Abraham H. Cassel collection 1610 Finding aid prepared by Sarah Newhouse.
Last updated on November 09, 2018.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
August 2011 Abraham H. Cassel collection
Table of Contents
Summary Information...... 3 Administrative Information...... 6 Related Materials...... 7 Controlled Access Headings...... 9 Bibliography...... 10 Collection Inventory...... 11
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Summary Information
Repository Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Creator Cassel, Abraham Harley, 1820-1908.
Title Abraham H. Cassel collection
Call number 1610
Date [inclusive] 1680-1893
Extent 4.75 linear feet (48 volumes)
Language German
Language of Materials note Materials are mostly in German but there is some English.
Books (00007021) [Volume] 23
Books (00007022) [Volume] 24
Books (00007019) [Volume] 21
Books (00007020) [Volume] 22
Books (00007017) [Volume] 19
Books (00007018) [Volume] 20
Books (00007015) [Volume] 17
Books (00007016) [Volume] 18
- Page 3 - Abraham H. Cassel collection Books (00007023) [Volume] 25
Books (00006999) [Volume] 1
Books (00007000) [Volume] 2
Books (00007001) [Volume] 3
Books (00007006) [Volume] 8
Books (00007007) [Volume] 9
Books (00007008) [Volume] 10
Books (00007009) [Volume] 11
Books (00007005) [Volume] 7
Books (00007004) [Volume] 6
Books (00007003) [Volume] 5
Books (00007002) [Volume] 4
Books (00007046) [Volume] 48
Books (00007045) [Volume] 47
Books (00007044) [Volume] 46
Books (00007043) [Volume] 45
Books (00007042) [Volume] 44
Books (00007041) [Volume] 43
- Page 4 - Abraham H. Cassel collection Books (00007040) [Volume] 42
Books (00007039) [Volume] 41
Books (00007038) [Volume] 40
Books (00007037) [Volume] 39
Books (00007036) [Volume] 38
Books (00007035) [Volume] 37
Books (00007033) [Volume] 35
Books (00007034) [Volume] 36
Books (00007031) [Volume] 33
Books (00007032) [Volume] 34
Books (00007029) [Volume] 31
Books (00007030) [Volume] 32
Books (00007027) [Volume] 29
Books (00007028) [Volume] 30
Books (00007025) [Volume] 27
Books (00007026) [Volume] 28
Books (00007011) [Volume] 13
Books (00007024) [Volume] 26
- Page 5 - Abraham H. Cassel collection Books (00007012) [Volume] 14
Books (00007010) [Volume] 12
Books (00007014) [Volume] 16
Books (00007013) [Volume] 15
Abstract This collection contains printed material from the library of Abraham Harley Cassel, a book collector and historian who acquired over 50,000 books, pamphlets, and documents about early Pennsylvania history. Cassel was a member of the Dunkard Brethren who wrote about and collected books on early Pennsylvania German religious history. His library attracted scholars and historians of Pennsylvania and German American history, and at his death was divided among archives, libraries, and private collectors. The portion of Cassel’s collection that is housed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania contains forty-seven items which range in date from 1680 to 1893. Items are arranged in alphabetical order, with volumes relating to the Ephrata religious community and the Schwenkfelder Church grouped together. This collection includes hymn books, religious tracts and catechism, diaries, letters, genealogical records, and examples of Pennsylvania German folk art and fraktur.
Cite as:
[Indicate cited item or series here], Abraham H. Cassel collection (Collection 1610), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Administrative Information
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
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August 2011 Finding aid prepared by Sarah Newhouse.
Sponsor This collection was processed during the Digital Center for Americana Project Phase II, which was funded by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Richard Lounsbery Foundation.
Access Restrictions This collection is open for research. Access to Volume 30: Anweisung zum lessen fürs gantze Jahr (Instructions on What to Read for the Entire Year) is restricted due to its fragile condition. Researchers should use the digital version found online in HSP's Digital Library.
