Swedish Colonial Newscolonialswedes.net/images/Publications/SCNewsSpring09.pdf · Jacob & Catharina...

2 FOREFATHERSJacob & CatharinaVan der Veer EVENTSLanding DayFOREFATHERS

List of CurrentForefather Members10 HISTORIC ARTIFACTSHistoric Swedish Flag

Volume 3, Number 10 Spring 2009

Preserving the legacy of the New Sweden Colony in America

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Swedish Colonial News

New Jersey State Museum First Stop for Centennial Exhibit

In this Issue...

continued on page 8

Max Dooley

It was a cold day January 24, 2009, with snowon the ground, when the Swedish ColonialSociety’s premier Centennial Exhibit, Colony toCommunity: The Story of New Sweden opened atthe New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, the firstof three stops on its tour. The idea for a travelingexhibit was conceived at one of the early meetingsof the Society’s Centennial Planning Committee,Herb Rambo Chairman. Now it is a reality.

In The Magazine: Antiques (February 2009)Megan Holloway Fort wrote: “…the exhibitexplores the origins and history of the colony inthe seventeenth century, and traces the continuedinfluence of the Swedish-American presence in thearea into the twenty-firstcentury.” She furthercommented: “The objectsin the exhibition—whichinclude useful items suchas blankets, chests andcheese containers, as wellas paintings and prints—show the ways in whichSwedish culture influenced the material culture ofthe region.”

Pictured above is a portion of one of the eight interpretive panels arranged throughout the exhibit. Eachpanel highlights a particular period of New Sweden history. The panel shown is titled “New Sweden Begins”and tells of the Lenni Lanape meeting the Swedes/Finns as they landed from the Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip.

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2 Swedish Colonial News

FOREFATHERS

Among the passengers on the Golden Sharkwhen it left Göteborg on 15 April 1654 was ayoung woman named Catharina who expected,like the other passengers, to go to the NewSweden colony. The ship had been scheduled toleave with Governor Risingh and the Eagle, butits departure was delayed by repairs. The shipnever did arrive in New Sweden. Instead, itlanded near Staten Island on 12 September1654 and was confiscated by GovernorStuyvesant three days later. Catharina thereforefound herself alone in Manhattan.

She was soon befriended by a Dutch cor-poral, Jacob Van der Veer. After giving birth toa child by him, she was banished to the SouthRiver in 1657, probably because of adultery.Van der Veer deserted his Dutch family and fol-lowed her. Now a sergeant, he served underWillem Beeckman at the old Swedish fort atChristina (now Wilmington). In 1660, JacobVan der Veer sought permission to return tothe fatherland in the spring, but Stuyvesantpersuaded him to stay. Jacob bought a tavern inNew Amstel, but after the English conqueredthe Dutch in 1664 and renamed the Dutchtown New Castle, Jacob was banished from thetown for his insolence toward the court. Hesold the tavern in 1665 and purchased over100 acres of land north of the Christina Riverfrom a former Dutch soldier, Walraven Jansende Vos. who then occupied the former land ofGovernor Johan Risingh at “Timber Island.”

Jacob Van der Veer was granted a patentfor this new land by Governor Francis Lovelaceof New York on 25 March 1669 and laterexpanded it to 535 acres through an addition-al grant from the New Castle court in 1677,which was confirmed by a new survey underWilliam Penn on 29 January 1684/5.

Jacob and Catharina made their home onthe island (renamed Jacob Van der Veer’sIsland) on the north side of the BrandywineRiver – an area later known as BrandywineVillage. Disputes with the Stedham family, who

claimed part of this land, were finally resolvedin favor of the Van der Veers by arbitration on12 May 1688. A week later Jacob was grantedthe right to build a grist mill, using the waterof the Brandywine.

Until his later years, Jacob Van der Veerwas in frequent trouble with the New Castlecourt. The justices wrote in 1679 that he had“always been a troublesome, mutinous personand one of a turbulent spirit, from the begin-ning, always contending with and opposingauthority, for which various and other his mis-demeanors he formerly was banished from thistown and his wife from New York.” In 1675,he was accused as being the “ringleader” in therefusal of the Swedes and Finns to improve thedike of Justice Hans Block. He and his two eld-est sons were fined 20 guilders apiece for theirrefusal to work on the dike. In 1679 he wasfined 200 guilders for fraud, having sold a bagof feathers to which he added a stone to falsifythe weight. He was constantly in debt and atone time, in 1686, his goods were seized andhe and his family were turned out of theirhouse for non-payment of debts.

The will of Jacob Van der Veer, dated 15April 1698, was proved on 31 March 1699. Itrequired that Catharina be allowed to stay onthe land which was divided among three of hissons – William, Cornelius and John – providedthat each of them pay £10 to his son Jacob, Jr.,who had settled across the Delaware River inSalem County. In addition, the three sonsshould pay “every one of their sisters” (notnamed) £10 apiece. His “creatures” were alsoto be divided equally among all of his children.

On 24 June 1699, the widow Catharina Vander Veer “on the island” was assigned a pew atthe new Holy Trinity Church. She also gave £1to the church. A year later, she and her familyprosecuted a case before William Penn and thePennsylvania Provincial Council, complaining ofencroachment by their neighbor CorneliusEmpson. Catharina Vandever died at the homeof her son Jacob in Penn’s Neck in February1720. She was the mother of four sons and anunknown number of daughters. Four sons andtwo daughter have been positively identified:

1. William Vandever was born in 1656 inManhattan and died 8 October 1718 on Vander Veer’s Island. He had no children. He mar-ried Alice Smith [English], daughter of FrancisSmith of Kennet Township, Chester County,Pa. The will of William Vandever, innkeeper, of

Jacob & CatharinaVan der Veer

and their Vandever Descendants

Dr. Peter S. Craig

continued on page 4

Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, whoresides in Washington, DC, isa Fellow of both the AmericanSociety of Genealogists andthe Genealogical Society ofPennsylvania. He is theHistorian of the SwedishColonial Society and aForefather Member. One ofhis ancestors was PeterJochimsson, who arrived onthe Fama in 1643 and estab-lished the Yocum family inAmerica. He is also descend-ed from Olof Stille, SvenGunnarsson and Jonas Nilsson.

Spring 2009

Dear Friends of New Sweden:

Final plans are moving into high gear for the four-day Swedish ColonialSociety’s Centennial Weekend in Philadelphia, October 22-25.

An important aspect of the celebration is the concurrent biennial “Conference onSwedish America” of the Swedish Council of America and a meeting of theirnational board of directors.

The schedule has been arranged to allow members of the Swedish ColonialSociety and their friends to participate in the events of the Swedish Council ofAmerica as time permits. Activities and tours of historic Philadelphia are beingplanned for each day.

Following the ninth annual New Sweden History Conference, Friday, October 23rd,there will be an evening ‘kick-off’ dinner. A tour of New Sweden historic sites isscheduled for Saturday and Sunday’s events begin with the 10 a.m. Eucharist atGloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, followed by the Gala Luncheon at the UnionLeague. The day’s concluding event will be the Jubilee Symphony by thePhiladelphia Chamber Orchestra in the Perelman Theater of the Kimmel Center.

Deputy Senior Governor Margaret “Sally” Bridwell is the Centennial Registrarand members and friends can contact her at [email protected] or 610-644-7654. You can reach me at [email protected] or 856-768-5325.

On June 6, 2009, in Pennsville, N.J., our partner organization, The NewSweden Centre, is hosting an informative program on the early colonial periodthrough the William Penn era. Following the program, there will be a shortobservance at the New Sweden Heritage Monument for the 5th anniversary ofthe dedication of the monument. For information please contact Aleasa Hogateat [email protected] or 856-678-5511.

On June 7, 2009, please join us for the Sunday afternoon Grand Opening of ourtraveling Centennial Exhibit, Colony to Community: The Story of New Sweden, atthe American Swedish Historical Museum, Philadelphia, Pa.

