History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 21

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"Stables and cow-houses are seldom seen on a farm. The first Swedish inhabitants kept their animals under shelter during winter; but it was then said that they were then exposed to vermin and other diseases, which have not been heard of since. Then people went into another extreme, that of letting the animals en- dure the severity of the winter, which, along with the rain, frost, and snow, is sometimes intolerable. A good housekeeper has a stable with thin sides for the horses, and sheds for the cattle and sheep, built near the barn and standing out in the stable-yard, so that they may he protected there when the weather is severe. In milder weather all the cattle run out in the inclosure, and are foddered with hay or straw stacks which are set up there. They also graze on the land around, which is mostly used for young cat- tle. The sheep especially feed themselves on ferns and the young grass which grows up under the snow in warm weather. The lambs skip about in the snow, and stand in danger of being buried under it for want of proper care. The man-servant takes care of the foddering of the cattle, while the housewife and women folks roast themselves by the kitchen-fire, doubting if any one can do better than that them- selves. Hay alone, even of the best kind, is not suf- ficient to keep any horse or cow well; a considerable amount of grain, such as oats, maize, and buckwheat, is used for horses and wheat-bran for milch cows.

"The country is undeniably fruitful, as may be judged from the following examples :1 Joseph Cobern,

in Chester, twenty years ago had the blessing to have his wife have twins, his cow two calves, and his ewe two lambs, all in one night, in the month of March. All continued to live. Olle Tossa (Thoresson), in Brandywine Hundred, in 1742, had a cow which in the month of March had one calf; at her next calv- ing she had three; the third time, five; altogether, nine calves within two years. Three continued to live, but five died,-two males and three heifers. Thomas Bird, of the same place, had a ewe that yeaned four lambs within as many days, only one dying.

"The land is so settled that each one has his ground separate and, for the most part, fenced in. So far as was possible, the people have taken up their abode by navigable streams, so that the farms stretch from the water in small strips up into the land. No country in the world can be richer in rivers, creeks, rivulets, and good springs. The houses are built of bricks, after the English fashion, without coating, every other brick glazed; or they are of sandstone, granite, etc., as is mostly the case in the country. Sometimes, also, they build of oak planks five inches thick. To build of wood is not regarded as economy, after everything is paid for. The roof is of cedar shingles. Within the walls and ceilings are plastered, and whitewashed once a year. Straw carpets have lately been introduced in the towns. But the incon- venience of this is that they must soon be cleansed from fly-spots and a multitude of vermin which har- bor in such things, and from the kitchen smoke which is universal. The windows are large, divided into two pieces, the upper and lower; the latter is opened hy raising and shut by lowering. The wood-work is painted or it does not last long. The furniture of the house is usually made of the woods of the country, and consists of a dining-table, tea-table, supper-table, bureaus, cabinets, and chairs, which are made of walnut, mahogany, maple, wild-cherry, or sweet-gum. All these trees are the growth of the country except mahogany, which is brought from South America.

"The articles of dress are very little different among city and country people, except that the former procure them from the merchants' shops and the latter make them for themselves, and usually of coarser stuff. Wool-, weaving-, and fulling-mills are not used for manufacturing broadcloth, camelot, and other woolen cloths, which might be finer if more carefully attended to. The coloring of certain stuffs is very inferior. Silks are rare even in the towns. Plush is general, and satin is very widely used all over the country. Calicoes and cottons are used for women's dresses. Handsome linen is the finest stuff sought by men, as the heat is great and of long con- tinuance. By their dress most people are known, whether of Irish or German birth. The meals are cleanly, and do not consist of a great variety of food. Ham, beef, tongue, roast beef, fowls, with cabbage set round about make one meal. Roast mutton or

1 Penu corroborates Acrelins. He says, " As they are a people proper and strong of body, so they have fine children, and almost every house full; rare to find one of them without three or four boys and as many girls, some six, seven, and eight sons. And I must do them that right, I see few young men more sober and industrions."-William Penn's In- formation about Pennsylvania, Aug. 16, 1682.

