Swedish Colonial News Volume 2, Number 1 Winter 2000 P reserving the legacy of the New Colony in America.

Gloria Dei History Symposium The American Swedish Historical Museum Award, who will offer an illustrated look at the will host a Tercentenary Symposium focusing church’s architecture; Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, on Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church, Philadel- the author of both The 1693 Census of the Swedes phia on Saturday March 18, 2000 from 1-4 on the Delaware (1993) and The 1671 Census of p.m. Four speakers will discuss Gloria Dei the Delaware (1999), who will describe the Church’s history, project he is directing to translate and publish a rc h i t e c t u re, his- the documents of the church’s colonial history; torical context and Richard L. Waldron, Executive Director of and the pro j e c t the American Swedish Historical Museum, who now underway to will talk about the 18th century Swedish translate and pub- Lutheran mission that renewed the life of the lish a large collec- congregation. The symposium has been made tion of its docu- possible through the support of the ments. The spea- Pennsylvania Humanities Council. kers include Dr. At the same time, the museum and the con- K i m - E r i c gregation are jointly sponsoring a temporary Williams, a Coun- exhibition at the museum entitled Gloria Dei cillor of the 300 Years. Materials from the church’s collec- Swedish Colonial tions are presented to illustrate all three cen- Society and As- turies of its history. The exhibition examines the sistant Editor of church’s evolution from an 18th century mis- the Gloria Dei sion congregation of the to R e c o rds Pro j e c t , its role as a parish of the Episcopal Church’s who will present a Diocese of Pennsylvania. h i s t o ry of the The American Swedish Historical Museum church; Penelope is located in F.D.R. Park at 1900 Pattison H. Batcheler, a Avenue in South Philadelphia, five blocks west f o rmer museum of the Sports Complex. It is easily accessible b o a rd member from I-95 or I-76 and has plenty of free parking. and recipient of The Broad Street subway is within walking dis- the Dr. Amandus tance. Regular hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 Johnson Serv i c e p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. The exterior of Gloria Dei Church after its 1999 restoration. In this Issue...

ARCHITECTURE LUN C H E O N

FOREFATHERS What Gloria Dei ME M B E R S For efathers Mil l e n n i u m 3 Church looked like Luncheon planned 5 for April 9, 2000 Pastor Andreas Rudman in 1700 Who belonged to 2 and his Family 4 Gloria Dei in 1700 Dr. Peter S. Craig Philadelphia, where they called on Vi c e FOREFATHERS Governor Markham on the 29th. Andreas Rudman, founder of Gloria Dei Rudman Chooses Wicaco Church, was born 3 November 1668 in Gävle, On the 30th of June, Rudman and Björk Gästrikland Province, Sweden, the son of Johan met with the Wicaco congregation to read the Pastor Augustison Rudolph and Magdalen Nilsdotter. messages they carried from the King and the After completing his studies and securing a Archbishop. They did the same at Crane Hook Andreas degree at the University of Uppsala and being on 2 July 1697. Rudman, as the senior pastor, ordained, Rudman was chosen by Archbishop chose the Wicaco congregation as his own. Rudman Swebelius and Dean Jesper Swedberg in Björk, therefore, became pastor at the other February 1696 as the pastor to lead the delega- church, then located at Crane Hook. Both of tion being sent by King Carl XI to serve the them gave their first sermons at their respective and his Swedish Lutheran congregations on the churches on 11 July 1697. Delaware. One of Rudman’s first duties was to Family At first, Rudman was reluctant to accept the become acquainted with his new congregation. offer. But, after being assured by the King that In the course of this, he met Elisabeth, the he would be rewarded with a good post in daughter of Peter Mattsson and Catharina Sweden after his time in America, Rudman Rambo. Rudman and Elisabeth Petersdotter agreed to take on the job. were married at her home on Mantua Creek in During the next several months, there were West Jersey on 4 May 1698. She was then twen- frustrating delays while two other ministers ty years old. (Eric Björk and Jonas Aurén) were selected and Builder of Gloria Dei ordained and all of the religious books were It was