USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01836 7786
GC 975.1 D377P, NO.9B
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PAPERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE IX.
THE RECORDS
OF
Holy Trinity (Old Swedes Church,
WILMINGTON, DEL.,
FROM 1697 TO 1773.
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL SWEDISH BY HORACE BURR, WITH AN ABSTRACT OF THE ENGLISH RECORDS FROM 1773 TO 1810.
PUBLISHED BY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE. 1890.
DELAWARE PRINTING COMPANY. WILMINGTON, DEL.
1142930
PREFATORY REMARKS
BY THE TRANSLATOR.
I have not attempted to render the old Swedish in which these records were written, into modern book English, but have made a very literal translation, following the style of the writer, though antiquated, for to do otherwise would often have been to paraphrase rather than strictly translate. A translator of history, fiction, etc., is expected to render the facts, ideas, etc., of the author, into good literary English, divested as much as possible of the idiomatic peculiarities of the original, at the same time retaining its general tone and spirit ; but in translating simple records like these, it seems to me best to render the words and sentences in simple equivalent English, without altering the quaintness of expression and peculiar construction of the sen- tences any more than is necessary to make the meaning intel- ligible.
In transcribing the names of persons I have followed the spelling of the recorder, except where there was an evident mistake or slip of the pen.
It will be seen that the names of persons not Swedes have been spelt as they would sound to the Swedish ear, and many of them very differently from their proper English orthography.
It will be observed that the orthography of Swedish names was constantly changing, and generally in the direction of the elision or dropping out of letters.
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PREFATORY REMARKS.
It will also be noticed that most of the real Swedish sirnames end in "son."
The Bonde or agricultural population of Sweden had no sir- names at the time of the emigration, nor have they even now. The oldest son takes the father's name, as for instance, Johan the son of Johan, would be Johan Johansson, and all the other sons, Peter, Carl, etc, would be Peter Johansson, in English, Johnsson; and the daughters take dotter, as Brita Johansdotter.
After their settlement here among English and other nation- alities, who had already adopted sirnames for all classes, the father's name naturally became the family name, but the pecu- liarity of spelling with two s' continued for a long time, and Paulsson was the correct spelling until a quite recent date.
In some cases the termination son was left off and the adopted sirname more or less changed; as Justa Justasson became Justa Justus or Justis.
Some names have been so changed that the origin has been lost sight of, as for instance, Derickson was Didriksson or Richardsson and Poulson was Paulsson, the son of Paul, and spelt with a broad "a."
Several Dutch names had come in by intermarriage, as Van de Wer, Walrawen, Van Culen, etc., but they were most of them changed gradually, as Van de Wer into Vandever, etc.
The clergy were mostly from the classes of gentry, or descended from citizens or tradesmen, whose sirnames had come from estates, occupations, place of residence, etc.
It will be noticed that the names of many of the clergy terminated in "ius," as Hesselius, Lidenius, Girelius, etc. This came from the almost universal custom in different parts of Europe at that time to Latinize, the names of scholars and clergy- men, as for instance, in Holland Hugo Grotius was originally Hugh de Groot, and where they could not euphoniously change the sirname, they at least changed the baptismal one, as Ericus Bjork, Andreas Rudinan, etc.
The Swedish colonists were almost exclusively agriculturists, and their mechanical skill seems to have been only adequate to building their plain log houses, and making log canoes, carts, sleds, etc., so that when they built the church they engaged their
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PREFATORY REMARKS.
masons, carpenters, and sawyers, from the English in Phila. delphia. They were good judges of land and located their farms frequently distant from each other wherever a good spot was found, and the few hundreds were scattered on the west side of the Delaware, from St. Georges on the south to the falls at Trenton on the north and along the inflowing water courses, and on the east side from the lower end of Penn's Neck to the region around and some distance above Raccoon creek, now Swedesburg.
Their principal means of conveyance and travel being the log canoe rendered it necessary to locate near the river and creeks, and in their canoes they crossed the Delaware, or came down the creeks to church while navigation was open. Canoe making seems to have been followed as a business but could not have been very remunerative, as the one recorded to have been bought by the people on the north side of the Christina and given to those who were accustomed to come by the way of New Castle from the Jersey side to save their ferriage over the Christina was bought entirely new for twenty shillings country currency.
