swedish colonial news · 2014. 12. 17. · 2 forefathers johan fisk ob servati n pehr kalm events...

2 FOREFATHERS

Johan Fisk

OBSERVATIONSPehr Kalm

EVENTS History Conference,Forefather Luncheon,and more.

7 HISTORIC SITES

Old Kings Highway

Volume 3, Number 7 Fall 2007

Preserving the legacy of the New Sweden Colony in America

1614

Swedish Colonial News

Colonial Records of the SwedishChurches in Pennsylvania

Volume 3 is here!Kenneth S. Peterson

In this Issue...

PHOTO: K

ENNETH S. P

ETERSO

N

Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, Editor (left), and The Rev. Dr. Kim-EricWilliams, Assistant Editor (right), join The Very Rev. D. Joy Segal,Rector of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, Philadelphia, to cele-brate the release of Colonial Records of the Swedish Churches inPennsylvania: Volume 3 – The Sandel Years 1702 – 1719.

continued on page 6

Volume 3 of the Colonial Records of theSwedish Churches in Pennsylvania, titled TheSandel Years, is now available. It covers the peri-od from 1702 to 1719. This eagerly awaitedwork is made possible due to the dedication ofDr. Peter Stebbins Craig and Rev. Kim-EricWilliams with assistance from Rev. Joy Segal.

Volume 3 begins with the arrival of PastorAndreas Sandel, bringing relief to PastorAndreas Rudman, and concludes with his returnjourney to Hedemora, Sweden.

During this 17-year period, Andreas Sandelcompletes the Gloria Dei church building byadding the porches and bell tower. He strength-ens the Swedish congregation here in Americaand he also gives valuable assistance to theEnglish churches in Philadelphia, Oxford andRadnor. Magister Sandel hosts the first ordina-tion of a Lutheran pastor in America, JustusFalckner, right here at Gloria Dei.

In this book Andreas marries, has children,buries Pastor Rudman and then sadly, buriestwo of his own children. In his dealings with the

Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig,who resides in Washington,DC, is a Fellow of both theAmerican Society ofGenealogists and theGenealogical Society ofPennsylvania. He is theHistorian of the SwedishColonial Society and aForefather Member. One ofhis ancestors was PeterJochimsson, who arrived onthe Fama in 1643 andestablished the Yocum fami-ly in America.

2 Swedish Colonial News

FOREFATHERS

Among the passengers arriving in NewSweden in 1648 aboard the ship Swan was asoldier by the name of Johan Fisk. He soonbecame a freeman and was among the 22 set-tlers who signed the petition of grievancesagainst Governor Printz on 27 July 1653. AfterPrintz left the colony, Johan changed his sur-name from Fisk [fish in Swedish] to Skovel[shovel in Swedish]. As Johan Skofel he signedthe loyalty oath to the new governor, JohanRisingh on 9 June 1654 and a second com-plaint against Governor Printz on 7 July 1654.In the same year he sold his farm above MarcusHook to Governor Risingh and moved to thearea of Fort Trinity (present New Castle),where, after the fort was surrendered to theDutch in 1655, Johan Skovel signed the loyal-ty oath to Governor Stuyvesant.

The name of Johan Fisk’s wife has notbeen discovered. It is also uncertain where andwhen he died. He apparently died before 1670in present Pennsylvania. Records establish thathe had at least two children: Caspar Fisk andChristina Fisk.

1. Caspar Fisk was born in New Swedenon 4 February 1651. On 17 April 1675, he wasmarried at the Tinicum Island Church byPastor Lock to Margaret, who was born in1656 to Gustaf Danielsson and Anna Lom ofUpland Creek. When Danielsson died in 1681,Caspar Fisk was named administrator of hisestate.

Initially, Caspar Fisk and his wife residedon a 500-acre tract on the south side ofPennypack Creek, which was surveyed on 22October 1675 for Caspar Fisk and his partner,Peter Petersson Yocum. Caspar sold his share in1679 and moved with his brother-in-lawMarcus Laurensen (who had married Mar -garet’s sister) to “Putshack”, a tract of landsouth of Pennsauken Creek, New Jersey, in oldGloucester County. His tract, on the DelawareRiver waterfront, was surveyed as containing120 acres in 1684. This remained his homeuntil his death in 1708.

Caspar Fisk was active in both church and

political affairs. He was named constable of oldGloucester County in 1692 and 1693. Heserved as a church warden of the Swedes’church at Wicaco in the 1690s and again in1702-1703. He gave £15 toward constructionof Gloria Dei Church and remained an activemember until his death.

Margaret, the wife of Caspar Fisk, died inchildbirth on 14 November 1697. After herdeath, Fisk married Willemke, the widow ofHans Keen. She survived him. Caspar andMargaret Fisk had eight known children:

> Anna Fish, born c. 1675, was married c.1691 to Peter Peterson, born in 1667, the sonof Måns Petersson Stake, a former NewSweden officer who died in Calcon Hook c.1698. On 1 August 1711 Peter Peterson soldhis quarter interest in Calcon Hook and movedto the Maurice River in Salem County, NewJersey, where he acquired 920 acres and asawmill. His will of 18 September 1733,proved 18 October 1735, named his wife Annaand eleven child ren: Magdalena (b. 1692),Peter (b. 1695), Henry (b. 1697), Aaron,Gabriel, John, Mat thias, Sarah, Rebecca,Christina and Helena.

> Johan Fish, born 15 September 1677,died unmarried after 1697 and before 1707.

> Gustavus Fish, born 10 December1679, married Brita Rambo, born 15November 1685, eldest daughter of JohnRambo and Brigitta Cock. By 1704 he movedto Great Egg Harbor, where pastor AndreasSandel preached on 1 October 1704. In 1710Gustavus accused James Steelman of havingillicit relations with his wife Brita. Gustavus islast discovered as a freeholder in Egg HarborTownship in 1722. His only known son, alsonamed Gustavus Fish, was listed in the 1743Gloria Dei census as a resident of Matsunk[Upper Merion Township in present Mont-gomery County, Pa.]

> Elias Fish, born 16 June 1681, marriedChristina Laican, born 17 February 1684, thedaughter of Michael Laican and Helena Lom.They lived in Upper Greenwich Township,Gloucester County, and had six children bap-tized at the Raccoon Creek church between1714 and 1727: Rebecca, Elias (died young),Susanna, Christina, Israel and Helena.

> Caspar Fish, Jr., born 9 February 1684,married Helena Laican, born 29 December1689, the daughter of Michael Laican andHelena Lom. They lived in Waterford Town -

Johan Fisk of New Sweden

and his Fish Descendants

Dr. Peter S. Craig

continued on page 4

Swedish Colonial Society

916 South Swanson Stre

et, Philadelphia, Penn

sylvania 19147

Fall 2007

Dear Friend of New Sweden,

We are already beginning to plan

for the Centennial Jubilee of the

Swedish Colonial Society in 2009

. It is something to celebrate sinc

e we

are the oldest and one of the larg

est Swedish historical organizati

ons that

has been founded in the United S

tates. In fact we are now an inter

national

society with a growing number o

f members in Sweden, Finland, a

nd

Canada. Right now the Committ

ee is considering a Jubilee weeke

nd at the

beginning of May or end of Apri

l 2009 for a constellation of cele

bratory

events in Philadelphia. Of course

we hope to have significant parti

cipation

from members far and near and

especially from Sweden. We wil

l be

announcing more precise details

as our plans are finalized.