evident to both Rudman and Björk Anniversary Sunday assembled for the trip to America. Finally, in late that the old, dilapidated log churches at Wicaco July 1696, the party left Stockholm on the ship and Crane Hook were not adequate for the Palmboom, destined for London. congregations that they served. It was therefore On Sunday, May 7 at Arriving in London in early October 1696, decided, with the consent of the congregations, 10 am., Gloria Dei Rudman and his party were detained there for to replace them with new stone and brick edi- Church will mark its four months. During this time, on 3 December fices. The “lower congregation,” led by Björk, 300th Anniversary 1696, they called on Governor William Penn. soon agreed to build its new church at Christina with a special As Rudman wrote in his diary, “He very gra- (present Wilmington), but Rudman’s “upper Ce l e b r a t i o n . ciously gave us his opinion and promised us his congregation” split into factions, with some protection. He also gave much good advice as favoring Wicaco, others Passyunk. to our management and conduct there, and Unable to bring unity to his congregation, promised us a recommendation to his deputy Rudman concluded his sermon on 31 July 1698 governor [William Markham].” with the announcement that he had decided to Sails to America leave them. He bid them farewell and moved to Rudman, Björk, Aurén and their assistant, a Christina, planning to return to Sweden. lad named Jonas Bjürström, boarded the ship This announcement, plus an impassioned Jeffries at Blackwell, 4 Feb. 1697. After four sermon by Björk at the Wicaco church on 28 months at sea, the ship anchored in the James August 1698, caused the “upper congregation” River in Virginia on 3 June 1697. The four to agree to end their internal differences, to Swedes stayed with the ship until it reached renew their pledges to build a new church and Annapolis on the 19th of June. Then, after to leave the decision-making on the new church being generously entertained by Govern o r to the pastors. Rudman thereupon returned to Francis Nicholson for four days, they departed Wicaco and resumed his duties. on a smaller ship for the Elk River. On the 24th, For the next two years, Rudman labored Gloria Dei Church, they arrived at the Swedish settlement known as hard to bring the new church into being at pen and ink sketch Sahakitko, located at the Head of Elk (present Wicaco. The first contracts were signed in by Thornton Elkton, Maryland). October 1698. The church was sufficiently fin- Oa k l e y , 1941, in The residents of Sahakitko quickly sent ished to permit its formal consecration on w o rd to their Swedish neighbors on the Sunday, 2 June 1700. Rudman had consecrated the collection of Delaware of the ministers’ arrival. Soon, men, Holy Trinity Church at Christina the year the American horses and carts assembled to escort Rudman before. Björk did the honors at Wicaco. The Swedish Historical and his colleagues to Crane Hook, where new church was christened Gloria Dei (Glory to Mu s e u m , Rudman and Björk conducted a short prayer God). Ph i l a d e l p h i a . and thanksgiving for their safe arrival on June continued on page 6 27th. On the next day, they journeyed to 2 Swedish Colonial News Rudman’s Description of Gloria Dei Church as it Looked in 1700 Work on the Gloria Dei Records Project has He added that on the western side, “a tower wall yielded a letter, written 20 November 1700, by was begun which now remains unfinished until ARCHITECTURE Pastor Andreas Rudman, giving his own descrip- the dear God is pleased to open some means for Dr. Peter S. Craig tion of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church, which, a bell.” in translation, rea d s : Both the Wicaco and Christina congreg a - “The church is 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, tions laid claim to the old bell from the log and 20 feet high. The roof is made of cedar shin- ch u r ch at Tinicum. To resolve this conflict, a sea gles, 18,000 of them. There are six windows, captain named Trent gave one of his ship’s bells th r ee on each side, 12 feet high. The whole inte- to the Christina church and the church bell from rior is covered with plaster, although the ceiling Tinicum was hung at Gloria Dei. was first secured with lathes. In 1702, Pastor Andreas Sandel, who “On each side the pews are arranged in two replaced Rudman, rep o r ted that Gloria Dei “is a