Union County PA Reverend Henry Young Fraktur

Circa 1840: When looking at this "Certificate of Birth and Baptism" for Robert Middleswarth (1839-1920), it is obvious to see why the fraktur's creator, Henry Young (1792-1861), was known as The Ladies with Anchor Artist before scholars identified him and rescued his work from the great tome of anonymity. Young was a prolific Pennsylvania fraktur artist, and his most recognized works include a pair of women, one holding an anchor and the other a mirror, standing beside an entryway topped with large urns. This rendition is particularly pleasing with the ladies portrayed in matching gowns and the entryway colored blue with red and yellow highlights that match the women's clothing. Robert Middlesworth was born August 12, 1839 in Beaver Township, Union County, Pennsylvania (an area later incorporated into Snyder County in 1855), one of Abner and Sophia Middleswarth's eight children. He married Lydia Hassinger in 1862, and they would have two children, David and Janetta. Robert died in 1920, and Lydia would follow him a year later. The couple is buried in Union Cemetery in the borough of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania in Snyder County. Matted and housed in a modern 19.5" x 16.5" frame, this 185-year-old folk art birth and baptism record has survived in very good condition and presents well with typical age related wear: minor staining as photographed and minor tears and small holes and wrinkling mostly along the edges. Most likely made soon after Middleswarth's baptism on March 1, 1840, this is a delightful example of the output of one of Central Pennsylvania's most cherished fraktur artists.