The Swedes were a religious folk and almost all public interest centered in their church and its ordinances.
They were very particular about the baptism of their children, most of whom were baptized before a week old, and many by the third day, and if by chance any neglected child was growing up without baptism, it became a matter of public concern.
They were very careful for the good morals of their community, and if any were walking disorderly, the most judicious among the church officers or members were selected and instructed to visit them and use all proper means to reform them.
The people built their own churches and purchased the glebe farms attached to each of them, and erected the necessary build- ings for their ministers without any assistance from Sweden.
They also paid the salaries of the ministers while here, and contributed the necessary money for their passage back when they returned to Sweden.
The ministers nearly all married wives here from among their parishioners, and those who returned to Sweden sometimes were accompanied with several native American children. Several of
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PREFATORY REMARKS.
them died here while engaged in their ministry, their widows and children remaining, from whom there are many descendants among the present population of Wilmington and surrounding places.
The Kings of Sweden, after the ministers had been selected by the ecclesiastical authority, commissioned them and paid the expense of their passage over, and also granted a certain sum as extra remuneration for whichever acted as provost over the churches, and sometimes furnished a preacher extraordinary as a general assistant at hi own expense.
The Kings also on several occasions made gifts of bibles and religious books to the churches.
There were no missionary organizations in Sweden, nor were there any in England till after the coming of Rudman and Bjork, though the society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts. was formed in England soon after, and as will be seen by the records, the Swedish ministers were its beneficiaries for services rendered vacant English churches.
Two of the ministers, Messrs. Tranburg and Borell are buried in the church, and several children of ministers also.
It was esteemed great honor to the dead to bury their remains within the walls of the sacred edifice.
The floor being made of stone and bricks, could readily be removed for such burial.
How long the custom continued, or how many were buried, is unknown.
Religious services were first held at Christina, but not long after at Tennekong.
The lower congregation embraced those on the other side of the Delaware below Raccoon Creek, extending down to Penn's Neck, and the upper from Raccoon Creek upwards.
After the building of the churches at Raccoon and Penn's Neck, the two mother congregations were confined to the west side of the river, the lower embracing all below the neighbor- hood of Marcus Hook and Chester, the upper, those above; eventually comprising the congregations of Wicacoe, Kingses- sing and Upper Merrion in one parish, which are now separate churches. Christina and Wicacoe always remained the leading
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PREFATORY REMARKS.
churches and the provost or commissary was usually rector of one or the other of them.
The upper and lower congregations were before the coming of Rudman and Björk, sometimes ministered to by seperate clergy- men and sometimes by the same one alternately, but when there were two in the country each seems to have had its own minister.
The clergymen preceding, Rudman and Björk, were Riorus Torkillus who came over with Minewe in 1638, and died in Fort Christina, September 7, 1643. He was undoubtedly buried at the southern end of the present church.
John Campanius who returned to Sweden in 1648. The Rev. Israel Holgh and the Rev. Mr. Peter who returned to Sweden sometime after Campanius.
The Rev. Lars Lock or Lokenins who was for years the only minister, and served both congregations, Christiana and Tenna- kong, but mostly the Christina or Cranenook. He became very infirm during the last years of his life, and died in 1688.
Jacob Fabricius who was not a Swede was engaged by the upper congregation in 1677, and officiated in the lower church also, after the failure of the health of Lock, though he was blind for nine or eleven years before his death, which occured in 1693, or soon after, which leaves both churches entirely destitute of ministers for four or five years.
After the people of other nationalities settled among the Swedes, intermarriages became frequent especially of the Swedish women, who seem to have been more numerous than the other sex
The result of these intermarriages was, that a very considerable part of the population of Wilmington and the surrounding coun- try, except those families who have come in within the last half century, are in a greater or lesser degree of Swedish descent.
Indeed, it is rare that among the older families one is to be found that has not more or less of Swedish blood.