qu a r ters, and in addition there is a lengthwise ve r y fine church, with six large windows, brick pew under the windows, with an aisle between walls, pews made of cedar, and a pulpit of walnut. this and the quarters. The entire chancel itself In the summer we expect to build a sacristy and stands three steps higher than the church floor, so po rc h . ” that the chancel rail and the pews are of the same height, and the altar rail as well. “The altar, like the church, is made of brick. “As its form, in time, will show, the tower is joined to the church, though still unfinished, ap p r oximately 26 or 28 feet high. In this is our entrance. Above, there is a room for church arti - cles, and over this, a room for the church library. A bell room is to go above this, and also a spire, so that it may reach 80 or 100 feet, in all, if one da r e risk so high a tower in this land of fierce l y st r ong storm winds. No more is to be done on the tower, however, until there is some hope of bells. And the congregation has some debts which must first be paid. “In the beginning we thought the church would be too large, but we need all the space no w , and a little adjoining room, besides, which is intended for an organ loft and organ. This has a door through the inner wall of the tower roo m . “The east end of the church is angular, and in The sacristy on the north side of the church The interior of Gloria Dei Church the center there is a frame made to hold an and the porch and entrance on the south side after its 1999 restoration. inscription in gold letters, facing toward the river, we r e built in 1704, according to church accounts. to be seen and read by all who pass by, whether As was typical in all churches at the time, the they sail or walk. women sat in pews on the left side of the main “The church was consecrated on the second aisle and the men on the right. From the pew of June of this year by my faithful colleague, assignments, we learn that there were five rows of Magister Ericus Björk, in the presence of a grea t pews in the front two quarters, the first rows of number of people. which were re s e rved for “honored guests.” “After that, the other congre g a t i o n Another aisle, crossing the church, divided the [Christina] and the most notable among the fr ont two quarters from the rear two quarte r s , English were given ref r eshments according to our which had seven rows of pews. Side aisles separat- means and supplies.” ed these four quarters from side pews along the Another letter, by Pastor Björk, dated 19 walls beneath the windows. Unlike today, there November 1700, described the church as having was no window above the altar at the east end of a foundation “entirely of stone but the rest built the church and there was no balcony. quite handsomely of brick, every other glazed.”

Swedish Colonial News 3 Charter Members of Gloria Dei Church MEMBERS Dr. Peter S. Craig It was the first Sunday after Trinity in the year 1700 – the 2nd of June by the contemporary Julian calendar (12th of June by the modern calendar adopted in 1752). It was the day set aside for the consecration of Gloria Dei Church at Wicaco, just outside the boundaries of that new town on the Delaware Passyunk District called Philadelphia. Maria [Cock], widow of Anders Rambo For the big event, the Wicaco congregation was joined by Peter Homman, bachelor servant the lower congregation at Holy Trinity, which had been ded- Martha [Ashman], widow of Lasse Cock icated the year before. Also attending the big event were many Peter Cock Jr. & wife Elisabeth Swanson Englishmen. Ericus Björk, pastor of Holy Trinity, conducted John Cock Jr. & wife Margaret Swanson the services in Swedish and, afterwards, for the benefit of the Anders Cock, bachelor English guests, summarized in English the substance of what Richard Rhodes & wife Catharina Cock he had said. Peter Cock Sr. & wife Helena Helm The following is a list of the charter members of Gloria Matthias Holstein & wife Catharina [Petersson?] Dei, grouped according to the district in which they lived: Anders Bengtsson & wife Gertrude Rambo Neshaminy District Nitapkung District Clas Johansson & wife Walborg [Bengtsson] (including Mattsunk) John Johansson & wife Margaret Williams Gunnar Rambo & wife Anna Cock John Enochs & wife Brita Gästenberg John Rambo Jr.