One of the parts of the Centenni

al Jubilee will be an Exhibition

at the

American Swedish Historical M

useum, with follow-up exhibits a

t the New

Jersey State Museum in Trenton

and the Delaware Museum of H

istory in

Wilmington. These three exhibits

will not be the same but will fol

low each

other, drawing on the strengths o

f these institutions and their geo

graphic

areas.

This is where you can be of assis

tance to us. With many items from

our

now-organized archives we have

a good start on print items for th

ese exhi-

bitions. But we need to borrow ite

ms from our members and friend

s that

have never before been shown in

an exhibition about New Sweden

and the

one hundred years of the Society

. Do you have photos, household

goods

or inherited antiques from the da

ys of New Sweden that we could

borrow

from you? If you are able to loan

us an artifact, please contact Ms

. Carrie

Hogan at the American Swedish H

istorical Museum, telling her wha

t you

have, its dimensions, and why it

is interesting. (chogan@american-

swedish,org). We want these exh

ibitions to be a reflection of as m

any of

our members as possible.

Pro Suecia, Sincerely,

Kim-Eric Williams

Governor

High Patron

His Majesty Carl XVI G

ustaf

King of Sweden

Deputy High Patron

Her Royal Highness

Crown Princess Victori

a

Patron

His Excellency

Jonas Hafstr�m

Ambassador of Sweden

Deputy Patron

His Excellency

Ulf Hjertonsson

Consul General Of Swed

en

Associate Patron

Hon. Agneta H�gglund B

ailey

Consul of Sweden

Governor

Kim-Eric Williams

Senior Deputy Governor

David Emmi

Junior Deputy Governor

Secretary - Treasurer

Margaret Sooy Bridwell

Registrar

Doriney Seagers

371 Devon Way

West Chester, PA19380

610-918-0943

Recording Secretary

Aleasa J. Hogate

Chaplain

The Very Rev. D. Joy S

egal

Color Guard Captain

Kenneth S. Peterson

Historian

Dr. Peter S. Craig, F.

A.S.G.

Visit us on the intern

et at:

www.ColonialSwedes.org

Please contact us at:

[email protected]

GOVERNOR’S LETTER

3Swedish Colonial News

FOREFATHERS from page 2


ship, Gloucester County, where Caspar died inAugust 1748. He was survived by four sons(Michael, John, Isaac and Elias) and threedaughters (Rebecca, Mary and Eleanor).

> Susannah Fish, born 11 January 1688,married Nicholas Laican, son of Michael Laicanand Helena Lom. She died childless after 1719,survived by her husband who died withoutissue in Deptford Township, Glou cesterCounty, in March 1733.

> Maria Fish, born 15 May 1693, was stillunmarried on 15 March 1710 when she wascalled to testify before the Gloucester Countygrand jury. Not further traced.

> Abigail Fish, born in November 1697,married John Chester, an Englishman, whodied in Deptford Township, GloucesterCounty, in January 1736/7. She then remar-ried Edward Chapman at the First PresbyterianChurch in Philadelphia, 1 January 1738/9.

2. Christina Fisk was married by 1681 toHans Peterson. He was born in Sweden in1648 and was probably one of the Finns arriv-ing on the Delaware under Dutch rule in 1663.In 1669 he had been fined 100 guilders for hisinvolvement in the “Long Finn Rebellion”. Hefirst lived in Carkoens Hook in presentPhiladelphia, but after marrying Chris tina hesecured a 50-acre tract on Repaupo Creek,Gloucester County, New Jersey, in 1684. Hedied there by 1693 when his widow Christinamarried Anders [Andrew] Lock, son of PastorLars Lock. Andrew lived on a 150-acre planta-tion on Repaupo Creek, where he died of a rat-tlesnake bite and was buried 5 August 1716.

Christina had six children by her first mar-riage and six children by her second marriage,as follows:

> Catharine Peterson, born in 1682, mar-ried Jöns (James) Halton, son of Måns Haltonof Raccoon Creek. James Halton was buried 14September 1742. His widow died 8 January1766 at the age of 84. They had four childrenwho grew to adulthood and married: Christina,Maria, James and Magdalena.

> Peter Peterson, born c. 1684, diedunmarried in Gloucester County on 25 August1726.

> Frederick Peterson, born c. 1686,moved to New Castle County, Delaware,where he married Elsa (Alice) Lewden, onlydaughter and heir of Roger Lewden, Jr., by1711. After selling the 200 acres in Mill CreekHundred which she had inherited, theyreturned to Gloucester County, where four

children were baptized at the Raccoon churchbetween 1714 and 1721: Christina, Hans,Johannes and Timotheus. Not further traced.

> Elisabeth Peterson, born in 1688, wasstill unmarried in October 1705 when, at theage of 17, she witnessed the will of LasseyParker. Not further traced.

> John Peterson, born c. 1691, purchased280 acres at the Maurice River near presentMauricetown in 1739. He died there in 1752survived by sons John and Darius and a daugh-ter Ann.

> Regina Peterson, born c. 1693, marriedHendrick Hendrickson, son of Andrew Hend -rickson of Ammansland, by 1713. They had tenchildren born between 1714 and 1733:Brigitta, Andrew, Christina, Susannah, Jonas,Magdalena, Israel, Hendrick, Sarah and ReginaHendrickson. The family lived on RepaupoCreek, where the father Hendrick died in 1749and his wife shortly thereafter.

> Maria Lock, born 15 August 1695, mar-ried Garret van Neaman on 6 November 1717.They had two surviving daughters: Christina,born in 1725, and Sarah, born in 1734.

> Israel Lock, born c. 1697, marriedRebecca Helm, daughter of Hermanus andCatharine Helm, on 25 November 1725. Hedied in 1753. They had seven known children:Anders, Catharine, Hermanus, Christina,Sarah, Judith and Israel Jr.

> Lars Lock, born c. 1699, married MariaSlubey, daughter of Hendrick Slubey, on 11December 1719. They had three children bap-tized at the Swedes’ church on Raccoon Creekbefore he died on 18 February 1729: Anders,Catharine and Måns Lock. His widow marriedJohn Hoffman and died 24 March 1773.

> Helena Lock, born c. 1701, marriedPeter Justice, the only son of Peter Gustafson[alias Justice] of Kingsessing, on 4 December1719. They lived in Upper Penns Neck, SalemCounty, and had seven children who lived toadulthood: Martha, Christina, Susanna,Anders, Peter, Brigitta and Rebecca. Helenadied before her husband, who drank himself todeath in 1766.

> Måns Lock, born c. 1703, died unmar-ried c. 1732.

> Anders Lock, Jr., born c. 1705, diedunmarried as a young lad on 20 July 1717.


EVENTS

PHOTO: V

. EUGENE M

cCOY

PHOTO: V

. EUGENE M

cCOY

Sweden’s Ambassador to theUnited States Jonas Hafström’s

first official duty outside ofWashington, DC, was a familyvisit to the Kalmar Nyckel in

Wilmington, DE, on September29, 2007. The Halström family

(l to r): Gerhard, Charlotte,Eva, Jonas and Erik.

