Death seen as natural
If a woman died after the birth of a child (this was a dangerous process because of infections), her younger sister stepped in as new wife, or replacement. The husband (here farmer in the country) absolutely needed a wife to look after the children and farm house (cooking etc.). So he normally got remarried a second, or third time within a few months; later a one year period was recommended. Often these wives were widows themselves. So there was constant giving births and dying on the farms, similar to what happened in the stable with the animals. Death was seen as natural. Only medicine and hygienic measures lowered the infant and childhood mortality rate. However, there were very bad pestulenza waves in the 17th century in our regions. Many villages lost 30 to 40% of the population. (Peter Bertschinger)
Documents related to Andreas Scholl:
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| Andreas Scholl 10 July 1736 film 4137289 page 373 |
Translation by Robert Seal:
443. On the 10th of July [1736], a little son of Mattheus Scholl, the tailor, from Eva his wife was born, thus was baptized and was named Andreas.
Baptismal sponsors: Hanß Georg Waibel, the butcher, and Elisabetha his wife. Hanß Georg Hörner, baker, "Rößlinswirth", and juryman, with Maria Catharina his wife.
Comments: + [died] in left margin under name."Rößlinswirth" is new to me. I found about ten examples of this word online but none with a good definition other than "innkeeper". Perhaps an innkeeper at the sign of a horse or horseman?
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| Andreas Scholl death 24 July 1736 film 4137289 page 443 |
Translation by Robert Seal:
345. On the 24th of July [1736], Andreas died, little son of Mattheus Scholl, local tailor, and Eva his wife, who with the ringing of little bells and a sermon was buried. Age: 15 days.
345. On the 24th of July [1736], Andreas died, little son of Mattheus Scholl, local tailor, and Eva his wife, who with the ringing of little bells and a sermon was buried. Age: 15 days.