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials note At the Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Abraham H. Cassel description of the Indians Iroquois and Delaware (Collection Am .541) Journal of Johannes Kelpius (original) in the Ferdinand J. Dreer autograph collection (Collection 0175) A History of Sower's Newspaper (handwritten transcript) by A. H. Cassel (Collection Am .1596) Byron L. Stauffer collection of material relating to Abraham H. Cassel (Collection D0387) Francis Daniel Pastorius records (Collection Am .3714) Francis Daniel Pastorius papers (Collection 0475) Johannes Kelpius portrait by Christopher Witt (1882.1) Johannes Kelpius collection of German hymns (Collection Am .088) Ephrata: the printing press of the Brotherhood, 1745-1793 (manuscript) by Anneliese M. Funke (Collection Am .2413) Historical Society of Pennsylvania collection of historic Philadelphia lantern slides (Collection V22) History of the Brethren Church (Collection Am .7122) George Allen pedagogical collection (Collection LCP78)
- Page 7 - Abraham H. Cassel collection The bloody theatre, or martyrs mirror of the defenseless Christians ... by Thielem J. van Braght ; translated from the original Dutch or Holland language from the edition of 1660, by Joseph F. Sohm. Call number E .558. At other institutions: A. H. Cassel Collection in Special Collections at the Beeghly Library at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. Abraham Cassel Collection in Special Collections at Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago, Il.
Biblia, das ist: Die ganze göttliche Heilige Schrifft, Alten und Neuen Testaments, nach der deutschen Uebersetzung Dr. Martin Luthers, mit jedes Capitels kurzen Summarien, auch beygefügten vielen und richtigen Paralellen: Nebst schicklichen Nutzanwendungen zu den fünf Büchern Mosis, dem Hohelied Solomonis und der Offerbarung S. Johannis: Die erste Auflage. At the Library COmpany in Philadelphia, Pa. (Ac 9141) Fraktur Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia. http://libwww.freelibrary.org/fraktur/index.cfm George Weiss papers at the Moravian Church Archives in Bethlehem, Pa. The German American Collection at the German Society in Philadelphia, Pa. German American publications at the Library Company in Philadelphia, Pa. http:// www.librarycompany.org/collections/german.htm The Library Company's collection of materials printed at the Ephrata Cloister. Philadelphia, Pa. http:// www.librarycompany.org/catalogs/index.htm Research library at the Ephrata Cloister in Ephrata, Pa. Saur Bibles in the Gruber Rare Books collection at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. http:// collections.lstc.edu/gruber/luthers_bible/following.php The Schwenkfelder Library and Research Center in Pennsburgh, Pa. Julius F. Sachse Deposit of Ephrata Cloister materials (1680-1939) at the Pennsylvania State Archives http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/mg/mg351.htm Swigart Collection at the Beeghley Library at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa.
Separated Materials note The following information was taken from the card catalog: 26 folders of fraktur (Ac 971) were moved to "the manuscript department, Pennsylvania German certificates; in the print room (at the end of Bb's)." Deed of Herman Op de Graaff to Cornelius Sivert (Ac 974) was transfered to the Society collection.
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Controlled Access Headings
Personal Name(s)
• Beissel, Conrad, 1690-1768. • Kelpius, Johannes, 1673-1708. • Lampe, Friedrich Adolf, 1683-1729. • Miller, Peter, 1710-1796. • Pastorius, Francis Daniel, 1651-1719. • Sauer, Christopher, 1695-1758. • Schwenkfeld, Kaspar, 1489-1561.
Subject(s)
• Arithmetic--Textbooks--Early works to 1900. • Dunkard Brethren. • Ephrata Cloister. • Fraktur art--Pennsylvania. • Geomancy--Early works to 1800. • German Americans--Music. • German Baptist Brethren (U.S.)--Pennsylvania. • German language--18th century--Dictionaries. • Germantown (Philadelphia, Pa.)--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775. • Hymns, German--Pennsylvania. • Hymns, German--United States--Texts. • Hymns--German--18th century. • Illumination of books and manuscripts, German. • Mathematics, German. • Mysticism--Germany--History. • Mysticism--United States--History. • Pennsylvania--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775. • Pietism--United States--History--18th century. • Printing--United States--History--18th century. • Schwenkfelder Church--Catechisms--German. • Schwenkfelder Church--Catechisms. • Schwenkfelder Church--Hymns. • Schwenkfelder Church--Prayers and devotions. • Schwenkfelder Church. • Sermons, German--United States--Early works to 1800.
