Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Bookplate |
Object ID # |
2017.50.1 |
Title |
Musselman preachers bookplate in (West) Swamp Testament |
Place of Origin |
Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania |
Date |
1839 |
Description |
Fraktur bookplate, two-page spread (torn in half), tipped into the front of an 1837 New Testament published by Mentz in Philadelphia. The book is in rough condition, missing its back cover and most of the spine. The fraktur is all in black, no decoration, listing Jacob Musselman, Michael Musselman, and Samuel Musselman as "predigers in der Schwammer Gemeinde [preachers in the Swamp congregation]"; followed by "Dieses Buch hat Samuel Musselman gekauft im Jahr unsers Herrn 1839, den 5ten Februar, Und gehoeret in das Neue Versammlungs-Haus. [This book was bought by Samuel Musselman in the year of our Lord 1839, the 5th of February, and belongs in the new meetinghouse.]" Below this is a later inscription in German script: "Abrill den 3ten 1856 - das 4ten glid [the 4th generation] Michael S. Musselman, das 5ten glid Christian M. Musselman, das 6ten glied Henry A. Musselman." |
Provenance |
Jacob Musselman (d. circa 1750) was an immigrant who settled in Milford Township, Bucks County. He served as a minister in the Swamp Mennonite congregation. His son Michael (d. 1808) was also a minister at Swamp, as was grandson Samuel (1759-1847) by or for whom this bookplate was made. According to the inscription, this New Testament was to remain in the "new" West Swamp meetinghouse (built in 1819). Whether it remained at West Swamp or was passed down in the family is unknown, but the next three generations were added in 1856 by 19-year-old Henry A. Musselman (1835-1884), who lived most of his adult life in Philadelphia. It is unknown how the book came to the Eastern District Historical Library, but probably from West Swamp Mennonite Church or the Musselman family. |
Source |
Found in Collection |
People |
Musselman, Jacob, d. ca1750 (immigrant) Musselman, Michael, d. 1808 (Milford Twp) Musselman, Samuel, 1759-1847 (Milford Twp) Musselman, Michael S., 1785-1872 Musselman, Christian M., 1814-1892 Musselman, Henry A., 1835-1884 |
Collection |
Fraktur |