The Society owes a great debt of gratitude to Honorary Governor Kim-EricWilliams for his very successful four-year tenure as our leader. It has been a veryactive administration and we made significant gains in the success of our pro-grams, especially in the area of publications. The Archives of the Swedish ColonySociety have never been in better condition thanks to Kim-Eric’s hard work. Thearchives are steadily expanding in our climate-controlled space at the LutheranTheological Seminary’s Brossman Center Archives. Thank you Kim-Eric!

Best Wishes,

Herbert R. RamboGovernor

High Patron

His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf

King of Sweden

Deputy High Patron

Her Royal Highness

Crown Princess Victoria

Patron

His Excellency

Jonas Hafström

Ambassador of Sweden

Deputy Patron

His Excellency

Ulf Hjertonsson

Consul General of Sweden

Associate Patron

Hon. Agneta Hägglund Bailey

Consul of Sweden

Governor

Herbert R. Rambo

Senior Deputy Governor

Margaret Sooy Bridwell

Junior Deputy Governor

Kenneth S. Peterson

Treasurer

The Rev. David B. Anderson

Financial Secretary

Emily Peg Berich

Registrar

A. Doriney Seagers

371 Devon Way

West Chester, PA 19380

610.918.0943

Recording Secretary

Aleasa J. Hogate

Corresponding Secretary

Frances O. Allmond

Chaplain

The Very Rev. D. Joy Segal

Marshal

Kenneth S. Peterson

Historian

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

Visit us on the internet at:

www.ColonialSwedes.org

Please contact us at:

[email protected]

GOVERNOR’S LETTER

3Swedish Colonial News

Swedish Colonial Society916 South Swanson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147

FOREFATHERS from page 2


Brandywine Ferry, proved 13 October 1718,bequeathed £5 to the Swedes’ church and leftall of the remainder of his estate to his wifeAlice. She then married Samuel Kirk on 8January 1720. In her will of 12 March 1731/2,she devised to her husband Samuel Kirk the ferryand adjoining lands for life, after which they wereto go to Jacob Vandever, Jr., son of Cornelius.The tombstone of Alice Kirk states that she died13 March 1732 at the age of 63 years.

2. Cornelius Vandever was born about1658. His wife Margareta, whom he marriedby 1681, was probably the daughter of OlofFransson of the Bought [Verdrietige Hook].When old Olof Fransson conveyed 50 acres ofhis land to his grandson, Cornelius Vandeversigned a bond on 20 July 1687 to give his per-sonal security to the transaction.

The will of Cornelius Vandever, dated 18December 1712 and proved 18 February1712/13, bequeathed his dwelling plantationto his wife Margareta, but if she remarried itwas to be rented out for the children's benefituntil the youngest was 21. His son John was toreceive the tract on the Brandywine betweenSpring Run and William Vandever. His twoyoungest sons, William and Henry, were toreceive the dwelling plantation after the deathor remarriage of Margareta. All movables wereto be divided among all of the children. Hiswidow Margareta did marry again, 19 April1720, to the widower William Lerchenzeiler ofSt. Georges Hundred, New Castle County. Shewas still living in February 1727 when she wasone of the sponsors at the baptism of one of hermany grandchildren. The children, all named inthe will of Cornelius, were:

> Jacob Corneliusson Vandever (c.1682-1739) married Maria Stedham, daughter ofAdam Stedham. He lived on the Brandywineand, by the will of his aunt, Alice Kirk, inheritedthe Vandever property at the Brandywine Ferryin the vicinity of present Market Street. The willof Jacob Vandever of Brandywine Hundred,yeoman, dated 19 October 1739 and proved 8December 1739, provided for his wife Mariaduring her widowhood, gave to his two eldestsurviving sons John and Cornelius 5 shillingsapiece, and to Jonathan Stilley and his wifeMagdalena 5 shillings. He gave to his son Tobiasthe ferry and half the land belonging thereto andthe “upper” [westerly] half of the land to his sonPeter. One third of his movables went to hiswife; the other two-thirds were to be equallydivided among Tobias, Peter, and his daughters

Catharina and Elisabeth. Elisabeth subse-quently married John Welsh in 1745. Jacob'swidow survived him by many years. She wasstill listed in the 1764 church census.

> Philip Vandever (1684-1750) had fourwives. The first one, Elisabeth, was buried 5February 1728. He then married, on 13 May1729, Brita Stille, who died 1 November 1730.In 1731 he married Christina, who died by1744 when he married Beata Hoffman, daugh-ter of Andrew and Maria Hoffman and widowof John Vanneman. The will of Philip Vandeverof Brandywine Hundred, dated 1 March1747/48 and proved 15 August 1750, provid-ed his 4th wife Beata with one-third of the per-sonalty and one-third of the income from hisreal estate for life. All of his real property wasdevised to his sons John and Peter equally,except for six acres of marsh which went to hisson-in-law Joseph Jackson, husband ofMagdalena, for life. He also was survived byfive other daughters: Maria (the second wife ofTimothy Lulofsson Stedham), Elisabeth (mar-ried to Peter Schmidt), Susanna, Rachel andRebecca. After his death, his widow Beata mar-ried Edward Graham.

> John Corneliusson Vandever (c.1689-c.1718) was married on 14 January 1714 toMaria Stalcop, daughter of Peter and CatharinaStalcop. On 29 June 1714, they sailed toSweden with Pastor Ericus Björk, who hadmarried Maria's elder sister, Christina. Johndied in Sweden, after which his widow marriedHans Georgen Schmidt. They returned toDelaware in 1720. Maria Stalcop VandeverSchmidt died 19 November 1750 at the age of53. Her only child by her first marriage wasCatharine Vandever, born in Sweden in 1715,who married Simon Johnson in Cecil County,Maryland, 4 November 1738.

> Elisabeth Vandever (1695-1738) mar-ried Timothy Lulofsson Stedham 7 June 1715and bore five children before her death on 5March 1738.

> Margareta Vandever (c.1699-1733+)married John Wilder, 30 April 1719. They hadsix children baptized at Holy Trinity, 1720-1729,of whom three died in their infancy. Margaretaappeared as a baptismal sponsor up to 1733.

> Catharine Vandever (c.1701-1735)married Hendrick Stedham, 10 November1719 and bore ten children before her deathon 21 October 1735.

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FOREFATHERS

1687/8 Resurvey Map of Jacob Van der Veer’s Island Plantation

Resurvey of Jacob Van der Veer’s 535-acre plantation madeon 2 March 1687/8. The “land formerly belonging to UrinAnderson” was land formerly occupied by Anders Jöransson,deceased, a name unknown to the surveyor, who instead insertedan English spelling of the name of Anders’ son Jöran Andersson.“The land in dispute between Jacob & ye Temons” was land pur-chased from Walraven Jansen de Vos that was also claimed by the

sons of Timen Stiddem. By an arbitration decision of 12 May1688 it was confirmed to Jacob Van der Veer. The strip labeled“land taken from H. Peterson” was land claimed by HansPeterson, but which Jacob Van der Veer successfully defendedunder his older 1669 patent. Shown is Jacob Van der Veer’shouse on the island, which had formerly been called TimberIsland when owned by Governor Johan Risingh in 1654-1655.

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> William Vandever (c.1703-1739) ofBrandywine Hundred acquired, for a nominal£3, one-half of his uncle Jacob Vandever Jr.'sshare of the Vandever plantation on theBrandywine on 4 November 1726. A year later,on 7 December 1727, he married MargaretaColesberg, daughter of Sven Colesberg andElisabeth Anderson. William Vandever died inBrandywine Hundred on 12 October 1739,survived by two children who reached adult-hood: Elisabeth, who married John Taylor ofRed Lion Hundred, and Sven, who conveyedall of his father’s property to John andElisabeth Welsh.

> Henry Corneliusson Vandever, bornc.1705, and his wife Margaret deeded the landhe inherited from his father to John andElisabeth Welsh on 14 March 1749/50. Henryapparently had one son, also named HenryVandever, born c. 1734, who was living on theBrandywine with his wife Sarah at the time ofthe 1764 census with “small children” whowere not further identified.