United States Senator TomCarper and Embassy of Finland

Deputy Chief of Mission,Minister Anne Lammila, cele-

brate the 10th anniversary of thelaunching of the Kalmar Nyckel.


English authorities, Andreas Sandel greets thenew English governor sent by William Penn in1704. Five years later he and the Swedish con-gregation petition the Assembly in Philadelphiaconcerning the reduction of freedoms by thePenn government, granted years earlier byKing Charles II. In 1711 Pastor Sandel com-poses a letter, in English, to Queen Anne, peti-tioning her to strike down the Quakers’ chang-ing of the law exempting themselves from tak-ing oaths in court.

Of the Swedish affairs Pastor Sandel writesa congratulatory letter to the newly appointedBishop of Skara, Jesper Svedberg. The bishoptakes charge of the Swedish flock in Americawhich leads to correspondence back and forthbetween the two. Pastor Sandel asks for assis-tance and Bishop Svedberg works hard to sup-ply their need though money is scarce due toSweden’s waging war on the European conti-nent. The Gloria Dei congregation sends a let-ter direct to King Carl XII pleading for moreteachers and books.

In this volume there is an insightful andbeautiful description of the Lenape Indians.After his return to Sweden in 1714, Pastor EricBjörk wrote concerning the differences in theirreligions, the simplicity of the Lenape, and theexample set by the Europeans, even though

during this period it was common to refer tothe Lenape as “wild” or “heathen”. (PastorBjörk, in hindsight, believed they certainlywere not.)

This historical work is many things; a reli-gious and cultural account, a genealogicalsource, a diary, and an account book. It is a ref-erence book and yet anyone can read, under-stand and enjoy the true story of the way theseSwedes and their neighbors lived on theDelaware River 300 years ago.

By purchasing a copy of Volume 3 you willlearn which of your ancestors contributed tothe minister’s maintenance, who contributed tothe building of the Gloria Dei church porches,and who sent gifts of pelts to the Swedish Kingas a thanksgiving offering. In this volume youwill see the friction between the Swedish com-munity and the Penn government. Find outwhich of the Swedes signed a remonstranceagainst the Quaker government’s treatment oftheir claimed property rights. Do you want toknow who was assigned the better pews in thechurch? An added bonus is Sandel’s churchburial listing at the end of the book. Theseissues and more are all here, even with a touchof humor. Imagine the expression on PastorSandel’s face when he arrives in America onlyto find an imposter in his place.

COLONIAL RECORDS from page 1

To order:Colonial Records of the Swedish Churches inPennsylvaniaSwedish Colonial Society members shouldsend a check or money order for $20 plus $5for shipping on each volume. All others: Please send $25 plus $5 for eachvolume.Make check payable to “Gloria Dei Church.”

Mail to:Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church(Columbus Blvd. & Christian St.)916 S. Swanson St.Philadelphia, PA 19147-4332

(215) 389-1513(215) 389-7817 (fax)

[email protected] (email)www.old-swedes.org (web)

Where to buy Colonial Records of the Swedish Churches in Pennsylvania

Kenneth S. Petersonresides in OceanCounty, NJ, and isemployed at NavyLakehurst. He is ColorGuard Captain of theSwedish ColonialSociety and aForefather Member.One of his ancestorswas Måns PeterssonStake, who arrived onthe Örn in 1654.

Colonial Recordsof the Swedish Churchesin Pennsylvania

Volume 3 The Sandel Years1702 – 1719

Volume 2 The Rudman Years1697 – 1702

Volume 1The Log Churchesat Tinicum Islandand Wicaco 1646 – 1696


If you could peek through a window intothe past, what would you learn? We arepleased to offer our readers a rare view, in theform of a map that encompasses the territoryof the New Jersey side of the lower DelawareRiver, including the length of the Old KingsHighway, from Gloucester Point to Salem.The original is in the Moravian Archives inBethlehem, Pennsylvania, which by specialarrangement, have allowed us to publish ithere. We appreciate the opportunity to makeit available to all our readers. We also wish tothank Ron Hendrickson and Ken Peterson ofthe Swedish Colonial Society for bringing it toour attention.

Although we don’t know who made it, orexactly when, it came to us marked circa1750, with the suggestion it was likely madeto help Moravian missionaries in their travels.This seems a reasonable assumption, consider-ing the repository. Consultation of churchand other histories of that era easily supportsthis notion. However, after closer examina-tion, we concur with Dr. Peter S. Craig, thatthe estimated date is a bit conservative.1

To gain some historical perspective, theGCHS publication, The Records of theMoravian Church at Oldmans Creek by PaulMinotty, was the first volume consulted. Theauthor explains how for several reasons, theSwedish churches in the region were at timeswithout clergy, as were the German Lutheransat Cohansey and others. It was in response tothis need that the Moravians sent missionariesto serve in the neglected communities ofPennsneck, Raccoon and Maurice River.While Moravians did not see their movementas opposing or replacing other religions, notall shared this view, and conflict eventuallyresulted.

The Swedish-born and educated PastorPaul Daniel Brycelius was the first to arrive atPhiladelphia in 1742. He visited the Swedishminister, Rev. Peter Tranberg, who hadmoved to Wilmington after serving the SouthJersey parishes for fifteen years.Tranberg gaveBrycelius his personal if not official blessing toproceed. Thereafter, thirty-three members ofthe Swedish church at Raccoon issued an invi-tation to Brycelius to live and preach amongthem, which he accepted.

It is beyond the scope of this effort to tryto sort out the more subtle nuances of thereligious beliefs at that time.If the arrival ofthe missionaries seems a bit opportune, thenturn to the accounts included in anotherGCHS publication, Records of the SwedishLutheran Churches at Raccoon and Pennsneck.There it is noted that the Moravians wereaccepted as Swedish Lutherans in Sweden in1741, but later in 1745 that decision wasreversed.Others of the Swedish clergy whocame to this country had also acceptedMoravian teachings, or switched from onesponsor to the other at times, making distinc-tions at all levels more difficult to see.

In any case, some of the Swedish churchmembers were not happy with the unofficial

Valerie N. Caulfield HISTORIC SITES

Time Travel on

Valerie Nixon Caulfield,who resides in Auburn, NJ

(see map “Storekeeper”location on Oldmans

Creek), is the fourth in hermaternal line of Salem

County family historians.She recalls her mother recit-ing from memory 14 gener-ations of the family Jaquett,but Val admits that she has

to write things down.

Originally published in theBulletin of the GloucesterCounty Historical Society(Volume 31, Number 7,

March 2007) and reprintedhere with permission.

Exploring Old Kings Highway with the Moravian Missionaries


change and complaints were made. In January1744, there arose a great public dispute, bysome accounts, a near riot in Swedesboro.Thereafter, Brycelius was told by the civilauthorities to keep out in order to keep thepeace.

The Moravians were offered the use of aQuaker church nearby, and continued meetingthere and in private homes until they built a logmeeting house. This was completed in 1747on lands owned by George Avis on OldmansCreek. That meeting house does NOT appearon this map, one clue that the map was proba-bly drawn before that year.

