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On Saturday November 17,2001 the Society will present aconference entitled, New Sweden:The State of What We Know. Theconference will be held at theAmerican Swedish HistoricalMuseum in Philadelphia beginningat 9:00 a.m. and concluding in thelate afternoon. It is co-sponsoredby the ASHM and the McNeilCenter for Early American Studies atthe University of Pennsylvania.

This conference will summarizeour present state of knowledge aboutthe New Sweden Colony, itsEuropean background, and the livesof New Sweden’s settlers and theirdescendants under Dutch and Englishrule. Also to be considered will be therelationship between the colonists andthe Native Americans and the religiouscompetition among the settlers.

This will be the first in an annualseries that will launch a larger NewSweden Project enabling the editing andpublishing of scholarly research and

records. It is hoped that a broad community ofinterest will be developed among historians,genealogists, teachers and the general public.

Speakers and their topics include Peter S.Craig, Historian of the Swedish Colonial

Society: From New Sweden to ‘Old Swedes’ - TheColonial Experience of the Swedes on theDelaware; Lorraine E. Williams, New JerseyState Museum: New Sweden and its Native-American Neighbors; Charles T. Gehring, NewNetherland Project: Swedish and DutchCompetition for Control of the Delaware; EvanHaefeli, Princeton University: New Sweden, theEnglish and the ‘Dark Time’ of SwedishColonialism; Michael Mackintosh, TempleUniversity: New Sweden, Native Americans andthe Natural World; John Fea, ValparaisoUniversity: Swedish Lutheranism and ProtestantDiversity in the 18th Century Delaware Valley;and Kim-Eric Williams, Editor and Translator,Swedish Colonial Society: Toward a NewSweden Project - Needs and Resources for FurtherStudies.

Ample time for discussion will be providedat both morning and afternoon sessions. Thecost of the conference is $20 per person ($15for students and seniors). The fee includes cof-fee and doughnuts at registration, a box lunchand an information packet. Registrations aredue by Monday, November 12. Send your reg-istration to: New Sweden Conference, ASHM,1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145-5901. Phone (215) 389-1776, fax (215) 389-7701 or email <www.americanswedish.org>.

Richard Waldron

New Sweden Conferenceat the Museum

2 FOREFATHERSJohan Grelsson andhis descendants

LUNCHEON PHOTOSChief Justiceguest of honor

CHRONOLOGY of colonial Swedes1638-17134 NEW

DISCOVERIESChristina Stalcoprediscoveredthrough internet

Swedish Colonial News

10In this Issue...

Volume 2, Number 5 Fall 2001

Preserving the legacy of the New Sweden Colony in America

NE W SW E D E N:THE STATE OF

WhatWeKnow

Saturday, November 17, 2001

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JohanGrelsson

and hisArcher,

Urian andCulin

Descendants

Map detail from the author’sbook The 1693 Census of theSwedes on the Delaware (1993)which shows Ammansland onthe west side of the DelawareRiver between Mill (now Darby)Creek and Crum Creek.

Johan Grelsson, his wife Helena and theirthree children arrived in New Sweden on theship Mercurius in 1656. He was described as aFinn from Fryksdalen, the valley of the FrykenLakes in Värmland, Sweden. Otherwise, little isknown about Johan Grelsson’s life in Sweden.His patronymic, Grelsson, indicates that he wasthe son of Gregor.

In America, Dutch and English scribes haddifficulty spelling Johan’s patronymic. TheDutch scribe Ephraim Herrman called him JanCornelissen. In 1671, the English census takerWalter Wharton called him John Gilsaw.Piecing together the evidence, however, wefind that Johan Grelsson settled in the Finnishcommunity known as Ammansland and shareda large tract of land along Mill (now Darby)Creek in what later became Ridley Township,Chester (now Delaware) County, PA. Here thefamily of Johan Grelsson joined the family ofMatthias Matthiasson (also a Mercurius passen-ger from Fryksdalen) and the family of MårtenMårtensson (who had arrived on the Örn in1654).

The Matthias Matthiasson family aban-doned its interest in this tract in late 1671when it moved across the Delaware toBoughttown (present Penns Grove in SalemCounty, NJ). But both Johan Grelsson andMårten Mårtensson remained at Ammanslanduntil their deaths. A contemporary surveyplaced the cabin of Mårten Mårtensson on thesite now occupied by the Morton Homestead.Grelsson’s cabin was a stone’s throw to thewest, on a small creek called Stony (nowAmosland) Creek.

Johan Grelsson led a quiet and unassuminglife. He last appeared in public records on 27June 1683, when (as “John Cornelius”) heserved on the new Chester County court’sgrand jury. He died shortly thereafter and hiswidow Helena married, by 1685, the widowerMårten Mårtensson. She also survived her sec-ond husband and was buried on 8 February1713 at Gloria Dei Church at the reported ageof 97 (probably somewhat exaggerated).

Five children have been identified, three ofwhom left many descendants:

1. Elisabeth Johansdotter, born inSweden, c. 1650, married [1] the widowerBärtil Eskilsson c. 1670, and [2] Hans Geörg-en c. 1678. She died at Calcon Hook, Lower

Darby Township in 1717 of tuberculosis. (SeeUrian family below)

2. Anna Johansdotter, born in Sweden c.1652, married Johan Van Cöln c. 1672 anddied in Ammansland before 1697. (See Culinfamily below).

3. Anders Johansson, born in Sweden c.1654, inherited his father’s half-interest in the829-acre plantation in Ammansland. Aftermoving to New Castle County, he sold most ofthis land to his stepfather Mårten Mårtenssonand the remainder to his brother John Archer.As a member of the Swedish congregation atCrane Hook and Christina, he was known asAnders Grelsson Mink. He died after 1713,apparently unmarried.

4. Arian Johansson, later known as JohnArcher, born in America c. 1656, marriedGertrude Bärtilsdotter (daughter of BärtilEskilsson by his first marriage) c. 1679, anddied in Ammansland in 1740. (See Archer fam-ily below)

5. Eric Johansson, born in America c.1660, became insane. On petition of his father,who “being poor, could not contain him,” theUpland Court ordered that a blockhouse bebuilt for “the madman” in September 1678.Eric probably died shortly thereafter.

The Urian FamilyBärtil Eskilsson, the first husband of

Elisabeth Johansdotter, was a Finn fromVärmland who had been sent to New Swedenin 1641 as punishment for forest-burning. Byhis first wife, he had children Margareta (whomarried Mårten Mårtensson, Jr., in 1674),Anders Bärtilsson (who moved to Penns Neckby 1685), Gertrude Bärtilsdotter (who marriedJohn Archer) and Johan Bärtilsson (who nevermarried). When he married Elisabeth, BärtilEskilsson was living on the west side of StonyRun, opposite the cabin of Johan Grelsson.After his eldest daughter married MårtenMårtensson, Jr., however, Bärtil joined theyoung couple at Calcon Hook. He died thereabout 1677 and his widow then married HansGeörgen.

Hans Geörgen from Brandenburg,Germany, came to the Delaware under Dutchrule, in 1662-1663. In 1674 he acquired aquarter interest in Calcon Hook and in 1678married Bärtil’s widow Elisabeth. He lived atCalcon Hook the balance of his life and wasburied at Gloria Dei Church on 24 April 1713.

Dr. Peter S. CraigFOREFATHERS

continued on page 3

The g’s in his surname were soft g’s so that hissurname was pronounced “Urian” and, underthe influence of English scribes, this becamethe family surname.