The exceptions are found mostly among the Friends or Quak- ers, whose tenets forbade marrying out of their denomination though occasionally a Quaker girl fell in love with and married a Swede.
The Swedish Ministers held a sort of pastoral relation to the
S
PREFATORY REMARKS.
whole population, as it will be seen from the records that more than nine-tenths of the baptisms and marriages had no direct connection with Trinity Church, and the influence of those edu- cated and refined Christian gentlemen, undoubtedly was a great power for good in the formation of the character of the people, destitute as they were of adequate religious training and influences.
Without depreciating the influence and labors of others, it may be truly said that the body of Swedish clergy, together with the English Missionaries of the Society for the propagation of the the Gospel, with whom they were always in accord, were, during the century preceding ours, the principal formative moral influ- ence throughout this region of the country, and their memory should be gratefully revered by succeeding generations.
From January, 1773, the records were written in English, mostly in the handwriting of Mr. Girelius, and I have tran- scribed them and also those pertaining to the amendment of the charter, with an abstract of the records and the baptisms and marriages to the end of Mr. Clarkson's rectorship in 1799.
I have omitted the names of the witnesses or sponsors at bap- tisms, after giving a few examples, or in cases of special interest, and also the burials after the coming of Mr. Acrelius, as they would add to the size of the work, and are of less importance than births, baptisms and marriages.
The venerable structure, the history of the building of which is related in these records, is now in an excellent state of preserva- tion, and a goodly congregation statedly worship within its consecrated walls. Long may it stand, a monument to the memory of its projector and builder, the zealous, earnest and patient Eric Björk and his faithful fellow-laborers, a blessing to the surrounding inhabitants, and an object of veneration and care of the citizens of Wilmington, whether they trace their descent from those who helped to rear its walls or, are of other lineage. H. B.
TO THE
Church of the Holy Trinity AT
CHRISTINA,
IN
PENSILVANIA, AMERICA,
IS THIS BOUND BLANK BOOK GIVEN FOR A CHURCH BOOK, BY
MR. JOHN HANCE STELLMAN,
IN THE YEAR 1699.
RECORD OF MR. BJORK.
July 2d. 1697 .- (a) After I, together with my col- leagues Magister Andreas Rudman, and the Honor- worthy Herr Jonas Aureen, had given notice of our arrival at Philadelphia to Vice-Governor William Mark- ham showing him our passport with the King's (King William) own hand and seal, giving liberty of passage from England over to this place, dated at Kensing- ton, November, 22, 1696, and the Vice-Governor had assured and promised us all possible favor and assist- ance, were we assembled for the first time with the congregation in the Crane Hook Church, using the same manner of proceeding as with the congregation at Wicacoe, when we met with thein the first time on the 30th of June, bringing to them salutations from Sweden both generally and individually and reading to them.
Ist .- Their own letter to Sweden asking for two Priests and for certain books, &c., dated on Dela- ware River in Pennsylvania, May 3, 1693, in order that they might hear it, and acknowledge it, which they did.
2nd .- Then I read His Royal Magesty's (King Charles XI of Sweden) letter to the Archbishop, dated at Stock- holm, February 18, 1695, instructing him to select Priests to be sent with another.
3a .- Royal letter dated Stockholm, February 18, -
(a) Mr. Bjork's diary and record was copied into this book under his super- vision and with occasional corrections in his own hand and the latter part written by himself.
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RECORDS OF
1696, enclosing an answer from the Archbishop in which he asks that the Priests who are selected and will undertake the journey, may after some years be allowed to come back again, when they, agreeably to God's will, shall be so pleased, or somne cause shall necessitate their return, and others be sent over in their place. To which His Magesty graciously assented with assurance of pro- motion at a fitting opportunity.
4th .- Then I read His Royal Magesty's own letter to the congregations, dated Stockholm, July 15, 1696, stating what books His Magesty had graciously sent to them, being a great many more than they had peti- tioned for.
