H ist für Henkel

A Collection of German-American Rare Books and Broadsides from the Henkel Family in New Market, Va.

Das grosse A B C-Buch, Inside Cover (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: Das grosse A B C-Buch. Enthaltend: das A B C, wurzelwörter, und Wurzelwörter mit ihren angehängten ableitungssylben. Nebst vielen arten buchstabier- und leseübungen, &c. Von Ambrosius Henkel.

The Henkel Family in Virginia

The Henkel family of New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, was a prominent family of Evangelical Lutheran ministers and entrepreneurs. Anthony Jacob Henkel immigrated to the American colonies from Germany in 1717 and established a church near Germantown, Pennsylvania. His grandson Paul Henkel moved with his family to New Market, Virginia, in 1790.

ABC-und Bilder-Buch, Title Page (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: ABC-und Bilder-Buch; A B C-and picture-book. Neu-Market, Virg. Gedruckt in S. Henkel’s druckerey.

In 1791, Paul established St. Davidsburg Church. He also established churches in Augusta County, Virginia, and was one of the founders of the Lutheran Synod of North Carolina. His missionary journeys took him into Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. He left a large number of descendants, many of whom were ministers, physicians, printers, and merchants. He married Elizabeth (Negeley) Henkel (1757-1843) on 20 November 1776 and they had nine children. Many of the family members were buried in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery near New Market, Virginia.

ABC-und Bilder-Buch, Letters G - M (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: ABC-und Bilder-Buch; A B C-and picture-book. Neu-Market, Virg. Gedruckt in S. Henkel’s druckerey.

In 1806, Paul's sons Solomon and Ambrose established the Henkel Press in New Market, Virginia. ABC-und Bilder-Buch (ABC and Picture-Book), 1817, is one of many books, primers, and broadsides that the press published in both English and German for the Shenandoah Valley’s Scots-Irish and German settlers.

Das grosse A B C-Buch, Title Page (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: Das grosse A B C-Buch. Enthaltend: das A B C, wurzelwörter, und Wurzelwörter mit ihren angehängten ableitungssylben. Nebst vielen arten buchstabier- und leseübungen, &c. Von Ambrosius Henkel.

Solomon Henkel and his wife Rebecca had nine children: Helena (1801-1823), Seorim (1803-1804), Sylvanus (1805-1830), Samuel Godfrey (1807-1863), Siram Peter (1809-1879), Simeon Socrates (1811-1812), Silon Amos (1813-1844), Solomon David (1815-1872), and Solon Paul Charles (1818-1882). They may have served as good reason for the Henkel Press to print primers.

ABC-und Bilder-Buch, Schul-Kinder und Schwan (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: ABC-und Bilder-Buch; A B C-and picture-book. Neu-Market, Virg. Gedruckt in S. Henkel’s druckerey.

Dating back to at least the Middle Ages, primers were used to teach letters, prayers and simple subjects. Primers often depicted common images children would encounter in everyday life. Chaucer in "The Prioress's Tale" refers to "This litel child, his litel book lernynge, As he sat in the scole at his prymer."

Das kleine A B C-Buch, Fraktur Letters (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: Das kleine A B C-Buch, oder, Erste Anfangs-Büchlein, mit schonen Bildern und deren Namen, nach dem A B C. um den Kindern das Buchstabiren leichter zu machen . Von Ambrosius Henkel.

The primers seen in this exhibit, and other Germanic works found in Europe and German immigrant communities, rely on Fraktur fonts.

Das grosse A B C-Buch, Grundzahlen u (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: Das grosse A B C-Buch. Enthaltend: das A B C, wurzelwörter, und Wurzelwörter mit ihren angehängten ableitungssylben. Nebst vielen arten buchstabier- und leseübungen, &c. Von Ambrosius Henkel.

On this page, children would be able to practice converting Roman numerals to Arabic numerals, while also learning their written names and ordinal versions.

Das grosse A B C-Buch, Erklärung einiger abgekürzten Wörter (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: Das grosse A B C-Buch. Enthaltend: das A B C, wurzelwörter, und Wurzelwörter mit ihren angehängten ableitungssylben. Nebst vielen arten buchstabier- und leseübungen, &c. Von Ambrosius Henkel.

In addition to letters and numbers, primers from the Henkel Press also offered declarations of abbreviated words that children may see in their readings.

Das grosse A B C-Buch, Berzeichnik aller Bücher des Alten und Neuen Testaments (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: Das grosse A B C-Buch. Enthaltend: das A B C, wurzelwörter, und Wurzelwörter mit ihren angehängten ableitungssylben. Nebst vielen arten buchstabier- und leseübungen, &c. Von Ambrosius Henkel.

While brimming with wonderful illustrations of animals and clear, easy-to-replicate letterings, the Henkel primers still included many religious components of traditional primers.

Das kleine A B C-Buch, Gebete (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: Das kleine A B C-Buch, oder, Erste Anfangs-Büchlein, mit schonen Bildern und deren Namen, nach dem A B C. um den Kindern das Buchstabiren leichter zu machen . Von Ambrosius Henkel.

Other religious items in Henkel's primers included prayers praising God to be recited by children at various times of the day.

