Called “Kalendars” in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, Germantown printer Christopher Saur’s 18th century almanacs were universally read among Pennsylvania’s German speaking population. Written in German, the almanac was sometimes the only printed matter in the house. The almanac might be consulted daily since the folk belief was that planting, harvesting and all manner of other farm work was more propitious under particular astrological signs that were listed day by day for the year.
In addition to the orientation of the heavenly bodies, Saur included all manner of topics his readers might find interesting or instructive. The following page appeared in Sauer’s 1776 Almanac. It has been translated by researcher and historian Del-Louise Moyer.
“In the beginning of June in the year 1775, in this province, in New Hanover Township, Philadelphia, a strange monstrosity was born. The occurrence was as follows: a sow threw four freak piglets. After that the animal was sick for several days, and then gave birth to a freak being. To be sure, part of its body was like a young pig. However, its front foot was shaped exactly like the hand of a person. It had a large cap on its head, held up by three coronets, just like those worn by ladies these days.”
“They preserved the animal in wine spirits, and put it on display for several hundred people. However, the throng was so great that many had to be turned away. There were a lot of people who asked that a sketch or likeness be included in the almanac, in order that everyone could have his/her amusement with it. So, one can see the picture here. Everyone who has seen the actual animal will admit that it’s an excellent likeness, and vividly represents the original anomaly.”
“There are many opinions as to what it means. Some who have seen it would not like to read anything unnatural into its appearance while others have expressed quite the contrary, and would like to believe it is a warning from God to mankind concerning His displeasure with the present prevalent unnatural haughtiness. The latter feel that no other animal could better represent how God sees this shameful splendor than a pig, which after drinking at the watering hole, wallows in the mud and filth, and keeps its fickle heart, even when one puts a golden collar around its neck. Although it is true that a simple outfit doesn’t make one holy, it is also true that a proud heart is displeasing to god, the proof of which is found in Isaiah, Chapter 3 from Verse 16 to the end of the chapter [describes how God will punish the world for its wickedness, and will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible]. Sirach says that one knows a man by his dress, laughter, and gait. See Sirach 19;26,27 [Sirach is an aprochryphal book].”
For centuries before the immigration to Pennsylvania, most Europeans regarded the birth of physically deformed or “monstrous” animals or humans as signs of God’s wrath and important heralds of misfortune or at least warnings to mend ways. Indeed, the word “monster” is derived from the Latin “Monstrum – to warn or admonish, often understood as a warning from gods.” Examples abound.
In 1570 John Phillips, an English writer, recounted the birth of a deformed pig. The author regarded his subject as a “warnynge to all men, for amendment of lyfe,” and his polemic soon abandoned the pig and focused on humanity. He pointed out how the misshapen consciences of Englishmen were inwardly deformed by all manner of sins made manifest by God in this sign of deformity. Such authors frequently used a monstrous birth as the starting point of their lesson and soon moved from the physical to focus on moral degeneration or sinful behavior as does Saur in the above.
In 16th and 17th century Europe, widely circulated broadsheets and texts depicted monstrosities and their meanings. These illustrated texts were an enthusiastically received literary theme.
I find it interesting, though, that at the late date of 1776, the audience for Saur’s writing still clung to this essentially medieval view. The 18th century was the age of enlightenment, yet here was a large population that was still very conservative, deeply rooted in the past and showing little apparent interest in changing.
The Historian is produced by the New Hanover Historical Society. Call Robert Wood at 610-326-4165 with comments.
