These immigrants and their descendants created a distinct culture with folk tradations, decorative arts, and a language (Pennsylvania German) based upon their Germanic heritage. As Americans they continued to use patterns from the homeland in erecting their buildings, in decorating their furniture, pottery, and family documents, and in practicing their folkways and religion.
Like the other American settlers, over 90% of the German immigrants became farmers. They toiled in Southeastern Pennsylvania, a region known as the "breadbasket of America". Here, farmers employed many of the most advanced agricultural techniques tilling some of America's most fertile land.
Many categorize the Pennsylvania Germans as "plain folk"-that is Amish or Mennonite, who comprised less than 10% of the German Population. The majority were either Lutheran or Reformed.
Most Pennsylvania Germans were farmers, with some living in rural villages and towns. They were a hard-working people, free from the religous persecution and economic hardships existing in Europe. They brough with them their religions, customs, trades, architecture and agricultural methods. This new found freedom was exhibited in their energy and enthusiasm for establishing new settlements.
Lancaster County proved to be a focal point in Pennsylvania.
arrived in Philadelphia in the fall of 1742 on the Ship-The Loyal Judith.He was 28 years old.
His signature at the Oath of Allegiance .