By her two marriages, Elisabeth Johans-dotter had eight verified children:

> Lars Bärtilsson, who later adopted thename of Lawrence Parker, born c. 1671, diedin 1705, devising his 200-acre farm inGloucester County, NJ to his nephew JacobArcher and his cow to his mother.

> Johan Urian, born 1679, moved toGloucester County, where he married ElisabethGuarron in 1715. He died in 1747, survived byhis wife and nine children.

> Anna Maria Urian, born 1680, becamethe second wife of Andrew Wheeler ofMoyamensing in 1704. She died in 1720, thesame year as her husband, survived by threechildren.

> Helena Urian, born 1685, married herfirst cousin Gunnar Archer c. 1710. (Seebelow)

> Fredric Urian, born 1687, marriedElisabeth Lycan c. 1718. He died in GloucesterCounty in 1722, survived by one child (Hans).His widow then married Måns Keen.

> Elisabeth Urian, born 1689, wasunmarried as of 1713; not further traced.

> Andrew Urian, born 1690, married [1]Maria Longacre in 1717, and [2] MargaretaLongacre (widow of Peter Tussey) c. 1737. Heinherited his father’s farm at Calcon Hookwhere he died 26 January 1753, survived byfive children.

> Dorthea Urian, born 1692, was still liv-ing in 1713; not further traced.

The Culin FamilyAnna Johansdotter’s husband

Johan van Cöln (meaning fromCologne, Germany) arrived onthe Delaware c. 1662, probablyas one of the servants of Joost dela Grange from Leyden in theNetherlands who in that year pur-chased Tinicum Island fromArmegot Printz. That island lieson the south side of Darby Creek,opposite Ammansland.

Johan van Cöln, usuallydescribed as John van Culin inpublic records, was granted 100acres of land on the east side ofCrum Creek in Ammansland in

1679 and lived at that location until his deathc. 1711. His wife Anna died before 1697. In1687, John van Culin complained to theProvincial Council of Pennsylvania against thesheriff ’s seizure of his only two milk cows,which was all his wife and seven small childrenhad to live on, he being 66 years old andunable to work. His children, as they becameold enough, generally found employment inother households.

The seven known children of Johan vanCöln and Anna Johansdotter are listed below.Each of the sons, except Jacob, later droppedthe “van” from their surnames and becameknown simply as Culin.

> Jacob van Culin, born c. 1671, becamethe second husband of Brigitta Swanson(widow of Peter Justis) c. 1699. He died inearly 1747 in Upper Penn’s Neck, SalemCounty, NJ. He had four children who lived toadulthood.

> Reigner van Culin, born c. 1673, mar-ried [1] Ingrid (father unknown) c. 1705, [2]the widow Anna Tussey Stidham Scoggin in1728. He died in the winter of 1731-1732 inNew Castle County, DE survived by his wifeand three children.

> Gregor van Culin, later known asGeorge Culin, was born c. 1675 and was grant-ed his father’s farm in Ammansland in 1705 oncondition that he support his father for the bal-ance of his life. George married MargaretMorton, daughter of Mårten Mårtensson, Jr.,c. 1704 and died in March 1736 in Ammans-

3Swedish Colonial News

FOREFATHERSfrom page 2

The Morton Homestead on thebank of the Darby Creek in

Prospect Park, PA.continued on page 7

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The Swedish Colonial Society’s website -www.ColonialSwedes.org - has proven itself animportant clearing house for the exchange ofnew information about the Swedes and Finnsliving in the Delaware Valley in colonial times.Since its inception two years ago by RonHendrickson, now Senior Deputy Governor ofthe Society, the website has attracted world-wide attention, especially in Sweden

Among the most fascinating of discoverieshave been those made by Hans Ling ofUppsala, Sweden, who submitted an inquiryasking if anybody in the Society knew anythingabout the two paintings which his ancestors(Erik Björk and Christina Stalcop) gave toHoly Trinity (Old Swedes’) Church inWilmington just before they sailed for Swedenin 1714. From this inquiry, three significantdiscoveries have been made: (1) a silver cupmade in 1720 to commemorate ChristinaStalcop, (2) a complete text of ChristinaStalcop’s funeral service in 1720, and (3) twopairs of paintings of Christina and her husband,

both probably made by the famous Swedish-American portrait artist Gustavus Hesselius.

The Silver CupIn his initial inquiry, Hans Ling reported

that he was the proud owner of a tiny silvercup, which had been passed down to him, gen-eration by generation, since it was first made in1720. The cup, 2.25 inches in diameter and1.25 inches high, was made from a British sil-ver crown, minted in London in 1677, andbears the following inscription: “Christina Pet:Stalkop, Född i Pennsilvanien och. America1685. Ther gift til Probst: Er: Biörck 1702.Kom med honom til Swerige 1714, dödde iFahlun 1720.” In translation, this means“Christina Petersdotter Stalcop, born inPennsylvania and America 1685. There marriedDean Erik Björk 1702. Came with him toSweden 1714, died in Falun 1720.”

The Funeral ServiceAfter the death of Christina Stalcop in

1720, a funeral service was held in Falun in hermemory, presided over by Rev. Andreas Sandel,who had just returned to Sweden from a longpastorate at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Churchin Philadelphia. Coincidentally, he had alsomarried Christina to Rev. Björk in 1702. Thecomplete funeral service was printed in a bookcovering 102 pages. Hans Ling also locatedthis book, a complete copy of which was thenmade for the use of the Swedish ColonialSociety’s Gloria Dei Records Project. Portionsrelevant to the life and times of ChristinaStalcop have been translated by Hans Ling and

4 Swedish Colonial News

Dr. Peter S. CraigNEW DISCOVERIES

The Stalcop silver cup was formed from a silver crown made in London in 1677. The cup stands 3.3 cm tall (1.25 in.) with a diameter of 5.6 cm (2.25 in.). Itis inscribed “Christina Pet: Stalkop, Född i Pennsilvanien och. America 1685. Ther Gift til Probst: Er: Biörck 1702. Kom med honom til Swerige 1714, döddei Fahlun 1720." which translates to “Christina Petersdaughter Stalkop, born in Pennsylvania and America 1685. There married to Dean Erik Björk 1702. Camewith him to Sweden 1714, died in Falun 1720."

continued on page 5

Christina Stalcop Rediscovered through

the Internet


Rev. Kim-Eric Williams.This book records the fact that Christina

Stalcop was born 19 April 1686, the daughter ofthe farmer and merchant Peter Stalcop and hiswife Catharina Samuelsdotter (daughter ofSamuel Petersson of Christina). Her parentsinsured that she obtain a good education and,under the teaching of Charles Springer, shelearned to read and write and count in English aswell as Swedish. With her parents’ consent, shebecame engaged to Pastor Erik Björk at the ageof 15 and they married one year later, on 6October 1702. When her husband was recalledto Sweden by King Carl XII to assume the pas-torate at Falun in Dalarna, she was quite reluc-tant at first to leave her native country. However,she finally agreed, and began the journey toSweden on 29 July 1714. Christina had ten chil-dren, six of whom were born in America. Oneson (Peter) was buried at Holy Trinity Church in1710. Two other sons and one daughter, allborn in America, died in Falun before her. Shewas survived by six children - her only survivingson, Tobias Björk (born in 1704) - and fivedaughters, Magdalena, Catharina, Christina,Sara and Brita. An “unexpected pregnancy”(apparently a rupture caused by a tubal pregnan-cy) caused her death. She died 16 March 1720,one month and three days before her 34th birth-day.

