. Large hole bored in altar top (for electric wire) underneath the added platform, now removed. The modern base molding also removed. Repainted top with brown and attached molding at ends of top to secure plexi top. Paint removed on door.
Object ID
P.00.34.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, acquired through generosity of James Hale Steinman Foundation and V. Ronald Smith
Mennonite apron of bleached, plain-weave cotton and black two-ply silk embroidery. Apron is gathered at the top and sewn onto a waist band with a commercial tape string at each end.
At top center is a dark brown cross-stitched design of a central star flower on triangle base, surrounded by seven stars or crosses. The separated initials "M S" flank this design and large crosses flank initials. Three different embroidered borders of black silk combine with drawnwork at bottom above a one-inch self-fringe secured with black stitches.
Provenance
Purchased by donor from the Rev. Fred Weiser in 1997. Weiser notes there are about 15 aprons known; see article in Der Regebogge written "some years ago."
Staining around embroidered design and initials from bleeding embroidery, near top. Age discoloration with small stains overall. Stains along sides. Several thread "pulls". Areas of missing embroidery on three crosses at bottom. Small hole at lower right of design.
Conserved Nov. 1997 by Dorothy McCoach of Bethlehem, PA
Object ID
G.97.39.9
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Hampton Randolph, Sr., Heritage Center Collection
Broadside printed on white wove paper (now darkened) has bold title at top: "Haus-Segen." The smaller subtitle of two lines reads: "Das mogen meine Kinder lesen,/ Wenn ich in der Erde thu' verwesen." (Apparently "These words are something my children should desire to read when I am moldering in the grave".)
Within a variant of the Greek key border is the printed text, done in old German type. Underneath the two titles there are two columns of text, each with 28 lines. Text is a religious theme done in rhyming couplets. The name "David L. Beiler" is printed at bottom right. Beiler is most likely an Old Order Amish printer.
Broadside had been folded back along all four sides to make it fit a wooden frame (not original, since other screw holes indicate a previous use). Old acidic cardboard backing was originally used as a backing for an early 20th century photo of a group of firefighters dressed in full uniform with musical instruments, titled "Junior Fire Company -- Reading, PA." Photocopy of fire company in object file.
Provenance
Seller purchased broadside at Horst Auction, April 16, 2003, a sale of household goods consigned by Ruth E. Stoltzfus (Mrs. Morris A. Stoltzfus). There were a number of Amish items for sale that seller believes the family obviously had in storage for many years. Morris and Ruth Stoltzfus were far removed from Morris' Amish roots and would not have valued or displayed them. Mrs. Stoltzfus has since died (6-25-03). See obit. in object file.
Clarke Hess says David Luthy (Canada) would know who this David L. Beiler was. The 3 candidates in the Fisher book appear to all be too recent.
Darkened, some "bleached" damp-stained corners & edges, minor foxing. Embrittled and fragile; all edges folded over with resulting tears including nearly detached section at center left and upper left. Involved tear extends upward from bottom, 2" from bottom right corner. Another is 1" to left of upper right corner. Several interior tears at "Haus" and as well as several holes (near lower left corner and throughout lower right quadrant. Paper strip 1 1/4" wide pasted along upper edge at fold line. Acidic cardboard backing removed. Later conserved by Maria Pukownik (returned Feb.2004 - CD w/ photos in file). Then framed for 2006 Printed Word Exhibit.
Object ID
P.03.20.2
Notes
David Luthy is an Old Order Amish writer and editor for Pathway Publishers. (Their address: 10380 Carter Road, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R3). Clarke E. Hess suggests contacting him to learn the identity of David L. Beiler.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of V. Ronald Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Chest is red-painted poplar. Lid has molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by plain iron strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate, on each end. A till is at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription along with geometric floral/star motifs. The inscription reads: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On the underside of the lid, left side, is pasted a fraktur measuring 6.5" x 8" showing a woman in a red dress and a man in a pink coat and black pants flanking a text block, with red and blue flowers above.
The fraktur is a "baptismal sponsor's letter form" done with ink and watercolor on laid paper for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster County. The central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file)and in the upper left and lower right corners are the names of baptismal sponsors, Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. This unusual form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas, according to Pastor Fred Weiser.
Barbara Potzer was original owner. Maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur is by the Sussel-Washington artist.
Provenance
Chest was purchased at a sale in Harrisburg in approximately June, 1979, by seller, H. William Koch. It
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. Edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
G.79.103.1
Notes
This is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet.