& wife Anna Lyckan Jonas Keen & wife Frances Walker Anders Lyckan & wife Anna Walborg, widow of Dunck Williams John Justis, widower William Williams & wife Elisabeth [Classon] John Skute & wife Armegot Garret Lars Boore & wife Elisabeth Garrett Garret & wife Magdalena Lars Boore, Jr., & wife Maria Thomasson Mårten Garret & wife Brigitta [Nilsson] Anders Bengtsson Jr. & wife Gertrude Boore Måns Justis & wife Christina Swanson Pennypack District Aronameck District Peter Rambo Jr. & wife Magdalena Skute Nils Jonasson & wife Christina Gästenberg Cecelia, widow of Olle Gästenberg Måns Jonasson & wife Ingeborg Lyckan Eric Gästenberg & wife Hanshe [Classon] Peter Petersson Yocum & wife Judith [Nilsson] Matz Keen & wife Henrietta [Classon] Margareta [Cock], widow of Thomas Jenner Eric Keen & wife Catharina [Classon] Anders Longacre & wife Magdalena Cock Göran Keen, bachelor Brita [Månsdotter], widow of Johan Gustafsson Gertrude, widow of Herman Enochs Giösta Justis & wife Anna Morton Michael Fredericks & wife Anna [Classon] Jacob van Culin & wife Brigitta Swanson Christiern Classon & wife Margareta Carl Justis, bachelor Eric Mullica, Jr., bachelor Sven Justis & wife Catharina Yocum Olof Mullica, bachelor Karin, widow of Anders Ekoren John Reynolds & wife Anna Mullica Karrakung District Hans Lyckan & wife Gertrude Classon (including Boon’s & Cock’s Islands) Wicaco District Margaret [Lom], widow of Peter Larsson Cock (including Moyamensing) Gabriel Cock & wife Maria Friend Anna, widow of Anders Svensson Matz Hendricksson, bachelor servant Gunnar Swanson, bachelor Anna, widow of Anders Svensson Bonde [Boon] Christopher Swanson, bachelor Peter Boon & wife Catharina Morton Karin [Larsdotter], widow of Sven Svensson Nils Boon, bachelor Peter Bankson & wife Catharina Swanson Olof Boon, bachelor Lydia [Ashman], widow of Olle Svensson Otto Ernest Cock & wife Christina John Swanson, bachelor Valentine Cock & wife Margaret Swanson Peter Swanson, bachelor Zacharias Cock, bachelor Bengt Bengtsson & wife Catharina Swanson Matz Nitzelius & wife Elisabeth Cock Andrew Wheeler & wife Catharina Swanson Anders Jonasson & wife Catharina Boon John Stille & wife Gertrude Garret Jonas Jonasson, bachelor Nils Lyckan & wife Maria Gästenberg William Cobb & wife Christina Stalcop

4 Swedish Colonial News Forefathers Millennium Calcon Hook (including Ammansland) Luncheon Mårten Mårtensson Jr. & wife Margaret [Bärtilsson] On Sunday April 9, 2000 the Swedish Colonial Society and John Bärtilsson, bachelor the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society will hold their biennial Nils Mattsson, widower joint Luncheon beginning with a reception at 11:30 a.m. at the Peter Peterson & wife Anna Fish Union League, 140 South Broad Street in Center City Hans Geörgen & wife Elisabeth Philadelphia. The program will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed Swan Boon & wife Brigitta Swanson by the Luncheon. Hans Boon & wife Barbara Swanson The guest speaker will be Dr. Nils Hasselmo, Chair of the Anders Mårtensson, bachelor Swedish American Council and President of the American John Archer [Grelsson] & wife Gertrude [Bärtilsson] Association of Universities. Lars Bärtilsson, bachelor Special guests include: Hon. Agneta Hagglund Bailey, Mårten Mårtensson Sr. & wife Helena [Grelsson] newly-appointed Honorary Consul who will read a Special Matthias Mårtensson & wife Anna Justis Millennial Greeting from His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of John Hendricksson & wife Magdalena Sweden; Captain and Mrs. Robert Glover of the Kalmar Nyckel Hendrick Torton & wife Walborg in Wilmington; Mr. Richard Wal d r on of the American Swedish Anders Hendricksson & wife Brigitta Morton Historical Museum, and his spouse, Mrs. Lorraine E. Wil l i a m s Johan Van Culin & wife Anna [Grelsson] of the New Jersey State Museum. Gregor [George] Van Culin, bachelor A musical program will be perfo r med by soprano DeAnn John Cock Sr. & wife Brigitta Friend Cl a n c y . Historian, Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, will introduce the Anna [Andersdotter], widow of Nils Larsson Friend Fo r efather members present, and University of Pennsylvania John Friend & wife Anna Coleman student Julie Brown, this year’s recipient of the Dr. Amandus Gabriel Friend, bachelor Johnson award, will be introd u c e d . Enoch Enochson & wife Susannah Friend For further information contact Herbert Rambo (856) Sinamensing District 76 8 - 5 3 2 5 . (Pennsauken Creek, NJ) (including Great & Little Egg Harbor) Ella