There is a degree of skill apparent in themap, suggesting a surveyor’s hand in its mak-ing. In addition, a great knowledge of the indi-viduals and the lay of the land are readily appar-ent. It seems possible a surveyor was commis-sioned for the work, and if so, a receipt or men-tion may be found someday.

No matter if the mystery remains, the mapitself opens many doors to information wemight have overlooked otherwise. We hope itrekindles your sense of wonder, as we try toimagine together what it might have been liketo take the journey on horseback down theGreat Road to Salem.

Some things to consider as you explore:At first look, we know the King’s Highwaydid not run straight as an arrow, nor do creeksrun in at such right angles to the DelawareRiver. Horseback would offer the most auton-omy to the traveler, but we must adjust ourmodern thinking to the slower mode of theday. The size of the road itself, and a few locallandmarks would have helped. So would know-ing who their friends were in this strange newland.

As with any map, orientation is crucial tounderstanding. The points of the compass areclearly marked at about the center on eachedge. It appears that the ink hadn’t dried com-pletely; the word west is a bit smeared on thebottom. The several mile indicators suggest thedirections were meant to begin atPhiladelphia, all mileage accruing from thatpoint. Ferry crossings and the fare at each arerecorded. Just like today, a traveler had toaccount for the costs of fuel and tolls, for bothman and beast. At Gloucester, the price was 1shilling, 6 pence avec un cheval, for some rea-son given in French, but literally per man andhorse. The other possible crossing was waydown in Salem County at the Church

Landing. There the fare was higher at 2shillings per foot. We would expect that tomean the number of feet per each passenger,rather than the distance across. Therefore, aman and his horse would total 6 legs or feet,hence costing 12 shillings. Perhaps the costwas higher because the river is wider there orthe passage more difficult and time-consum-ing.

The Delaware River presents a formidablehurdle in any case, and Salem Creek seemsalmost larger than life by modern standards.The “neck” or narrow strip of land cut off bywater clearly illustrates how Penns Neck geog-raphy influenced its name. Each creek is namedin turn, traveling south, and one can see wherethey cross the Kings Highway.

From Front Street in Philadelphia (whichstill exists in part) to the ferry landing ismarked as 3 miles. There are small buildingsthere, but on the other side at Gloucester, amuch more substantial building comes intoview. It isn’t designated a church and a bit ofreview has revealed none in the area of earlydate, but we do know that the originalGloucester County Court House was there.County records checked so far, do not specifyif there was a cross on the building, but a bellwas in place, suggesting the need for thesteeple.2 Also nearby, there was a large build-ing, though it is unclear if it was built in twoparts or may be showing a mill wheel behind.This would likely be Hugg’s Tavern; recordsindicate a saw mill was nearby. Courts wereheld at the tavern for a time, after the existingcourthouse burned down, until its replacementwas built in Woodbury in 1787. The tavern ispossibly most remembered as the place wherethe marriage of Betsy Griscom and John Rosstook place in 1773. A brick fireplace was pre-served and reassembled in the basement of theGloucester County Historical Society Museumwhen the ancient tavern was torn down in1929.

At about the 4 mile marker, a tavern isshown at Little Timber Creek, and another, amile lower, at Big Timber Creek. Note the keysor banners on the front of each. The innkeep-ers’ names are not given here, so perhaps werenot known to the informant, but included aslandmarks for rest stops if needed. While a manon horseback might expect to stop for meals,most wouldn’t expect to stop for the night sosoon after leaving Philadelphia, unless weatheror other necessity demanded.

Valerie N. CaulfieldHISTORIC SITES


Woodbury Creek is said to be 8 milesfrom the beginning, and just below, PeterRambo is the first individual named. This maybe the same Peter Rambo who is mentioned ashaving gone to Philadelphia to meet and escortthe Moravians Abraham Reinecke and HenrySensmen in the spring of 1745.

Manty Creek, alias Mantua Creek, is post-ed at about the 13 mile marker. John Jones isthe next named, just north of Raccoon Creek.The Moravian Church book shows this nameonly once, on a list of signatories of a docu-ment dated 28th January, 1754 entitled,“Discharge of the Contributors to the Churchand House at Oldmans Creek in the Jerseys”which indicates he was indeed a contributorbefore that time.

Once across Raccoon Creek, having trav-eled 19 miles, we see the clearly markedSwedish Church with two steeples. Thisbuilding was replaced in 1784. As noted earli-er, the Moravian missionary Brycelius had heldservices in that place as well as others, beforeJanuary 1744. Both the church and tavern,(probably the Half Way Tavern) would havebeen unmistakable landmarks to any traveler onthe road.

A bit south and west towards the riverfrom Raccoon, or Swedesboro, are marked thehomes of William Guest and William Wallis(aka Wallace): Both men appear in theMoravian church records. William andChristiana Guest’s son Isaac was baptized byBrycelius in 1743.

Back on King’s Highway, before crossingOldmans Creek, at the boundary line betweenGloucester and Salem Counties, it is what wedon’t see that has special significance. The erec-tion of a log meeting house for the Moravian’suse was reported in 1747. It should have beenmarked, had it existed at the time this map wasmade.

Alexander Miller’s Tavern, aka AlexanderMueller: His applications for tavern licenses inPilesgrove Township, Salem County are dated1742 through 1747 and filed at the SalemCounty Court House. In a document datedAugust 31, 1749, he was listed among thetwenty-nine original members of the Moraviancongregation at Oldmans Creek. Although notlisted by Charles Boyer in Old Inns and Tavernsin West Jersey, he was clearly located at the spotthat later was established as the Seven StarsTavern in Pilesgrove, across the street from thelater brick tavern house built in 1762.

From this point forward, there are manyoptions open to the traveler. Heading straightsouth, the highway would take you to Salem.A road just a bit south and to the left of Miller’splace, led to what is now Woodstown. Here themap maker included the Quaker meetinghouse, either because it was a good landmarkor perhaps it was the one kindly offered for theuse of the Moravians until they could build oneof their own. Note the small path to the right,between the Quakers and the two-story houseof Jeremiah Wood. A small structure, suggest-ing a plank bridge, is further evidence we arelooking at what is now known as MarltonRoad, which drops off quickly to low ground inthat vicinity. Wood’s house remains today at 45Lotus Avenue, and is considered to be the old-est house in Woodstown.

Looking again to the east or above KingsHighway, the map lists several more souls in thePilesgrove District. Thomas Greaves, akaGraves, appears in Quaker records. The mapplaces him near what we now call Eldridge’sHill, along what could be seen as an early rep-resentation of Point Airy Road. His name onthis map might mean he was sympathetic to theMoravian cause, or else had other ties of fami-ly, although he is not found in the Moravianrecords.

The road to Morris’s (aka Maurice) Rivershows a turn by the Mill:Dutch. What or whothat refers to has not been found in any refer-ence at hand, although Dutch Mill Road existstoday east of Pilesgrove, in Franklin Township,Gloucester County.

Next are shown the names of Hopman(aka Hoffman) and what appears to readMount Skeens but represents Mons orMounce Keen. Brycelius is said to havepreached his first sermon on the 23rd ofJanuary 1743, in the house of Joran Kyn atMaurice River. The baptism of CatherineHoffman, daughter of Peter and MaryHoffman of Morris’s River, was recorded byMr. Brycelius in the Moravian book on the20th of February 1744.