- Page 9 - Abraham H. Cassel collection • Voyages and travels.
Bibliography
Ahlstrom, Sydney E. A Religious History of the American People. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1973. Alderfer, Everett Gordon. The Ephrata commune: an early American counterculture. Pittsburgh, Pa.: Univeristy Press, 1985. Durnbaugh, Donald F. "Abraham Harley Cassel and His Collection." Pennsylvania History 26.4 (October 1959): 332-347. JSTOR. Web. 15 Aug. 2011. http://www.jstor.org/pss/27769911 Haussmann, William A. "German- American Hymnology, 1683-1800." Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University, 1899. Web. 20 July 2011. http://books.google.com/books/about/ German_American_hymnology_1683_1800.html?id=XFAXAAAAYAAJ "History." The Ephrata Cloister. n.d. Web. 17 July 2011. http://www.ephratacloister.org/history.htm Kulp, Roy C. "Abraham Harley Cassel: Dunkard Bibliophile," Pennsylvania Folklife 11.1 (Spring 1960). Web. 15 Aug. 2011. http://www.johnbryer.com/abraham_harley_cassel.htm#ahc Miller, Randall M. and William Pencak, eds. Pennsylvania: a History of the Commonwealth. University Park, Pa.: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2002. "Online Resources." The Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center. n.d. Web. July 2011. http:// www.schwenkfelder.com/Education/OnlineResources.htm Sachse, Julius Friedrich. The German Sectarians of Pennsylvania, 1708-1742: A Critical And Legendary History Of The Ephrata Cloister And The Dunkers. Self-published, 1899. Seipt, Allen Anders. Schwenkfelder hymnology: and the sources of the first Schwenkfelder hymn-book printed in America. Philadelphia: Americana German Press, 1909. Web. 10 August 2011. http://books.google.com/books?id=08SCAAAAIAAJ&dq=schwenkfelder %20hymnology&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false "Special Collections." Juniata College Beeghly Library. Sept. 2008. Web. 27 July 2011. http:// www.juniata.edu/projects/currents/redesign2/specialcollections.html
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Collection Inventory
Volume
Anmerckungen aus der Leichen-Rede des George Schultzen, Sr. March 23 1784 (Excerpts 1 from a Speech at the Funeral of George Schultz Sr.), by Christoph Schultz, circa 1784. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This handwritten pamphlet is a eulogy or funeral speech given by a son after his father's death. George Schultz died suddenly, so many of the remarks in Christoph's speech emphasize the impermanence of life and the need to always be watching and waiting for God. There was a Schultz family who was prominent in the early Schwenkfeldian church in America, but there is not enough extant information to identify this George or Christoph Shultz as Schwenkfelders.
Arithmetiche Instructiones (Arithmetic Instructions), 1717. 1 item. 2
Scope and Contents note
This volume is a German, handwritten arithmetic instruction book. It was owned by Andreas Carl Teichen and later by Christian Lehman. This volume contains instructions for carrying out basic math functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), as well as completed practice exercises and notations.
Der englischen Gräfin Maria von Pembrock seltene Geheimnisse bestehend in einer 3 wunderbaren Punctir-kunst (The English Countess Mary of Pembroke’s Rare Secrets of the Wonderful Art of Geomancy), 1814. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume is a German translation of a work by a Maria or Mary who was once Countess of Pembroke. It is likely that the title refers to Mary Sidney Herbert (1561-1621), sister of
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the English poet Sir Philip Sidney and wife ofthe 2nd Earl of Pembroke, Henry Herbert, but there is little evidence in the text itself for her authorship. This volume contains instructions for performing a kind of geomancy, an arcane method of divining answers to questions using numerical patterns and astrology. This book provides questions one could put forth to spirits of the earth and air, and the methods by which those answers could be interpreted.