3. John Vandever, born by 1665, wasmarried and had one child by 1693 when threepersons were listed in his household in theCrane Hook church census. He died intestatebefore 1713 when Judith Vandever, describedas the daughter of the late John Vandever, wasa sponsor at the baptism of Zacharias andHelena Derrickson's child. Subsequent deedsconveying his former land to Philip Vandeveridentify four married daughters. His knownchildren were:

> Jacob Johnsson Vandever (c 1691-c1724) was married to Jane, widow and admin-istratrix of John Gill of Baltimore County,Maryland, by November 1718. He died therewithout issue before 1725, when his sistersbegan to sell their father’s land in BrandywineHundred. Jane Vandever, his widow, died in1730 in Baltimore County.

> Judith Vandever, born c. 1693, marriedJonas Stalcop of New Castle County, 5 January1716. They had three children (John, Annikaand Carl) before her death in June 1721.

> Catharine Vandever, born c. 1695,married John Scoggin of Penn’s Neck, 22January 1717. They had five children (John,Jonas, Maria, Jacob and Elisabeth) before herhusband’s death in 1729. Not further traced.

> Maria Vandever, born c. 1697, marriedHenry Vanneman of Penn’s Neck, 21 October1724. She had children John and Elisabethborn in 1725 and 1728. No further record.

> Anna Vandever, born c. 1699, marriedSamuel Fowdrie of New Castle County, 8December 1724. They had a daughter Susannaborn in 1726. Not further traced.

4. Jacob Vandever was born by 1668. Hemoved to Boughttown in Upper Penn’s Neck,Salem County, New Jersey, c. 1692 when hemarried Catharine, the widow of AndrewBartlesson. She was buried 1 December 1716.He next married Catharine, the widow ofStephen Tussey, on 12 December 1717. Thewill of Jacob Vandever of Penn’s Neck wasdated 15 August 1726 and proved 7 December1726. His widow Catharine died before 23January 1727/8 when the inventory of herestate was filed. Jacob’s surviving children were:

> Judith Vandever (c. 1693-after 1732),married c. 1710 Michael Homan of GloucesterCounty, New Jersey. They had six sons: Jacob,Peter, Gustaf, Johannes, Olof and AbrahamHoman.

> Magdalena Vandever (c. 1695-1748),married c. 1712 William Vanneman of PilesGrove, Salem County. They had twelve chil-dren, six of whom grew to adulthood: Jacob,John, William, Elisabeth, Rebecca and AndrewVanneman.

> Jacob Vandever (c. 1696-1729) wasmarried on 2 November 1720 to Margaret,daughter of Peter and Catharine Månsson.They resided in Upper Penn’s Neck until theirdeaths during a smallpox epidemic in 1729.The inventory of Jacob Vandever was filed 5May 1729, that of his widow on 17 October1729. They had three children who grew toadulthood: Henry (c. 1721-1761) who mar-ried by 1742 and left one surviving daughter;Jacob (c.1725-c.1757), who married MariaConnoway 13 July 1748; and MargaretVandever (c. 1728 - ?), who married WilliamSmith of Penn’s Neck on 4 August 1763.

> Henry Jacobsson Vandever was born 13January 1725. On 29 October 1747 he marriedSarah Barber. They lived in Upper Penn’s Neck,Salem County, on land inherited from his father.Henry died there shortly after making his will,dated 22 February. 1748/9, which directedthat his estate be sold to support his only child,Jacob. His widow Sarah sold the land as direct-ed and then married Henry Peterson, 10January 1751. No further record has beenfound relating to his son Jacob.

5. Helena Vandever married ZachariasDerrickson, son of Olle Derrickson, c. 1701.Over the next sixteen years she had nine children,


FOREFATHERS from page 4


all of whom grew to adulthood and married. Shedied about 1734. Her husband remarried anddied in 1748. Their children:

> Jacob Derrickson (1702-1728) marriedAnnika Justis 9 June 1728. No children.

> William Derrickson (1704-1766) mar-ried Maria Peterson in 1735 and had eight children.

> Helena Derrickson (1706-after 1776)married Jonas Stedham in 1727. They hadnine children.

> Kerstin Derrickson (1708-1738) mar-ried Peter Anderson in 1728. She died inOctober 1738 as the result of childbirth afterbearing six children.

> Elisabeth Derrickson (1709-after1737) married John Smith in 1727. He diedone year later.

> Catharine Derrickson (1711-after1764) married 1st Robert Robinson by 1730,2nd John Loinam in 1745. She had six chil-dren by her first marriage and three children byher second marriage.

> Zacharias Derrickson (1713-1776)married Sarah (surname unknown) in 1735and had eleven children.

> Peter Derrickson (1715-1753) marriedMargaret Stille in 1740 and had five children.

> Cornelius Derrickson (1717-1787)married Mary Vanneman in 1756 and hadfour children.

6. Another daughter, name unknown,married Johannes Casperson of Upper Penn’sNeck about 1695. He was described asGerman in 1714 when he gave land on whichthe Swedish church was to be built. His will of14 November 1733 was proved the followingJanuary, naming seven children:

> John Casperson, born c. 1694, marriedMaria Baner 1 October 1719. She was thedaughter of Isaac Baner, a native Swede, whohad died in Penn’s Neck in 1713. Isaac Baner’sfamily in Sweden arranged for Maria and her twounmarried brothers to return to Sweden in1727.

> Susanna Casperson, born c. 1697, mar-ried David Straughan in 1717.

> Tobias Casperson, born c. 1699 mar-ried Brita Mink in 1724 and, after her death,Judith Corneliuson by 1726. He died inPenn’s Neck in 1734.

> Catharine Casperson, born c. 1705,married Thomas Nixon in 1725 and, after hisdeath, became the second wife of Peter Enloes.

> Maria Casperson became the wife of —Boerd by 1733.

> Anthony Casperson, baptized in 1713,married Elizabeth Redstreak in 1739.

> Rebecca Casperson, baptized in 1717,was unmarried when her father wrote his will.

Volume 4 of the Colonial Records of theSwedish Churches in Pennsylvania is now available.The subtitle of this volume is “From Lidman toNäsman 1719-1750.”

The book is a translation of various docu-ments during this period starting with a letterfrom Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden to theAmerican congregations in 1719. It ends withPer Kalm’s summary of Gloria Dei burials from1720 to 1750.

This period was a difficult one. A clergymanwould be here for a short time and then therewould be a period of vacancy. The attendance waslow. There is a definitive answer for the question,“Where did the baptismal font come from?”

Translation of these early records of theSwedish churches is a significant part of Gloria

Dei’s tercentennial project. The history of theearly congregation also provides a parallel glimpseof the history of the United States.

Swedish Colonial Society members shouldsend a check or money order for $20 plus $5 forshipping on each volume or $90 plus $5 shippingfor all four volumes. All others: Please send$25 plus $5 shipping for each volume.Make check or money order payable to“Gloria Dei.”

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

P) 215-389-1513 • F) 215-389-7817

Volume 4 of the Colonial Churches in Pennsylvania is Now Available


Several Swedish Colonial Society membershave traveled to Trenton to view the exhibit,and the comments have been most laudatory.One of the museum’s uniformed guards wasoverheard to say: “This exhibit is the nicest andmost interesting exhibit we have had in themuseum for a long time.” Another Societymember said it in three words, “We loved it!”And a third has described it as a “must see!”

Carrie Hogan, Curator at the AmericanSwedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia, iscredited with organizing the exhibit. In an e-mail to the Society members, Carrie wrote:“On a personal note, creating Colony toCommunity: The Story of New Sweden has beena richly rewarding curatorial experience for meand I am grateful for the opportunity toresearch and present this wonderfully complexand multifaceted history.” Of particular interestare the eight interpretive panels arrangedthroughout the exhibit hall, each with its toplogo that simulates stained glass. They are strik-ing and most informative. Karen Flinn of theNew Jersey State Museum worked closely withCarrie to create the environment that has madethis exhibit outstanding. Carrie Hogan alsonoted that even those who have been involved

with colonial Swedish her-itage for long periods oftime “will benefit seeingso many artifacts, art-work, archival materials,and commemorativeephemera in one place.”Regarding New Sweden“stuff,” Ron Hendricksoncommented, “I thought I’dseen everything. But your content kept me say-ing ‘look at this!’ time and time again.”