The PaintingsHans Ling’s initial inquiry to the Swedish

Colonial Society bore no fruit. Although HolyTrinity Church records confirm that Erik Björkand his wife Christina gave paintings of them-selves to the church at the time of their depar-ture for Sweden, no trace of such paintings couldbe found by Jo Thompson of the Holy TrinityFoundation. This disappointment was reported

to Hans Ling.Undaunted, Hans Ling then launched an

investigation of historic portraits owned in Swe-den, speculating that the paintings may laterhave been brought back to Sweden. To his sur-prise, he located two pairs of paintings of PastorBjörk and his wife Christina Stalcop. One pairwas given to the Nordic Museum in Stockholmduring the 19th century. The other pair is in pri-vate hands. Efforts are under way to obtain pho-

continued on page 6

NEW DISCOVERIESfrom page 4

Hans Ling and his wife, Meta Lidman.

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tographic copies of these four paintings. BothHans Ling and SCS Historian Peter S. Craigshare the theory that the four paintings weremade by Gustavus Hesselius, who arrived inAmerica in 1712 and spent his first month inthis country living at the home of Erik andChristina Björk.

Hans LingThe person responsible for these discover-

ies, Hans Ling of Uppsala, Sweden, is naturallyproud that Christina Stalcop is his “mormorsmormors mormors farmor” (his grandmother’sgrandmother’s grandmother’s grandmother).A graduate of the University of Uppsala law

school, he has devoted his career to public serv-ice and is currently acting Chief of Staff toSweden’s National Heritage Board, whichoversees preservation of historic places inSweden. His wife Meta Lidman is a public pros-ecutor in Uppsala. Both of their children attendthe University of Uppsala, Sofia as a graduatestudent in history and Robert as a law student.

Through his contact with the SCS website,Hans Ling has been able to communicate withhis distant cousin, Larry Stallcup of VirginiaBeach, VA, a long-time Forefather Member ofthe Society and an expert on the Stalcop familygenealogy. Both are descended from PeterStalcop and Catharina Samuelsdotter. Now aLife Member of the Swedish Colonial Society,

Hans Ling also became aForefather Member,choosing as his line thematernal line throughSamuel Petersson’s wifeBrita and her parentsJöns and MariaAndersson, who arrivedin New Sweden in 1654on the Eagle.

Hans Ling, standing with hisson Robert Ling, before apainting of Hans’ grandmoth-er’s sister Anna Norling (mar-ried Forsberg) and her daugh-ter Aina. Seated is Hans’daughter Sofia Ling and hisgranddaughter Nellie LingBelin, who is holding theStalcop cup in her right hand.

NEW DISCOVERIESfrom page 4

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land. He was survived by his wife and eight chil-dren.

> Margaret van Culin, born c. 1678, mar-ried 13 January 1703 Andrew Mårtensson, sonof Mårten Mårtensson, Sr., of Ammansland, andcared for her mother Helena and her stepfather(and father-in-law) for the final years of theirlives. She died in Ammansland, 6 February1755. She had five daughters who lived to adult-hood and married.

> Anna van Culin, born c. 1682, married25 May 1703 Andrew Mårtensson the younger,son of Mårten Mårtensson, Jr., of Calcon Hook.She died in Gloucester County, NJ, c. 1750. Shehad four known children, the first of whom(Morton) later built the Morton Morton Housein Ammansland.

> John van Culin, born c. 1685, marriedChristina Paulson 6 January 1714. He died in1727 at Turkey Island, New Castle Hundred,New Castle County, survived by six children.

> Maria van Culin, born c. 1687, marriedGabriel Friend c. 1717, and moved toGloucester County, NJ, where she was living in1748. She had six known children.

The Archer FamilyBorn as Arian Johansson, he reversed his

name early in life to become Johan Arian, whichevolved through Orian, Orchard and Archard toArcher. In May 1685, he purchased with hisstep-father Mårten Mårtensson, Sr., 500 acres onthe north side of Raccoon Creek in an areasometimes called New Stockholm. Later, in1695, he purchased 137 acres in Ammansland,immediately to the east of the MortonHomestead, from his brother Anders Johansson.This became his home until his death in 1740.His wife Gertrude Bärtilsdotter died there in1748. They had 11 children:

> Helena Archer, born 1680, married in1701, but died soon thereafter apparently with-out issue.

> Gunnar Archer, born 1685, married hisfirst cousin Helena Urian c. 1710. They lived onthe Archer’s Raccoon Creek plantation until hisdeath in 1744. He was survived by four children.

> John Archer, Jr., born 1687, marriedMary Peterson in 1720. They shared theArcher’s Raccoon Creek plantation until hisdeath in 1745. He was survived by his wife andfive children

> Jacob Archer, born 1694, married

Gunnilla Boon in 1734 and inherited that part ofhis father’s plantation on Darby Creek. Both heand his wife died in 1750, survived by three chil-dren.

> Adam Archer, born c. 1696, married [1]his cousin Helena Morton, daughter of Andrewand Margareta Culin Morton, who died child-less. He married [2] a woman named Elisabeth,by whom he had three children. Adam was giventhe north half of his father’s Ammansland plan-tation, north of the Darby-Chester Road where,from 1730 until his death in 1747, Adam oper-ated the White Horse Tavern.

> Andrew Archer, born c. 1699, married by1732 Christina Halton of Gloucester County,NJ. He died there in 1733, survived by his wifeand their posthumous daughter Christina. Hiswidow remarried William Guest.

> Maria Archer, born c. 1701, married [1]c. 1722 John Morton, son of MårtenMårtensson, Sr., and [2] c. 1733, John Sketchley(English). She lived in Ammansland until herdeath in 1778. Her only child was John Morton,Jr., born in 1725, who later earned fame as aSigner of the Declaration of Independence.

> Catharina Archer, born c. 1703, married[1] by 1723 Jonas Walraven, and [2] in 1731Hans Peterson, both of New Castle County. Shedied there after 1755. By her two husbands, shehad seven children.

> Brita Archer, born c. 1708, apparentlydied unmarried before 1738.

> Helena Archer, born c. 1710, married c.1745 Abraham Jones, son of Peter Jones ofKingsessing. In 1753 they were living in Wicacowith four children.

> Elisabeth Archer, born 1713, married [1]in 1739 William Boon, [2] in 1743 BenjaminSimcock (English). She lived her entire marriedlife on Boon’s Island, where she died 14November 1755. She had six known children.


FOREFATHERSfrom page 3


Church BoatThe Society’s Recording Secretary, Aleasa

Hogate has begun a research project concern-ing the ferry that was used to transport settlersacross the Delaware River for worship at HolyTrinity Church in Wilmington. One of theintriguing questions is whether this boat was a“canoe” of the native American variety or a“church boat” of the type typical of theSwedish waterways. Burr’s Records of HolyTrinity Church state that a “canoe” or “ferry”

was purchased new in 1699 from HendrickTussey of Verdrietige Hook (Bochten) for 20shillings.

It is hoped that a replica might be con-structed to memorialize the Swedish settlerswho regularly crossed the Delaware to wor-ship each Sunday in Wilmington. Any infor-mation is gladly received at 94 Sparks Avenue,Pennsville, NJ 08070, (856) 678-5511 [email protected].

Website ResultsAs a result of the concerted efforts of Webmaster and Senior Deputy Governor Ronald A.

