The Original Thirteen Families of Germantown, PA

Background

The settlement of Germantown in 1683, was the initial step in the great movement of people from the regions bordering on the historic and beautiful Rhine, extending from its source in the mountains of Switzerland to its mouth in the lowlands of Holland, which has done so much to give Pennsylvania her rapid growth as a colony, her almost unexampled prosperity, and her foremost rank in the development of the institutions of the country. The first impulse, followed by the first wave of emigration, came from Crefeld, a city of the lower Rhine within a few miles of the borders of Holland. This city has in recent years grown greatly in wealth and population, through the evolution of extensive manufactories of silk and other woven goods from the weaving industries established there centuries ago by the Mennonites.

...ere long thirteen men with their families, comprising thirty-three persons, nearly all of whom were relatives, were ready to embark to seek new homes across the ocean. They were Lenart Arets, Abraham Op den Graeff, Dirck Op den Graeff, Herman Op den Graeff, Willem Streypers, Thones Kunders, Reynier Tyson, Jan Seimens, Jan Lensen, Peter Knurls, Johannes Bleikers, Jan Lucken, and Abraham Tunes...

At this time James Claypoole, a Quaker merchant in London, who had previously had business relations of some kind with Telner, was about to remove with his family to Pennsylvania, intending to sail in the Concord, Wm. Jeffries, master, a vessel of five hundred tons burthen. Through him a passage from London was engaged for them in the same vessel, which was expected to leave Gravesend on the 6th of July, and the money was paid in advance...The emigrants reached London in time for the Concord, and they set sail westward on the 24th of July. While they are for the first time experiencing the dangers and trials of a trip across the ocean, doubtless sometimes looking back with regret...

Source:Pennypacker, 1899

Related

Concord Ship List, 1683

Philadelphia environs about 1683

Place:Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Origins of Early Germantown Settlers 1683-1686

External Links (live as of 16 June 2016):

Original Thirteen Families of Germantown

Settlement of Germantown Source:Pennypacker, 1899

Needs

Original Thirteen Households

Bold indicates One of the original Thirteen HOH; otherwise, a passenger on the Conrad per Claypoole's letters