English-German vocabulary, circa 1787. 1 item. 4
Ephrata: Der Christen A. B. C. (The Christian A. B. C.), 1750. 1 item. 5
Scope and Contents note
Produced by Ephrata Cloister members Sisters Anastasia and Efigenia in 1750, this volume contains artwork for three capital letter alphabets. The illustration and decoration of the letters contain common Pennsylvania-German folk motifs like plants, birds, and hexes, but also human figures, dressed in the robes worn by brothers and sisters at the Ephrata Cloister. Most letters are not completely illustrated; decorations around the letters are not entirely colored, pencil lines are visible, and in some cases the letters themselves are only partially drawn in.
Ephrata: Chronicon of the Ephrata Sisterhood (leather bound), 1745. 1 item. 6
Ephrata: Chronicon of the Ephrata Sisterhood (cloth bound), 1745. 1 item. 7
Ephrata: Chronicon of the Ephrata Sisterhood, typed transcript, 1890. 1 item. 8
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Ephrata: Death register of the Ephrata Cloister, 1728-1821. 1 item. 9
Ephrata: Hymn book, Choral Book of the Ephrata Cloister, 1745. 1 item. 10
Ephrata: Hymn book, Manuscript Book of the Ephrata Brethren, by Conrad Beissel, 11 1746. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
A note at the beginning of this volume written by Obed Snoberger (one of the brethren at the Snow Hill Cloister) identifies it as containing hymns composed by Conrad Beissel. Snoberger also notes that the hymns to which the music is set are the same as those in the Zionitischer weyrauchs hügel. This volume may be of particular interest to researchers, as it includes a foreword (possibly written in Beissel's own hand), explaining the theories behind his music, its composition, and its relationship to his religious views. It also appears to be a compilation of hymns from several sources, all by Conrad Beissel. Pages of hymns are numbered 1-108, A-P, 1-145, with a section of numbered hymns before the index in loose numerical order. Some of the hymns in this volume also appear in Melodien.
Ephrata: Hymn book, manuscript music book made at the cloister at Schneeberg (Snow 12 Hill), circa 1817. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains more lyrics than the other three Conrad Beissel hymn books: where the others only provide the title or first line, this volume provides lyrics for the entire hymn. The much later cover of this volume declares that it was made in memory of Sister Martha ( Zum Andenken an Schwester Martha), but there is nothing in the text to associate this volume with her. One of the other Ephrata hymn books with the same hymns -- Mittel Buch bestehend in allerley angenehmen Melodies (Volume 14) -- does, however, contain
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a page with a dedication to Sister Martha. This is the most elaborate and colorful of the Ephrata community hymn books.
Ephrata: Hymn book: Melodien (Melodies), circa 1848. 1 item. 13
Scope and Contents note
This small volume of hymns belonged to a man named Paul Ritter in 1848-1849, but the date of publication is uncertain. Some of the hymns in this book also appear in the Manuscript Book of the Ephrata Brethren, so at least some of these songs were composed by Conrad Beissel.
Ephrata: Hymn book, Mittel Buch bestehend in allerley angenehmen Melodies zum 14 Dank und Lobgesang unseres Gottes gemeinschaftlich gemacht zum Gebrauch in der Christlichen Kirche zu Schneeberg (The Middle Book Containing All Kinds of Comfortable Songs of Thanks and Praise to Our Common God. Made for use in the Christian church at Snow Hill.), 1846. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This hymn book has an illuminated page dedicating the volume to Schwester (Sister) Martha.
Ephrata: Hymn book, Paradisisches Wunder-Spiel (Paradisiacal Wonder-Music), by 15 Conrad Beissel, 1754. 1 item.
Ephrata: Hymn book, Paradisisches Wunder-Spiel (Paradisiacal Wonder-Music), by 16 Conrad Beissel, 1754. 1 item.
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Ephrata: Hymn book, Zionitischer Rosen Garten (Zionist Rose Garden), by Conrad Beissel, 17 1754. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
According to a note in this volume written by Obed Snoberger, a member of the Snow Hill Cloister, this book was produced by the brethren of Ephrata for Conrad Beissel. Snoberger's also provides the date when the item arrived at the Snow Hill cloister and an explanation of the sheet music and composition techniques. He does not, however, clarify whether the hymns are written by Beissel or compiled for him by members of the Ephrata community.
