The Cunards In America
The story of the Cunards in America begins with the bold journey of thirteen families from religious persecution in 17th century Germany to the freedom and opportunity of the new world. Thones Kunders, a dyer by trade and Quaker by faith, left Krefeld, Germany with his wife and three young sons in the summer of 1683. After traveling to Rotterdam, they sailed to London to await their passage to America. They sailed to the colonies on the Concord, often referred to as the "German Mayflower", which left London on July 24, 1683. The Concord was a 500 ton vessel which was mastered by William Jeffries, had 26 cannons, and a crew of 40. They arrived in Philadelphia, PA on October 6, 1683. The group was met by their minister, Francis Daniel Pastorius, who had preceeded them by a few weeks. They had purchased a large plot of land from William Penn that they settled and came to call "Germantown". By 1690, the town had grown to forty-four families. The first meetings of the Society of Friends was held in his home. His house was also the site of the first public protest of slavery in the new world. It is a national historic site today. He lived a full life in Germantown, was respected by his community and held several positions of leadership. His descendents include Samuel Cunard, the founder of the Cunard Shipping Line, Charles "Pete"Conrad, an astronaut of five missions including a walk on the moon in Apollo XII, and generations of individuals who have succeeded in this land of promise through their hard work, faith and the vision of one man and his family. |
