American Material Culture Commons^™

Letter From Mrs. Harvey Rothermel To Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 17, 1948, Mrs. Harvey Rothermel

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten letter from Mrs. Harvey Rothermel addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 17, 1948. Within, Rothermel details various school games she grew up playing, including "Crack the Whip" and "Baker's Bread." She also notes traditions concerning Ash Wednesday.

Letter From George A. Gerhart To Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 12, 1948, George A. Gerhart

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed letter from George A. Gerhart addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 12, 1948. Within, Gerhart writes in response to an inquiry made by Shoemaker in a recent edition of the Reading Eagle, asking for the term used to describe late risers during the week of Lent.

Letter To Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 10, 1948, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten letter from an unknown author addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 10, 1948. Within, the author discusses the Pennsylvania Dutch word for Ash Wednesday, along with traditions associated with this day.

Letter From Clayton N. Fidler To Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 10, 1948, Clayton N. Fidler

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten letter from Clayton N. Fidler addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 10, 1948. Within, Fidler provides Shoemaker with knowledge about what Ash Wednesday was called in his locality and the customs that followed. A story about a childhood game like hide and seek is also detailed.

Letter From Elizabeth D. Naftzinger To Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 10, 1948, Elizabeth D. Naftzinger

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten letter from Elizabeth D. Naftzinger addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 10, 1948. Within, Naftzinger details how the last boy to arrive at school on Ash Wednesday was dubbed "Esha Puddle" and rolled in the school's ash pile by the other boys.

Letter From Henry K. Deisher To Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 10, 1948, Henry K. Deisher

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten letter from Henry K. Deisher addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 10, 1948. Within, Deisher writes to provide information on traditions practiced on Ash Wednesday and the courting ritual of bundling. He also describes ideas for a publication about farming.

A Few More "Alter Weiver Glawe", H. Wayne Gruber

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A set of typed superstitions and beliefs by H. Wayne Gruber, dating from circa 1948. Within, Gruber details more beliefs, presumably originating from Berks County, ranging from methods of gaining a husband to warding off bad luck and witches.

Notes On Bleeding And Cupping, 1948, Unknown

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

Handwritten notes by an unknown author, dated 1948. The notes relate a story of a man who practiced bleeding and cupping, but nearly killed a woman when he practiced on a "bad luck" day.

More Alte Weiver Glawe, H. Wayne Gruber

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed set of Pennsylvania German folk beliefs ("old women's beliefs" or "old wives' tales") by H. Wayne Gruber, dating from circa 1948. Included are cures for whooping cough and superstitions about fishing and death.

Letter From Charles N. Parkes To Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 18, 1947, Charles N. Parkes

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed letter from Charles N. Parkes addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 18, 1947. Within, Parkes writes on his favorite "all" story and provides information on a play titled "Papa Is All", that was performed by the Thalian Society in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Account Of Bundling Related By Christ Geiger, March 5, 1940, Alfred L. Shoemaker

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

Handwritten notes compiled by Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated March 5, 1940. Within Christ Geiger relates an informant's experience with the courtship practice of bundling.

Folktale About Rising Bread, June 30, 1939, Alfred L. Shoemaker

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

Handwritten notes recounting an informant's story about a Pennsylvania German baker with supernatural powers. When the baker was not present in the bake-shop, the dough would refuse to rise for his assistants.

Stories And Notes From The Dietrich Family, 1939, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten set of notes documenting various stories passed down through the Dietrich family by an unknown author, dating from circa 1939. Within, the author details various tales involving early settlers and Native Americans, folk cures, hypnotism, a grandfather clock and a peddler of eyeglasses.

Superstitions, Proverbs And Notes From The Dietrich Family, 1939, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten set of notes documenting various stories and superstitions passed down within the Dietrich family, author unknown, dating from circa 1939. Within, the author documents a number of folk beliefs, riddles, proverbs, and anecdotal stories - many written in Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.

Shadows Of The Long Ago Or Early Day History Retold, W. L. Fox

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed essay entitled, "Shadows of the Long Ago or Early Day History Retold", dating from circa 1932. The story is attributed to a Mr. W. L. Fox and obtained by Mrs. E. L. Esher. Within, the author tells the tale of Esther Dreibelbis and Henry Koch, providing an example of a courting practice involving quilting parties and grubbing bees.