Society Forefather member Aleasa J Hogatenoted items on display that she had never seenbefore, and had to ask, “What is a mangleboard?”

As this newsletter goes to press, the timefor Colony to Community: The Story of NewSweden is drawing to a close at the New JerseyState Museum on May 17. But, it will be openagain from June 7 until November 22 at theAmerican Swedish Historical Museum inPhiladelphia. The third, and final opportunityto see the exhibit will be December 17, 2009, atthe Delaware History Museum in Wilmington,Del., where the exhibit will be on displaythrough March 20, 2010.

Max DooleyEXHIBIT from page 1

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Max Dooley considers himselfSwedish by “adoption,” havingbeen a long time parishionerof Trinity Episcopal Parish,which includes Holy Trinity(Old Swedes) Church. Uponretirement, he developed aninterest in Swedish colonialhistory. He is past presidentof the Old SwedesFoundation and continues as a board member. In additionto duties as Swedish ColonialNews editor, he is a memberof the Delaware SwedishColonial Society andCouncillor on the SwedishColonial Society’s board.

Visitors to the exhibit have uniformly expressed their surprise at thevariety of the items displayed—the interpretive panels, maps, paint-ings, recovered artifacts from archeological excavations and carefullypreserved tools used during the New Sweden era. Pictured at left isthe mysterious “mangle board.”

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Editor’s Note: As in Part I, the following is taken fromPeter Kalm’s Travels in North America, which includes his 16 March 1749 interview with 91--year-old Nils Justison,who had been born in America in 1658 of Swedish parents.

Tea, coffee, and chocolate, which are at present(1749) universally in use here, were then wholly unknown.Bread and butter, and other substantial food, were whatthey breakfasted upon; and the above-mentioned super-fluities have only been lately introduced, according to theaccount of the old Swede. Sugar and molasses they had inabundance, so far back as he could remember. Rum couldformerly be had for a more moderate price than at present.

With the coming of the English, however, the old cus-toms changed. When this Swede was a boy, there weretwo Swedish smiths here [Matthias Matthiasson de Vosand Jöns Andersson], who made hatchets, knives, andscythes, exactly like the Swedish ones, and made themsharper than they can be gotten now. The hatchets now inuse are often the English style, with a broad edge, andtheir handles are very narrow. They had no jackknives.Almost all the Swedes had bathhouses [saunas] and theycommonly bathed every Saturday, but now these bath-houses are done away with. They celebrated Christmaswith several sorts of games, and with various special dishes,as is usual in Sweden; all of which is now, for the greatestpart, given up.

“In the younger years of this Swede," Kalm contin-ued, “they made a strange kind of cart here. They sawedoff round cross sections of thick sweetgum logs, and usedtwo of them for the front wheels and two more for theback wheels. With these carts they brought home theirwood. Their sledges were at that time made almost as theyare now, being about twice as broad as the true Swedishones. Timber and great beams of wood were carried uponthe dray. They baked great loaves, as they do now. Theynever had any hard, crackerhole-bread or knäckebröd,though the clergymen who came from Sweden commonlyhad some baked.”

After the English arrived, said old Nils, they boughtlarge tracts of land of the Swedes for almost nothing. Thefather of the old Swede sold an estate to the English,which at this time would be worth 300 pounds, for whichhe got a cow, a sow, and a hundred pumpkins.

In general, the old man lamented that conditions werenot as good as they once were. When he was a youth,

game birds were plentiful. He once killed 23 ducks at ashot. Kalm noted “this good luck nobody is likely to haveat present, as you are forced to ramble about for a wholeday, without getting a sight of more than three or four.Cranes at that time came hither by hundreds in the spring;at present there are very few. The wild turkeys, and thebirds which the Swedes in this country call partridges andhazelhens, were seen in large flocks in the woods. But atthis time a person gets tired with walking before he canstart a single bird.”

On the other hand, “though the eatable birds havebeen diminished greatly, yet there are others which haverather increased than decreased in number since the arrivalof the Europeans. This can most properly be said of aspecies of daws, which the English call blackbirds and theSwedes ‘corn thieves.’ And with them the several varietiesof squirrels, among the quadrupeds, have increased also:for these and the former live chiefly upon corn, or prefer itto anything else. As the population increases, the cultiva-tion of corn increases, and of course the food of theabove-mentioned animals is more plentiful.”

Old Nils also lamented the decline in the bear popula-tion. In his youth, the bears had been very frequent here-abouts. They had seldom attacked the cattle and whenevera bear was killed, its flesh was prepared like pork, and thatit had a very good taste.

Cows are also not as fat as they once were. In hisyounger years food for all kinds of cattle was so plentifuland abundant that the cattle were extremely fat. A cow atthat time gave more milk than three or four do at present;but she got more and better food at that time than threeor four get now; and, as the old man said, the scantyallowance of grass which the cattle now get in summer isreally very pitiful.

Long after Kalm returned to Finland, then a part ofSweden, old Nils Gustafson probably continued to recall hisyounger years on Raccoon Creek, years that predated the for-mation of Gloucester County. He was 96 years old when hiswill was signed (under the name of Nicholas Justeson) on 12May 1754. He was likely over 100 when he died, as his willwas not probated until 1 March 1759. The will was signedwith his mark (“N”). It left his “Indian rights” (claims thathe nourished under his father’s 1676 deed from the Indians)to his sons Gustaf and Nicholas equally and his 100-acreplantation “that I now live on” to his son Gustaf.

HISTORYDr. Peter S. Craig

A 1749 Interview of the Oldest Swede on theDelaware – Nils Justison of Raccoon CreekPart 1I – continued from Swedish Colonial News Fall ’08

For the past 132 years a Swedish flag hasbeen standing in a corner of Christ Church,Upper Merion, Pennsylvania. It was a gift to thecongregation from Swedish royalty and has aninteresting history.

When the United States celebrated its100th birthday in 1876, Sweden and Norwaywere represented by HRH Prince Oscar, Dukeof Gotland. Prince Oscar was born in 1859, the

second son of KingOscar II andQueen Sofia. In1879 he becameunder-lieutenant inthe Swedish andNorwegian navyand ended his navalcareer as vice-admi-ral in 1903. Afterleaving the servicehe traveled aroundthe world, workingmainly with theRed Cross and reli-gious organiza-tions.

After his mar-riage to EbbaMunck in 1888,Prince Oscar losthis right as an heirto the Swedishthrone but wasgiven the non-hereditary titlePrince Oscar CarlAugust of theBernadotte family.The hereditarytitle, Count ofWisborg, was given

by his uncle, the GrandDuke of Luxembourg in1892. Count Bernadotte diedin Stockholm in 1953.

While he was here Prince Oscarwanted to come to a service in a churchthat the Swedish pioneers had founded.He chose the “Matsunk” settlement, one ofthe two areas up on the Schuylkill that WilliamPenn had given certain Swedes in exchange fortheir land on his future site of Philadelphia. OnJuly 2nd 1876 the prince and his entourage of75 arrived by train at Christ Church, UpperMerion, and were received by church vestry-men, William H., and George W. Holstein,William Rambo, Charles Morris and NathanHughes. The guests were escorted about thechurchyard and into the church for an historicservice and sermon by the rector, The ReverendOctavius Perinchief. Following the service theguests were served lunch at the nearby home ofWilliam Rambo.

During conversation it was disclosed thatthere had been a misunderstanding of the dateof the prince and his entourage’s arrival. Thevestry had expected them the second Sunday inJuly but instead they arrived the second day ofJuly. The visitors all insisted politely that theynoticed no lack of preparation. In fact some ofthe party had such a good time they missedtheir scheduled train back to Philadelphia.

