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New Sweden
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"The Long Finn told all the news of the colony,. . .how the Finns were fast cutting down the forest at Upland." Elin's Amerika |
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"Yes," said the Finn," the Minquas are not so used to our ways and sometimes are unfriendly. But they are the ones who bring in most of the beaver and otter skins. . ." page 23 Elin's Americka |
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In 1638, the Swedes established the colony of New Sweden along the Delaware River in what is now Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The primary purpose of the colony was to establish the beaver fur trade with the Minquas Indians who lived father inland towards the Susquehanna River valley. Governor Johan Printz arrived along with settlers on two ships, the Kalmar Nyckel and the Vogel (Fogel) Grip captained by Peter Minuit. They had orders to make the colony successful. Governor Printz built the seat of government on Tinicum Island and his manor house in present day Governor Printz Park, Essington PA. The colony's best year was 1644, when Governor Printz managed to send 2412 pieces of fur back to Sweden.
Although he was ordered to make the colony successful, Sweden didn't send supply ships and there was a constant worry of the Dutch overtaking control of the colony. The colony lasted under Swedish control until 1655 when it was taken over by the Dutch. Even after the Dutch took over, many Swedes continued to live in the area contributing names and traditions which have lasted into the present day.
The Kalmar Nyckel and the smaller Fogel Grip left Sweden in 1637 and arrived in present day Delaware on March 16, 1638. The settlers were skilled hunters, fishermen, farmers, and craftsmen. Swedish authorities were angry about the slash and burn techniques used by Finns to clear farmland in Europe. Finland was owned by Sweden at the time. To try to discourage this practice and to provide more people for the colony, Swedish officials gave many Finns the choice of either going to jail or going to New Sweden. Many Finns accepted the offer of a new settlement and started their own community at Upland.
Contributions of the Swedes and Finns to life in Pennsylvania:
Had a good relationship with the Lenni Lenape who helped them survive. They learned the Lenape language and had several things in common--respecting the forests, enjoying saunas, and trading brass kettles for furs. The Lenape used some pots for cooking and took others apart to be used for arrowheads and tools.
For further background reading for students try:
Rich Louise Dickinson. "The First Book of Early Settlers," Franklin Watts, 1966.
Hillbrand, Percie V. "The Swedes in America," Lerner, 1966.
Carpenter, Allan. "Enchantment ofAmerica--Delaware," Children's Press
Sioikala, Zoriana. "Before Penn: Swedish Colonists in the Land of the Lenape.: American Swedish Historical Museum, 1988.
