Life expectancy
Average life expectancy at birth for English people in the late 16th and early 17th centuries was just under 40 – 39.7 years. However, this low figure was mostly due to the high rate of infant and child mortality; over 12% of all children born would die in their first year. [Thomson Gale, 'Infant Mortality' (1998)]
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. (Peter Bertschinger)
Documents related to Anna Elisabeth Scholl:
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| Anna Elisabetha Scholl baptism 3 Dec 1713 film 102078298 page 316 |
On the 1st of December, between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Anna Elisabetha was born, and on the 3rd [of December] was baptized.
Parents: Georg Scholl, Elisabetha.
Baptismal sponsors: Johann Christoff Schuhemacher, the butcher, and his wife. Peter Merkle, the weaver, and his wife.
First Translation:
Anna Elisabetha Scholl born on the 1st Dec and baptized on the 3 of Dec, George and Elizabeth, witness Johann, Peter Merdlr, cum notis means with remarks
Pastor: The Graben Pastor from 1706 to 1714 was Ernst Friedrich Weber or Wider who was a franc meaning a Franconian. He made the arrangements for Anna Elisabeth’s internment and his handwriting can be seen above.