Recalling the occasion, George WashingtonHolstein wrote: “It was a grand sight. The offi-cers of the army and navy were a splendid look-ing set of men, all clad in uniforms of their rank.The young prince with several companions wasplaced in a front pew, where he was the magnetof observation. He was about 17 years old, andpossessed an open, manly countenance and afree unassuming manner. The news spreadthroughout the community, and the church


HISTORIC ARTIFACTS Kenneth S. Peterson

Historic Swedish Flag is Restored

The historic Union Flag of Sweden and Norway (before restoration) hung in Christ Church besidePaula Himmelsbach Belano’s stained glass windows. The hand-stitched seams are noticeably coming apart.

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becamethrongedto its utmostcapacity. Thebearing of the visi-tors was very reveren-tial, all joining earnestly in the service.Afterwards, at Mr. Rambo’s home the youngcadets were especially interested in the indul-gence of copious draughts of pure, fresh milk,supplied from neighboring dairies. A younglady member congratulated the prince upon hishealthful physical appearance, saying, ‘Howdelightful it must be to be a prince, with noth-ing to do.’ He replied with emphasis, ‘Plenty todo. Oh, plenty to do!’ Count Lewenhauptexpressed the heartfelt thanks of himself and thevisitors for the very cordial reception and kindattentions shown them.”

At the request of Prince Oscar the membersof Christ Church were invited to visit his shipNorrköping of the Royal Navy of Sweden andNorway, which was lying at anchor in theDelaware River at Philadelphia. They acceptedand were escorted throughout the ship by the

Swedish Colonial News 11

HISTORIC ARTIFACTS

Kenneth S. Peterson resides in Ocean County, N.J., and isemployed at Navy Lakehurst.He is Junior Deputy Governorand Marshal of the SwedishColonial Society. One of hisancestors was Måns PeterssonStake, who arrived on the Örn in 1654.

The 132-year-old flag was a gift from Sweden’s Prince Oscar(occasionally called Prince Oscar’s flag) before restoration.Notice the hand-stitched pattern of the intact thread.

The flag after cleaning andrestoration is displayed forinspection at Philadelphia Textile& Object Conservation.

HISTORIC ARTIFACTS from page 11


prince on Wednesday, July 5th. He presentedthe church members with a gift of the ship’s flag.

This flag is different from today’s Swedishflag as we know it. Incorporated onto the yel-low cross and blue background in the upper leftcorner is the mark of the union of Norway andSweden. This mark features a cross combiningthe colors of both nations and is known as theUnion flag. It has a much darker blue back-ground, which was the standard shade usedfrom 1844 to 1905. Norway, previously con-trolled by Denmark, was taken into a unionwith Sweden by treaty in 1814 as compensationfor the loss of Finland to the Russians. Thedesign of this Swedish flag was current up until1905, when Sweden gave Norway its independ-ence. Hans Ling, Swedish Colonial Societymember from Uppsala, wrote, “Looking uponthe flag one understands why it was called sill-sallat - herring salad [by the Norwegians]. Thatis a dish with the same mix of colors.”

It is no surprise that after 132 years this his-toric flag showed serious signs of deterioration.The Swedish Colonial Society and others realizedthat it was time to preserve this cultural treas-ure. The Society joined with the W.S. HancockSociety, and thanks to the skills of Nancy K. Loveof Philadelphia Textile and Object Conservation,

the flag has undergone restoration. The job wascompleted February 2009.

The flag measures 52 x 92 inches (132 x234 cm.). It is made of linen and is both handand machine stitched. The process of restora-tion included hand-stitching the open seams,gentle vacuuming, wet-cleaning, grommetremoval, hole patching, and border strip rein-forcement.

Inside Christ Church is a beautiful red gran-ite baptismal font, which also has a connectionto the 1876 royal visit. When Christ Church cel-ebrated its 125th anniversary in 1885, C. JulinDannfelt, consul general of Norway and Swedenwrote: “The font was a gift of some of theSwedish officials who had visited Christ Churchin 1876, as a token of their honest affection. Iordered the font from the renowned stoneworks at Västervik, from where most of the pol-ished granite for the palaces in Berlin is bought.”Around the bowl in gilt letters is the inscription:“Sweden’s Blessings to Sweden’s Children.”

(Parts of this article were taken from AliceEastwick’s book, History of Christ Church (OldSwedes), Upper Merion. Councillor and Fellowof The Swedish Colonial Society, Mr. HansLing, of Uppsala, Sweden, contributed to thisarticle.)

Conservator Nancy K. Love of Philadelphia Textile & Object Conservation preparesto fold and box the restored historic flag for delivery to its home in Christ Church.

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First of the series of anniversary events honoring thelanding of the Swedes/Finns was the 9:30 a.m. memorialEucharist at Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church. The Rev.Patricia Downing noted in her sermon that Lent is thetime in the church year when we are to “die” to self to be“reborn” on Easter morning. She noted that thoseSwedish/Finnish colonists who landed here in 1638 expe-rienced a kind of “death” to their former ways of living,leaving home and friends to be “reborn” in a new coun-try where everything was new, different and a struggle fordaily existence.

Following the coffee social in the Christina CommunityCenter, a good-sized crowd made its way to the FortChristina Park, where a Landing Day memorial wreath waslaid at the base of the Milles black granite monument. The

Delaware Swedish Colonial Society hosted the event, during which proclamationswere read and presented by Delaware Governor Jack Markell,Wilmington Mayor James Baker, and representatives from theNew Castle County Council. In his remarks, GovernorMarkell recalled an early history lesson when he visited OldSwedes Church and burial grounds as a fourth grader.

The concluding event of the day was the elegantForefathers’ Luncheon and annual meetings of TheSwedish Colonial Society and the Delaware SwedishColonial Society at the Hershey’s Mill Golf Club inWest Chester, Pa. Swedish Ambassador JonasHafström delivered the keynote address, stressing thecontinued good relationship between Sweden and the U. S., the possibilities afforded by the use of the newHouse of Sweden, as the Swedish Embassy in Washington is known, and the importance of sharing experiences for the coming Green Revolution.


continued on page 14

EVENTSMax Dooley

There was a slow drizzle of rain and a light fog on themorning of Sunday, March 29. One wonders if those werethe conditions that greeted the small group of Swedes andFinns that landed at “the rocks” from the Kalmar Nyckel371 years ago.

Landing DayColonialForefathers’ DayLuncheon

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Donna Draper and sonMilton Draper III presentcommunion elements for theEucharistic service at HolyTrinity (Old Swedes).

13

Delaware Governor Jack Markellrecalls, with pride, his fourth gradehistory lesson at Old Swedes.

PHOTO: EUGENE McCOY


EVENTS from page 13

Outgoing Governor Kim-Eric Williams presented Kenneth S. Peterson with amedallion and certificate designating him a Fellow of the Swedish Colonial Society. Ken’sactivities and accomplishments are too numerous to list, but suffice it to say his contribu-tions are invaluable to any of the many Swedish organizations of which he is a member,especially The Swedish Colonial Society.

Newly installed SCS Governor Herb Rambo presented Robin Brown, a reporterwith Wilmington’s News Journal, a certificate of honorary membership in both TheSwedish Colonial Society and the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society. During her career,Robin has been especially diligent reporting the stories and history of New Sweden andthe activities of the various Swedish heritage groups in the Delaware Valley.

The successful celebrations of a full day were due to the efforts of many people, begin-ning with the morning Eucharist at Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church celebrated by TheRev. Patricia Downing, the memorial wreath-laying ceremony at Fort Christina Parkplanned and conducted by members of the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society and the three co-chairs Marianne Mackenzie, Mary McCoy, Doriney Seagers and their entire committeefor planning the Colonial Forefathers’ Luncheon. Thank you for all the memories of the day.

Wilmington News Journal reporter Robin Brown is granted honorarymemberships in both colonial societies by incoming Swedish ColonialSociety Governor Herb Rambo.

Kenneth S. Peterson is named a Fellow of the Swedish Colonial Society by outgoingGovernor Kim-Eric Williams.

Left to right Swedish Colonial Society outgoingGovernor Kim-Eric Williams, Governor Herb Ramboand Delaware Swedish Colonial Society PresidentCanon Kenneth Gunn-Walberg

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Luncheon co-chairs Marianne Mackenzie, Doriney Seagers and Mary McCoy.Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström broughtgreetings from the new House of Sweden.