Hendrickson, the Society’s website has been a resounding success. More than 65,000 visitors haveproduced 440,000 hits since the site was launched in September 1999. A year two review revealedthat www.ColonialSwedes.org averaged 3,626 user sessions per month, or 121 per day, an 89%increase over the first year. Many new members have used web applications and membership is atan all-time high. Nearly 60% live beyond the Pennsylvania-Delaware-New Jersey area. Viewersworld-wide find the website a handy resource for information about the New Sweden Colony andthe Colonial Swede Calendar is a reminder of upcoming events of note in the Delaware Valley.

Like a modified church boat, the James River bateau is an authentic replica of an excavated river boat.

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The home page at www.ColonialSwedes.org.


Julmiddag at Merion Cricket Club

June in SwedenA reception and dinner featuring items

from the Nobel banquet in the famedStockholm City Hall with Mayor and Mrs. AxelWennerholm are just some of the many extrasbeing added to the itinerary of the “Sweden2002” trip planned for June 14-22, 2002,according to Trip Coordinator and CouncilorJim Seagers.

Hans Ling will guide the participants on an“insiders tour” of the historic and beautiful cityof Uppsala, including the ancient Cathedral(the largest church in Scandinavia and the rest-ing place of the Saint-King Erik) the Universityand the Castle. Mr. Ling is a Life and Forefathermember of the Society and acting Chief of Staff

to Sweden’s National Heritage Board.The nine-day, fully-escorted trip to Sweden

at the best possible time of year includes a cruisethrough the Stockholm Archipelago and visitsto the major attractions in Stockholm, Uppsala,Vadstena, Linköping and Kalmar.

Because of the national emergency, thedeadline for registration has been extended anda limited number of spaces are still available.

This trip is organized by WorldWideConsolidated Travel and has been recommend-ed by the American Swedish Historical Museumand the Society. For more information or reser-vations, call (610) 644-3000 or (800) 258-9928.

Thanks to YouThe 2001 Colonial Forefathers Luncheon was a special occasion. It was attended by a banner

crowd of 243 at The Union League on South Broad Street in Philadelphia. We are indebted to thefollowing kind contributors who helped us with the expenses this year:

Benefactors ________________________________________________________________________Hon. Agneta Hägglund Bailey Mr. V. Pinnock Bailey, II, Esq.Mr. & Mrs. G. Nagle Bridwell Mr. & Mrs. Robert BryanMr. & Mrs. Ulf Hammarskjöld Mrs. George C. MacFarland, Sr.Mr. & Mrs. Alfred J. Pfaff Mr. & Mrs. Herbert R. RamboDr. & Mrs. J.H.T. Rambo Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. WaldronSponsors __________________________________________________________________________Rev. & Mrs. Paul Cornell Mr. William L. HiresMr. & Mrs. Daniel Horning Mr. William W. RamboMrs. Eleanor S. Spencer Cdr. Edward M. Ward, USN (ret.)Supporters_________________________________________________________________________Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Allmond Mr. & Mrs. Erwin D. Apell, Esq.Mr. & Mrs. William N. Brown Mr. Walter C. CulinMr. Raymond T. Eareckson Mr. & Mrs. James A. FriendMr. & Mrs. Gary G. Greenstein Mr. & Mrs. Charles HomanMr. & Mrs. Carl Kirchoff Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence MattsonMr. & Mrs. George A. Nord Ms. Margaretha PinskyRev. & Mrs. David B. Rivers Mr. & Mrs. James D. SeagersMr. & Mrs. Earl E. Seppälä Ms. Nina J. StahmMr. & Mrs. Richard L. Steadham Mr. & Mrs. James H. SungentMs. Georgeanna L. Windley

The annual Christmas dinner, theJulmiddag, will be held on Sunday December2, 2001 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Again thisyear we will be hosted by the Merion CricketClub in Haverford, PA. This outstanding andcentral location makes a perfect setting for thebeginning of a Swedish Jul. For further infor-

mation call: (302) 652-1819, (302) 762-2281or (302) 762-6664. The luncheon and pro-gram conclude at 3:00 p.m.

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LUNCHEONThe Union League of Philadelphia - April 9, 2001

Forefathers


1. Ambassador of Sweden, Jan Eliasson(r.) presents the Award forDistinguised Swevice to William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of theUnited States, while Governor Herbert R. Rambo watches.(PHOTO: PFAFF PHOTOGRAPHY)

2. A stunning presentation of the Swedish national “dräkt” byfemale participants greeted the arriving guests.(PHOTO: PAUL HOGATE)

3. A mixed double octet from the Eastern Division of the AmericanUnion of Swedish Singers made a musical presentation.(PHOTO: RICHARD STEADHAM)

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8. Nancy Cataleno Hendrickson (l.), Katherine, Rachel and Ronald A. Hendrickson, SeniorDeputy Governor and Webmaster. (PHOTO: RICHARD STEADHAM)

9. Karen Steadham and Councillor Richard L. Steadham, Editor of the newsletter of theTimen Stiddem Society. (PHOTO: RONALD HENDRICKSON)

10. Recording Secretary Aleasa J. Hogate (l.) pins Mrs. Axel Wennerholm, while the LordMayor looks on in approval. (PHOTO: PAUL HOGATE)

4. Associate Patron AgnetaHägglund Bailey (l.) and SeniorDeputy Governor Ronald A.Hendrickson present MarianneMackenzie a 2001 Fellow Award forMalcolm L. Mackenzie.(PHOTO: BRITT APELL)

5. Chief Justice William Rehnquist(c.) greets long-time friends MargeNord and George Nord, formerGrand Master of the Vasa Order ofAmerica.(PHOTO: ERIK TÖRNQVIST)

6. Governor Herbert R. Rambo (l.)greets Axel Wennerholm, the LordMayor of Stockholm.(PHOTO: BRITT APELL)

7. Chaplain Kim-Eric Williamscommenting on the Full Communionrelationship (Called to CommonMission) that was begun this yearbetween the Episcopal Church and theLutheran Church.(PHOTO: BRITT APELL)

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Although it is commonly known that theSwedes were the first white settlers to success-fully colonize the Delaware Valley in 1638,many historians overlook the continuing pres-ence of the Delaware Swedes throughout thecolonial period. Some highlights covering thefirst 75 years (1638-1713) are shown below:

New Sweden Era, 1638-16551638 - After a 4-month voyage from

Gothenburg, Kalmar Nyckel arrives in theDelaware in March. Captain Peter Minuit pur-chases land on west bank from the SchuylkillRiver to Bombay Hook, builds Fort Christinaat present Wilmington and leaves 24 men,under the command of Lt. Måns Kling, to manthe fort and trade with Indians. Kalmar Nyckelreturns safely to Sweden, but Minuit dies onreturn trip in a hurricane in the Caribbean.

1639 - Fogel Grip, which accompaniedKalmal Nyckel, brings a 25th man from St.Kitts, a slave from Angola known as AnthonySwartz.

1640 - Kalmar Nyckel, on its second voy-age, brings the first families to New Sweden,including those of Sven Gunnarsson and LarsSvensson. Other new settlers include PeterRambo, Anders Bonde, Måns Andersson,Johan Schaggen, Anders Dalbo and Dr. TimenStiddem. Lt. Peter Hollander Ridder, who suc-ceeds Kling as new commanding officer, pur-chases more land from Indians betweenSchuylkill and the Falls of the Delaware.