Looking further south, the road toGreenwich is marked half-way with a largebuilding, represented as the Glass House.Caspar Wistar had established his plant in1738, out in the woods near Alloway. His glass-blowers were German-speaking, importeddirectly from Europe, and some were Catholic,as evidenced by records of Old St. Joseph’s


continued on page12


New Jersey Lower Delaware

Circa 1742Courtesy of the Moravian Archives

Bethlehem, PA

Swedish Colonial News 11


Valerie N. CaulfieldHISTORIC SITES from page 9

Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia,though many were not. The Friesburg GermanLutheran Church was established nearby in1748, but its absence also suggests the map wasmade before its erection.

Still in Pilesgrove, and staying east of KingsHighway, but southward, several more namesare given. Ehren Hill’s, Joseph Chamles andSharps: Justice. The New Jersey Calendar ofWills records that Hill died in 1750, his willproved 1751. Any further connection isunknown at this time. The name Chamblesappears only sparingly in Salem Friends recordsalthough record of the baptism of Isaac, theson of William, deceased, and the widowRegina Chambles, was recorded in 1786 by theMoravian Frederick Boehler. The boy wasbound to “our Brother Andrew Van Nemanand his wife, Catherine, our Sister” suggestingthere were family ties to members of the con-gregation. The local Justice of the Peace,Sharp in this instance, would logically be nearwhat we now know as Sharptown. There is apicture of the Isaac Sharp house built circa1710 in Joseph Sickler’s book, The Old Housesof Salem County.

Continuing nearly down to Salem, there isanother Tavern dubbed Ob. Lights, whichcan only be Obadiah Lloyd. By now the read-er should be aware that names and theirspellings were often recorded as heard by theear of the listener. This name is found early andoften in Salem County records, as well as thoseof the Moravian Church. He was named achurch steward, along with George Avis andWilliam Guest, in 1755. Tavern licenses in thisname are found in the Salem County Clerk’soffice between 1727 and 1731, 1739 to 1746and again in 1750.

Returning to Sharp’s place, follow alongthe path from his door, roughly west by north-west, which terminates at the two- story houseof Gracebery. This line follows the approxi-mate southern boundary of PilesgroveTownship, at least close enough for our pur-poses. To one side, the “glebe” farm owned byboth Swedish churches is located by the formerpastor’s name, Tranbery (aka Tranberg).Further down said path, Old Holstein (orHolston) and William v. Nimon (Von Iman orVanneman) are listed. The names of these fam-ilies are seen in records of both the Swedish andMoravian churches, which is true for many ofthe others listed. Our best estimate wouldlocate these in the neighborhood known as

Course’s Landing in later years, near the junc-tion of Mannington, Pilesgrove and PennsneckTownships, about where Auburn-PointersRoad intersects Route 40 today.

Pennsneck: Starting back at AlexanderMiller’s Tavern, several roads branch west, backtowards the river and on down into Pennsneck.The line between Pilesgrove and Pennsneck,which was based on the original survey of10,000 acres purchased by Thomas Pyle fromFenwick, isn’t shown, but can be approximatedfrom information at hand. Follow OldmansCreek towards the river from Miller’s, to theplace marked for an unknown Storekeeper.Today this is known as Auburn. Dr. RobertHarper wrote in his History of Auburn thatBenjamin Bispham kept a shop there from asearly as 1730. It was advertised for sale in1746, but not sold until 1748 to Thomas Duel.The dividing line between the two townships,although slightly east of the village, might beimagined as roughly corresponding to the righthand path of the three fainter lines shownheading south from the storekeeper’s place.

Continuing west via either of the two pos-sible routes shown, toward where Pedricktownis now, the home of Edward Lawrenceappears. He was married to ElizabethVanneman in 1742, again suggesting ties to theMoravian church through his wife, althoughhis name is not found in that book. Dr. Peter S.Craig has suggested that the map had to be cre-ated after this date, for Lawrence to appear as ahouseholder.

The higher concentration of names inPenns Neck, compared to Woolwich where theMoravians eventually built their church, mightcome as a surprise. Although it may only be areflection of the higher concentration of peoplein the original settlements along the river,another possibility is brought forth in Sickler’sHistory of Salem County. Sickler relates thatafter the Swedish pastor Tranberg removed toWilmington, Mr. Olof Malander served thecongregations in New Jersey for about a year,but because financial support was lacking, hefelt forced temporarily to seek employmentelsewhere; that he found in the print shop ofBenjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. While there,Malander joined with the Moravians, and soSickler attributes Malander’s influence in PennsNeck becoming a “hotbed of Moravianism.”According to Sickler, the arrival of the Swedishpastor Sandin in 1748 resulted in the return ofmany to the Swedish Lutheran congregation.



The locations of both Samuel Lynch (orLinch) and Andrew Hollstein would be con-sidered to be in Pennsneck. Jarret (Garret)von Nemen’s address is a bit tougher to call,since his location is approximately between thehomes of William Vanneman and Graceberry.Also spelled Graisberry, possibly he was theWilliam styled a ship’s carpenter. Notice theunique style of his house. In 1748, Ann, thedaughter of William and Mary Gracebury ofPenns Neck was born June 28th and baptizedJuly 23rd following by Mr. John Wade.Graceberry’s location, close to the midwaypoint on “the neck,” suggests he was in or nearto present-day Carney’s Point. However, judg-ing by his neighbors on the Pennsneck road,William Dalboe and William v. Nimen, theyappear a bit closer to the neighborhood knownonce as Churchtown, suggesting their proxim-ity to Deepwater. Despite the mile markers,relative distances by occupants are likely onlyapproximate. Further study would be neededto pinpoint exact locations.

Notice the footpath leading to the churchlanding, where a ferry was available to cross theriver. Next to that, Crafford’s Tavern wasconvenient for travelers. Archibald Crawfordheld the earliest record Boyer could find for atavern in what is now Pennsville. Applicationby Crawford was filed in June 1746, so perhapsthis is the earliest year possible for the map.Crawford died two years later, but was suc-ceeded by his widow Catherine until 1754.The Church then is the original St. George’sSwedish church, just shy of 33 miles from thestart of the journey.

James Barclay, storekeeper: probablyapproximately where Main Street, Pennsville isnow. His name does not appear in theMoravian Church book. However he is amongthose signing from Pennsneck, agreeable thatMr. John Sandin, newly arrived from Sweden,should become their pastor along withRaccoon, on April 28, 1748.

Beyond the 40 mile marker, lives MO.SKier (or Skier or Shire?). This person’s identi-ty is not clear from consulting the churchbooks but could possibly denote Martin Shiereor Skier seen in the 1754 Swedish Church cen-sus as a churchwarden for the LowerPennsneck ward or rota.

Rob. Conoway (Robert Conoway): Heappears on the 1745 census of UpperPennsneck (the original is at Salem CountyHistorical Society). Next to him on either side,

Ebenezer Dunn and Jonas Stallcop were listedon that document. The comparison of that listto this map would surely help many morenames be placed in location. Conoway residedin the area around Finn’s Point, and the end ofthe road.

In order to visit any of the people now onthe eastern side of the neck, either we find ourown way, or a boat might be needed. Ren: vanHeist: Justice: The Book of Common Pleasand Minutes at Salem County Courthouserecords his appointment as a Justice on August19, 1749 and again in June 1741. Lambsen’sis likely the landmark brick house built byMathias Lambson in 1741 but later kept as atavern, the application not made by the builderuntil 1753.