Steelman, widow of Hans Månsson Retiring Editor of the Swedish Jöns Steelman & wife Susannah Toy Colonial News, Beth Linnarson- Peter Steelman & wife Gertrude Keen Daly and her spouse, Brian Daly after being recognized for her Elias Toy & wife Gertrude [Nilsson] outstanding contributions to the Nicklas Lindemeyer & wife Christina [Nilsson] Society at the Merion Cricket Peter Jonasson, bachelor Club Julmiddag, December 5, Måns Cock & wife Gunnilla [Nilsson] 1999. Caspar Fish & wife Willamke [Keen] Eric Mullica Sr. & wife Ingeborg Helm Lawrence Huling & wife Catharina Lyckan Clement Pålsson, bachelor Mantes Creek District (Gloucester County, NJ) John Rambo Sr. & wife Brigitta Cock Eric Cock & wife Elisabeth [Philipsson] Peter Ericsson Cock, bachelor Catharina [Rambo], widow of Peter Mattsson Olof Dalbo & wife Catharina Friend Michael Lyckan & wife Helena Lom Staffan Jones & wife Anna Mattson John Mattsson & wife Maria Lom Israel Helm, widower Swedish Pea Soup Anders Andersson Homman & wife Catharina On Saturday March 18, 2000 the annual fund-raiser for John Jonasson & wife Catharina Lock the Swedish Log Cabin will be held at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Anders Lock & wife Christina Fish Episcopal Church, Lansdowne, Pa. For only $10, each partic- Peter Lock, bachelor ipant is promised a “bottomless bowl” of that special Nordic John Lock, bachelor tradition. This year the dinner will benefit the furnishing fund Andrew Robeson & wife Maria Helm for the cabin. For further information, call David Anderson (610) 449-3577. Swedish Colonial News 5 preserved in the records of Gloria Dei. In addi- Rudman continued from page 2 tion, however, he was persuaded by Rev. Another project receiving Rudman’s atten- George Keith to assume the pastorate of Trinity tion was liturgical music. Rudman brought Church near Frankfort in Oxford Township, 8 with him from Sweden a small spinet and miles from Philadelphia. He began serving this devoted time to writing eight hymns which Anglican church on 2 April 1704. In 1707, he were printed and published by Reynier Jansen, added the pastorate at Christ Churc h , a German printer, in 1700 – the first two hym- Philadelphia, to his responsibilities during the nals to be printed in America. absence of its regular minister, Evan Evans, in Founder of Manatawny England. While the new church was under construc- It had been Rudman’s intention to move tion, Governor William Penn re t u rned to back to Sweden after Evans returned from Philadelphia from London. On 7 Dec. 1699, England. But fate intervened. Rudman became Rudman, Björk, Aurén and “a large part of the m o rtally ill with “lung sickness” on 13 upper congregation” paid their respects to September 1708 and died four days later. Björk Penn, who assured them that he would there- and Sandel presided at Rudman’s funeral on 20 after continue to show the Swedes “all possible September and he was buried in the floor of the favor.” Rudman soon put Penn to the test on church in front of the altar. “He was not yet 40 his promise. Pointing out that many of the years old,” lamented Eric Björk, who delivered Swedes felt cheated by the preemption of their the funeral sermon before “an exceeding great lands for Quaker settlement, Rudman secured number of people.” an order from William Penn in October 1701 R u d m a n ’s will, dated 13 Sept. 1708, setting aside 10,000 acres up the Schuylkill, named his wife Elisabeth executrix and made near Manatawny Creek, for members of his bequests to his two surviving childre n , c o n g regation. The resulting settlement in Magdalena and Anna Catharine. He also had at Amity Township, originally known as least two other children, both sons, who died in Manatawny, now Douglassville, later became childhood. His widow Elisabeth did not remar- the location of St. Gabriel’s (Old Swedes) ry. She lived on the Schuylkill on land her hus- Church, founded in 1720. band had acquired in 1708 from her brother, With the completion of Gloria Dei Peter Mattson, Jr., until her final year when she Church, Rudman felt that his mission was com- lived with her daughter Anna Catharine pleted and wrote to Sweden, asking that he be Tr a n b e rg. She wrote her will at Peter replaced. His health had suffered. He yearned Tr a n b e rg ’s house in Piles Grove, Salem to see his mother, siblings and native land County, on 1 September 1736 and was buried again. However, when his re p