There is a group of several other similar chests (see file).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Hepplewhite blanket chest of walnut with dovetail construction. Hinged lid with centered inlaid eagle in flight and applied molding on three sides. Eagle is heavy in form, without shields, banners or stars. Front and sides undecorated except for hollow corner rectanglular cartouches of string inlay; one on each side and two on front.
Two drawers below the mid-line molding have the same inlay rectangles as well as bail handles and oval lock escutcheons. The left drawer has a "1" on the bottom in red chalk and an illegible pencil inscription. The right drawer has a "2" in the same place and in red chalk. Applied base molding and supported by French feet.
Cannot open chest due to missing key. John Snyder reports that "Fianna Bitzer" is written on the inside of the chest lid. She was born in 1861, the daughter of Martin and Annie Royer Bitzer of Ephrata Twp. Although Bitzer was a later owner, Snyder believes that the chest was originally in the Bitzer or Royer families.
Note: John Snyder states that there is a small group of Lancaster County chests and a desk with eagle inlays like this one. This is the best documented piece of the group.
Northern Lancaster County, likely Ephrata area
Provenance
Chest was purchased by John Snyder from Greg Kramer at the York Antiques Show in May 1993. Kramer had just purchased it at Alderfer Auction Co. May 20, 1993. Snyder then sold it to his mother Evelyn Snyder who donated it to the museum.
Has significant cracks, especially on front side where a midline crack extends entire length of chest. Front has inlay losses; in unstable condition; reglued in Jan. 1996 by Clifford Clayton, as well as repair to damaged feet. Dark stains and marring on lid with molding loss at front right. Water spots and worn finiah across lower section of front and feet. Strong wear overall. Old refinishing. Hardware appears to be replaced. No key for opening chest.
On 10/11, discovered extreme detaching of proper right front foot, partially on front left foot and minimally on back left. Reseated all nails but replaced one short rose-head nail at front section of proper right foot w/ modern box nail. It will not penetrate farther, however, and is not properly seated) Old nail placed in envelope in drawer.
Object ID
G.94.19.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Evelyn R.G. Snyder, Heritage Center Collection
Chest, red-painted poplar on four straight bracket feet. Lid with molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate at each end. Till at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a very thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription with geometric floral/star motifs. Inscription: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On underside of the lid, left side, is a pasted-on fraktur (6.5" x 8"), hand-drawn, hand-colored, hand-lettered, on laid paper. Text within a rectangular frame at center of document, flanked by two people: at left is a woman wearing a red gown and bonnet, and on right is a man wearing a red coat, knee breeches and tricorn hat. Red and blue flowers above.
Fraktur has a "sponsor's letter" text done for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster Co. Document was given to Barbara by the godparents / sponsors, whose names appear at upper left and lower right corners: Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. Central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file). This form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas according to Pastor Weiser.
The maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur was done by Sussel-Washington artist (active c.1760-1779).
Provenance
Chest was purchased by seller, H. William Koch, in approximately June, 1979, at a sale near Harrisburg. It is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet. Several other similar chests (see file).
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. The edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
P.79.103.1
Notes
Pictured on p. 180 of Corinne & Russell Earnests' Fraktur: Folk Art & Family, 1999.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Bonnet-top high chest, walnut w/ yellow pine and poplar secondary wood. Pegged frame and panel construction. A bonnet top broken arch pediment surrounds the tympanum with a central round, concave shell carving. Large orb finial on plinth centered within broken arch. Upper section has five graduated drawer sections consisting of three small drawers over two drawers over three long single drawers, all cock-beaded with bail brasses and escutcheons. Pulls not original; ghosting visible of original brasses. Quarter columns have wide chamfers with double fluting.
Upper chest rests on stepped-out lower chest having one long drawer flanked by two small ones and two more small drawers below these. Cutout apron at bottom. Very wide chamfered & fluted quarter columns. Cabriole legs with trifid feet and stocking detail.
Make is unknown.
Lancaster County, probably Churchtown area
Provenance
Chest originally belonged to the Old family, prominent ironmasters of Lancaster and Berks Co. It may have been owned first by James Old (1730-1809) or one of his children. The chest later passed from Miss Harriet Old to the Hopkins family at Conowingo Furnace, Drumore Twp., Lancaster County.
Overall abrasions, scars and small losses of wood. 4" crack in pediment, left of finial. Significant grouping of gashes 4"x 3" spanning 2nd & 3rd level drawers, at left. Entire front of top chest detaching from sides. Piece at top of left stile, under cornice, is broken & poorly repaired. Deep horizontal 7" crack on left side of base unit. Vertical crack entire length of right side of top. 1 12" long gouge on stile of right front leg. White flecks on right front leg. Brasses tarnished with some rust.
