Pennsylvania Before Penn

Few people in the Delaware Valley remember that before the birth of William Penn, we had a functioning Governor, Court, Church, and organized military in a colony called New Sweden. Its fascinating creation, accomplishments, and tragic end will be illuminated by the Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams, retired Swedish Professor from the University of Pennsylvania, Historian of the Swedish Colonial Society and Curator of the New Sweden History Gallery at the Lazaretto in Essington, PA.

While the colony only officially lasted seventeen years, from 1638 to 1655, its influence was significant and today some 20-30 million American can trace their genealogy to one or more of these early settlers. The Swedish Colonial Society is the oldest Swedish historical organization in this country (1909) and has as one of its main tasks to assist people in finding their Swedish or Finnish roots, This Society now has over 700 members, including members in Sweden and Finland.

Many people know that Gloria Dei, Old Swedes’ Church in South Philadelphia is the oldest church in Pennsylvania but few recognize that in 1700 its “Districts” Included people in “Kingsessing”, “Pennypack”, “Neshaminy” and even New Jersey.