This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
New Holland’s Early Town Growth and School Beginnings
A historical pageant recounts New Holland’s rise from scattered farms to a settled town. It describes settlers arriving from Rotterdam to Philadelphia in 1727, the naming debates for the town, and a 1786-1787 effort led by Rev Melsheimer to build a German English schoolhouse funded by subscriptions and donations. The 1787 dedication featured hymns, procession, and the school’s governing articles and exams.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jigi
Dave
Switzerland
Germany
Rotterdam
Jake
Holland
John
England
Alexander
Philadelphia
William
Sarah
Molly
John Diffenderfer
Michael Rine
Caspar Diller
George Swope
Wendel Zwecker
John Berger
Nathaniel Lightner
Caspar Stover
Leonard Stone
Hans George Mentzer
Saene
Jonestown
Brubakerville
Kinterton
Hillcrest
Main Street
Michael Diffenderfer
Grand View
Gilfillanville
New Holland
New
Fathers of
Mister Melsheimer
Melsheimer
George Pennock
Frederick Seeroer
John Engle
John Luther
Secrer
Christian Brimmer
Serer
Luther
James Old
Old
Elias Myers
Myers
Mellsheimer
Michael Saner
George Welch
Welch
George Hildebrand
James Thomas
James Martin
Jacob Stone
George Stone
Christ Meyer
Jacob Sensenig
Valentine Kinzer
Christian Hole
Jacob Hole
Michael Hildebrand
Jacob Hoover
Martin
Fred Seeger
Mr. Summers
Christian Summers
John Bitzer
Ludwig Wolfard
Fausnacht
Jacob Weaver
Shaffner
Wittmer
Lancaster
Mr.Schaffner
Christopher Gross