Birth and Baptismal Certificate for Daniel Hartmann

DatePossibly 1787

MediumWatercolor and ink on laid paper

DimensionsPrimary support: 12 7/16 x 15 5/8in. (31.6 x 39.7cm) and Framed: 16 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 1in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1984.305.3

DescriptionThe composition has a rectangular reserve in the center, surrounded by a meandering vine bearing foliage and blossoms. The central rectangle is defined by zig-zag lines between two straight ones. Stems in the outer border are crudely hatched. The colors throughout are extremely faded.

Artist unidentified.

The 1 7/8-inch splayed, mahogany-veneered frame is a mid-nineteenth century replacement.
Label TextUntil about 1959, this certificate remained in the hands of family descendants along with two others by other artists, the latter being pieces that document the births and baptisms of Daniel Hartmann's son-in-law David Wetzel (1809-1882; see acc. no. 1984.305.1) and David's father, George Wetzel (b. 1775; see acc. no. 1984.305.2). No other examples by the artist responsible for Daniel Hartmann's Geburtschein and Taufschein have been located by Museum staff, although the certificate's long history of ownership by a family documented to the Rockingham County area in the eighteenth century supports such a provenance, and it is hoped it will lead to the discovery of other works by the same hand.
InscribedThe inked inscription within the central rectangle of the composition reads, "Im Jahr Christi Ein Tau/send sieben hundert sehes [sic; for sechs] und achtzig den/sechten november ist von Christlichen Ehl/tern gebohren worden Daniel Hartmann ist/getaufft worden den vird Mertz 1787. der vatter/ist Peter Hartmann. die mutter Sarlotte Hart/mannin. die tauffzeugen sind Johannes Roeder/und seine Ehe frau Hanna Augustina Roederin".
The above translates to read, "In the year of Christ one thousand seven hundred eighty-six, the sixth of November, Daniel Hartmann was born to Christian parents and baptized the fourth of March 1787. The father was Peter Hartmann, the mother Sarlotte [Charlotte] Hartmann. The baptismal sponsors are Johannes Roeder and his wife, Hanna Augustina Roeder. [Translation provided by Pastors Frederick S. Weiser and Larry Neff, Oct. 1993; see original copy of translation in file].
MarkingsThe primary support has a Britannia watermark in the left half. (See Thomas L. Gravell and George Miller, A CATALOGUE OF AMERICAN WATERMARKS, 1690-1835 [NY: Garland Publishing Co., 1979], illus. nos. 241, 601, and 626, the three that appear closest in form to the watermark found in this object).
ProvenanceSee the enclosure received with vendor Mary K. Holt's letter of 4/11/1984, which indicates that 1984.305.1, 1984.305.2, and 1984.305.3 were all given to her and her husband, Mat Holt, about 1959 by Miss Virginia Bernice Tillman (4/4/1881-12/23/1973).
Miss Tillman inherited the frakturs from her parents, Ruhama Wetzel Tillman (3/26/1838-6/16/1917) and Zachary Taylor Tillman (2/4/1833-10/22/1906). Ruhama Wetzel Tillman was a daughter of David D. Wetzel (6/6/1809-11/27/1835), for whom 1984.305.1 was made, and his wife, Margaret Hardman Wetzel (11/13/1813-9/15/1900).

The provenance is thus: Probably David D. Wetzel and Margaret Hardman Wetzel, Rockingham County, Va.; Ruhama Wetzel Tillman, location unknown; Virginia Bernice Tillman, Weston, W. Va.; Mary K. Holt, Weston, W. Va.