Baptismal Certificate, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1869

Filled-in and signed baptismal certificate, dated April 28, 1869. The certificate is printed on a form and features watercolor additions. It was printed in Allentown, Pennsylvania by Leifenring in 1865. The certificate is notable for being filled out by Martin Wetzler, one of only two known Jewish scriveners in the Lehigh Valley at that time. Wetzler, who was known as the "Jewish Dindamann" (penman) by Pennsylvania Germans, wrote in cursive Yiddish and included a Star of David. He was proficient in Hebrew, German, and English and sometimes added a Star of David and signed in Hebrew to Christian certificates. This was apparently not objectionable to his clients. (See "Papers for Birth Dayes", Vol. II by Russell & Corinne Earnest)

Associated People/Businesses

• WETZLER, MARTIN

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Baptismal certificates
• Scribes
• Pennsylvania Dutch

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Box 17, Folder 2