Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...Godcharles, Frederic Antes
History
Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...
Godcharles, Frederic Antes
Pennsylvania -- Biography; Pennsylvania -- History
The colony was in such distress in 1639 that the people thought
seriously of abandoning the locality and going to Manhattan, but the
following year another vessel arrived from Sweden with supplies. She
sailed into Christiana, April 17, 1640. On board were four mares and two
horses, a number of farming implements, thirty-one barrels of beer, and
colonists, made up to some extent of deserters from the army and people
accused of offenses. This vessel soon returned laden with beaver skins
and other peltry. At this time the Dutch members of the company sold
their interest to the Swedes.
Peter Hollender, who succeeded Peter Minuit as Governor of the Swedes,
arrived in April, 1640, and continued in authority until February, 1643.
Another effort to send colonists to New Sweden originated in Utrecht. A
charter granted to Hendrik Hooghkamer and others authorized them to
start a settlement on the west side of South River twenty miles above
Fort Christiana. They were to have what land was needed, provided they
improved it within ten years. They could start manufactories and carry
on trade. They were given religious liberty and were required to support
ministers of the Gospel and schoolmasters. But they were compelled to
submit to the Swedish law and Government and pay a tax of three florins
a year for each family.
Under this arrangement the ship Fredenburg sailed from Holland, and
arrived at Christiana, November 2, 1640. This ship was armed with
twenty-five cannon and carried fifty Dutch colonists, headed by Jost de
Bogharat. The Fredenburg took back to Sweden 737 beaver skins, 29 bear
skins and some other productions of the New World.
It was a difficult matter to find colonists. At this time there were
many Finns scattered over Sweden, who lived a somewhat nomadic life.
They roamed about, burned the forests, and shot deer and other game
unlawfully. Severe laws were passed to prevent this wantonness, but the
Finns paid little attention to them, and they refused to return to
Finland. New Sweden seemed to be the solution and the Government of
Sweden ordered the capture of these law-breaking Finns.
Among those engaged in the pursuit of these Finns was Johan Printz, who
was later Governor of New Sweden. When he caught a Finn, who had cut
down six apple trees in the King’s orchard, he was given his choice
between going to New Sweden or being hanged.
Two vessels were fitted out for the voyage to the New World; one of them
carried thirty-five colonists, mostly Finns. They set sail in November,
1641, and arrived in New Sweden the following April. Among these
arrivals were Olaf Paullsson, Anders Hansson, Axel Stille, Henrich
Mattson, Olaf Stille, Mans Swensson, and Per Kock, and their names are
still borne by families in Pennsylvania. Tobacco soon became the main
article of commerce sent from New Sweden.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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