l a c e m e n t by her son-in-law on 5 September. (Andreas Sandel) arrived in 1702, Rudman was The two surviving children of Andreas persuaded to postpone his return to Sweden Rudman and Elisabeth Mattsson were: and, instead, to serve as pastor of the Dutch 1. Magdalena Rudman, born 24 Feb. Lutheran Church in . He 1699 in Philadelphia, was married on 21 preached his farewell sermon at Gloria Dei on August 1718 at Gloria Dei Church to Andrew 19 July 1702 and left the next day for New Robeson, Jr., born in 1692, the eldest son of York. Andrew Robeson (Scotch) and Maria Helm After a year in New York, Rudman decided (Swedish). They resided in Roxboro u g h he could not, because of his health problems, Township, Philadelphia and had five children, continue. He there f o re re c ruited his own all of whom died without issue: Andre w, replacement, , whom he Elisabeth (who married William Va n d e r- Gloria Dei Church ordained at Gloria Dei on 24 November 1703. spiegel), Rudman (who married Marg a re t ) , as shown in the Shortly thereafter, on 23 Feb. 1704, King Carl William and Sarah. Magdalena’s husband died stained glass of XII of Sweden, issued an order formally con- in 1740. She outlived all of her children, Christ Church, firming Rudman as ‘Superintendent” (suffra- excepting Elisabeth Vanderspiegel, and died on Upper Merion gan bishop) of the Lutheran Church in 25 Feb. 1769 at the age of 70. America. 2. Anna Catharine Rudman, born about by Paula Himmelsbach Rudman’s Final Years 1705 in Philadelphia, was married in 1726 at Belano. Rudman remained in Philadelphia, residing Gloria Dei Church to Pastor Peter Tranberg, Photo: K.-E. Williams. on a lot between Cedar and Pine streets, newly arrived from Sweden. They lived from between Front Street and the Delaware River. 1726 until 1742 at Piles Grove, Salem County He now spent part of his time writing a histor y NJ, during which time Tranberg served as pas- of the Swedish church at Wicaco, which is still tor of the Swedish churches at Raccoon

6 Swedish Colonial News New Forefather Members

Steve Widtfedlt, Fort Worth TX, descend- Joseph A. Anderson, Smyrna DE, descend- ed from Johan Gustafsson via his son Swan Justis ed from Anders Jöransson via his son Eric of Kingsessing, West Philadelphia. Anderson.

Cornelia Anderson Pappas, Dover DE, Nancy B. Foster, Cincinnati OH, descend- descended from Anders Jöransson via his son ed from Olof Stille via his daughter Ella Stille Eric Andersson of New Castle County. who married Peter Jochimsson of Kingsessing.

Jane S. Frees, Spring City PA, descended Scott W. Jord a n, Albuquerque NM, f rom Peter Gunnarsson Rambo via his son descended from Peter Gunnarsson Rambo via Gunnar Rambo of Matsunk, Upper Merion, his son Gunnar Rambo. Montgomery County PA. William D. Steelman, Moraga CA, Barbara Ann Turk, Blanding UT, descend- descended from Hans Månsson via his son Jöns ed from Sven Gunnarsson via his daughter [James] Steelman of Great Egg Harbor NJ. G e rt rude, who married Jonas Nilsson of Kingsessing. Gerald H. Barr, Warminster PA, descend- ed from Peter Jochimsson via his son Peter W. Warren von Uffel, Ellicott City MD, Petersson Yocum of Aronameck, Kingsessing. descended from Johan van Culin via his son Gregor [later George] Culin of Ammansland, Councillor Malcolm Ridley Township, present Delaware County PA. Mackenzie at the Society’s Thanksgiving Rudman continued from page 6 Service, October 17, 1999 with the models ( S w e d e s b o ro) and Penns Neck. In 1742, of the Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip that Tranberg became pastor of Holy Trinity Church he restored. in Wilmington, which he served until his death in November 1748. Anna Catharine Tranberg died in Wilmington on 25 Sept. 1764. They had six children: • Andrew Tranberg, born 18 April 1727, became a merchant in Wilmington, but died unmarried 16 Jan. 1759. • Rebecca Tranberg, born 3 June 1730, was married on 27 Feb. 1752 at Holy Trinity Church to Baron Adolph Benzel, son of the Swedish A rchbishop Eric Benzelius and grandson of Bishop Jesper Swedberg. Benzel became an offi- Rambo Genealogy Update cer in the British Army in the New York colony Prior to her death in June 1990, Beverly Rambo was working on a rev i s e d and died at Crown Point on Lake Champlain in and expanded edition of her book, The Rambo Family Tre e .Realizing that her 1775. Rebecca returned to Wilmington, where, cancer would make it