5th .- And then the inost Worthy Archbishop, Dr. Olaus Swebillius' commission and authority for our office and his statement of what were the duties of our charge, according to the word of God, and what were the duties of the congregation with respect to us, which was dated Upsula, June 25, 1696.
6th .- And lastly I read the letter of the Swedish Minister at the Court of London, Herr Charles Leonk- rona to the congregations, dated London, January 7, 1796, which related how our coming over was consented to and promoted by the King of England, through the good offices of the proprietor of this country, the Hon- orable William Penn (who is now living in London), and saying that the congregations should so conduct themselves as always to retain his favor and good opin- ion.
Then I spoke to them concerning Herr Aureen, how he was sent out with us as a special agent of the King of Sweden, to remain awhile and return back, so that, according to the King's desire, he may be able to give a verbal relation of our arrival and reception and of the
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
condition and circumstances of the people, &c., thereby showing to the congregation how great favor and love the King has for them, and reminding them that they, therefore, should remember to treat him as the King's agent.
Then, as it was left to us to decide which congrega- tion we should remain with, I proposed that Magister Rudman should have whichever he chose or wished, as he was the first appointed, so he chose the upper con- gregation at Wicaco, and I remained with the lower at Crane Hook.
July II or the 6th of Trinity .- I began in Jesus' name my first Divine Service in Crane Hook Church, when I informed them how I purposed to conduct Divine Ser- vice, if circumstances are favorable thereto, viz., as follows :
Ist .- Begin with a morning Psalm and then read from the pulpit a chapter in the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, beginning with the first in each.
2d .- Read the Catechism, without the Lutheran explanations.
3d .- Read the Athanasian Creed, ending with the Benediction and a suitable hymn.
IT .- Thereafter, if there is occasion, Ist, Confess ; 2d, Bury the Dead ; 3d, Baptise Children ; 4th, Church Women, &c.
V .- (a) Then begin High Mass, according to the order contained in the directory ; when Lov Exordii and the Gospel are read, then read one of our Christian instructions, with Lutheran explanations, and one or another thereof with simple comments.
(a) The Swedes, even Methodists use the term mass for the Lord's Supper, when it is celebrated at the present day.
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RECORDS OF
July 18th or 7th after Trinity, the Transfiguration of Christ .- I began in the above order to perform the services by reading the first chapter of the first Book of Moses and the first chapter of Matthew's Gospel.
At this time I gave notice that so far as practicable, I had made a distribution of the books sent over in such wise that those who have a large household and many who can read, should have the more books, and those who had less, fewer books ; and those who could not use a large book, a manual, Golden Clenodium, &c., should have a catechism or an A. B. C. book and teach them- selves first, and those now favored with books should remember to use thein faithfully.
That the Bibles could not yet be given out till I am satisfied who will faithfully adhere to the church. Whereof I exhorted them one and all to consider the inatter well, and engage themselves, not only on my account that I may know who my hearers are to be, but also for the sake of the congregation, that each one may know who of his fellow hearers will be ready to stand in his place and do his part of whatever may be necessary with regard to the church and parsonage as to building, repairing, &c , &c.
I suggested also, that those who have received books should remember God's House with some money as a thank offering, each one in proportion to books received, explaining to them concisely how we, not only with words, but with gifts, can give God thanks for his grace, as when we give to the church, the school, the poor, or to the ministers of His Word.
I moreover added a prudent talk, representing to them that whatever was for the best for the church was also for the best good of the people, and that the King's
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
gift becomes a double gift and I heard nothing but hearty good will thereto.
He who receives a Bible shall give one Vanakten piece, i. e. six shillings, for a manual three shillings, and they who have a Golden Clenodium, Upsula Psalm book, or any other devotional books shall give two shillings, for Dr. Olaus Swebillius catechism one shilling, a small catechism six pence and an A. B. C. book three pence.
July 30 .- Agreeable to notice given on the 25th of July, we inet to choose certain discreet persons of this side of the river and some of the south side (a) to act for the whole Congregation in selecting and agreeing upon a place where we in Jesus' naine should set our new church.
Those of this side the river were Charles Springer, John Nummerson, Hans Pietersson, Hendrick Juars- son and Brewer Sinnike.