1641 - Kalmar Nyckel, joined by theCharitas, brings 64 men to New Sweden,including the families of Måns Lom, OlofStille, Christopher Rettel, Hans Månsson, Olof

Thorsson and Eskil Larsson. Also such singlemen as Peter Cock, Matts Hansson and hisbrother Anders Hansson, Ivert Hendricksson,Johan Ericksson, Matts Hansson from Borgå,Johan Stålkofta, Lucas Petersson, KnutMårtensson, Lars Bjur, and four orphans,including Israel Helm. Ridder purchases landon east side of Delaware from Raccoon Creekto Cape May, and on west side from BombayHook to Cape Henlopen.

1642 - Probable year of first settlement inpresent Pennsylvania, at Techoherassi, Uplandand Finland.

1643 - The Fama and Swan arrive fromSweden, bringing Johan Printz, first royal gov-ernor of New Sweden, six feet tall and weigh-ing 400 pounds, with 50 new settlers, includ-ing Captain Sven Skute, soldiers Jonas Nilsson,Jürgen Keen, Johan Gustafsson, Anders And-ersson Homman, Peter Jochimsson and thefamily of Anders Andersson the Finn. Printzbuilds Fort Elfsborg on east side of Delawareand Fort New Gothenburg on Tinicum Island,where he also builds his own manor house,called Printzhof.

1644 - Kalmar Nyckel and Fama arrivefrom Sweden with 14 more men, including Lt.Johan Papegoja. Printz establishes tobaccoplantations at Christina, Upland and on westside of Schuylkill (Province Island), but theexperiment is a disaster. Revert to corn the nextyear, buying tobacco from Virginia.

1645 - Settlement is made at Kingsessingand the first grist mill is built on Mill (nowCobbs) Creek.

1646 - First log church built on TinicumIsland.

1647 - Fort Korsholm is completed onProvince Island.

1648 - Swan arrives from Sweden, bring-ing 12 or more men, including Rev. LarsCarlsson Lock, Nils Larsson Frände, Johan Fiskand Hendrick Johansson. Aronameck, on westside of Schuylkill, settled. Dutch build FortBeversreede on east side of Schuylkill, butSwedes thwart Dutch attempts to builddwellings in area.

1649 - Kattan runs aground near PuertoRico. None of its 69 passengers reach NewSweden. Most of them die in the Caribbean. Afew find their way back to Sweden, includingDr. Timen Stiddem.

1651 - Dutch build Fort Casimir at Sand


Dr. Peter S. CraigCHRONOLOGY

continued on page 13

Chronologyof Colonial Swedes

on the Delaware1638-1713

13

Hook (New Castle) and abandon Fort Bevers-reede in Schuylkill. Governor Printz, his forcesdepleted by deaths and desertions to Maryland,abandons Fort Elfsborg and Fort Korsholm,concentrating his forces at Fort Christina andFort New Gothenburg. The Christina Riverbecomes the de facto boundary between NewSweden and the Dutch.

1652 - Printz seizes plantation of LarsSvensson (Lasse the Finn) on west side of Up-land (Chester) Creek, claiming that Lasse andhis wife were guilty of witchcraft and owed himmoney. Renames plantation Printztorp. Lasseand his wife die, and other freemen becomemore hostile to Printz's rule. Several freemenmove to Fort Casimir area to live under Dutchrule.

1653 - Twenty-two freemen file petitionwith Governor Printz, complaining of his auto-cratic rule. Printz brands the petition a“mutiny”, accuses Pastor Lars Lock, Olof Stilleand one of his own soldiers of instigating thecrime. After having the soldier killed by a firingsquad, Printz packs his bags and returns toSweden, leaving the colony under the com-mand of his son-in-law Johan Papegoja. Fifteenmore freemen flee the colony to seek refuge atFort Casimir or Kent Island, Maryland.Papegoja hires Indians to bring them back,dead or alive. Indians return with heads of twoformer freemen.

1654 - Population of New Sweden is nowreduced to 70 men, women and children.Survivors debate uniting with the Dutch atFort Casimir, but the issue becomes mootwhen the Eagle arrives in May with about 250passengers, including some old-timers such asDr. Timen Stiddem. Johan Rising, the newGovernor, captures Fort Casimir from theDutch, restoring the entire Delaware River toSwedish control. Including the Dutch at FortCasimir (which he renamed Fort Trinity),Rising counts 368 persons in the colony. Butdisease and famine soon take their toll, andmost of the Dutch move to New Amsterdam(New York). Governor Rising introducesreforms to insure that freemen's rights to prop-erty are protected and adds freemen PeterRambo and Matts Hansson from Borgå to hisCouncil. Olof Stille and Peter Cock also sit asjustices at Tinicum Island. New settlements areestablished at Ammansland (Ridley Township)

and Swanwick.1655 - Food shortages plague the colony.

Some colonists move to the Sassafras River inMaryland. In September, Dutch GovernorStuyvesant, with seven armed ships and 317soldiers, invades New Sweden. Badly outnum-bered, the Swedes surrender the colony with-out a fight. Governor Rising and 36 othersreturn to Sweden. Most of the Swedes andFinns decide to stay in America, pledging alle-giance to the Dutch.

The Swedish Nation, 1656-16811656 - Mercurius arrives from Sweden in

March, carrying 14 Swedes and 92 Finns. AfterDutch refuse to allow ship to pass Fort Casimir,the Indians climb aboard and usher the ship toTinicum Island, where the passengers land.The ship, including its commander (JohanPapegoja), safely returns to Sweden. TheDutch are persuaded to grant the Swedes andFinns self-government in the area north ofChristina River. In August, the first court is ap-proved, consisting of Olof Stille, Mats Hanssonfrom Borgå, Peter Cock and Peter Rambo.First militia headed by Captain Sven Skute, Lt.Anders Dalbo and Ensign Jacob Svensson.Newly-arrived Finns settle at Marcus Hook andBochten (Verdrietige Hook).

1657 - Having acquired the area south ofthe Christina River from the Dutch West IndiaCompany, the City of Amsterdam establishesits own colony, called New Amstel, at presentNew Castle. Stuyvesant retains nominal con-trol over the Swedish Nation north of ChristinaRiver.

1658 - Numerous tracts are surveyed inMaryland on the Sassafras River for Swedes andFinns who had moved there.

1660 - Alexander d'Hinojossa becomesgovernor of New Amstel after death of JacobAlrichs. Stuyvesant asks Swedish nation to sup-ply soldiers in his war against the Indians atEsopus (Kingston, NY). Swedes refuse, insist-ing on their historic non-aggression policy withthe Indians.

1662 - Armegot Printz Papegoja, daugh-ter of Johan Printz, sells Tinicum Island to aDutchman, Joost de la Grange, excepting theSwedes' church from the sale. Swedes' courtmoves to Upland. D'Hinojossa invites Finns


CHRONOLOGY

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14

living in the Swedish nation to move to CraneHook. About 15 families agree to move.

1663 - Stuyvesant begins issuing land pat-ents to Swedish settlers in the Swedish nation.At request of d'Hinojossa, City of Amsterdamsolicits more Finns to leave Sweden for theDelaware. Thirty-two Finns arrive on thePurmerlander Kerck and settle at Feren Hookon south side of Christina Creek.

1664 - Control over Swedish nation,north of Christina River, transferred fromStuyvesant to New Amstel. Peter Rambo, SvenGunnarsson and sons, Olof Stille, LarsAndersson Collinus move across Schuylkill toPassyunk, Wicaco and Moyamensing andreceive confirming patents from d'Hinojossa.Another ship from Amsterdam, carrying 140Finns for the New Amstel colony, sinks inAtlantic Ocean. English warships seize the NewAmstel colony from the Dutch. Swedes andFinns are assured that their property rights andfreedoms will not be affected. The UplandCourt continues as before. Olof Stille retiresand is replaced by Peter Cock as Chief Justiceof the Upland Court. Israel Helm replacesMats Hansson, deceased.

