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The history
of the Original 13 settlers from Germantown is interesting,
involved, and at times mysterious.
But the primary
incentive that induced them to leave their homeland was based simply
on principles of freedom, which made their "promised land", America,
the perfect solution to an ongoing problem... "religious
persecution".
| Note: The issues of
religious conflict during this time period are deep and
involved, and are not expounded upon in this "brief"
explanation. Look for other links to sources on topics
mentioned in this website where you can find more in-depth
information. |
When William Penn
was searching for righteous, pious, God-fearing men and their
families to fulfill his dream, (which he refers to as his "Holy
Experiment"), Penn had encountered the German people in the lower
Rhine Valley. The people he found there were in need of relief from
oppression and hostility, and as it turned out, filled his
requirements for religious, moral, and economic status
perfectly.
As a result,
13 families were invited by William Penn to come to the new land of
opportunity, to be a part of the creation of a new type of world...
where people were free to worship without fear of retribution... in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
These are the
families who we now refer to as "The Original 13".
The Original 13
"Krefelders", who set sail in July 1683 and arrived in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania in October, 1683 on the Concord, are considered to be
the first "group" or mass-emigration to America. They were also the
original settlers of Germantown, Pennsylvania.
We invite you to scroll
down the page to view three photographs of Krefeld, Germany...
today's streets... upon which our forefather's had once walked over
300 years ago.
All of the photos shown
below were contributed by, and are the property of Tom
Updegraff, who traveled to Krefeld, Germany to
research the "Op den Graeff" family
ancestry. |