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FOREFATHERS

Jöns AndersonHans Gustav Ling, Uppsala, Sweden

Måns Andersson (Mounce)Jerry L. Brimberry, Lilburn, GACindy Creighton, Amarillo, TXSarah Carter Smith Gohery, Colorado

City, TXCheryl McMillan, Burbank, CAChristina W. Lassen, Greenville, DEBarbara Parsons, Oakdale, CANina J. Strahm, Terre Haute, IN

Nils Andersson (Lykins)Keith Arbtin, Mountlake, WAMaria F. Barr, Peachtree City, GAElizabeth S. Farwell, La Canada, CAJohn J. Foley, III, St. Augustine, FLJohn Kent Kane, II, Yorktown, VAPeter Bayard Kane, Cazenovia, NYAndrew R. Likins,

Colorado Springs, COFrances Snyder Ramirez, Tampa, FLDavid Reese, Hazard, KYBonnie Ray Reeves, DeBary, FLAudrey Ligget Snyder, Tampa, FLJoan Ligget Snyder, Tampa, FLBenjamin Patterson Wheat,

Arlington, VAJ. Marc Wheat, Arlington, VALaura Elizabeth Wheat, Arlington, VA

Peter Andersson (Longacre)Howard Raymond Longacre,

Ephrata, PARaymond H. Longacre, Ephrata, PABickley Ashens Rivera, Land o’ Lakes, FL

Anders Bengtsson (Bankson)Gail S. Bunch, Monroe, LAMartha Bankson Lyle, Pace, FLJill M. D’Andrea, Olney, MDKatie L. Pryor, Laurel, MSDavid E. Milam, Toney, ALPeggy Carney Troxel, Hillsborough, NCMartha Bankston Shershin, Laurel, MSRachael Smith Sykes, Starkville, MSBarbara Wescott, Moreno Valley, CA

Anders Svensson Bonde (Boon)Susan M. W. Leerstang,

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Lars Thomasson Bjur (Boore)Elizabeth B. Beers, Baltimore, MDElizabeth M. Cecil, Lafayette Hill, PAJames W. Marvin, Jr., Wyncote, PARobert F. Marvin, Wynnewood, PAWilliam F. Marvin, Philadelphia, PASara M. Terrranova, Lebanon, NJ

Sinnick Broer (Sinnickson)Rebecca Thorne Bowman,

Houston, TXOlga Sinexon Brigham, Wilton, NHCharlotte H. B. Dallett, Taconic, CTMichael Sayre Maiden, Jr.,

Ocean City, NJDonald Johnson Sinex, Huntington

Beach, CAAntoinette W. Sorensen, Tacoma, WAJudith Arlt Walker, Landenberg, PA

Olof Matthiasson Isgrå (Caulk)Zebulon L. Bowman, M.D.,

Houston, TX

Otto Ernest Cock (Cox)Janet Robinson Beerits, Deer Isle, ME

Peter Larsson Cock (Cox)Emily Samson Tepe, Greenville, DEJohn B. Tepe, Greenville, DEJohn B. Tepe, Jr., Greenville, DEVirginia Wilson Thomas, Durham, NC

Anders Larsson DalboSandra D. Asher, Firth, NEDavid Roger Dolbow,

Murfreesboro, TNAleasa Hogate, Pennsville, NJJoseph E. Hogate, Jr., Judson, TX

Anders Jonsson Ekoren (Jones)William L. Hires, Haverford, PA

Garret EnochsLester W. Enochs, Terre Haute, IN

Nils Larsson Frände (Friend)Gary L. Friend, Mount Vernon, WAJames A. Friend, Edison, NJMark A Friend, Arlington, TXRichard Friend, Centreville, VAThomas A. Friend, Edison, NJTrissa Haefling, Chagrin Falls, OHMarjorie Jackson, Warren, OHKevin C. Miller, Beaverton, ORDelores E. Shade, Frederick, MDGlenn Allen Swartz, Alexandria, VAPatricia Ann Thompson,

Adamstown, MD

Marten Gerritsen (Garrett)Stephen H. Garrett, Boothwyn, PA

Johan Grelsson (Archer)R. Michael Borland, Colora, MD

Sven Gunnarsson (Swanson)Dennis J. Cunniff, Cedar Grove, NJIrénée du Pont, Jr., Montchanin, DEEugenia Eberle, Albuquerque, NMJohn W. Eberle, Springfield, ILRobert M. George, Willow Grove, PAAllyson R. E. Lomax, St. Paul, MNAudrey R. Lomax, St. Paul, MNEmily P. Lomax, St. Paul, MNRuth E. McCullough, Williamsburg, VACharles William Middleton, Telford, PAKirsten A. Seagers, West Chester, PAShelly L. Seagers, West Chester, PAW. Andrew Sisson, Somerville, MABarbara Ann Turk, Blanding, UTAnn Walz, Naperville, IL

Johan Gustafsson (Justis)Emily Ann Dobrosavljevic, Flower

Mound, TXJohn Walton Justice, Chattanooga, TNVirginia Ann Moore, Dallas, TX

List of Current Forefather Members [as of May 2009]Under the By-laws of the Swedish Colonial Society, Forefather Members are “active members who can prove descent fromSwedish colonists in the United States prior to the Treaty of Paris, marking the close of the Revolutionary War, in 1783.”

Doriney Seagers

continued on page 16


FOREFATHERS

Janet Justice Papke, Sylva, NCLori Justice Smith, Shoemakersville, PASteve Widtfeldt, Fort Worth, TX

Måns Jänsson HaltonJoyce Stevenson, Mullica Hill, NJ

Anders Hansson (Hanson)Gary L. Ball-Kilbourne, Jamestown, ND

Matts Hansson (Mattson)Lawrence Mattson, Macedon, NYRobert S. Mattson, Vallejo, CAAndrea Mattson Posner,

Washington, DC

Israel Åkesson HelmEldon L. Angelo, Kirkland, WAAnna E. Bauer, Haddonfield, NJMary Tomlinson Bauer,

Haddonfield, NJMarie Bates Boisvert, West Chester, PAFrederick Robeson Miller, Lafayette

Hill, PAStephen Robeson Miller, Cambridge, MAMartha B. Striedich, Phoenixville, PA

Johan HendrickssonRonald Henrickson, Moorestown, NJ

Johan Hendricksson (Bilderback)Marlene Dillinger Melching, Decatur, IN

Matthias Claesson HolsteinBarry R. Holstein, Shelburns Falls, MAHarrison G. Moore, IV, Houston, TX

Hans Hopman (Hoffman)Creston F. Laager, IV, Nassau, NY

Peter Jochimsson (Yocum)Gerald H. Barr, Warminster, PAHelene Yocum Basile, Berwick, PALois Berry, St. George, UTY. Bernita Bundy, Barnesville, OHPeter S. Craig, Washington, DCJoan Paver Gleibs, Plano, TXDavid L. Greth, Reading, PAJune Yocum Greth, Reading, PAJames Jeffrey Hepler, Middletown, DELouana G. Johnson, Duluth, MN

Ellen Ohnmacht, North River, NYDorothy Lee Smith, Surprise, AZDarryl Stroup, Great Mills, MDBeverly Walker, Wyndmoor, PARalph H. Walker, Mansfield, TXKatherine Williams, Seminole, OKFrederick W. Yocum, Jr., Brewer, MEHarold A. Yocum, Edmond, OKHoward C. Yocum, Aston, PAJames Allan Yocum, Blue Bell, PAJames R. Yocum, Tacoma, WA

Anders Jöransson (Anderson)Nicki F. Haas-Kovalcik, Penn, PABarbara T. Harrell, San Antonio, TXKeli A. Kovalcik-Spiegel, Jeannette, PA

Clement Jöransson (Clements)Louise Powell Dobbs, Calhoun, GAReva Dillard Powell, Calhoun, GA

Jürgen Kühn (Keen)Bonnie Hillman, Seattle, WADawn A. Hillman, Los Angeles, CAHeather L. Hillman Mutz,