Continuing along this branch of SalemCreek, Jacob V. Nimen is located 38 milesfrom Philadelphia, and Fillpots’s another 4miles downstream from there. Elizabeth,daughter of Nicholas Philpot, was baptized in1745, according to the Moravian record. Bothhe and Charles Cornelius (who signs asCharles Corneliusson) appear on the invitationto Pastor Johan Sandin in 1748, as seen in theSwedish church records.

Despite not knowing who made it, or evenexactly when, the map remains a treasure, athing of beauty in its own right. Following itscourses, we couldn’t help but learn some sur-prising things about our collective past. Thereis no doubt more could still be learned.

Notes:

1. Based on internal evidence, Dr. Peter S. Craig suggeststhe map was drawn in 1742, the year that theMoravians arrived in the area. They would have neededa map to promote their religion in New Jersey. Thatwas the year that Edward Lawrence was married (on 9February 1742) and the year in which Peter Tranberg(shown on the map as Tranbery) moved to Wilmington,where he became pastor of Holy Trinity Church on 1August 1742.

2. Further research by David C. Munn suggests that themap symbol at Gloucester was, indeed, the CourtHouse with belfry, built in 1720. See “Gloucester TownLandmarks on the Moravian Map” in Bulletin of theGloucester County Historical Society (Volume 31,Number 1, September 2007) at page 31-6.


Johan NikulaOBSERVATIONS

Johan Nikula is director ofacademic affairs at ÅboAkademi University inTurku, Finland. Formerlyhe was for a substantialtime teacher in history atthe same university. Hewrites sporadically articleson different historical sub-jects and also book reviewsin the journal FinskTidskrift.

Pehr Kalm (1716–1779) is well known forhis trip to North America during the years1748 – 1751. He published his journal fromthe trip, Travels into North America. It wastranslated into several languages and read bymany. He was sent to America by the SwedishRoyal Academy of Science on the suggestion ofthe famous scientist Carl von Linné. His taskwas to gather economically useful plants,describe nature and people and in such a wayincrease knowledge of that part of the world.

Kalm’s life before the trip to Americaseems to be just a training period for the trip.He started his academic studies in Åbo in 1735and soon attended the lectures of the profes-sors in physics. His teachers were the first onesin Åbo to follow the British-German ideas ofutilitarianism-that nature should be studied inorder to make it serve mankind better.

Through his teachers he became acquaint-ed with the judge at the Royal court of appealin Åbo, baron Sten Carl Bielke, who also was afriend and neighbor of Carl von Linné inUppsala. Bielke, who himself experimentedwith growing different useful kinds of grass,sent Kalm on research trips to eastern Finlandand western Sweden to learn how to describenature and people scientifically. Bielke andKalm went together on a longer trip to Russiaand Ukraine with the same purpose.

In 1740 Bielke arranged for Kalm to moveto his estate outside Uppsala and Kalm wasthus able to listen to Linné’s teaching andmake his acquaintance. When the Academy ofScience in 1745 decided, on Bielke’s andLinné’s suggestion, to send a person on a sci-entific expedition to North America, Kalm wasalready the natural choice. In order to makehim presentable in a bigger world Bielkearranged a fellowship for him at Åbo Academyand Linné succeeded in making him a full pro-fessor in economics at the same university. Thisgranted Kalm the means he needed for thelong trip abroad.

Returning to Sweden in the spring of 1751he stayed for a while in Uppsala, but inSeptember 1751 he and his wife Anna

Margaretha Sjöman (1722–1787) moved toÅbo. Kalm had met his wife in North Americaand he also brought with him his diary andseeds of 126 different kinds of plants. He wasallowed to concentrate on publishing his diaryduring the first two years in Åbo and started hislectures in the autumn of 1753. He planted theseeds in his own courtyard in Åbo until he wasgiven Sipsalo, the Academy’s plantation out-side Åbo, where some of his plants still are saidto grow.

The first years of work at Sipsalo werehard. The grounds had to be prepared from thebeginning to make it suitable for growing thenew plants. Skilled labor was not to be foundso Kalm had to do all the nursing of the plantshimself. The climate during the first 3 years wasvery cold and rainy and there was no money forbuilding a greenhouse. Almost all the trees hadsurvived, as well as the plants that were expect-ed to be most useful. Only the West Indianplants had died.

The Chancellor of the Academy had prom-ised the Academy that they would get part ofthe Bishop’s grounds close to the cathedral inÅbo. In 1756 the Academy asked for thegrounds immediately because the Americanwalnut trees which had been planted on privategrounds would soon be too big to be moved.Next year the request was granted and Kalmcould move the trees to the new botanical gar-den. He made a plan for the garden based onthe model of the academic gardens in Uppsalaand Lund, which was accepted by theChancellor.

Kalm was given 10 persons to tend to thegarden and immediately planted trees on thenorth side of the garden to protect it from thecold northern winds. Walls and terraces wereerected on the river bank, making it look like afortress and this part was crowned by an oaktree which today is the only remainder ofKalm’s botanical garden. A house was built togive Kalm a place to live and some rooms forpractical use during gardening. In the housethe American bark canoe that King AdolphFredrik tried out in 1752 was also preserved.The garden and the plantation were also in useby another professor, whose task was to try outplants for economic use, while Kalm concen-trated on the best ways of growing the plantsand on organizing a collection for teaching theLinnaean botanical system.

Pehr Kalm – his years in Åbo


OBSERVATIONSJohan Nikula

In Kalm’s reports to the Chancellor on theprogression of his work during the 1760s hewrites that chestnut and mulberry trees,rhubarb, madder, weld, woad and Canadiangoldenrod were growing well. In the long runonly two kinds of plants were successfully trans-ferred by Kalm to Finland: the Virginian creep-er, which still decorates his former home, andthe cockspur hawthorn, which is not in use as agrowing fence for animals but as a marker ofborders between private gardens. He had alsofinally been given means to build a greenhousein the botanical garden.

Kalm had some setbacks in his work at theplantation and in the botanical garden but suc-ceeded in overcoming them. What made himgradually lose interest was that the political cli-mate changed in Sweden. The new govern-ment was no longer interested in furtheringdomestic economy to produce all goods withinthe country, but instead tried to promote freeexchange of goods between countries. A conse-quence of this was that the Academy in Åbowas informed that it would not receive any gov-ernmental support after 1772. Sipsalo was tobe sold to the peasant who cultivated the fieldsaccording to his newly gained right. In bothcases the Academy was successful in delaying oravoiding the losses, but Kalm soon lost interestin tending the plantations and had some healthproblems too.

As a scientist Kalm was not very active inpublishing. His main work is still his Americandiary and some other publications based onspecial questions in the diary. Under his super-vision as many as 146 dissertations were pub-lished and defended, of which two-thirds werein Swedish, the rest in Latin. Kalm wrote sever-al of them himself as was the custom of thetime. Many of the dissertations were descrip-tions of certain cities or regions in Finland, butto take a few examples, they also discussed thepossibilities of better forestry, founding ofherbal gardens, domestic substitutes for coffee,animal diseases and what use could be made ofweeds.