Object ID
P.78.76
Notes
Exhibit label information:
John J. Snyder, Jr. suggests many points of similarity with a Q.A Phila. highboy owned by diarist Christopher Marshall who brought chest along with him when he moved to Lancaster Co. "on the eve of the Revolutionary War." (Winterthur collections). This chest may have inspired the design of the Old chest.
Wide fluted chamfered corners similar to a Q.A. secretary (G.03.1.1) formerly owned by the Jenkins family of Churchtown. Similar to a case of Geo. Hoff clock w/ brass face, and similar to casework by some Phila. and Maryland cabinetmakers.
Snyder notes that cockbeaded edges on drawers suggest a later date than expected (c. 1770-1790). This type in Phila. was being made c. 1740-1760.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Usage
Old family
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Two-piece corner cupboard, white pine, painted with brown glaze over yellow (possibly a mid-19th century repainting). Bold cornice over a band of thin reeding in staggered blocks on fascia. Pilasters of thin reeding flank door sections. Upper section has large door with 12 lights (7.5" x 6.5") of old glass, hand-cut tin lock escutcheon and latch with brass pendant ring handle. with; staggered fluting on fascia. The bottom section has bracket feet with below carved sunbursts. Double doors with triple-raised panels and latch with brass pendant ring handle. The interior is painted off-white, and has four shelves furnished with plate moldings along back.
Pencil inscriptions at top inside rail of each bottom door. Left door appears to have "John Rentschler" or similar name, likely an owner. Rentschler name is found in Berks County in mid-19th c.
Lancaster County, possibly Strasburg area
Provenance
Purchased from Park Edwards at a Strasburg, PA sale in April, 1969. It was then purchased from a Walter Himmelreich sale in October, 1971 by Harry Hartman Antiques. Purchased by Museum Sept. 1979.
Scattered losses overall, with chipping and gouges. Evidence of most wear and damage is at cornice, mid-line molding and feet. Existing finish likely a late 19th c. repaint. Strong paint losses on molding at base of upper section. Large area of wood loss in lower left door adjacent to latch. Upper cupboard has wood losses along back edge of right side and reeding at fascia.
Object ID
P.79.101.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Pencil drawing of Dr. Atlee's house is mounted in hinged window mat. The front, facing out to the left, has a door with a small stoop and three shuttered windows, as well as four shuttered windows on the second floor, and two gabled windows above. The side facing out to the right is in two sections: one section under the peaked roof with three rows of two windows each, and a two-story section with a flat roof, also with three rows of two windows each. In both of these sections, the top two windows are much smaller than the rest, and also without shutters. Two basement windows can barely be seen on the front and side of the house.
NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
There are three chimneys of various designs; one at either end of the peaked roof, and a third at the extreme right of the house.
There are two smaller sections coming off either side of the house. These can only be seen in part, and are not drawn in much detail. Fences extend off of both these sections, with a tree growing behind each section of fence. An ambiguous shape has been drawn behind the tree on the left, possibly another building. The bottom of the drawing is also ambiguous, with the sidewalk following the same lines as the house.
A hand-written caption at the bottom reads "Dr. Atlee's House". There are two bordered emblems at the upper corners of the drawing, also done in pencil. The one at upper left reads "Georg/Burckh---[?]/Anna Margari-/ta B. 1764", encircled by a floral pattern. The one at upper right reads "I.G.B./A.M.B/1764" and is encircled by two flowers.
This building was erected on the northwest corner of E. Orange and N. Duke Streets in 1764 by George Burkhart, the richest joiner of pre-Revolutionary Lancaster, as his own residence. It was one of the most highly developed stone houses with a four bay facade in Lancaster. During the 19th century, it became the residence of the Atlee family. It was demolished in 1902.
Note: P77.31.68 shows the same building.
Additional notes have been made in pencil: "S.E. cor. Lime + Middle Sts--." just above the curb of the sidewalk; "Brick" just above the basement window; and "Filled with stone." in the upper right corner above the tree. The number "25" also appears in upper right corner, and a circled "30" in the lower right corner.
Middle Street is now Howard Avenue. The Sawbuck House, also called the Powell House, was demolished before 1900.
Yellowed around the edges; the side edges and right side of the bottom edge are ragged, with small nicks all along the right side. There is a crease extending from the top edge, about 3" from the right, down to about 3/4" from the upper right corner. There is a dark brown spot about 2 1/2" up on the right side, just outside the border. Now mounted in hinged window mat.