THE FIRST SWEDISH SETTLEMENTS.

veal with potatoes or turnips form another. Another still is formed by a pastry of chickens, or partridges, or lamb. Beef-steak, veal-cutlets, mutton-chops, or turkey, goose, or fowls, with potatoes set around, with stewed green peas, or Turkish beans, or some other beans, are another meal. Pies of apples, peaches, cher- ries, or cranberries, etc., form another course. When cheese and butter are added one has an ordinary meal. The breakfast is tea or coffee; along with these is eaten long and thin slices of bread, with thin slices ofsmoked beef, in summer. In winter, bread roasted, soaked in milk and butter, and called toast, or pancakes of buck- wheat, so light that one can scarcely hold them be- tween his fingers, are also used. The afternoon meal (" four-o'clock piece"), taken at four o'clock, is usually the same. Suppers are not much in use. When one is so invited chocolate is the most reliable. Whole pots of it are sometimes made, but little or no milk in it, chiefly of water. Of these articles of food more or less is used in the country according to the ability or luxury of the people. Tea, coffee, and chocolate are so general as to be found in the most remote cabins, if not for daily use yet for visitors, mixed with Muscovado or raw sugar. Fresh fish for a meal is found nowhere either with high or low. Of soup they think in the same manner. It serves only for ordi- nary household fare. Salt and dried fish are seldom seen ; as few have eaten them they are almost un- known. The arrangement of meals among country people is usually this : for breakfast, in summer, cold milk and bread, rice, milk-pudding, cheese and but- ter, cold meat; in winter, mnsh and milk and milk porridge, hominy and milk. The same also serves for supper if so desired. For noon, in summer, soup, fresh meat, dried beef, and bacon, with cabbage, apples, potatoes, Turkish beans, large beans, all kinds of roots, mashed turnips, pumpkins, cashaws, and squashes. One or more of these are distributed around the dish ; also boiled or baked pudding, dump- lings, bacon and eggs, pies of apples, cherries, peaclies, etc. In winter hominy soup is cooked with salt beef and bacon. Then also pastries of lamb or chicken are used, and can keep cold a whole week ; also pan- cakes of wheat-flour or of buckwheat-meal. Bread is baked once a week or oftener. It is in large loaves, mostly of wheat-flour, seldom of rye. The wheat- flour which is used in the towns for bread or table use is beautiful, like the finest powder. The flour in the country is dark and coarse."

A Condensed View of the Ministers who Suc- cessively Presided over the Swedish Churches in America .- 1. Reorus Torkillus accompanied Peter Menewe, who brought over the first Swedish colony about the year 1636, and died here in 1643, aged thirty-five years.

2. John Campanius Holm came over in 1642 with Governor Printz, and remained here six years. Cam- panins was his proper surname, Holm having been added because of Stockholm having been his place of

residence. He translated Luther's Catechism into the language of the Indians.

3. Laurence Lock came over in the time of Gov- ernor Printz. He preached at Tinicum and Chris- tina. He was for many years the only clergyman the Swedes had. He died in 1688.

4. Israel Holg came about the year 1650, but did not remain long.

5. With Governor Rising, in 1652, a chaplain came over, and returned after the conquest of the Dutch in 1655.

6. Another clergyman came over in the ship " Mer- cury" in the year 1656, and returned home two years afterwards.

7. Jacob Fabritins, who had been preaching for the Dutch in New York, was induced to settle among the Swedes, and preached his first sermon at Wicaco in 1677. He officiated as their pastor fourteen years, nine of which he was blind. He died about 1692.

Three clergymen arrived in 1697, from which pe- riod we may date the regular supply of the churches here with Swedish ministers. These were Andreas Rudman, Eric Biork, and Jonas Auren. The first settled at Wicaco, the second at Christina, and the third at Raccoon and Penn's Neck.

Wicaco Church .- 1. Andrew Rudman was the founder of the present church, which was built in 1700. In 1702 he went to preach for the Dutch in New York; afterwards officiated at Oxford Church, n'ear Frankford; then in Christ Church, Philadel- phia, where he died in 1708.

2. Andrew Sandel arrived in 1702; returned home in 1719.

3. Jonas Lindman, sent over in 1719; recalled in 1730. The Rev. J. Eneberg took charge of the church during the vacancy.

4. Gabriel Falk, appointed rector in 1733; deposed the same year.

5. John Dylander came over in 1737. He died, honored and beloved, in 1741.

6. Gabriel Nesman, appointed rector in 1743; re- turned home in 1750.

7. Olof Parlin arrived in 1750; died in 1757.

8. Charles Magnus Wrangel came in 1759 ; returned in 1768; died 1786.

9. Andrew Goeranson, sent over in 1766; became rector 1768; officiated until the close of 1779; re- turned home in 1785; died in 1800.