1665 - Dutch freemen begin acquiringland from Indians on east side of Delaware(New Jersey) opposite New Castle.

1667 - Log church built at Crane Hook toserve Swedes and Finns living betweenVerdrietige Hook and New Castle. Lars Lock,minister at Tinicum church, agrees to serveboth congregations.

1669 - A Finn named Marcus Jacobsson,posing as son of Swedish general Königsmark,travels from house to house in the Swedish na-tion, urging them to take up arms against theEnglish. He is caught by Justice Peter Cock,tried, convicted of treason and sold as a slave inBarbados. Settlers who supported the “LongFinn Rebellion” are fined.

1671 - First English census of theDelaware enumerates 165 households betweenBurlington Island and New Castle. Except atthese two extremities and at Passyunk (mostlyEnglish), the population is overwhelminglySwedish and Finnish. First Finns to move tothe east side of Delaware River settle in whatlater became known as Penn's Neck, SalemCounty.

1673 - Upland Court is increased to five

justices with addition of Lars AnderssonCollinus and Olof Svensson. Swedes and Finnsmake first settlement in Gloucester County, onRaccoon Creek, in an area soon called NewStockholm.

1675 - Upland Court obtains authority tobuild a third Swedish church at Wicaco, toserve households living above Mill (Darby)Creek. Part of court fines are earmarked forthis purpose.

1676 - Upland Court is increased to sixjustices with addition of Otto Ernest Cock.

1677 - New log church at Wicaco dedicat-ed. Pastor Jacobus Fabritius (German) fromManhattan serves as minister, aided by JacobJongh (Swedish) as sexton and schoolmaster.

1680 - Peter Cock, Peter Rambo, LarsAndersson Collinus and Olof Svensson retirefrom Upland Court. Lasse Cock added to thecourt, as well as the first two Englishmen,Henry Jones (who had a Swedish wife) andGeorge Brown, who represented new Englishsettlement in Crewcorne (Bucks County).

The Quaker Invasion, 1682-16961681 - Former New Sweden is granted to

William Penn, who secures English patent forPennsylvania and sends William Markham tothe Delaware to arrange a transition.

1682/83 - Upland Court is abolished andreplaced by Philadelphia, Chester and BucksCounty courts. Swedes are employed to nego-tiate new treaties with the Indians. Swedes andFinns are required to be naturalized as Englishsubjects. The Swanson brothers surrender 300acres of their Wicaco plantation for the City ofPhiladelphia. Israel Helm and Nils LarssonFrände surrender other land to Penn for hisPennsbury estate. Other Swedes surrenderadditional land. All were promised compensat-ing lands elsewhere. Twenty-three ships carringhundreds of Quaker settlers arrive. The Swedesand Finns are soon outnumbered by theEnglish.

1683 - Anders Bengtsson and SvenSvensson elected to first PennsylvaniaAssembly. Lasse Cock named to ProvincialCouncil.

1684 - Lasse Cock elected to Assembly.William Penn sets aside 5,000 acres in presentUpper Merion Township, Montgomery


CHRONOLOGY

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County, for future Swedish settlement. A num-ber of Swedes and Finns in Pennsylvania selltheir land and move to West Jersey.

1685 - Lasse Cock and Gunnar Rambo areelected to Assembly.

1686 - Jacob Jongh, sexton and school-master at Wicaco church, dies in Shackamaxon.Anders Bengtsson becomes lay reader to assistthe now-blind Jacobus Fabritius. AndersBengtsson is also elected to Assembly.

1687 - Lasse Cock elected to Assembly.1688 - Lasse Cock re-elected to the

Assembly. Pastor Lars Lock dies, leaving thepulpits empty at Tinicum Island and CraneHook. Church at Tinicum is abandoned and itscongregation (on both sides of river) is dividedbetween Wicaco and Crane Hook churches.Later, Charles Springer becomes lay reader ofCrane Hook church.

1690 - Church wardens at Wicaco andCrane Hook sell old glebe land on UplandCreek, the former home of Lars Lock and hispredecessor Johan Campanius.

1692 - Lasse Cock elected to theAssembly.

1693 - Charles Springer drafts letters forWicaco and Crane Hook congregations toKing Charles XI in Sweden, asking for newministers, Swedish Bibles and hymnals. LasseCock named to the Provincial Council, servesthree years.

1695 - Anders Bengtsson sells one of hisPassyunk plantations to church wardens at Wi-caco for the use of old Jacobus Fabritius andhis successors.

1696 - Fabritius dies.

Sweden's American Mission, 1696-17131696 - King Charles XI of Sweden names

three ministers to travel to the Delaware toserve the Swedes and Finns. He also sendsSwedish Bibles, hymnals and other religiousbooks, and directs that the American Missionbe managed by Jesper Svedberg, later Bishop ofSkara.

1697 - Missionaries arrive at Swedish set-tlement at Sahakitko (Elkton), Maryland andare quickly ushered to Pennsylvania. AndreasRudman becomes new pastor at Wicaco; EricusBjörk becomes new pastor at Crane Hook. Thethird minister, Jonas Aurén, later starts a newchurch at Northeast, Maryland, to serve the

Swedes and Finns in Cecil County.1698 - Anders Bengtsson elected to the

Assembly. Old Peter Rambo dies. His son,Gunnar Rambo and grandson, John Rambobecome the first settlers of the Swedes’ tract atMatsunk in present Upper Merion Township.

1699 - Holy Trinity Church dedicated atChristina (present Wilmington) to replace thelog church at Crane Hook.

1700 - Gloria Dei Church dedicated atWicaco to replace the old log church.

1701 - Pastor Rudman negotiates anagreement with William Penn, setting aside10,000 acres up the Schuylkill, nearManatawny Creek, for future Swedish settle-ment.

1702 - Andreas Sandel arrives fromSweden to replace Andreas Rudman as pastorof Gloria Dei. He is preceded by another min-ister, Lars Tolstadius, who had no commissionfrom the King. Tolstadius accepts call to bepastor at a new Swedish church on RaccoonCreek, serving those who did not wish to crossthe river to Wicaco or Christina.

1704 - Side porches added to Gloria DeiChurch. Settlement begins at new Swedishtract at Manatawny (present Douglassville,Berks County).

1706 - Lars Tolstadius, under indictmentfor fathering a child with a vestryman's daugh-ter at Raccoon, drowns in the Delaware River.He is replaced by Jonas Aurén, who also con-tinues to serve his congregation in Maryland.Old Mårten Mårtensson, said to be 100 yearsold, the last surviving person who signed theloyalty oath to Governor Rising in 1654, diesat Ammansland.

1708 - Andreas Rudman, first pastor ofGloria Dei, dies in Philadelphia.

1709 - Peter Rambo, Jr., elected to thePennsylvania Assembly.

1713 - Matthias Keen elected to theAssembly. Pastor Aurén dies at Raccoon Creek.Two new ministers arrived from Sweden,Andreas Hesselius, who replaces Björk atChristina in 1714, and Abraham Lidenius, whoreplaces Aurén at Raccoon. With them ispainter Gustavus Hesselius, who paints altarpainting at Gloria Dei.