Ephrata: Hymn book, untitled, by David Schneeberger, 1817. 1 item. 18
Ephrata: Letter book of Conrad Beissel, 1751-1756. 1 item. 19
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains copies of letters written between 1751 and 1756. Most letters are address spiritual matters and contain personalized advice to the recipient. Letter recipients include Christopher Saur Sr., Peter Beussel, an English schoolmaster named Daniel K., Brother Ludovias, Jacob Mohr, Brother Ludowiz, Henrich Lohman, Brother Ludovici, Johannes Müllen (brother of Sister Pauolina), Brother Agabus, Willhelmus Jung, Conrad Matthey, George Henning, Henrich Fund, Peter Becker, Gerhard Zinn, Christian Siderborg, and Jacob Rimmel.
Ephrata: Manuscripts, circa 1727-1752. 1 item. 20
Scope and Contents note
This bound collection of manuscripts includes tracts on various religious matters and letters about events and people relevant to the Ephrata Cloister. One of the more interesting documents in this pamphlet is a copy of a letter from an Ephrata brother who died "long
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ago," which discusses the activities of Samuel Eckerlin, the brother of Israel Eckerlin. Israel challenged Conrad Beissel’s leadership at Ephrata and was ultimately ejected from the community. The unnamed letter writer is angry about Samuel's behavior and goes so far as to compare him to "Indians," the only difference between them being that Samuel Eckerlin did not burn down any houses. There is also a 1737 letter to Christopher Sauer from someone named "Märsy," which expresses great disapproval of Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorff, a German Protestant and bishop of the Moravian church who offered refuge to the Schwenkfelders in 1726 when persecution intensified in Germany.
Ephrata: Sermons, by Israel Eckerlin, 1756. 1 item. 21
Scope and Contents note
This volume of sermons written by Israel Eckerlin in 1756 represents the religious point of view of someone who was expelled from the Ephrata Cloister. His disagreements with Beissel’s philosophies (and perhaps a clash of personalities) lead to his leaving Ephrata in 1745. This volume includes thirty-five sermons written by Eckerlin (called Brother Onesimus), but also a plea to Peter Miller (Brother Jaebez) -- the Ephrata brother responsible for the Chronicon -- to publish this volume of sermons and other texts. The sermons are meditations on the broad topics of God and faith.
Hausmittel und Behandlung (Home Remedies and Treatment of the Expectant Mother and 22 the Mother After Delivery), undated. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This book of medical advice and recipes was written by a Dr. De Benewell and once belonged to Christopher Saur. It contains advice for the physician attending a home birth and treating expectant mothers. Remedies include those for swollen legs, infection, and unexpected bleeding.
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Hymn book: Hermonisches Melodeyen Buchlein uber die bekannteste Lieder im Marburger 23 Gesang-Buch (The Most Popular Songs from the Marburger Songbook), 1781. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This hymn book contains the most popular songs from the Lutheran Marburger Songbook, a collection of Protestant hymns first published in 1549 and printed in the United States by Christopher Saur. The dedication page states that this volume was created for Catarina Hunsicker, who was a singer in the Birdenseher school, although the last page declares that the book belongs to Catharina Bergen, which may be her married name. The last page bears the inscription, Hört büchlein was ich dir will sagen so dich jemand weg dragen so sprich las mich nur ligen in guter ruh. This is identical to the text on the first page of Johannes Berge's 1783 song book (also in this collection), which suggests that this volume is of his authorship as well. A "Henry Berge" has also signed his name to this volume, along with the date 1832.
Hymn book: Paradiesische Nachts Tropffen, die sich in der Stille zu Zion als ein lieblicher 24 Morgen Tau uber die Kinder Gottes ausgebreitet ( Paradisaical night drops which spread as dulcet morning dew over the children of the Lord in the tranquility of Zion), 1734. 1 item.