Laguna Beach, CAKendra Jean Hillman, Brooklyn, NYTatnall Lea Hillman, Aspen, COPaul J. Holsen, Fort Myers, FLRobert C. Jackle, Westminster, MDGeorge M. Jenkins, St. Davids, PAWilliam R. Johnson, Plymouth, MNGordon L. Keen, Bryn Mawr, PAPatricia T. Marshall, Milford, DEDavid R. Ross, Bryn Mawr, PAMargaret Scott, Bala Cynwyd, PASusan Thompson, Ft. Washington, PAWilliam Thompson, Ft. Washington, PADortha Watkin, Marble Falls, TXEleanor K. Williams, Berwyn, PA

Paul Larsson Corvhorn (Paulson)William B. Neal, Claymont, DE

Marcus Laurensen (Huling)Carla V. Chamberlain, Schellsburg, PAVirginia Hulings Hill, Oakmont PA

Lars Carlsson LockMatthew Lee Grannell, Lancaster, PABarbara Locke Powers, Conowingo, MD

Måns Svensson LomLeigh David Abraham, Frostburg, MDKay Jordan Campbell, Lawrenceville, KSJames Edwards Garrett, Jr., Pegram, TNGary Jordan, Täby, SwedenAnne L. Kerr, Marlton, NJSandra Springer Pfaff, Haverford, PA

Nils Mattson (Nelson)John R. Daggan, Staten Island, NY

Hans Månsson (Steelman)Eugene Bocelli, Mt. Laurel, NJGloria R. Hoppe, Big Sandy, TXJoann Klontz, Swedesboro, NJEmma Matthews, Hamilton, NJShirley Ann Schmidt, Bordentown, NJEarl G. Stannard, III, Andulon, NJJames F. Steelman, Ocean City, NJJeffrey B. Steelman, Aston, PARobert B. Steelman, Bridgeton, NJRobert H. Steelman, New York, NYWilliam D. Steelman, Moraga, CARushton D. White, Williamsburg, VAWilliam G. White, Deptford, NJ

Knut Mårtensson (Morton)William R. Stevenson, Vero Beach, FL

Marten Mårtensson (Morton)Charles M. Allmond, III,

Wilmington, DEJane R. Buch, Tampa, FLWalley G. Francis, Syracuse, NYTheodore J. Hazlett, Jr.,

Wilmington, DERichard Morton, West Chester, PAWilliam Ward IV, Toughkenamon, PA

Pal Jonsson Mullica (Poulson)Morgan D. Pope, Hillsboro, ORBarbara Jean Poulson Hines,

Uhrichsville, OHRalph E. Poulson, Jr., Powell, OH

Jonas Nilsson (Jones)Martha Dupecher, McLean, VACarol Harmon, Traverse City, MIDoris S. Hopkins, Dataw Island, SCCarol B. Kehler, Broomall, PAElizabeth A. McFarland, Haverford, PAEsther Ann McFarland, Haverford, PA


FOREFATHERS

George McFarland, Jr., Haverford, PAGeorge McFarland III, Haverford, PAMegan D. McFarland, Haverford, PALarry W. Penwell, Arlington, VAJohn G. Taylor, Jr., Wallingford, PAJoan M. Young, Somerdale, NJ

Samuel Petersson (Peterson)C. Matthew Peterson, Bountiful, UT

Johan PrintzMargaretha Bengtsson,

Kungälv, SwedenJulie Gustafson, Göteborg, SwedenMonica Gustafson, Göteborg, SwedenKerstin L. Nordenham,

Stenungsund, SwedenKarin Nordenham,

Stenungsund, SwedenSophie Nordenham, Stenungsund,

Sweden

Peter Gunnarsson RamboLewis Stetson Allen,

Prides Crossing, MAJohn Michael Baxter,

Newtown Square, PAJudy Baxter, Haverford, PAWilliam Allen Baxter,

Center Strafford, NHAnne Marie Brancati, Wilmington, DEAlexander G. Carson, Newark, DEKarol Flesher Childs, Sierra Vista, AZCarolyn Rambo Cooper, Edison, GALarry R. Cornell, Aurora, OHMarie A. Cornell, Aurora, OHBruce Runyan Engstrom,

North Little Rock, ARCynthia V. Forde, Hempstead, TXMyra Vanderpool Gormley, University

City, WAWilliam James Hill, Mohrville, PASharon Holmberg, Vestal, NYLinda Carol Hooper, Dallas, TXMary Ann B. Horning, Hockessin, DEScott W. Jordan, Albuquerque, NMRobert T. Kellner, Harrisville, PAJane R. Lohmeyer, Coatesville, PAElaRuth McCullough, Nacogdoches, TXMary Beth McDermott,

Wilmington, DEFreda Jo Bankston Porter,

Arlington, TX

Sunshine S. Payne, Ocoee, FLEdwin S. Rambo, Ringgold, GAGlenn Rambo, Wyomissing, PAHerbert R. Rambo, Berlin, NJJohn Gunnar Rambo, Laurel, MDJ. H. T. Rambo, New York, NYKeith D. Rambo, Lady Lake, FLMichael R. Rambo,

Winston-Salem, NCMichael W. Rambo, Overland Park, KSMary Anne Robinson, Fremont, CAJean Carson Roll, Easton, MDMarianne Sandels, Uppsala, SwedenRolf Sandels, Stockholm, SwedenEvelyn Scullawl, Bartlesville, OKAnn Hooper Stacy, Dallas, TXJeffrey S. Waddell, Portsmouth, RIWilliam A. West, Kansas City, MORoy White, Salt Lake City, UT

Rev. Andreas RudmanKatharine A. E. Campbell, Malvern, PA

Johan Thorsson ScogginJohn W. Gareis, Lancaster, PA

Sven SkuteJulie Jensen Bryan, Philadelphia, PAJohn J. Hagan, Lawrenceville, NJEllan Thorson, Annapolis, MD

Charles SpringerAnnabel C. Audet, Sacramento, CAAlice C. Byrnes, Green Bay, WIEileen D. O’Brien, Baltimore, MDE. William Ross, Villanova, PAGary E. Young, Centreville, MD

Måns Petersson Stake (Peterson)Kenneth S. Peterson, Whiting, NJRobert P. Peterson, Mullica Hill, NJ

John Andersson StalcopRichard S. Baskas, Tampa, FLE. Susan Cox, Grundy, VAJoseph J. Pepe, Clayton, NCJanet S. Rontz, Albuquerque, NMCarlisle Skeen, Elkton, MDEdward Smith, Lincolnton, NCJanice M. Snead, Saltville, VALarry S. Stallcup, Virginia Beach, VA

Timen Stiddem (Stidham)Frances O. Allmond, Wilmington, DEMary E. Casseday, Lewes, DEHarold Douglas Ford,

Stone Mountain, GANoria I. Gerig, Colorado Springs, COFlorence Oletta Hodge, Sherman, TXMargaret R. Nesbitt, Mesa, AZDonna Jean Porter, Denver, COLynn Turner Shea, Louisville, KYRichard L. Steadham, San Diego, CAWilliam O. Stidham, Washington, MIWalter D. Stock, Laurel Springs, NJJohn William West, La Plata, MD

Olof Stille (Stilley)Margaret Sooy Bridwell, Berwyn, PARuthellen Davis, Newtown Square, PAJan LeMoyne Hedges, Castle Rock, WAMildred W. Hollander, Ames, IAJames A. Kimble, Holland, OHTimothy W. Lockley, New Castle, PAJill W. Van Horne, Mills River, NCSandra G. Van Amburgh,

West Chester, PAAdelaide Weidknecht, Manahawkin, NJKim-Eric Williams, West Chester, PAMarjorie E. Williams, West Chester, PA

Christina, mother of Elias Johnsson Toy

James W. Toy, Lawton, OK

Walraven Jansen de VosFrank Walraven, Indianapolis, IN

Johan Van Culen (Culin)Christopher Cameron, Malvern, PAJohn C. Cameron, Malvern, PAMeghan Cameron, Malvern, PAHarvey J. von Culin, Blue Bell, PAW. Warren von Uffel, Elliot City, MD

Jacob and Catharina Van der VeerFelicia P. Stidham, Washington, D


Doriney SeagersNEW MEMBERS

Keith Arbin, Mountlake Terrace, WA, descended from NilsAndersson through his son, Peter Nilsson Laican and hisson, Anders Laican, of Berks County, Pennsylvania.