CHRONOLOGY

from page 14

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Published for the author by the GregathPublishing Company, Wyandotte, OK. Orderfrom Jack Stidham, 402 Lee Drive,Morristown, TN 37804. 548 pp., illustrations,bibliography & index. Hardbound. $50, whichincludes shipping.

Fourteen years ago, I had the privilege ofmeeting Jack Stidham for the first time. He hadalready gained nationwide attention for hiswork, bearing the same title as his presentbook, which was first published in 1976 in aloose-leaf binder format. This began a long andfruitful exchange of information which hascontributed to the refinement and expansionof Jack’s 30-year task to chronicle the life anddescendants of New Sweden’s famous barber-surgeon, Dr. Timen Stiddem. Aided by his sonDavid, Jack Stidham has now published asuperb and handsome book which everyStiddem descendant will want to own.

The first five chapters of this book tellabout Timen Stiddem’s struggles to get toAmerica (he crossed the ocean seven times), hislife in America, the early settlers of Delaware,the early Swedish churches and the family ofTimen’s father, who was buried in Gothenburg

in 1639. Subsequent chapters treat in detail thefirst eight generations of Timen Stiddem’sdescendants. Later generations will be includedin Volume 2.

The book is professionally done andincludes numerous maps, drawings and photo-graphs, including a reproduction of TimenStiddem’s famous letter of 1651 to the SwedishCrown, giving his account of the shipwreck inPuerto Rico and the loss of his first wife andchildren. But he married again and came oncemore to New Sweden in 1654, this time tostay.

The book contains an every-name index,with page references for each of the 12,000persons discussed in this volume. The book ishandsomely and durably bound and deserves aspot in any comprehensive New Swedenlibrary.

Jack Stidham is a Forefather Member ofthe Swedish Colonial Society and merits theSociety’s heartfelt thanks for achieving his goalto preserve the accomplishments of TimenStiddem and his descendants for all of us toshare.

Dr. Peter S. Craig

The Descendants of Timothy Stidham - Volume 1, by Jack Stidham

Reprint in 2001 of a 1925 original.Published by Clearfield Company, Inc., 200 E.Eager Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Paper,331 pages, $28.50 plus $3.50 for shipping.

The idea for the this book is excellent andClearfield is to congratulated for having aninterest in supporting New Sweden research.However, the book itself is a poor excuse forscholarship and it would probably have beenbetter to assign it to the proverbial dustbin ofhistory. Amandus Johnson pointed out thisbook’s many shortcomings when it was origi-nally published in 1925. He was no doubtoffended by Louhi’s habit of borrowingJohnson’s research and changing every refer-ence of “Swedes” and “Sweden” to “Finns”and “Finland”

There is no substantiation for a number ofFinnophile exaggerations, such as claiming thatNils Collin’s successor, Jehu Curtis Clay was aFinn, or that the Rambos, Kyns and Holsteins

were also Finns. Further misinterpretationsinclude assertions that the Uppsala Consistorywas out-of-touch with events in America andtherefore kept sending them priests (Page300). As a matter of fact the Consistory wasvery well informed about conditions and right-ly saw that the extinction of the Swedish lan-guage would end the need for Swedish priests.It was the extreme lack of clergy in the coloniesand the Swedes determination to have anauthentic Word and Sacrament ministry thatled them to constantly apply for new priests.There are many errors of fact as well as judg-ment. While there are some useful sections, e.g.translations of relevant letters, these are buriedin the text. Since no index is provided, it is nextto impossible to find them. It is unfortunatethat the Swedish Colonial Society was notasked for an opinion before such a sham wasagain put into circulation.

Rev. Dr. Kim Eric Williams

The Delaware Finns, or the First Permanent Settlements in Pennsylvania,Delaware, West New Jersey and Eastern Part of Maryland, by E.A. Louhi


BOOK REVIEWS

TheDescendantsof Timothy

Stidham

TheDelaware

Finns


Esther Chilstrom-Meixner, age 97, notedhistorian of New Sweden, former DeputyGovernor and a Life Member of the Society,died in Washington, DC, on August 14, 2001.A Memorial Service was held at Gloria Dei(Old Swedes’) Church in Philadelphia onSeptember 28, 2001. Dr. Meixner was knownfor her enthusiasm for everything concerningthe Swedish history of the Delaware Valley. Shewas personally acquainted with AmandusJohnson and was an avid supporter of theAmerican Swedish Historical Museum. In1999 she published a paperbound book, TheFlag Still Waves, New Sweden on the Delaware.She was the author of numerous articles andtwo books about Armegot Printz, the famousdaughter of Governor Johan Printz. Memorialgifts may be sent to the Esther Chilstrom-Meixner Fund for the preservation of GloriaDei Church, Charitable Funds ServicesPA1279, First Union National Bank, 123 S.Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19109-9989.

The Very Rev. David B. Rivers, Rector ofGloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church andSecretary-Treasurer of the Swedish ColonialSociety, has been installed as the Dean of theSouthwark Deanery of the Episcopal Church.He will work with Bishop Charles Benison inhelping chart ministry and mission for 16 con-gregations in Philadelphia south of Arch Street.Rivers is a graduate of Haverford College andthe Episcopal Theological Seminary inCambridge, MA. He was a missionary in theDominican Republic and has seen remarkableprogress in ministry at Gloria Dei during his 29years of service. Rivers’ title of “Dean” uniteshim with many of his Swedish forbearers whowere also “Deans” and responsible to theArchbishop of Uppsala. However his Swedishpriestly officeholders were paid for their extraduties, while David gets only the use of a moredignified title - “Very Reverend”.

Rivers Named Dean of Southwark

In Memoriam

Esther Chilstrom-Meixner1904 - 2001

Governor Herbert Rambo (l.)dressed as his colonial ancestorPeter Rambo, and the Rt. Rev.Charles Bennison, Jr., (r.) Bishopof the Episcopal Diocese ofPennsylvania, surround the VeryRev. David B. Rivers, who holds acongratulatory gift from theSwedish Colonial Society.

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The Board of Governors of the AmericanSwedish Historical Museum in Philadelphianamed Councillor Sandra S. Pfaff ofHaverford, PA a co-recipient of the Dr.Amandus Johnson Award for DistinguishedService. Mrs. Pfaff gave exceptional service tothe Museum in the planning and execution ofits 75th Anniversary this year. She shares theaward with George Orescan, former Presidentof the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society.

Honorary Governor William B. Neal,F.S.C.S., of Claymont, DE was electedGenealogist General of the National Society ofSons of the American Revolution.

Councillor Marianne E. Mackenzie ofWilmington, DE was elected President of theNew Sweden Centre in Wilmington, a hands-on history museum on the 7th StreetPeninsula. Junior Deputy Governor Jayne S.Huntington was named to the Board ofDirectors and Councillor James D. Seagerswas appointed newsletter editor.

Chaplain Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williamswas named Director of the Swedish Programat the University of Pennsylvania.