10. Matthias Hultgren commenced his official du- ties in 1780; recalled in 1786.

11. Nicholas Collin, of Upsal, sent over in 1770; appointed to Wicaco in 1786; died 1831, close of the Swedish mission.

12. Rev. J. C. Clay, D.D., elected in December, 1831, entered upon his duties the January following.

After the separation of the three churches, in 1843, the Rev. Samuel C. Brinkle was chosen rector of this church, and continned to officiate as such until 1850, when he was succeeded by the Rev. J. Brinton Smith.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The latter resigned in 1856, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles A. Maison.

Upper Merion Church .- The first rector of this church, after it became separated from the others, was the Rev. Edward Lightner. He resigned the parish in 1855, and was succeeded by the Rev. Wil- liam H. Rees, D.D., who retained the charge till 1861. The following clergymen have officiated at this church from 1861 to the present time : Revs. Thomas S. Yocum, 1861-70; Octavius Perinchief, 1870-73; Edward A. Warriner, 1873-76; Octavins Perinchief, 1876-77 ; A. A. Marple, 1877 to -.

Church at Christina .- 1. Eric Biork built a new church at Fort Christina, in 1698, in lieu of that at Tranbrook. Returned home, 1714; died in 1740.

· 2. Andreas Hesselius, sent over in 1711; provost, 1719; recalled in 1723; died in 1733.

3. Samuel Hesselius, brother to the former, sent over in 1729; returned in 1731; died, 1755.

4. John Eneberg, pastor, 1733; returned home in 1742.

5. Petrus Tranberg took charge of this church in 1742, and died in 1748.

6. Israel Acrelius, sent over in 1749; returned in 1756; died in 1800, aged eighty-six. He was the author of the work on the Swedish congregations in America.

7. Eric Unander, sent from Raccoon and Penn's Neck to Christina in 1756.

8. Andreas Borell, sent to preside over the Swedish churches in 1757; arrived here in 1759; pastor in 1762; received the king's diploma, constituting him provost over all the Swedish churches here, where he died in 1768.

9. The Rev. Laurence Girelius entered upon his duties as assistant October, 1767 ; became provost of the churches in the place of the Rev. Mr. Borell in May, 1770. He continued in charge until 1791, when he returned to Sweden. He was the last of the Swedish ministers.

After the departure of the Rev. Mr. Girelius the church at Christina became connected with the Prot- estant Episcopal Church. For the following details with regard to the succession of Episcopal clergymen who have officiated there I am indebted to my friend, the Rev. Charles Breck : Rev. Joseph Clarkson, 1792-99; Rev. William Pryce, 1800-12; Rev. Mr. Wickes, 1814-17; Rev. L. Bull, D.D., 1818-19; Rev. Richard D. Hall, 1819-22; Rev. Ralph Williston, 1822-26; Rev. Pierce Connelly, 1827-28; Rev. Mr. Pardee, 1828-35; Rev. Mr. Adams, 1835-38; Rev. Dr. Mccullough, 1838-47; Rev. Dr. Van Dusen, 1848-52; Rev. Charles Breck, 1853.

Church at Raccoon and Penn's Neck .- The first min- ister was Polfladius. He was drowned in the Del- aware in 1706, and was succeeded hy

1. Jonas Auren, who came over with Rudman and Biork in 1697; appointed, 1706 ; died in the exercise of his functions, 1713.

2. Abraham Lidenius, sent over in 1711; pastor, 1714; returned home, 1724; died, 1728.

3. Petrus Tranberg and Andreas Windrufna, sent over in 1726. They divided the churches between them, and so continued until 1728, when Windrufua died. Between the time of Tranberg going to Chris- tina and his death, in 1748, these churches had no pastor.

4. John Sandin appointed pastor, 1748; died the same year.

5. Professor Kalm, traveling through North Amer- ica under authority from the king of Sweden, sup- plied the church for a few months. He married the widow of Mr. Sandin, and returned to Sweden after a perilous voyage.

6. Eric Unander, sent over in 1749, became pastor in 1751.

7. John Lidenius (son of Abraham above men- tioned), appointed pastor in the place of Unander, 1756 ; died in Pennsylvania.