Hymn book: Sing-Noten Buchlein (The Little Book of Singing Music), by Johannes Berge, 25 1783. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains hymns composed by Johannes Berge, many of them Psalms. It is unique in this collection because it contains a hymn in English (the last song in the book). The text and music are undecorated.
Immen Büchlein (The Little Book About Bees), by Johann Grützmann, 1779. 1 item. 26
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Scope and Contents note
This small volume is a copy of Johann Grützmann's instruction book about beekeeping, originally written in 1669. In 1779 this copy was made by David Kriebel, presumably for his own use as the volume contains notes and explanations for passages that were copied into the wrong place or chapter in this version of the Immen Büchlein.
Kelpius, Johannes: Hymnal, undated. 1 item. 27
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains handwritten German lyrics and facing page English translations of hymns written by Johannes Kelpius. Although the lyrics and music (when included) were composed by Kelpius, the handwriting and translations in this volume are not his. The hymns were copied by an unknown scribe, while the translations belong to Christopher Witt, who also painted the only existing portrait of Kelpius (currently held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania). In 1823, John F. Watson wrote a note found at the beginning of this volume explaining the current format of the hymnal and providing a brief biography of Kelpius.
Kelpius, Johannes: Journal, photostat copy, 1893. 1 item. 28
Scope and Contents note
This journal is assembled from a travelogue that Kelpius kept during his trip from Germany to Pennsylvania and some of his letters. The travelogue portion of the journal details his 1694 voyage aboard the Sarah Maria Hopewell, including names of fellow passengers, which ships they encountered, a description of a battle with a French vessel, and instructions given by an admiral to the ship’s captain. The letters in this volume range in date from 1697 to 1706, although some are undated. The contents are mostly spiritual musings, sometimes addressing specific philosophical and theological questions asked of him in earlier letters. Not all letters are dated or name the intended recipient, but identified recipients include Heinrich Johann Deichman of London; Steven Momfort of Long Island,
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New York; Reverend Tobias Erie Biorck of Wilmington, Delaware; Maria Elizabeth Gerber of Virginia; Magister Fabritius; and Hester Palmer.
The original of this photostat copy is found in the Ferdinand J. Dreer autograph collection (0175), Volume 126.http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/d/Dreer0175.html
Leges Pennsilvaniana: Laws of Germantown, photostat copy, belonged to Francis Daniel 29 Pastorius, 1690. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This copy of Germantown charters and regulations was owned by Francis Daniel Pastorius (1651-1720), the founder of Germantown, Pennsylvania, now a part of Philadelphia. The original is held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, with the Francis Daniel Pastorius papers (Collection 0475). There are two sections to this volume: the first section is a copy of the charter itself, and the second is Gesetz, Ordnungen, und Statuta der Gemeind zu Germantown (Laws, regulations, and statutes for the municipality of Germantown).The charter lays out the guidelines and regulations for the self-governance of Germantown, allowing it to have corporate and political autonomy. The second section in this book details the election of public officials, taxes, and government hierarchy. It was apparently a draft, as Pastorius crossed out many of the proposed regulations.
Schwenkfeld: Anweisung zum lessen fürs gantze Jahr (Instructions on What to Read for the 30 Entire Year), undated. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This pamphlet provides the reader with a list of religious texts and sections of the Bible to read throughout the year, from the first Sunday in Advent to the 27th Sunday after "Trinitatis." Each day is divided into three sections (early morning, before noon, and after noon) and each day’s reading includes an assignment intended for children ( Kinder Lehre). The sermons of Michael Hiller, Erasmus Weichenhans, and Johannes Werner are
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mentioned frequently. Access to this volume is restricted due to its condition. Please use the digital version found online in the Digital Library.
Schwenkfeld: Catalogus, oder Register der Bücher Herren Caspar Schwenckfelds (A 31 Catalog of the Books of Caspar Schwenckfeld's Men), undated. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume is an inventory of Schwenkfeldian books, which includes works by Caspar Schwenkfeld and other important religious leaders in the early Schwenkfelder church. Authors listed in this volume include: George Heydrich, Martin John Jr., George Frell, Caspar John, Caspar Kriebel, and David Seibt. Short descriptions of the works are included in the inventory, as well as some biographical information about the authors.