Members Making News

Patrons,Officers &

Councillors

High PatronHis Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf,

King of SwedenPatron

His Excellency Jan Eliasson,Ambassador of Sweden

Deputy PatronThe Honorable Olle Wästberg,

Consul General of SwedenAssociate PatronThe Honorable

Agneta Hägglund Bailey, Consul of Sweden

Honorary GovernorsWilliam B. Neal

John C. Cameron, Esq.Wallace F. Richter

Dr. Erik G.M. TörnqvistDr. Bengt Wennberg

Conrad WilsonDeputy Governor - Emeritus

Mrs. George C. McFarland

CouncillorsFrances O. AllmondDavid R. Anderson

Britt M. ApellSally Bridwell

Julie Jensen BryanDeAnn Clancy

Beth Linnerson DalyBrian Daly

Lennart HagegårdUlf Hammerskjöld

Marie Bates HiscockMary Ann B. HorningChristina W. Lassen

David E. LewisMarianne E. MackenzieKenneth S. Peterson

Sandra S. PfaffEllen T. Rye

Katarina SheronasGunnil SjöbergLinda R. Smith

Susan B. SpackmanRichard L. SteadhamMartha B. SteideickRichard L. Waldron

GovernorHerbert R. Rambo

Senior Deputy Governor Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq.

Junior Deputy Governor

Jayne S. Huntington

Secretary-Treasurer Very Rev. David B. Rivers

Recording Secretary Aleasa J. Hogate

RegistrarDoriney Seagers

Captain of the Color GuardJames D. Seagers

ChaplainRev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams

Counselor Gordon S. Keen, Esq.

HistorianDr. Peter S. Craig

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Councillor Sandra S. Pfaff


Membership

Frances H. Lewis, Deland FL, descended from Dr. TimenStiddem via his son Lucas Stidham of Christiana Hundred,New Castle County, DE.Marjorie Jackson, Warren OH, descended from Nils LarssonFrände via his son Anders Nilsson Friend of westernMaryland.Jean Carson Roll, West Trenton NJ, descended from PeterGunnarsson Rambo via his son John Rambo of GloucesterCounty, NJ.Michael Maiden, Ocean Grove NJ, descended from SinnickBroer via his son Anders Sinnickson of Salem County, NJ.Susan Winters, West Palm Beach FL, descended from Rev.Lars Carlsson Lock via his son Gustav Lock of GloucesterCounty, NJ.Felicia Plerhoples Stidham, Washington DC, descendedfrom Dr. Timen Stiddem via his son Lucas Stidham ofChristiana Hundred, New Castle County, DE.

Dortha Watkin, Marble Falls TX, descended from JürgenKeen via his son Hans Keen of Philadelphia County.Walter David Stock, Philadelphia PA, descended from Dr.Timen Stiddem through his daughter Maria, wife of MårtenKnutsson of Marcus Hook, PA.Hans Ling, Uppsala, Sweden, descended from JönsAndersson the blacksmith via his daughter Brita, wife ofSamuel Petersson of Christina [Wilmington], New CastleCounty, DE.Doris E. Parsons, San Jacinto CA, descended from PeterJochimsson via his son Peter Petersson Yocum of Aronameck,Philadelphia, PA.

NEW FOREFATHER MEMBERS___________________________________________________________________________Active members of the Swedish Colonial Society may apply for recognition as “Forefather Members” if they can provedescent from Swedish colonists arriving in the United States prior to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, marking the close of theRevolutionary War. Application forms are available at the SCS website, www.ColonialSwedes.org, or from Dr. Peter S. Craig,3406 Macomb St., NW, Washington, DC 20016. Due to the volume of work involved in processing the large number ofnew Forefather applications, the application fee is now $35, which includes the cost of the certificate of recognition.

The following new Forefather Members have been approved during the period ending 30 September 2001:

FAMILY MEMBERS _________________________________________________________________________________________Nancy & Cristina Hebner, Wilmington DE Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Terbesi, Glenmore PAHoward A. & Mary Jo Yocum, Edwards OK Mr. & Mrs. D. Kirk Seagers, West Chester PAMr. & Mrs. Albert C. Rohrman, Gibbstown NJ David J. Surgent & Kajsa-Stina Winberg, Westfield, NJJohn J. & Janice M. Paytas, Berwyn PA Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Peterson, Vista CAMichael W. & Margaretha I. Pinsky, Haddonfield, NJ Robert P. & Eleanor Peterson, Mullica Hill NJMr. & Mrs. Perry Niel Yocum, Princeton NJ Martha & Edward Rogers, Pennsville NJMr. & Mrs. Walter D. Stock, Philadelphia PA Mrs. Albert V. Condello, III, Family, Berwyn PAMrs. Jane & Ellen Huston, King of Prussia PA

HONORARY MEMBER _____________________________________________________________________________________William H. Rehnquist, Washington DC

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS __________________________________________________________________________________Freda Jo Bankston Porter, Arlington TX R. Gerald Larson, Redmond ORLori Stoudt, Philadelphia PA Arvid Reestjerna Lesemann, John’s Island SCCandace Espeseth, Olympia WA James Ward, Claymont DENancy M. Peters, Wilmington, DE Jeffrey P. Yocum, Holmdel NJCharles B.R. Cornelius, Morgan Hill CA Silvio Neves Da Silva, Cambridge, Ontario, CanadaRichard P. Eberle, Albuquerque NM Leif Biderman, Philadelphia PAMiles Erdman Staley, Canyon Country CA Mary Elizabeth (Nickle) Casseday, Lewes DECarolyn Ford, Cape Coral FL Karol Orrell Armstrong, Vineland NJVirginia Swedberg, Willow Grove PA Dolores Shade, Frederick MDDeborah Sue Harrison, Terrebonne OR David Edward Milan, Toney ALAnthony G. Herron, Augusta GA Doris Hohl Parsons, San Jacinto CACarol L. Shaffer, Irvine PA Anita K.I. Witt, Thornton PAKaren Smith, Cordova TN Dorothy L. Smith, Surprise AZWilma Yocom Ford, West Chester PA Robert Yates, Harrisburg PALoren W. Anderson, Minot ND

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

Return Service Requested

Editor:Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric WilliamsPublisher:Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq.Cataleno & Co., Inc.Newsletter Committee:David R. Anderson Dr. Peter S. CraigBrian DalyHerbert R. Rambo

Upcoming EventsOctober 27, Saturday, 6:00 p.m. A “Nobel Dinner” at the American Swedish Historical Museum, Philadelphia. Benefit dinner

and preview of the exhibition: Nobel: The Man and the Prizes. Guest speaker: Dr. Nils Ringertz, founder of theNobel Electronic Museum. Reservations due by October 20, or call (215) 389-1776.

November 17, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Conference: New Sweden: the State of What We Know, at the American SwedishHistorical Museum. Admission $20 or $15 for seniors and students. Includes lunch.

December 2, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Julmiddag at Merion Cricket Club. Reservations by November 15.

December 7, Friday, 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Lucia Fest at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, Philadelphia.

December 8, Saturday, 2:00, 3:30 & 5:00 p.m. Lucia Fest at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, Philadelphia.

December 8, Saturday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Lucia Fest at American Swedish Historical Museum.

December 9, Sunday, 2:00, 3:30 & 5:00 p.m. Lucia Fest at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church. Details call (215) 389-1513

December 9, Sunday, 3:00 p.m. Lucia fest at Holy Trinity (Old Swedes’) Church, Wilmington, DE.

December 9, Sunday, 4:00 p.m. Lucia Fest at Trinity Episcopal (Old Swedes’) Church, Swedesboro, NJ.

December 13, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Patriots’ Lucia at Christ Church, Upper Merion, Bridgeport, PA.

December 13, Thursday, 7:00 p.m Lucia Fest at St. Gabriel’s Church, Douglassville, PA.

February 17, 2002, Sunday, 12:30 p.m. Washington’s Birthday Party sponsored by New Sweden Centre at Arsenal on theGreen, New Castle, DE.

April 7, 2002, Sunday, Biennial Joint Colonial Forefathers Luncheon, Wilmington, DE.

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