8. John Wicksell, sent over in 1760; arrived, 1762; returned home in 1774; died, 1800.

9. Nicholas Collin, pastor 1778 ; appointed to Wic- aco in 1786. (See above.)

The following clergymen have been at different times assistant ministers in the Swedish churches :

The Rev. Charles Lute was appointed assistant to the Rev. Mr. Georgesen in 1774.

While Dr. Collin was rector, he had for his first as- sistant the Rev. Joseph Clarkson, who was appointed in 1787, and continued to officiate until 1792.

The Rev. Slater Clay was appointed in 1792, and officiated once a month in Upper Merion, and when there was a fifth Sunday in the month at Kingsessing. Only part of his time was given to the Swedes, for whom he continued to preach until the day of his death, in 1821.

The Rev. Joseph Turner was appointed also in 1792, and was for many years connected with the Swedes as one of their assistant ministers.

The Rev. J. C. Clay, soon after his ordination, in 1813, was called to the same churches, and officiated therein as an assistant for one year, when he was called to the churches at Norristown and German- town.

The Rev. James Wiltbank was appointed to the same office in 1816, and performed its duties for four years, or until 1820.

The Rev. M. B. Roche, in 1820, became an assist ant minister to the Swedes, in which situation he offi- ciated for a period of six months.

The Rev. J. C. Clay became a second time con- nected with these churches in 1822, having been ap- pointed an assistant for Upper Merion Church, in connection with the Norristown and Perkiomen Churches. He also officiated every fifth Sunday, or four times a year, at Kingsessing. He continued to fill this station until called, in 1831, to the rectorship.

The Rev. Charles M. Dupuy was, in 1822, appointed

THE FIRST SWEDISH SETTLEMENTS.

the assistant for Wicaco and Kingsessing, and was continued as such until 1828.

The Rev. Pierce Connelly succeeded Mr. Dupuy and officiated chiefly at Kingsessing, though part of the time at Wicaco also, till the close of 1831, when he accepted a call to Natchez, Miss.

The Rev. Raymond A. Henderson was chosen as- sistant to the Rev. J. C. Clay in 1832, and continued in the churches until the close of 1834, when he was called to the French Protestant Church in New Orleans.

The Rev. John Reynolds was assistant for one year at Upper Merion, having been appointed about the same time with Mr. Henderson.

After the last two mentioned, the Rev. William Diehl and the Rev. Samuel C. Brinckle acted as assistants until the churches were separated .- Annals of the Swedes : Rev. J. C. Clay.

The following is a list of the Swedish families re- siding in New Sweden in the year 1693, with the number of individuals in each family :

Names. Number in family.

Hindrick Anderson.

5 Hindrick Iwarsaon 9 Johan Anderssen ...

Hindrick Jacob

Johan Andersson

7 Matts Jacob ..

Joran Andersen ..

5 Hindrick Jucobson.

John Arian

6 Peter Joccom

Joran Bagman

3 Diedrick Johansson ...

Anders Bengston ...

Lars Johansson

Beogt Brogston

Simon Johansson ..

And. rs Bonde

Johan Bonde

1 Jon Jonson

Sren Bonde.

8 Nils Jouson ..

William Cobb

6 Thomas Jonson

Christian Classen

7 Christiern Juransson ..

Jacob Classon.

G Iluns Jirunsson

Jacob Clemson

Eric Cock

Gabriel Cock

6 6

Johun Cock

Mürten Knutsson

Moens Cock

5 Hans Kyn's (widow).

Conrad Constantine.

G Matts Kyn

Johan von Culen

5 Nils Laican ..

Otto Dahlbo

7 And. Person Longnker

Peter Dahlbo ..

9 Hlindrick Larsson

Lars Larsson

Thomas Dennis.

Lars Larsson

I I

Anders Diedrickssou

I Anders Lock

Olle Diedricksson.

7 Moens Lock

Stephan Ekhorn

5 Antonij Long

Hans Lucasson

Matte Ericsson.

Lucas Lucasson ..

I I

Casper Fisk

10 Johan Miinsson ...

Matthias do Fuff

Peter Mansson,

Andars Frende

Märlen Mürtensson, Jr 10

Murten Mårtensson, Sr. 3 4

Olle Fransson.

Mats Martenson

Eric Gristenberg

Nils Gastenberg.

3 Nils Mattson.

Eric Göransson

Christopher Meyer.

7 5

Gustaf Gustafsson ..

Eric Molica.