From the other side, Mr. Olle Stoby, Staffan Jurans- son Jacob Van de Ver and Olle Fransson.
And now the m11atter was earnestly discussed among them, for somne would have the church at Cranehook, some at Thirdhook and some at Christina, and it did not seein possible to coine to any certain conclusion at this time -- especially as they on the other side of the river thought it hard for them to help now to build such a church for those on this side, for they feared it would happen that they should get no help, if in course of time they become so numerous that they should need a separate teacher and could support him, and therefore should wish to build a church for themselves, and they
(a). Jersey side.
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RECORDS OF
who came by the way of Sandhook (a) thought it would be very burdensome to have to pay ferriage across the Christina every time they came to church.
Then they on this side immediately satisfied and persuaded them in these particulars, and agreed.
Ist .- That when they on the other side in course of time should become so strong as to be able to set up a separate church and procure and support a minister of this, our so called Lutheran Religion, those on this side would help them with money again as much as they now help towards building this church at Christina. Now, as at that time I was in a sickly condition and on that account could not be present at the meeting, and heard afterward that not all of the people approved of the agreement. I sat down immediately and according to my ability drew up a writing in which I showed that if we on this side had never agreed and consented in this wise, yet we are just as much bound for the Glory of God to help them again on the other side if they now help us, and I further wrote by way of encouragement and exhortation-and Charles Springer ever unwearied in the promotion of God's Glory, in order to bring about a good understanding of the matter, went around with this mny writing and read it to thein and so won thein all to unity.
Then after this argreement-as regards those on the other side who usually cross and come by the way of Sandhook and think it would be very burdensome for them always to pay for ferrying over the Christina Creek, they on this side promised to furnish a canoe for them to use whenever they come to church, but to be used for no other purpose, so that nothing more should be heard of the ferrying and it should never be a cause of com-
(a) New Castle.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
plaint which canoe once delivered to them to take care of-if it be lost they shall provide another themselves.
Then they consulted among themselves how they should in accordance with their promise support him, whom God had been pleased to send them-which promise they must now fulfill. They decided that both sides of the river could at least contribute a hundred pounds, Pennsylvania currency. Whereupon a list was immediately made, and they who were then present (which were many more than those above named who had been especially selected) each one set his hand thereto for a certain sum of money as the subscription shows.
Ist .- They also agreed that the church should be built at Christina and that it should be of brick or stone, though some had been in favor of wood. We met at Christina September 19, to choose new church wardens but retained two of the old for another year, viz: Carl Christofferson Springer and Mr. Wholle Stobey, to whom four others were added, viz: Hans Pietterson, Brewer Sinnika, John Stalcop, and from the other side of the river, Jacob Van de Ver, with the understanding that none are to stay in more than two years, part going out each year, and others to come in their place who shall become accustomed by being with those who have a year yet to remain, and therefore Carl Springer and Wholle Stobey remain another year; that these new ones may become used to the duties, and then the coming year they two step out and others be chosen in their stead.
2d .- In accordance with the wishes of the others, Hans Pietterson took upon himself to superintend the build- · ing of the (in the Lord's name) intended new church.
3d .- It was decided that the church should be forty 2
4
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RECORDS OF
feet in length, thirty feet wide and twelve feet high, though the height shall remain uncertain till we see how it will compare with the other dimensions.
4th .- Those who can best do the carting shall of their own free will, and at their own expense bring forward the stone, and yet give what they have promised in money.
5th .- All who do other work or promise work, shall do it free and at their own expense, so that we shall not have to give out the incoming money to our own folk, as we need it to pay the mnason and for the purchase of lime boards, &c.
October 6th .- I, with the church wardens met with the mason, Joseph Richardson, from Upland, at Christina, when we contracted with him to build the. new church walls which were to be of stone, fifty feet long, thirty feet wide and fifteen feet high, and writings were drawn up for both sides, one for the mason and one for Hans Peitterson on behalf of the church, binding them in one hundred pounds, to be forfeited by which ever side should break the agreement without good reason.
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