Kalm was the professor at Åbo Academywho had the most students attending his lec-tures. This has been explained in more or lessevil ways. He lectured on economics inSwedish, which was a lot easier to understandthan theology and Latin. His teaching was verypractical and intended to make the future cler-gymen of the country, which most of his stu-dents were, interested and skilled in gardening.

He was also inspector of the OstrobothnianNation, the largest student union at theAcademy, and every member was expected tolisten to his inspector’s lectures. One has toremember, though, that economics was thenew science of the time, and it can be shownthat the students revered Kalm as a goodteacher and person on many occasions.

Kalm’s colleagues mocked him as a diligentgardener, which could be seen by his handswhich were always dirty. He had, according tothem, very little knowledge and had destroyedacademic education by lecturing in Swedishand bringing jars with cranberry jam to the ros-trum. His garden was full of weeds and atSipsalo only cabbage was growing. But theyalso acknowledged that he was the one whogave most fame to the Academy and was a manof honor, justice and energy.

Mostly for economic reasons Kalm choseto be ordained pastor in Pikis in 1757 afterstudying Finnish for a year. Six years later hemoved to the more prosperous parish of St.Mary’s right outside Åbo. His Finnish did notimprove much and he refused to perform cer-tain ceremonies that needed better skills. Hewas not very religious either, but he fullyenjoyed the garden of the rectory where hecould do exactly what he wanted without con-sidering educational needs. The rectory of St.Mary’s was to become his last home where heand his wife spent many years together andwhere their son Pehr Gabriel spent his youth.Pehr Kalm is buried in the graveyard at St.Mary’s.

Although Kalm’s contemporaries had verydifferent opinions of him, it seems that almosteveryone considered his work outstanding. In1764 he was offered a position as professor atthe Imperial Academy of Science in St.Petersburg and by the king’s command in 1768was conferred with an honorary doctorate atLund. Salomon Kreander, one of his pupils,succeeded him as professor in economics inÅbo and as pastor of St. Mary’s. Another pupil,Anders Chydenius, was one of the early liberaleconomists in Europe. Kalm was an outstand-ing representative of the time of utility, its naïveoptimism, its never tiring diligence and indus-try and its well-meant patriotic eagerness. Thelast aspect became the foundation for the newnational romanticism among his successors.


Cutting the ribbon to open theexhibit Experience New Sweden,the New Sweden Centre's dis-play at the Kalmar NyckelShipyard, Wilmington, DE, onJune 16, 2007 are (l to r) AleasaJ. Hogate, Marianne E.Mackenzie, Embassy of SwedenPress Counselor Anders J.Ericson, Delaware State SenatorHarris McDowell and HerbertConners. Not shown is HerbertR. Rambo.

Forefather Member Kirsten Seagers wins Gold Medals in Lake Placid IceDance Championships, August 2007, and Philadelphia Area Challenge Cup inIce Dance, September 2007.

Kirsten is a Forefather descendant of Sven Gunnarsson through her mother,Shelly. She is also a member of the Children of the American Revolution trac-ing her patriot ancestor to Jonas Maine of the Connecticut Militia. Kirsten hasbeen skating since she was three and competing since she was five. She is now14. About five years ago she decided she wanted to try ice dancing. She pairedwith a young man, Nicholas Taylor, who skates at the same ice rink inWilmington, DE. Depending on the day, Kirsten will practice skating fromfour to seven hours a day, six days a week. In 2002 Kirsten traveled to Swedenwith a tour and met a number of her relatives.

Organizers and presenters at the theSeventh Annual New Sweden HistoryConference: Carl Linnaeus, Pehr Kalm &the Early American Scientific Communityin Swedesboro, NJ, on October 13, 2007,include (front l to r) Kim-Eric Williamsand Edith A. Rohrman, (rear l to r)Richard L. Waldron, Peter O. Wacker,Tracy Beck, Lorraine E. Williams, KarenM. Reeds, Paula Ivaska Robbins and JoelT. Fry in the sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal(Old Swedes’) Church. Not shown isRobert E. Savage.

PHOTO: V

. EUGENE M

cCOY

PHOTO: M

ICHELLE W

OJD

YLA

PHOTO: C

ARRIE H

OGAN

EVENTS


Hans Ling (l), Uppsala Linnaeus TercentenaryCoordinator Mariette Manktelow and Herbert R. Rambo(r) prepare for the Rambo apple tree planting at Funbo-Lövsta, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences’

estate near Uppsala, on May 21, 2007.

Doriney Seagers (l) presents Volumes 1 & 2 of the Colonial Records of the Swedish Churches inPennsylvania to United States Ambassador to Sweden Michael Wood during the Linnaeus Tercentenarynear Uppsala, Sweden, while Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Rector Lisa Sennerby Forsse(c) and Mrs. Wood (r) look on.

Hans Odöö, in costume asSwedish naturalist Carolus

Linnaeus, addresses those attend-ing the Annual Forefathers’ DayLuncheon on March 25, 2007,

at the Longwood GardensBallroom, Kennett Square, PA.

(Inset l to r) Luncheon Co-Chairs Sandra S. Pfaff and

Frances O. Allmond.

PHOTO: A

LFR

ED PFA

FF PHOTOGRAPH

YPH

OTO: JAMES D. SEAGERS, II

EVENTS


LIFE MEMBER ____________________________________________________________________________________________Stephen Robeson Miller, Cambridge, MA

Monica Gustafson, Göteborg, Sweden, descended fromGovernor Johan Printz through his daughter, ArmegardPrintz, and her son, Bernt Papegoja.

William James Hill, Mohrsville, PA, descended from PeterGunnarsson Rambo through his son, Gunnar Rambo, and hisson, Peter Rambo, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

William R. Johnson, Plymouth, MN, descended fromJürgen “Schneeweiss” Keen through his son, Hans Keen, andhis son, Eric Keen, of Oxford Township, Philadelphia County,Pennsylvania.

Robert T. Kellner, Harrisville, PA, descended from PeterGunnarsson Rambo through his son, Gunnar Rambo, and hisson, John Rambo, of Upper Merion Township, MontgomeryCounty, PA.

John R. Daggan, Staten Island, NY, descended from NilsMattson through his son, Anthony Nilsson, and his son,Abraham Nelson, of Salem County, New Jersey.

Myra Vanderpool Gormley, University Place, WA, descend-ed from Peter Gunnarsson Rambo through his daughter,Gertrude Rambo, who married Anders Bengtsson and theirson, Andrew Bankston, Jr., of Byberry Township,Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Glen Allen Swartz, Alexandria, VA, descended from NilsLarsson Frände through his son, Johannes Nilsson Friend,and his son, Nicholas Friend, of Garrett County, Maryland.

Rachel Smith Sykes, Starkville, MS, descended from AndersBengtsson through his son, Andrew Bankson, Jr., and his son,Lawrence Bankston, of Orange County, North Carolina.

Joan M. Young, Somerdale, NJ, descended from JonasNilsson through his daughter, Christina, who married NiclasLindemeyer and their son, Christopher Lindemeyer, of UpperPenns Neck, Salem County, New Jersey.