Schwenkfeld: Christliche Catechismus-Fragen gewisser Haupt-Puncte Christlicher Lehr 32 und Glaubens (Questions of Christian Catechism on Certain Key Points of Christian Doctrine and Beliefs), by George Weiss, undated. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains the catechism of George Weiss, one of the first Schwenkfelder pastors in the United States, and the man responsible for organizing the first Day of Remembrance. It is divided into two sections; both contain Schwenkfelder catechism, but only the first follows the traditional question and answer catechism format. The second part includes sections addressed specifically to children.
Schwenkfeld: Compendium, das ist Kurtze Zusammenfassung und Inbegriff derer 33 Christlichen Glaubens-Lehren (A short Abstract and Embodiment of Christian Dogma), 1788. 1 item.
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Scope and Contents note
This volume of Schwenkfeldian catechism was copied by "G. K." in 1788. It includes a foreward by a Christoph Shultz written on September 9, 1783, but there isn't any clear indication that Shultz composed the rest of the volume.
Schwenkfeld: Etliche Vermahnungen und Predigten bey den begräbnüssen der 34 verstorbenen, zu lesen und zubetrachten, allen und jeden Mensche zu christlichem Unterricht (Several Exhortations and Sermons for Funeral Eulogies, to be Read and Contemplated by Every Man in Christian Education), by Michael Hiller, undated. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains fourteen sermons by Michael Hiller, including one for a child's funeral. Hiller was a Silesian pastor who was an early follower of Caspar Schwenkfeld.
Schwenkfeld: Kurtze Anmerckung uber die geordnete Hohefest, Sonntag und Feyertagliche 35 Episteln durchs gantze Jahr (Brief Notes on Epistles for Festivals, Sundays, and Holidays Throughout the Entire Year), by Balthasar Hoffman, 1746. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume was written by Balthasar Hoffman, a Schwenkfeldian minister, under the pen name "Barachiah Heber." The epistles include commentary and a foreword that explains their order.
Schwenkfeld: Kurtze Bekentnis des Glaubens (A Brief Affirmation of Faith), by Michael 36 Hiller, undated. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This is an early creed of Schwenkfeldian beliefs which, although undated, would have been written during Hiller’s lifetime in the early sixteenth century. This volume is a later copy
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made by Heindrich Dinger, whose name appears at the bottom of a page containing an address and foreword from the copier to the reader. The pages in this volume are numbered, although page nine is the first page, which contains the address to the reader from the copier. The missing pages are probably the title page and others with prefatory information.
Schwenkfeld: Kurtzer Bericht, von der Schwenckfeldischen Gemeine (A Short Account of 37 the Schwenkfeldian Community), by Martin John Jr., 1680. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume is John's account of the history of the Schwenkfeldian community, beginning with its break with Martin Luther. It provides a detailed description of the group's movements in Europe, including the names of men and women who helped them, many of whom John knew personally. The volume ends mid-sentence and an unknown number of pages are missing at the end of the narrative.
Schwenkfeld: Reise-Beschreibung der Schwenckfelder von Herrnhut und Haarlem nach 38 Philadelphia im Jahr 1733 (An Account of the Journey to Philadelphia from Herrnhut and Haarlem in the Year 1733), by David Scholtz, circa 1733. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This pamphlet describes the journeynof a group of Schwenkfelders from Herrnhut in Oberlausitz (Upper Lusatia), Germany to Philadelphia. Herrnhut was founded by by Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, who offered the Schwenkfelders refuge as the persecution against them increased. Scholtz describes some of the cities where they stop and the people they meet before beginning the trans-Atlantic voyage. He also provides details about the crossing itself after their ship, the brigantine The Pennsylvania Merchant, leaves Rotterdam in 1733.
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Schwenkfeld: Summarischer Entwurf derer Betrachtungen am Gedächtnistag den 24 Septm 39 1764 (A Summary of a Plan for Meditations on the Day of Remembrance, September 14, 1764), by Christoph Drescher, circa 1764. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This pamphlet proposes a series of meditations for the Day of Remembrance, a Schwenckfeldian celebration of the day the main group of Schwenckfelders arrived and subsequently settled in Pennsylvania in 1734.
