Person:Peter Welty (1)

Palatine German

Palatine German Genealogy & Ships Passenger Lists[1][,][2] By Lorine McGinnis Schulze

The Palatinate or German PFALZ, was, in German history, the land of the Count Palatine, a title held by a leading secular prince of the Holy Roman Empire. Geographically, the Palatinate was divided between two small territorial clusters: the Rhenish, or Lower Palatinate, and the Upper Palatinate.

While the land of the Palatinate was good for its inhabitants, many of whom were farmers, vineyard operators etc., its location was unfortunately subject to invasion by the armies of Britain, France, and Germany. Mother Nature also played a role in what happened, for the winter of 1708 was particularly severe and many of the vineyards perished. So, as well as the devastating effects of war, the Palatines were subjected to the winter of 1708-09, the harshest in 100 years.

The scene was set for a mass migration. At the invitation of Queen Anne in the spring of 1709, about 7 000 harassed Palatines sailed down the Rhine to Rotterdam. From there, about 3000 were dispatched to America, either directly or via England, under the auspices of William Penn. The remaining 4 000 were sent via England to Ireland to strengthen the protestant interest.

Coming to America

The Walti family left Switzerland in the 1500's because they were being put to death because of their Christian belief and went to Germany after 1640 but before 1695, but things were not better in Germany so they sailed to America on the ship Friendship of Bristol[1], the ship captain was John Davis, Peter Walti arrived in Pennsylvania on Oct 16. 1727, his son John Welty(spelling changed) was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1730.

Arrived in PA On the "Friendship of Bristol" out of Rotterdam. Out of Rotterdam on Oct 16, 1727