Ein Schönes Jesu Lied (1816/1816) by Henkels of New Market, Va.Original Source: Ein Schönes Jesu Lied, Broadside 1816 .S36 FF

This is one example of the Henkel's more religious-leaning publications. This song is attributed to Johann Scheffler, a Franciscan monk from Breslau. The first stanza reads, "Where is Jesus, my desire? My beloved Lord and friend! Where has He gone? Where may He be found?"

Aloe Pills Broadside (1830/1839) by Solomon HenkelOriginal Source: Aloe pills, Broadside 183- .H51 Box

Medicinal Broadsides

The field of medicine in the 19th century was a lawless land.  There was no regulation of medicines, nor was scientific proof required to determine which medicines were effective and which were simply poisonous. Many medicines at the time were largely comprised of alcohol or opiates, both of which provided a strong and addictive effect, though they did not cure any underlying ailments. These pamphlets produced by Henkel advertise medicines that are often more rooted in fact and folk medicine than simple profiteering.  

Compound Powder of Aloe Broadside (1850/1859) by Samuel Godfrey HenkelOriginal Source: Compound powder of aloe, Broadside 185- .H435 Box

This preparation of aloe, a known laxative, combined with the laxative effects of alcohol, was likely a strong purgative as advertised. As opposed to the aloe pills, the Henkel brother’s preparation of aloe powder was much more powerful and likely used less for regulation of the bowels and more in extreme situations.

Compound Decoction of Carolina Pink Broadside (1850/1859) by Samuel Godfrey HenkelOriginal Source: Decoctum spigeliae compositum = Compound decoction of Carolina pink, Broadside 185- .H42 BOX

This broadside explains the Henkel brothers’ a decoction of Carolina Pink, which probably consisted of dried parts of Carolina Pink and other materials in an envelope. It was prepared by covering in boiling water and creating a type of tea, strained at maximum strength, and used to expel an infection by worms, also known as an anthelmintic. Carolina Pink may be the plant Spigelia marilandica, which was once used as an anthelmintic by the Arapaho tribe of Native Americans.

Compound Syrup of Sassafras Broadside (1870/1879) by Solon Paul Charles HenkelOriginal Source: Compound syrup of sassafras, Broadside 187- .H5133 Box

Sassafras has long been used as a medicinal product. Traditionally it has been used as an analgesic to a kidney medicine. Its wide use is likely due in part to its distinct and pleasing taste, which we now associate largely with root beer (though it is no longer used in commercial root beer as the compound safrole, found in the sassafras oil, has been proven to be toxic to the liver and weakly carcinogenic). The syrup of sassafras described in this broadside was used as a purgative.

Assafoetida Tincture Broadside (1850/1859) by Samuel Godfrey HenkelOriginal Source: Assafoetida tincture- Broadside 185- .H4394 Box

Asafetida is most commonly used in culinary applications today, primarily in Indian cuisine. Asafetida is the dried latex of several different Asian plants in the genus Ferula. This broadside describes many uses for asafetida, and its use as a digestive aid and against influenza seem to be founded in science. However the many effects of the tincture are likely exaggerated and greatly mitigated by the alcohol present in the tincture. Hysterics, especially, is highly suspect, as this “disease” which affected primarily women is no longer considered a disease, but various conditions as simple as dissatisfaction or as complex as mental illness.

Henkel's Caraway, or Liver Pills Broadside (1850/1859) by Solon Paul Charles HenkelOriginal Source: Henkel's Caraway, or Liver Pills- Broadside 185- .H518 Box

Liver pills were omnipresent in 19th century medicine. Many various ailments were attributed to disease or dysfunction of the liver, and each doctor had a proprietary blend to sell to their patients. Very few liver pills had any effect on the liver, or even on the patient. This pill claims to harness the power of caraway, which has throughout history been simply used as a spice with no particular medicinal value.

Compound Tincture of Cohosh (1850/1859) by Samuel Godfrey HenkelOriginal Source: Tinctura Caulophylli composita, compound tincture of cohosh- Broadside 185- .H4396

This tincture of cohosh is likely referring to the plant “blue cohosh” (Caullophyllum thalictroides), which was recognized by Native Americans as particularly useful as a contraceptive, abortifacient, and aid in birthing because it prompted uterine contractions. That it is advertised as an antispasmodic in this broadside is unusual, however it also mentions its use for regulating the menstrual cycle.

ABC-und Bilder-Buch, Letters A-F (1817/1817) by Ambrose HenkelOriginal Source: ABC-und Bilder-Buch; A B C-and picture-book. Neu-Market, Virg. Gedruckt in S. Henkel’s druckerey.

There are additional items of the Henkel family available at  the Library of Virginia, including business records, genealogical notes, personal papers, and more, in our Manuscript collections.

Credits: Story

All images from Manuscripts & Special Collections, Library of Virginia.

Research, text, and arrangement by Mary Kate du Laney & Ellie Taylor with assistance from Audrey McElhinney & Sonya Coleman.

Imaging by Mark Fagerburg & Paige Buchbinder, Photo & Digital Imaging Services Department

For the Library of Virginia

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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