Baptism: [1] Michael William, born June 25, 1745; bapt. December 20 [note 1]; Parents: Henry Wilhelm and wife Anna Elisabeth; Sponsors: Michael Bauer (Bowers) and wife Catharine.
[1] The record was not begun in 1745, as might appear at first sight, but in the spring of 1760. At that time all the earlier baptisms were made, Nos. 1-7 on page 1 of the record and Nos. 17-22 on page 3. All these entries are written by the same hand and with the same ink. The next baptism (No. 16) is written by the same hand, but with different ink. The first entries were, therefore, made before July, 1760. Moreover, from the fact that a whole page is devoted to the family of Jacob Nicalaus and his own date of birth is added, which is done in no other case, it may be concluded with some degree of probability that Jacob Nicalaus opened the record. Who else would be interested enough in his date of birth to prefix it to those of his children? Baptisms Nos. 1-7, 17-23, 30-33 are made by his hand. Of later baptisms he entered 51, 52, 54-57, 59-63, 70-76. He continued to enter baptisms, therefore, till June, 1765.