Hans Gustafsson

7 Anders Nilsson

John Gustafsson

3 Jonna Nilsson

Michael Nilsson

Lars Halling

I Johan Ommersson

9 Lorentz Osterssou

Johan llindersson, Jr ...

Bengst Paulsson

Anders Hindricksson.

4 Güstaf Panlsson

David Hindriesson ..

7 Olle Paulsson

Jacob Hautrickson.

5 Peter Palson.

5 I

Johan Hindriesson.

5 Olle Pehrsson ..

Matts Hollsten

7 Brita Petersson

Anders Hoppmann

7 Hans Petersson.

Frederick Hoppmann.

Lars Petersson ..

Johan Hoppman.

7 Paul Petersson.

Nicolas Iloppmann

5 Peter Peterssou

Names. Number in family. 1

Peter Stake (alias Petersson) .... Reinier Peterson

William Van der Weer

9 Jesper Wallraven ..

6 Jonas Wallraven 1

6 Andera Weinom 1

Anders Wihler.

Peter Rumbo, Jr.

Mats Repott

Nila Repott

Olle Reese ...

5 3

List of those still living who were born in Sweden :

Paul Sahlunge.

Prter Rambo | Fifty-four years in

7 Anders Bonde S New Sweden.

G Anders Bengtsson.

4 Sven Svenson.

Anders Seneca

Broor Seneca ..

Johas Scagge'a (widow).

Märten Märtensson, Sr.

Johan Skrika

1 Carl Xtopher Springer.

3 Hindrick Jacobsou.

2 Jacob Clemsson.

5 Olof Rosse.

Moens Stanke.

I Hlindrick Anderssoo.

Christian Stalcop.

Johan Stalcop

6 Simon Johanssen.

Peter Stalcup

Pan] Mink.

Israel Stark

Olof Paulsson.

Matts Stark

I Olof Petersson,

Adam Stedham

3 Märten Märtenson, Jr.

Asmind Stedham

8 Eric Mollica.

Benjamin Stedham

5 Nils Mattson.

Lucas Stedham

7 Antony Long.

Lyoff Stedham.

Johann Stille

8 Anders Homan.

Johaon Stillman

5 Olle Dedricksson.

Jonas Stillman

4 Finne Petersson.

Peter Stillman

4 Hindrick Cullman

OHle Stobey

3 Jona Gustafsson.

Gunnar Svenson

5 Moens Hallton.

Johan Svenson

9 Hans Olofsson.

William Talley.

7 Anders Seneca.

4 Broor Seneca.

6 Eskil Anderson.

C Matte de Voss.

Anders Jonson ..

4 Olle Thorssur

Hindrick Tossa ....

4 Stephan Juransson.

Lars Tossa ..

1 Olof Kinkovo.

Matte Tossa

1 Anders Didricksson.

Cornelius Van der Weer.

7 Anders Mink.

Jacob Van der Weer

Names of Tarables not included in obove List.

Oele Neelson and 2 sons ..

Harmen Ennis

Hans Moens.

1 Pelle Ericssen ...

Eric Poulsen.

I Benck Sailing ..

1 Andries Saling

Hindrick Colman ..

Michill Fredericks

1 Harmen Jansen

1 I

Justa Daniels and serv!

2 IFendrick Holman Bertell Laersen.

Island)

Andreas Swean and father.

2 Andries Bertelsen

2 Jan Bertelsen. ..

Swen Lom.

Oele Stille.

1 Lace Mortens

I Antony Matson

Tho. Jacobs.

I Claes Schram.

Matthias Claasen

Jan Claasen and 2 sons.

Frank Walcker ...

Peter Matson

F Knoet Mortensen.

Vele Coeckoe.

Carell Jansen ..

3 Rich, Fredericx

Lace Dallo ..

1 Juns Justasse.

Richd Duckett

1 Hans Hofman and 2 sons

Mr. Jones ye hatter.

1 Poull Corvorn

Brita Gostafsson ..

6 Paul Miuk

3 4

Maus (Muens) Gostafsson.

Johan Grantrum.

3 Hans Olasou

Moens Hallton ...

Hindrick Parchen

Johan Hindricksson ..

6 Lara Pehrsson.

Anders Hmmmman.