Object ID
P.77.31.02
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Pen & ink drawing (over pencil sketch) of log house. The house has a single brick chimney (with smoke emerging) and a Dutch door with the top half open. There is a wooden plank porch w/ a long bench extending the length of the house front.and a gated wooden fence extending from the left front corner of the house. NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
The left side of the house has a shelf with various pots and bottles on it. Harness hangs on wall near right corner. Fencing encircles entire yard & garden at left and behind house. Additional large building partially seen behind house appears to be a barn with vertical board siding.
A woodpile with an axe in front of the fence, and a man with a cane watching a small child playing w/ dog on the path leading to the gate.
The drawing is black and white, but there is a light brown border around it.
The caption in the upper left corner reads '"PINE-FARM"/LANCASTER CO. PA./ Home-stead of/ Christian Stauffer/ 1847'
Christian Stauffer was a kinsman of David McNeely Stauffer, the artist.
J.W.W. Loose, The Heritage of Lancaster, pp.74-75.
Height (cm)
18.0975
Height (ft)
0.59375
Height (in)
7.125
Width (cm)
22.5425
Width (ft)
0.7395833333
Width (in)
8.875
Dimension Details
Hinged within a window mat..
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-06-28
Condition Notes
Some brown marks along the top edge. There is a brown stain or mark on the bottom center of the drawing, in the path about halfway between the gate and the dog.
The paper was previously attached to another backing, as there are pieces of the backing and glue stains along the edges of the reverse.
The piece is currently mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.09
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Watercolor painting of a square-shaped 3-tiered wooden washstand. A tall ceramic pitcher with blue scenes painted on it is set in a circular area on the lowest level. Mid-level there is a small drawer with a metal hinged-handle. On the shelf there appears to be a piece of plain paper. The top shelf is a white insert with a white ceramic ewer decorated with blue painted mountains in its interior. This nightstand stands next to a wall with white wooden panels on the lower portion and wall above decorated with gray leafed fronds. There is a portion of a green throw rug with a red border on the floor (lower left corner of drawing).
There are brown marks in the paneling behind the washstand. There are the remain of a previous backing on the corners and side of the reverse which have partially bled through the upper right corner.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.37
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on paper, depicting a frame house in a rural area with a tall chimney and wooden fence. The caption at the bottom reads: "Old Frame House--/at turn in Lititz Pike--/edge of Lancaster Pa." (written by Scott Sagar)
There is a significant 1/2-inch tear in the upper left corner. Other small tears appear in the center top edge; the lower right corner (about 1 inch up from bottom); and the bottom edge (about 2 inches from the right).There are remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.63
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on paper-board of the Donegal Meeting house, a small one-story building with barn-like roof and twin doors as well as a walled cemetery and numerous trees in the background. There are several people shown and a few horses.
A small caption at bottom right reads "Drawn + printed by D. (?) Stauffer, Mt. Joy.", and a larger caption at bottom center reads "DONEGAL CHURCH."
This is the Donegal Presbyterian Church at Donegal Springs, built about 1740.
The same building is depicted in P. 77.31.30. (Written by Scott Sagar.)
Watercolor on paper, depicting the residence of Mrs. Eli K. Kline. It shows a gray Federal two-story stone house with German dormers and a doorway flanked by columns. Portions of the two adjacent buildings can also be seen.
The caption reads "Residence of Mrs. Eli K. Kline./Lebanon Pa/ 1869
Pen and ink with watercolor depicting an unidentified interior wall of a room without furnishings.
Most wall surface covered with paneled woodwork, including an off-center fireplace with mantel and ceiling-high surround, two flanking cupboards with mid-section double drawers and decorative keystone at top, also floor to ceiling. At left is a paneled door. Entire was length has paneled wainscot. Wallpapered walls. Strong cornice at ceiling includes dentil molding.
The fireplace, wallpaper, border, and highlights are watercolor, the rest is pen and ink.
Some widely spaced buckling along the top edge. There are blue stains from a previous backing on the corners and edges of the reverse, and these have partially bled through to the front.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.35
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
British Royal Coat of Arms, 1786, attrib. to the "Early Ephrata Artist," (active c. 1780-1786). Manuscript watercolor version of this design is modified to depict the Germanic sentiments of the artist following our overthrow of English rule. As before, the rampant lion (England) is on the left and the rampant unicorn (Scotland) on the right. However, the lion is now chained and uncrowned. Replacing the central shield is a large flowering plant with a typical Pa-German large parrot perched on the lower branch and a crown above. Large flowers are prominently added to this image.
