Maria's father is Johann Köhler, who was a citizen and farmer in Graben. He was born 1 August 1786 and died 14 September 1845. He married 3 January 1811 Maria Elisabetha Heinle, born 26 November 1787 and died 17 February 1827. Maria Elisabetha was their 3rd child. She lived (source Baden Vol 2 by Brigitte Burkett, CGRS, Picton Press)
Life expectancy
Average life expectancy at birth for English people in the late 16th and early 17th centuries was just under 40 – 39.7 years. However, this low figure was mostly due to the high rate of infant and child mortality; over 12% of all children born would die in their first year. With the hazards of infancy behind them, the death rate for children slowed but continued to occur. A cumulative total of 36% of children died before the age of six, and another 24% between the ages of seven and sixteen. In all, of 100 live births, 60 would die before the age of 16. A man or woman who reached the age of 30 could expect to live to 59. [Thomson Gale, 'Infant Mortality' (1998)]
Food shortages and insecurity were leading concerns in the 18th century, especially in Europe, and these were exacerbated by reduced harvests yields. Disease was another leading cause of death, with rats and fleas being the common carriers of disease, specifically plagues, during this era. (Wikipedia)
Documents related to Maria Elisabetha Köhler:
 |
| Maria Elisabetha Köhler b 18 Jan 1818 film 4137289 page 1006 |
No. 3. On the 18th of January [1818], midday at 1:00 pm was born here, and on the 21st of the same month midday at 1:00 pm was baptized Maria Elisabetha.
Parents are the local citizen Johann Martin Köhler and his wife Maria Elisabetha, née Heinle.
Baptismal witnesses are: (1) Martin Krauß, local citizen and master weaver, (2) his wife Philippine, née Lindin; (3) Konrad Haßler, local citizen, (4) his wife Margaretha, née Lindin.
Graben, on the 21st of January 1818. T. G. Beck, pastor.
In right margin: died 11 December 1819.
 |
| Johann Martin Köhler born 1786 Familienbuch (Family Book) film 102118620 page 962 |
Translation
(Peter Bertschinger)
Person Born Married Died
Köhler Johann Martin L ú L Aug1786 14 Sep 1845
Maria Elisabetha Heinle 26 May 1787 3 Jun 1811 3 Jun 1827
Children
1. Johann Philipp 15 July 1813 1885
2. Martin 28 Aug 1815 1870
3. Maria Elisabetha 18 Jan 1818 11 Dec 1819
4. Leopold Köhler 2 Mar 1820 1896
5. Georg Friedrich Köhler 13 Mar 1822 11 Nov 1898
6. Jakob Köhler 3 Apr 1824 19 Feb 1832
7. Philippine Köhler 15 Dec 1826 13 Aug 1827
II marriage
Christina Scholl 22 Apr 1798 19Apr1827 11 Oct 1843
Child
Philipp 12 Feb 1825 (Ammerika)
Children 2 marriage
8. Wilhelm Köhler 23 Jul 1831 27 Aug 1831
9. Christine Köhler 13 Feb 1833 1900
10. Wilhelm Köhler 15 Sep 1838 (Ammerika)
Note: What could the letters "B. u. B." after Martin's means citizen and farmer
u. is probably und = and
B. could stand for Bauer = Landwirt = farmer
The other B. could stand for Bürger = Citizen
 |
| Maria Elizabeth Köhler death 13 Dec 1819film 102078348 page 1192 |
No. 41. On the 11th of December [1819], at night at 10:00 pm Maria Elisabeth Köhlerin died, little daughter of the local citizen Johann Martin Köhler and his wife Maria Elisabetha, née Heinle, age 1 year, 10 months, and 23 days, and [she] was buried on the 13th of the same month midday at 1:00 pm.
Witnesses are: Konrad Brecht and Jakob Friedrich Brecht, local citizens.
Graben, on the 13th of December 1819. T. G. Beck, pastor.
Graben, on the 13th of December 1819. T. G. Beck, pastor.