E. Susan Cox, Grundy, VA, descended from JohanAndersson Stalcop through his son, Peter Stalcop, and hisdaughter, Maria, who married Hans Jurgen Smidt of Falun,Sweden and New Castle County, Delaware.

Susan M. W. Leerstang, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, descendedfrom Anders Swensson Bonde, through his son, NicholasBoon, and his daughter, Catherine Boon, who married DavidHugh of Abington, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Sandra Springer Pfaff, Haverford, PA, descended from MånsSvensson Lom, through his daughter, Maria Lom, who mar-ried John Mattsson and their daughter, Anna Mattson, whomarried Stephen Jones of Gloucester County, New Jersey.

David Reese, Hazard, KY, descended from Peter NilssonLaican through his son, Andrew Lykin, and his son, PeterLykins, of Botetourt County, Virginia.

Edward Smith, Lincolnton, NC, descended from JohanAndersson Stalcop through his son, Peter Stalcop, and hisdaughter, Maria, who married Hans Jurgen Smidt of Falun,Sweden and New Castle County, Delaware.

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,in 1783. Application forms may be obtained from the SCS website www.ColonialSwedes.org or from Dr. Peter S. Craig, 3406Macomb Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaMark Hanson is a Minnesota native, descended from Swedish immigrants and a Lutheran evangelist father. Mark is the thirdPresiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has a reputation as a strong advocate for social justice.

The Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop, Episcopal ChurchKatherine Jefferts Schori is the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. In Stockholm for the 50th anniversary ofwomen’s ordination, she acknowledged her Swedish great-grandfather, Carl Gävert of Norrköping, who came to America inthe 1800s,

The Honorable Marilyn Ware, former United States Ambassador to FinlandFollowing a career in industry, Marilyn Ware, a Pennsylvania native, was appointed Ambassador to Finland from 2006-2008.She is one of the founders of Janus School and the successful Lancaster Farmland Trust. Ambassador Ware now lives inStrasburg, Pa.

HONORARY ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Eddie E. and Nancy R. Genga, Hamden, CTCarol A. and Charles H. Likens, Dover, DEKristine Peterson and Steve Schmidt, Havertown, PA

Mark E. Roberts and Family, Philadelphia, PAEdward Smith and Family, Lincolnton, NCTorgny and Ann Margret Wallin, Uppsala, Sweden

FAMILY MEMBERS _______________________________________________________________________________________

Keith Arbtin, Mountlake Terrace, WARoberta Ruth Reno Caito, Indianapolis, INSusan M. W. Cox, Grundy, VAMichael J. Dunn, Asbury, MOJessica Lauren Duke, Las Vegas, NVHoward W. Gant, Warminster, PA

Teddy Hazard, North Versailles, PASusan Leerstang, Fort Lauderdale, FLGeorge R. Likens, Anderson, INLee Ann McNabb, Cincinnati, OHDavid Reese, Hazard, KY

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS _________________________________________________________________________________

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBER ____________________________________________________________________________

FamilySearch Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT


NEW MEMBERS

OBITUARIES

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 GovernorsThe Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric WilliamsRonald A. Hendrickson, Esq.

Herbert R. RamboWilliam B. Neal

John C. Cameron, Esq.Wallace F. Richter

Dr. Erik G.M. Törnqvist

GovernorHerbert R. Rambo

Senior Deputy GovernorMargaret Sooy Bridwell

Junior Deputy GovernorKenneth S. Peterson

Treasurer The Rev. David B. Anderson

Financial SecretaryEmily Peg Berich

RegistrarA. Doriney Seagers

Recording Secretary Aleasa J. Hogate

Corresponding SecretaryFrances O. Allmond

ChaplainThe Very Rev. D. Joy Segal

MarshalKenneth S. Peterson

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

CouncillorsBret M. Apell

Marie B. BoisvertAl CapostostoDeAnn ClancyFred DavidsonMax D. DooleyTina Fragoso

Christina W. LassenHans Ling

Marianne E. MackenzieMary McCoy

Alfred J. NicolosiSandra S. PfaffMark E. RobertsEdith A. RohrmanEllen T. Rye

James D. Seagers, IIEarl E. SeppäläSylvia Seppälä

Katarina K. SheronasSusan B. SpackmanRichard L. WaldronMargaretha Talerman

Rev. Frederick S. WeiserThe Rev. Frederick S. Weiser, a Lifetime Member of the Swedish Colonial Society, died January

26, 2009, at the York, Pa. Hospital. He graduated from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary in 1960and was ordained in the Central Pennsylvania Synod. Fred served as a lecturer at GettysburgCollege and numerous pastoral assignments, including a year in Germany. Rev. Weiser authoredseveral books with topics ranging from theology, genealogy to German folk art. Survivors were hissister, Harriett Russell of South Carolina, and a nephew, Mark. A memorial service was heldFebruary 3rd with a private burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pa.

The Swedish Colonial Society welcomes new members. No Swedish relative orancestry is required – only an interest in colonial 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, which includes two adults and minor children, is$35. Life membership is available for $400.

New Members Welcomed Doriney Seagers resides in West Chester,Pennsylvania, and has received the designationof Fellow of the Swedish Colonial Society. Shehas been serving as Registrar for the SwedishColonial Society. She is presently on the Boardof Governors for the American SwedishHistorical Museum, a member of VASA andother Swedish organizations.

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

Editor:Max [email protected]

Publisher:Cataleno & Company

Newsletter Committee:Margaret S. BridwellDr. Peter S. CraigV. Eugene McCoyKenneth S. PetersonHerbert R. RamboEllen T. RyeA. Doriney SeagersKim-Eric Williams

PRESORTED FIRST CLASSU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLAFAYETTE HILL, PA

PERMIT NO. 14

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Nearly Forgotten Heritage ofSalem County – Symposium June 6th

A symposium, The Nearly Forgotten Heritage of SalemCounty, sponsored by the New Sweden Heritage Forum, willbe held June 6, 2009. The Symposium will explore how thefour cultures—Lenape, Swedish/Finnish, Dutch andEnglish—influenced the development of Salem County in the17th century. Location: Trinity United Methodist Church inPennsville, N.J., starting at 10 a.m.

In conjunction with the symposium, Salem County’shigh school students were encouraged to research their rootsduring an essay contest conducted during March and April.The contest winners will be awarded their cash prizes at theconclusion of the program.

Following the symposium, a commemorative ceremonywill be held at the Riverview Beach Park to mark the fifthanniversary of the dedication of the New Sweden HeritageMonument and to recognize the 400th anniversary of NewNetherlands.

For additional information: Phone: 302-429-0464 or856-678-5511 or e-mail [email protected], check New Sweden Centre calendar of events onwww.colonialnewsweden.org.

The Ninth National Stiddem/Stidham/Stedham Family Reunion

The Timen Stiddem Society will hold its 9th reunion inWilmington, Del., June 26-28, 2009. Wilmington is celebratedas the place of origin for the Stiddems/Stidhams/Stedhamsand is one of the favorite cities for their reunions.

The reunion gets underway Friday evening at theBrandywine Suites Hotel with light refreshments and informalget reacquainted sessions.

The Saturday program begins with a guided bus tour tomany New Sweden sites important to the Stiddem/Stiddham/Stedham family. It begins at the New SwedenCentre, where a new miniature historical figure representingTimen Stiddem will join the other heritage figures on display.Other Wilmington stops include Holy Trinity (Old Swedes)Church; Clifford Brown Walk & 15th Streets, site of TimenStiddem’s home; New Sweden Heritage Monument inPennsville, N.J.; Salem City Log Cabin; Trinity Old Swedes,Swedesboro, N.J.; and the Finnish monument in Chester, Pa.

Information and registration details, contact DavidStidham, 615-791-9094 or [email protected] (Membersof the Swedish Colonial Society and guests are welcome.)

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