Lettering at bottom center reads: "Phil(i)p[sic] Horning/ hat In ge-macht/ 1786" Recipient Philip Horning's name is followed by the artist's phrase: "Made in 1786." This should not be read that Horning "made this in 1786."
Pa. Germans saw a kinship between the Royal Coat of Arms and the German Hanoverian kings who ruled the United Kingdom throught the 18th century.
Klaus Stopp, Printed B&BC of the Pa. Germans, Vol. II, pp. 108-113
Height (cm)
34.925
Height (ft)
1.1458333333
Height (in)
13.75
Width (cm)
41.275
Width (ft)
1.3541666667
Width (in)
16.25
Dimension Details
Frame is H: 22.25 W: 25.25"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-03-23
Condition Notes
Multiple vertical and horizontal creases overall. Some paint loss, especially on lion's head and face, and flower in upper right corner. Brown stains overall.
A treatment proposal made by Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, May 1986, and the following treatment was done in 1988-89: consolidated ink and paint, old backing removed, tears mended, cleaned, losses in paper filled, flattened, and matted. Details in file.
Matted and framed by Brian Howard of Carlisle in 1996
Object ID
P.77.51
Notes
This unusual watercolor gives a Germanic spin on the heraldic design. While the lion stands for England and the unicorn for Scotland, replacing the central shield is a large parrot perched on a flowering plant. Large flowers are also prominently introduced into the composition. Painted after the war of independence, the lion is now portrayed uncrowned, with a chain at his neck. This is a strong statement of the artist's Germanic sentiments.
This is one of the last known pieces done by the Early Ephrata Artist." He was given this name since he decorated early Ephrata prints having no bird-panel printed borders. The Earnests note he used heavy color and his motifs were primitive, despite the ambitious decoration and design he attempted such as this fraktur watercolor. He ranks among the earliest fraktur artists to decorated printed forms, along with Otto, Hoevelmann and Speyer.
See:
- Earnests' "Papers for Birth Dayes", pp. 213-214 for info on the Early Ephrata Artist.
- Klaus Stopp, The Printed B&BCs of the German Americans, Vol. II, pp. 108-113.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Bookplate for Peter T.(?) Stauffer penned in purple lettering by Thomas H. Wall (active circa 1876-1898) on a detached end page of a book. Wove paper is light brown. The name arches at top of page with "1876" directly underneath. Embellished with filligree and other decorative flourishes.
Memorial record made by Thomas J. Stevens on heavy tan paper. The unique open-letter style is done in black ink with gold highlights on upper case letters and black inked lower case letters. His lettering is "shaded" by red hash marks above them. Text surrounded by a thin black border line with flowers with long black stems coming out of corners and the center of the sides towards the script. Flowers have red petals and green leaves and the script is accented with gold and green. Border has gold accents at the corners.
The top half of the record begins with, "IN MEMORY/ of/ Our Beloved Parents" and continues with their names and dates as follows: "Benjamin Beiler. Born 26th April, 1830/ Died 6th Jan. 1910. Aged 79 yrs. 8 mos. 9 days./ Mary E. [Esh] Beiler. Born 12th July. 1835./ Died 25th Nov. 1908. Aged 73 yrs. 4 mos. 12 days."
The bottom half of the record is a poem which reads: "God His message sent to call them/ From their Labor here below;/ And we hope to those fair Mansions,/ Where the weary Pilgrims go./ Oh Children dear why do you weep,/ Since we a resting Place have found/ So calm and peaceful we shall sleep/ Beneath our green and mossy mound./ Oh let them sleep on so free from all pain/ Oh make not their sweet Spirits to suffer again;/ They slumber so soundly, Oh let them sleep on;/ Their sickness is ended their troubles are gone./ Gone But not Forgotten."
The signature at the bottom reads: "Thomas J. Stevens./ Lancaster./ Pa./ 22. June 1915."
This is one of two signed pieces done by Stevens. Another large family record is of the Amos and Mattie Lapp family, is undated and is owned by Goshen College's Mennonite Historical Library. Other pieces were done by Stevens for the Amish (several owned by Parmer). See also in HCLC collections, family records in Bibles P94.15.2 and P95.22.1.