Folklore Of The Pennsylvania Germans, Isaac Shirk Simons

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed thesis paper completed at Franklin and Marshall College entitled, "Folklore of the Pennsylvania Germans", by Isaac Shirk Simons, dated May 20, 1915. Within, Simons covers a range of topics pertaining to Pennsylvania Germans, including history, superstitions, religious sects and witchcraft.

Complete History Of The Execution Of Susannah Cox!: Her Life, Crime, Trial, And Death On The Scaffold, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

An undated pamphlet (circa 1880) titled "Complete History of the Execution of Susannah Cox! Her Life, Crime, Trial, and Death on the Scaffold." It provides information about Reading, Pennsylvania in 1809, discusses coverage of the story in the newspaper, and details the trial, execution and its aftermath. The pamphlet also includes information about published ballads related to the incident and mentions other Berks County hangings.

Copy Book Transcription Of The Ballad Of Susanna Cox, 1862, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

In this student copybook dating from circa 1862, the writer transcribes the ballad of Susanna Cox in both German and English. It recounts the trial and execution of a woman named Susanna Cox who killed her child, conceived out of wed-lock. The work copied in the book appears to be based on the Louis Storck translation of the ballad by Johann Philip Gombert.

Excerpt Of Sketches Of Pennsylvania From The Commercial Herald, July 1833, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed excerpt of an essay entitled "Sketches of Pennsylvania", originally appearing in the Commercial Herald and dated July 1833. Within, the author details the dialect and ways of life of the Pennsylvania Dutch in Lancaster County.

"The Barber's Ghost," January 7, 1825, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

Typed copy of a folk tale appearing in the Chronicle of the Times of Reading, dated January 7, 1825. The unknown author tells the story of a man pretending to be a ghost in order to trick the gambling patrons at an inn and take their money.

Anecdote From The Chronicle Of The Times, July 30, 1823, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed copy of a humorous anecdote taken from the Reading, Pennsylvania Chronicle of the Times, dated July 30, 1823. The tale concerns the occupation of grave diggers in the afterlife.

Copy Of Advertisements In The Marietta Pilot Newspaper, January 5, 1816, Marietta Pilot Newspaper

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed set of advertisements found in The Marietta Pilot newspaper, dated January 5, 1816. Within, a wife named Catherine responds to a previous advertisement placed by her husband, John Galbaugh, which discredited her character. Catherine refutes her husband, claiming that he is the cause of any financial hardship they must endure.

County Tax Notice, 1803, Unknown

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This Philadelphia county tax notice, written to Frederick Shingle in 1803, assesses the amount of estate and personal taxes owed. It also notes the date of appeal at the Courthouse.

This notice was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).

Bill And Receipt For Oak Scantling, 1775, Joseph Ogilby

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This handwritten bill and receipt, sent by Frederick Shingle of Philadelphia in 1775 and signed by Joseph Ogilby, records the cost of oak scantling.

The receipt was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).

Buckskin Breeches Order Slip, November 3, 1774, Daniel Richards

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This handwritten order slip, sent to Frederick Shingle of Philadelphia on November 3, 1774 by Daniel Richards, requests buckskin breeches for Richard Finemore.

This slip was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).

Leather Breeches Order Slip, November 4, 1773, Michael M. Gannon

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This handwritten order slip, sent to Frederick Shingle of Philadelphia on November 4, 1773 by Michael M. Gannon, requests breeches for a slave named John Stagg.

This slip was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).

Buckskin Breeches Order Slip, September 16, 1773, Michael M. Gannon

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This handwritten order slip, sent to Frederick Shingle of Philadelphia on September 16, 1773 by Michael M. Gannon, requests buckskin breeches.

This slip was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).

Buckskin Breeches Order Slip, May 23, 1770, Unknown

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This handwritten order slip, sent to Frederick Shingle of Philadelphia on May 23, 1770 requests buckskin breeches.

This slip was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).

Leather Breeches Order Slip, February 3, 1770, James Parson

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This handwritten order slip, sent to Frederick Shingle of Philadelphia on February 3, 1770 by James Parson, requests breeches for his servant, Alexander McCarthy.

This slip was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).

Leather Breeches Order Slip, Circa 1770, Daniel Richards

Charles R. Roberts and Walter E. Boyer Collections

This undated handwritten order slip, sent to Frederick Shingle of Philadelphia circa 1770 by Daniel Richards, requests a pair of breeches.

This slip was found in an account ledger attributed to Friederich Schenckel (d.1810).