Friedrich Carl's Baptismal/Conversion Entry    continued

A translation of the preceding baptismal/conversion entry reads:

“On 20 May, the Feast of Trinity, in the afternoon, a young man was baptized, of Jewish origin, called Simon, by birth from Frankenstein. He was christened Fridrich [Friedrich] Carl Christlieb, and the high baptismal sponsors were: Your widowed Noble Illustrious Prince, our most gracious Count and his wife, as well as the young Excellencies the Counts together with the noble Countesses; the entire most noble House of Heddesheim [sic, Heidesheim]; Baron Von Beusten, the Royal Danish and Electoral Palatine Privy Councilor and Baronial Excellency the Salt-Distillery Director; all of the Count’s Chancellery officials here; a most praiseworthy Mayor and Proscribor, also the entire praiseworthy Council of Six, as well as all the stewards and village mayors throughout the realm.” Dürkheim Baptismal Register, 1741, Entry 29, p. 342.

Regarding the individuals who served as sponsors and witnesses at Friedrich Carl Christlieb’s baptism/conversion, the following has been ascertained:

Karl Philipp III, Prince-Elector of the Lower Palatinate, whose residence was at Mannheim: A descendant of the House of Wittelsbach, it was he who is referred to in the entry as “Your widowed Noble Illustrious Prince.” Prince Karl Philipp’s third wife, Countess Violante Theresia, died eight years previously in 1734. This occasion would be one of the Prince’s last public appearances, as he himself would die seven months later on December 31, 1742.

Friedrich Magnus, Count of Leiningen-Dachsburg-Hartenburg (1703–1756) and his wife, Anna Christina Eleanore, Countess of Wurmbrand-Stuppach (1698–1763): In the entry they are described as “our most gracious Count and his wife.” Also present would have been their children: Karl Friedrich Wilhelm, Count of Leiningen, age 18; Sophie Wilhemine, Countess of Leiningen, age 14 and Karoline Polyxena, Countess of Leiningen, age 13.

Christian Carl Reinhard, Count of Leiningen-Dachsburg-Heidesheim (1695–1766) and his wife, Katharina Polyxene, rk Countess of Solms-Rödelheim and Assenheim (1702–1765): Also present would have been their daughters Countess Marie Luise, age 13 and Countess Karoline Felicitas, age 8. In the entry, the Count and his family are referenced as “the entire most noble House of Heddesheim.”

Also appearing were the high baptismal sponsors identified as the “young Excellencies the Counts together with the noble Countesses.” This reference is believed to refer to the children of the two Leiningen Counts.

Baron Von Beusten, who was the Director of the Salt Distillery at Dürkheim, also endorsed Friedrich Carl’s baptism and conversion. Not only was he in charge of the principle source of income for Friedrich Magnus’ realm, the church entry reveals that he also served as a member of Prince Carl Philipp III’s Privy Council. Called the “Philippshall,” the salt distillery at Dürkheim bore the name of the Elector Prince Carl Philipp III.

In addition to the above mentioned persons, were the Count’s Chancellery officials as well as the Mayor of Dürkheim and members of the City Council, as well as “all the Steward and Village Mayors throughout the realm.”

It would seem that for all the above named persons to have been present that day, a decree may have been issued from Carl Philipp III, requiring that they be in attendance.

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