Provenance
Seller purchased at sale of Lydia S. Stoltzfus (Mrs. Isaac F. Stiltzfus), New Holland, the granddaughter of Ben & Mary Beiler. Her father was David E. Beiler (Fisher #7783). Thus, the fraktur appears to have been owned by the son, David E. Beiler, and perhaps commissioned by him.
Paper is darkened, especially around edges. Some light soiling and fingerprints. Minor foxing, especially near top left corner. Some light creasing, especially around edges. Small light colored areas of wear around the periphery. Small hole 1 1/2" below signature. Top edge is worn. Dark brown stain, bottom edge towards right and at top right corner of border. Back has greater areas of wear and soiling with some water stains. Framed in archival materials, Feb. 2000, by Lancaster Galleries.
Object ID
P.00.06.1
Notes
See object file for bio sketch of Stevens done by seller John (Jack) Parmer. Includes family genealogy of Benjamin Beiler (Fisher Book #7781). He lived 1830-1910 and in 1857 married Mary Esh (1835-1908). Benjamin Beiler was also a gifted artist and did bookplates, etc. Parmer notes that one elderly Amish woman, Lydia S. Stoltzfus Petersheim, recalls Stevens in 1925 as a "little Englishman", walking from farm to farm carrying his wooden artist's case. At this time she was a 9-year-old child and Stevens inscribed her Bible.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Irene N. Walsh, Heritage Center Collection
Birth and baptismal certificate for Jacob Weydmann, printed on laid paper at the Ephrata Cloister at the request of Henrich Otto (c.1733-99), who also decorated this fraktur. Infill attributed to Henrich Dulheuer (active c.1780-86);
Center text block with textile border below was printed with the date of 1784 (lower right). Klaus Stopp believes the bird-panels at top and sides were printed later (1785-87) (See Notes). Dulheuer later infilled the family information in red. Otto decorated with green, red, yellow, and blue.
B & BC is for Jacob Weydmann, born Oct. 28, 1762 in Cocalico Twp., a son of Jacob and Barbara (Huber) Weydmann. By the time the taufschein was completely printed and finally infilled and decorated, Jacob Weydmann would have been at least in his mid-20s.
Much of the edges is missing, esp. the top corners. Significant vertical crease down the center, various other creases and wrinkles. Large brown stains in lower half. The piece has been mounted on a brown backing, and missing areas of the design have been filled in.
A treatment proposal done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in 1986 mentioned filling in the design, but there is no record of when it was actually done. Matted and framed by conservator Brian Howard of Carlisle in 1996.
Object ID
G.77.50.8
Notes
Dulheuer was one of the first scriveners to fill out printed forms (Earnests). Pictured in Corinne & Russell Earnests' book, Fraktur: Folk Art & Family on p. 34.
See Bookplate in New Testament (G.77.50.5) of family member Margaret Weidman. See also Paul Flack Sale of Oct 2012 at Pook & Pook for nearly identical printed Birth Certificate of sister Catharina, born 1768 (in object file).
The Elser, Weidman/Weydmann, and Wachter families were intermarried.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Stoltzfus family record on wove paper mounted in a thin, molded modern frame of tiger maple. Hand done family record of Lancaster Amish family attributed to David C. Hoke (active c. 1909-1935). Bold and colorful title is "Family Record" done with wide lettering of red and black with metallic gold highlights accompanied by green-leafed scrolling vines. Title continues on 2nd line with "...of Henry U. and Annie M. Stoltzfus." followed by the father's birth date & death date, then birth date of mother. Her death date is added later on same line with pencil. All lettering is black except for large, ornately illuminated upper case letters.
"Children" is the colorful bold heading for the remaining 3//4 of page listing 10 children with birth dates. The death date for 2-yr-old Levi is also recorded. Title has black and white letters, some red as well as metallic gold highlights. Surrounded by the same leafy scrolling vines and three upside down stalks of wheat at each side.
Remaining side borders have a vertical undulating vine with green leaves and blue clusters of grapes. Bottom is filled with a large cluster of three stalks of wheat.
Very minor stain spots, esp. at corners. Strongly creased horizontal fold line across center.
Object ID
P.96.01.1
Notes
Compare with large Esbenshade family record P.99.16.1. Hoke made Bible entries, bookplates and many large family registers in northern Lancaster County and southern Lebanon County. Large, ornate family registers made for the Amish seem to be a specialty of Hoke. He signed and dated much of his work, oftern including his home location of Quentin and later Lititz.
See file for:
1) Stoltzfus genealogy from "Fisher Family History."
2) Information sheet on David C. Hoke by Russ and Corinne Earnest "Papers for Birth Dayes."
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Coll
