Dorothy Gattermeyer (1726-1755)
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Dorothy Gattermeyer, born Uhlmann, died in Jesus’ arms and lap at
4 o’clock this morning at the age of 29 years, 6 months, and 4 days.
She was born in the year 1726 on April 14th in Zauchenthal in Moravia.
In the year 45, when she was 19 years old, she accompanied 2 single persons
of her sex, one of whom was Sr. Rosina Schwarz, now of Nazareth, to Herrnhut
in order to visit her mother there. She was, however, soon drawn to the
Savior and resolved herself to remain there and to surrender herself to
the Savior. In the same year she had the grace to be received into the
congregation and the following year to become a participant in the Holy
Sacrament. In the year 48 she prepared to depart for Pennsylvania along
with several other sisters and arrived safely here in Bethlehem on the
18th of May in the year 49. On July 15th of the same year she was united
in holy marriage with Br. Leonhard Gattermeyer [in a ceremony] along with
27 other couples. In this estate she remained for 6 years and 3 months
in a simple and child-like walk with the Savior in which also was blessed
with two dear little marriage-seedlings, Sophia Dorothea and Johann Leonhard.
In the year 52 on the 27th of May she was sent with her husband to serve
the little congregation at Heidelberg, but after half a year she returned
to Bethlehem in order to receive treatment for a painful eye injury. In
the year 53, in April, she moved with her husband to Gnadenthal where
she was cheerful and industrious for one year and 9 months, and where,
in the month of June 54, she received from the Savior the honor of having
the office of disciple [eldress] of the respective Married People’s
Choir laid on her shoulders. When in March of the year 55 her dear husband
went to Shomokin, she moved to Bethlehem and here was delivered safely
of her little son. Soon thereafter she had another attack of her old tightness
of the chest, which enervated her and confined her to bed. In her sickness
she was quiet and calm, in the hope of soon being able to go the arms
of her Eternal Husband. This she also told her husband with joy soon after
his return from Shomokin 14 days ago. On October 17th she still had the
grace to participate (along with her husband) in the Married Choir’s
Holy Communion service, for which she hardly could wait. And as it seemed
so long before it came, she said: "Now I must already still stay here
today." She asked for her bread and something to drink and wanted to hold
a Lovefeast, but could not get anything down, so she fell into silence
until she reached the point where she could enjoy a heavenly liturgy and
the inexpressible nearness of the Savior. And that was the conclusion
of her marriage in which they took leave of each other: We want to remain
near the cross and take the body [of Christ] into our bodies until our
poor tabernacle breaks down. Her last farewell kiss with her husband after
the Holy Communion occurred as this verse was sung: "You have bound a
strong band of love with our hearts May it someday be found written in
your hand." Thereupon she wanted once again to hold a Lovefeast and asked
for her bread, but then soon said: No, above! above!" After
those words she became still, passed away, and her tabernacle became pale,
but her soul went over into the Bridegroom’s lap. This occurred during
the blessing given by Sister Anna Maria L. Her tabernacle was buried in
our God’s Acre on October 20 in a liturgy conducted by Br. Matthew.
Transcription and translation by Otto Dreydoppel, Jr.
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