impossible for her to finish this task, she enlisted a young on 26 Nov. 1783, she married William Killen, Rambo descendant, Ron Beatty, to take over for her. Unfortu n a t e l y , Beverly Chief Justice of the State of Delaware. She died failed to note this fact in her will and her executors discarded her computer 7 Jan. 1790 in Dover, Delaware. rec o r ds and her 22 shelf-feet of Rambo genealogy ref e re n c e s . • Elisabeth Tranberg, born 7 Nov. 1732, Undaunted, Ron Beatty has been working on his mission. Beverly’s prior married [1] pastor Olof Parlin of Gloria Dei text has been scanned into his computer and he now solicits new materials for Church, 31 Oct. 1751, [2] Gabriel Springer of the second edition. Wilmington, 14 Jan. 1762; died 29 Sept. 1802 All persons having corrections, additions and supplemental informa t i o n in Wilmington. on descendants of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo are urged to send such material • Rachel Tranberg, born 9 Jan. 1737, died di r ectly to Ron Beatty, P.O. Box 2142, Shawnee Mission KS 66201, E-mail in 1743 in Wilmington. ad d r ess: [email protected]. • Peter Tranberg, born 15 Jan. 1741, buried Besides family group sheets and family trees, Ron hopes to receive copies 29 July 1750 in Wilmington. (not originals) of rec o r ds proving family relationships, such as Bible rec o rd s , • Theophilus Tr a n b e rg, born 9 Marc h wills, birth / m a r riage/death certificates, deeds, church rec o r ds, etc. 1746, died 9 May 1746 in Wilmington. Swedish Colonial News 7 Swedish Colonial News Governor The Swedish Colonial Society William B. Neal 916 South Swanson Street Senior Deputy Governor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147-4332 Herbert R. Rambo www.ColonialSwedes.org Junior Deputy Governor Mrs. George C. McFarland Secretary Rev. David B. Rivers Recording Secretaries Barbara A. Almquist Martha Bates Striedieck Treasurer Clifford J. Holgren Registrar Wallace F. Richter Captain of the Color Guard Peter Mats Sheronas Chaplain Rev. David B. Rivers Counselor Gordon L. Keen, Esq. Historian Dr. Peter S. Craig

Councillors David R. Anderson Mrs. Robert Jensen Bryan Mrs. Maurice Clancy Beth Linnerson Daly Swedish Colonial NewsUpdate Brian Daly This is the first issue of the Second Volume of the Swedish Colonial News.The new “look” has Ulf Hammerskjold been provided by Ron Hendrickson and his associates at Cataleno & Co., Moorestown, New Jersey. Ronald A. Hendrickson The new Editor is Councillor Kim-Eric Williams, the Assistant Editor of the Gloria Dei Records Marie Bates Hiscock Project and the Editor of the Archives Advocate,a publication of the Lutheran Archives Center at the Lutheran Seminary in Mt. Airy. The strengths of the first volume will definitely continue with Mrs. Park Huntington a mix of accurate, groundbreaking history and the reporting and announcing of the activities of Christina W. Lassen the Society. But at the same time, a more visual approach will enliven the content to appeal to the Malcolm L. Mackenzie growing circle of new members and Forefather members that are being added to the Society each Ellen T. Rye month. The new volume will provide three issues instead of two, with publication scheduled in the Mrs. Victor Sheronas winter, spring and autumn each year. The Society owes a debt of gratitude to Beth Linnerson-Daly Linda R. Smith whose ten years of careful editing established Swedish Colonial Newsas a respected journal of Susan B. Spackman research and information. Richard L. Steadham Richard L. Waldron New Members Welcome Mrs. John W. Widtfeldt The Swedish Colonial Society welcomes new members. No Swedish relative or ancestry is Dr. Kim-Eric Williams required—only an interest in the colonial history of our nation. Annual dues are: Individual $25; Family (two adults, minor children) $30; Life $300. For an application, contact: Wallace Richter - Honorary Governors Registrar, 336 S. Devon Ave., Wayne, PA 19087, or visit us online at: www.ColonialSwedes.org. John C. Cameron, Esq. Wallace F. Richter www.ColonialSwedes.org Dr. Erik G. M. Tornqvist The new website of the Swedish Colonial Society continues to generate interest in the history Dr. Bengt Wennberg of the New Sweden Colony and the activities of the Society. Comments, additions and suggestions Herbert E. H. Gullberg for additional content may be directed to the webmaster, Councillor Ron Hendrickson at: Conrad Wilson [email protected]