This fraktur was found in the possession of Ardis Candy, great granddaughter of Levi and Catherine Candy. A fraktur was an ornamental keepsake certificate cherished by the Pennsylvania Dutch. Some were hand painted, others were templates that were "mass" produced and completed with personal details at the time of the birth, baptism or marriage. (For further information about frakturs, see Finding Pennsylvania Duth Families via Frankturs, Myra Vanderpool Gormley, Ancestry, March/April 2005.)
Levi Candy, ehelicher Sohn von Jacob und Catharina Candy, tratt in den Stand der von Gott im Paradiese eingesetzten und geheiligten Ehe, mit Jungfrau Catharina, Tochter von Johann und Elisabeth Emrich, auf den 11tn März den 11th März, 1841, in Walker Taunschip, Centre Caunty, Penns. wobey Lewis G. Eggers, die Trauung verrichtete.
Levi Candy, legitimate son of Jacob and Catharina Candy, entered into the state of holy matrimony, as established by God in heaven, with maiden Catharina, daughter of Johann and Elisabeth Emrich, on the 11th of March, 1841, in Walker Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania, the wedding ceremony being performed by Lewis G. Eggers.
There are five poems (one within the circle) that are very difficult for me to translate because of liberties taken with the language for the sake of rhyme. Here is my crude attempt at translating the one at the upper left corner (without any attempt at rhyme):
| Gott schon in Paradiese, | God already in heaven, |
| Setzt' er den Eh'stand ein: | Proclaims the married state: |
| Er schuf das liebe Weibschen, | He produces the dear wife, |
| Um um den Mann zu sehn. | In order for the husband to see. |
| Gleich wie die Sonnenstrahlen, | Same as sun beams, |
| Dem Monde reichen Glanz, | The moon rich with luster, |
| So mög Euch auch beleuchten | So it may also be possible for you |
| Die Liebe GOTTes ganz. | The love of GOD is complete. |