Schwenkfeld: Schwenckfelder Predigt (A Schwenkfelder Sermon), undated. 1 item. 40
Schwenkfeld: Tagliches Gesang Buch, part one: Christliches und dabey auch Tagliches 41 Gesang Buch (A Christian Daily Songbook), 1753. 1 item.
Schwenkfeld: Tagliches Gesang Buch, part two: Der andere Theil dises Christlichen 42 Gesang-Buch von Pfingsten bis zu Ende des Jahres (The Other Part of this Christian Song Book for Pentecost until the End of the Year), 1752. 1 item.
Schwenkfeld: Treu-hertzige Erinerung an einen, das in einem Bedencken sein selbst stehet 43 an die Hand zu gehen (An ingenuous reminder), by George Heydrich, 1785. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains an essay encouraging the reader to contemplate God and God's love for the reader while carrying out daily tasks. Heydrich (also spelled Heidrich), frequently addresses the reader and begins sentences with the exhortation: Bedenke offt… ("Think often about…").
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Stam Register derer Vor-Eltern von Christian Lehmann (The Family Tree of the 44 Forefathers of Christian Lehmann), by Godfryd Lehmann, undated. 1 item.
Scope and Contents note
This volume contains the lineage and biographical information of the Lehman family, as compiled and written by Godfryd (or Gottfrid) Lehman, who came to Philadelphia in 1731. The family record goes back to 1558, when a Johann George Lehmann was born in Tröygen, a village in Saxony. After Godfryd died in 1757, Christian Lehman, his son, added biographical information about his father, which is written upside down at the end of the pamphlet.
Trauer Gedicht uber eine grausame Mordthat (A Sorrowful Poem about a Cruel, 45 Murderous Deed), circa 1780. 1 item.
Vitae Samuelis, undated. 1 item. 46
Scope and Contents note
This short biography describes the life of Samuel Mayer, son of Johannes Mayer of Mitteltaun (or Middletown), Pennsylvania. Samuel was a pious man who worked as a blacksmith and died young on February 12, 1790. This text appears to be a draft or to have been under revision, as there are many corrections made by the same hand that wrote the Vitae itself.
Wahrheits-Milch (Milk of Truth), by Friedrich Adolf Lampe, 1762. 1 item. 47
Scope and Contents note
This volume of catechism was intended to be used in educating children (in a school or otherwise) and was printed in Philadelphia by Anton Armbruster in 1762. It contains printed material (the catechism), which has been interspersed with handwritten notes. These
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notes appear to have been written by the book's owner, Johann Christoph Gobrecht, who must have been a school teacher. The notes all pertain to the teaching of the contents of the books, and are mostly reference to Bible books and verses that would further illuminate the contents of Warheits-Milch. The early pages of the book are notes entirely in Gorbrecht's handwriting, where he is keeping track of payments owed to him by students' families for his services. Some pages at the end of the book contain handwritten biographical information, although the purpose of these notes is not clear.
Items removed from Biblia, das ist: Die ganze göttliche Heilige Schrifft, Alten und 48 Neuen Testaments, nach der deutschen Uebersetzung Dr. Martin Luthers, mit jedes Capitels kurzen Summarien, auch beygefügten vielen und richtigen Paralellen: Nebst schicklichen Nutzanwendungen zu den fünf Büchern Mosis, dem Hohelied Solomonis und der Offerbarung S. Johannis: Die erste Auflage. (Lutheran Bible of Friedrich Goeb), 1792, undated. 2 items.
Scope and Contents note
These items were removed from an 1815 edition of Goeb's Bible, which is now held by the Library Company of Philadelphia (Ac. 9141). One item is a book label that was not a label for the Goeb Bible. It was once attached to a song book or book of psalms owned by Jacob Meyer in 1792. The other item found in the Bible is a receipt or possibly a page from an account book, which includes a few names and a long list of items purchased. This item is undated.
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