9 C'arl Petersson

The reader will perceive how much the orthography of many of the above names has changed in the progress of time. Bengsten is now Bankson; Bonde has become Boon; Svenson, Swanson; Cock, Cox ; Gostasson, Justis; Jocum, Yocum ; Hollsten, Holstein ; Kyn, Keen ; Hoppman, Hoffman; Van Culen, Culin; Haling, Hulings or Hewlings; Whiler, Wheeler, etc. With regard to the Christian namea many of them correspond with our own, and merely show a difference in spelling and pronunciation between two languages. Anders, therefore, among the Swedes naturally became Andrew among us; Johan, John; Mats, Matthias or Matthew; Carl, Charles; Bengt, Benjamin or Benedict ; Nils, Nicholas ; St.phan, Stephen ; Wilhelm, and also Olave, William; Hiodrick, Henry ; Michel, Michael ; Jous, Jonathan, etc.

Dr. George W. Holstein, a lineal descendant of Matts Holstein, in his response to a toast, "The

1 I I

Hendrick Jacoba (npon y

1 Hendrick Tade,

Oele Swansen and sert.

I Jan Cornelissen and son ..

I Dunck Williams

I Robert Warde ..

3 Neele Laersen and sons ... I Will Ori:D.

1 1 1

Jan Boelson.

Jan Schoeten

Jan Justa and 2 sons.

Peter Andreae and son.

2 Jurian Hertsveder

1 1 2 1 1 1 1

Eric Ericsson,

1 Robert Longhoro.

Göran Ericsson

Hindrick Fa-ke,

5 Peter Lucasson ..

Otto Ernst Cock

5 Moens Jonson.

3 Johan Tossa

5 Anders Weinom.

Lars Bure . ....

1 Juran Jüransson.

Stephen Joransson

7 Lasse Kempe ..

Frederick König

Capt. Lasse Cock.

S Olle Kuckow

Elias Tay

Christiern Thomas (widow) Olle Thomasson.

Nomes. Number in fumily.

3 Jacob Van der Weer. 3

Anders Rumbo.

Gunnar Rambo,

Johan Rambo.

Peter Rumbo, Sr.

II.

Anders Robertson

Isaac Savoy.

John Schrage.

Johan Scute.

5 Michael Nilsson.

7 Moens Staake.

Matts Skrika

Ilindrick Slobey.

Carl Springer.

3 Hindrick Iwarsson.

Israel Ilelm.

4 Johan Hindricksson.

Hans Jurian ...

Jonas Kyn.

Hlindrick Danielssoo

Nils Frendes (widow).

7 7 Johan Mattson

Israel Ilelm.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Swedes," at the first annual banquet of the Mont- gomery County Historical Society, held at Norristown on the evening of Feb. 22, 1882, pays a beautiful tribute to an ancestry who pioneered Christian civili- zation up the Schuylkill Valley. The author is a true type of the Swedes who still dwell upon the heritage of their sturdy and illustrious fathers :

" As a lineal descendant of those Swedes who crossed the ocean so early as 1636, I am deeply conscious of the compliment thus paid to their memory, and yet I feel that it is justly due, in view of the results accom- plished by them and their influence in moulding the destinies of this great country.

" Trained at home in a love for the practical teach- ings of the 'Sermon on the Mount' and the general truths of revealed religion, they early planted the Cross of Calvary upon these shores, and in all their intercourse with the natives and others illustrated the principles heralded thereby.

" By fair and honorable dealings they gained the confidence of the Indians, and lived among them upon the most amicable terms. Their influence over them was remarkable, as was evinced by many of the na- tives attaching themselves to the educational and religious institutions established by them, thus ren- dering much more easy the great work accomplished by William Penn, who came here over forty years later as the representative of the English Crown, sup- ported by all the vast influence of that powerful nation, commissioned by King Charles II. to act as Proprietary Governor of the province of Pennsyl- vania, having received a grant of land lying north of that occupied by Lord Baltimore, and west of the river Delaware. This was in lieu of a claim of six- teen thousand pounds due him for services rendered by his father, Rear-Admiral Penn, a distinguished officer of the British navy. The charter for this grant still hangs in the office of the Secretary of the Com- monwealth at Harrisburg, dated March 4, 1681. William Penn reached here in October, 1682. And now, in this bi-centennial year of that event, when it is proposed to celebrate it with distinguished honors, while I would not for one moment detract from the glory to which I believe he is eminently entitled, yet I do not wish the fact to be lost sight of that the Swedes were among the first to establish friendly relations with the natives, that the first translation into the Indian dialect was the Swedish Catechism by Rev. John Campanius, a Swedish missionary.

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 21

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534