NEW FOREFATHER MEMBERS ___________________________________________________________________________Active members of the Swedish Colonial Society may apply for recognition as “Forefather Members” if they can prove descentfrom Swedish colonists arriving in the United States prior to the Treaty of Paris marking the close of the Revolutionary War, in1783. Application forms may be obtained from the SCS website www.ColonialSwedes.org or from Dr. Peter S. Craig, 3406Macomb Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Doriney SeagersNEW MEMBERS

The Swedish Colonial Society welcomes new members. No Swedish relative or ancestry is required - only an interest incolonial history. Contact our Registrar: Doriney Seagers, 371 Devon Way, West Chester, PA 19380 or visit us online at:<www.ColonialSwedes.org>. The annual membership fee for an individual is $30. An annual family membership, whichincludes two adults and minor children, is $35. Lifetime membership is available for $400.

New Members Welcomed

Dr. Linda M. Bilderback-Clawson and James Clawson, Afton, OK

Monica and Julia Gustafson, Göteborg, SwedenRobert T. and Wilma G. Kellner, Harrisville, PA

Amy Emily Shelton, Fred J. Mason and Katherine M. Beck, University Place, WA

Timothy and Cheryl Smith, Fishers, INLillian M. Solar and Family, Bally, PA

FAMILY MEMBERS _______________________________________________________________________________________

Lou Ann Burford, Arnold, PAValerie N. Caulfield, Auburn, NJJohn R. Daggan, Staten Island, NYMyra Vanderpool Gormley, University Place, WAWilliam James Hill, Mohrsvile, PAWilliam J. Johnson, Plymouth, MNGlen A. Likins, Homosassa, FLTimothy W. Lockley, New Castle, PA

Rev. Thomas F. Pike, New York City, NYDeanna Sanner, Sierra Vista, AZRuth Stierna, Haymarket, VAGlen Allen Swartz, Alexandria, VARachel Smith Sykes, Starkville, MSPatricia Ann Thompson, Adamstown, MDJoan M. Young, Somerdale, NJ

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS _________________________________________________________________________________


OBITUARY

Bo EhrnerA good friend of the Swedish Colonial Society, Mr. Ehrner, 93, passed away in July at his

manor, Gunillaberg, in Bottnaryd Parish, Småland, west of Jönköping.Mr. Ehrner, a prominent businessman, had been CEO and Board President of Swedish Match

and had served on the boards of several banks and corporations at home and abroad, includingHusqvarna. His interests were varied: wild-game hunting; sailing his 63' wooden yawl, theAllumette [meaning, in English, Match]; golfing; and enjoying wine--and history.

In honor of the 350th anniversary of New Sweden in 1988, the Ehrners gave a grand party in17th Century style for 1500 guests, including the King and Queen. Every year on June 6, Sweden'sNational Day, Bo Ehrner would attend High Mass in Bottnaryd Church dressed as GovernorPrintz. In 2004 a Swedish Colonial Society delegation presented the Ehrners with a brick from theexcavation of Printzhof, Printz's estate on Tinicum Island.

The Royal Government deeded Gunillaberg to Governor Johan Printz in 1657 after his returnfrom New Sweden. Printz had grown up in Bottnaryd, where his father had been the senior pas-tor.

The manor house has cellar vaults dating to the 16th Century. It was considerably expandedby the Lilliecreutz family in the 18th Century. But when the Ehrners bought Gunillaberg, it hadbeen deserted for some time and still lacked modern conveniences. It took them some years torestore the place carefully to its former glory.

Gunillaberg is now for sale. It was Mr. Ehrner's wish that it be sold only to people interestedin history.

Jim Dallett Francis James Dallett died on July 16, 2007, at the age of 79. Born September 3, 1927, in

Bryn Mawr, PA, “Jim” was a graduate of Haverford College and the University of Pennsylvania,earning his B.A. and M.A. in 1950 and 1955, respectively. He served in the U.S. Army and at theState Department. From 1955 to 1962, he was secretary and librarian of the Athenaeum ofPhiladelphia; from 1962 to 1969, he was assistant director of the American Museum at Bath, inGreat Britain; from 1969 to 1971, he was university archivist at Princeton University; and was uni-versity archivist at the University of Pennsylvania from 1971 until his retirement in 1984. Anaccomplished genealogist, Dallett was a fellow of both the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvaniaand the American Society of Genealogists.

At Penn he led the University in its celebration of the American Bicentennial (1976); publisheda Guide to the Archives of the University of Pennsylvania from 1740 to 1820 (1978); andresearched and curated a major exhibition titled The Centenary of Black Presence at the Universityof Pennsylvania (1980).

After retiring, Mr. Dallett and his wife, Charlotte Houston Dallett, a Forefather Member of theSwedish Colonial Society, moved to Taconic, CT, but every year, health permitting, attended theNew Sweden History Conference.

In addition to his wife of 51 years, he is survived by two sons and two daughters: Matthew,Richard, Athenaide Hinman, and Estelina; grandchildren, Meg, Lydia, Louisa, Lucia, Charlotte,and George; and a brother, Joseph Dallett.

In Memoriam

Swedish Colonial NewsThe Swedish Colonial Society916 South Swanson StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19147-4332www.ColonialSwedes.org

Return Service Requested

Publisher:Ronald HendricksonCataleno & Company

Newsletter Committee:Sally BridwellDr. Peter S. CraigKenneth S. PetersonEllen RyeDoriney SeagersKim-Eric Williams

Patrons,Officers &Councillors

High PatronHis Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf

King of Sweden

Deputy High PatronHer Royal Highness

Crown Princess Victoria

PatronHis Excellency Jonas Hafström

Ambassador of Sweden

Deputy PatronHis Excellency Ulf HjertonssonConsul General of Sweden

Associate PatronHon. Agneta Hägglund Bailey

Consul of Sweden

Honorary GovernorsRonald A. Hendrickson, Esq.

Herbert R. RamboWilliam B. Neal

John C. Cameron, Esq.Wallace F. Richter

Dr. Erik G.M. Törnqvist

CouncillorsFrances O. Allmond

The Rev. David B. AndersonBritt M. ApellEmily Peg BerichMarie B. BoisvertJulie Jensen BryanDeAnn ClancyMax DooleyTina FragosoDennis JohnsonLaVonne JohnsonChristina W. Lassen

Hans LingMarianne E. MackenzieMary W. McCoyAlfred J. NicolosiSandra S. Pfaff

Edith A. RohrmanEllen T. Rye

James D. Seagers, IIEarl E. SeppäläSylvia Seppälä

Katarina K. SheronasSusan B. SpackmanRichard L. Waldron

GovernorThe Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams

Senior Deputy GovernorDavid Emmi

Junior Deputy Governor Secretary - Treasurer Margaret Sooy Bridwell

RegistrarA. Doriney Seagers

Recording Secretary Aleasa J. Hogate

ChaplainThe Very Rev. D. Joy Segal

Counselor Agneta Hägglund Bailey, Esq.

Color Guard CaptainKenneth S. Peterson

HistorianDr. Peter S. Craig, F.A.S.G.

Deputy Governor - EmeritaMrs. George C. McFarland

PRESORTED FIRST CLASSU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLAFAYETTE HILL, PA

PERMIT NO. 14

swedish colonial news · 2014. 12. 17. · 2 forefathers johan fisk ob servati n pehr kalm events...

Documents