Photo – Mystic Stamp Company
In 1683, thirteen families from Krefeld, Germany, arrived in Philadelphia to begin Germantown, one of America’s oldest settlements. The Top Ten Things Not to Do provides advice (maybe a little late) if you found yourself part of that event. This post ran in October of 2018.
Top Ten Things Not to Do if You Helped Found Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683.
10 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not wear your “I’d Rather be in Philadelphia,” T-shirt. If you do, at best, your neighbors may wonder where your loyalties lie. At worst, you just might be left behind in Philadelphia to fend for yourself. (You are years away from the invention of the Philly Cheese Steak, Farvardin, so life there may be hard.)
9 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not try to tell Sehr Klein (Tiny) the GWF (German Wrestling Federation) where he can camp. If you do, at best, he won’t understand your American German. At worst, you caught him just as he was released from a program of forced restraint and now wants to be free. (Looks like Sehr Klein has designs on demonstrating his Step Over Toe Hold on you, Fay. You do know how to wrestle, don’t you?)
8 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not admit you don’t like beer and would rather have a white wine. If you do, at best, the rest will be grateful that there is more for them. At worst, the powers that be may conclude that you are French. (Now you have to worry about being invaded, Felican. Don’t worry, just surrender and all will be well.)
7 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not think clever nicknames will be appreciated by your explorers. If you do, at best, no one will answer when you use them. At worst, folks will get the idea you are possessed. ( If you hold your breath long enough, you may survive the witch’s dunk tank, Felton. You now regret calling the leader “Fritz,” don’t you?)
6 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not refuse to live in a cave-like dwelling. If you do, at best, you’ll find a tent. At worst, you will not have a place when the winter snows settle in. (The cave homes were temporary, Feri. I think you ought to change your mind before those blue feet fall off.)
5 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not suggest a night on the town in Philadelphia. If you do, at best, it is a six-mile walk, and you’ll have to go alone. At worst, you’ll get some friends to join you, and they will make you the designated transport person. (Nothing like trying to carry a couple of passed-out revelers, huh, Finnan? Too bad horses won’t be brought to Germantown for another three years.)
4 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not suggest solving the food shortage with a delivery from Domino’s. If you do, at best, your cohorts will think you’re crazy. At worst, you will be tasked with going out foraging for nuts, berries, and squirrels. ( Looks like your nut allergy is going to sideline your efforts, Fidello. Good luck explaining what a nut allergy is to these fifteenth-century roughnecks)
3 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not complain when you get a blister on your hand from chopping down trees. If you do, at best, you will become the laughing stock of the settlement. At worst, you will be assigned a new job that is even harder. (How do you like playing the Ox on the front of that plow, Fionan? That whip sure clears the sinus, huh?)
2 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not try to form a football team to play Philadelphia. If you do, at best, you might get one or two players. At worst, you’ll field a whole team and have to face the Phillies. (Did you think this through, Finnolaugh? Those guys are huge and don’t have to walk six miles to play.)
1 If you are part of the Germantown expedition, do not try to sell brightly colored cloth and jewelry. If you do, at best, you have no buyers. At worst, since the community is made up of Mennonites, you might be the recipient of a religious intervention. (Nothing more elegant than having a group of bearded elders trying to exorcize the devil, huh, Flainn? Wow, that red-hot poker looks wicked.)
Fiction Favorites 
If we ever do discover time travel, I hope we can only go forward.
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Ha ha ha. Going back has its complications.
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Good advice for anyone helping to establish Germantown, John.
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Thank you, Tim. 😊
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You’re welcome, John. 😊
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😀
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Too much responsibility. I’ll skip this time travel.
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I don’t blame you.
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I’d definitely pass on this expedition, but great advice as always, John.
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Thank you, Esther. 😊
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Oh, boy–just itching for someone to sneeze so you can impress everyone with your ‘Gesundheit!’
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A little pepper might help with that.
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I think I might skip this expedition John as I prefer wine to beer…. hugsx
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Good reason not to go.
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These are great, John. Well done.
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I didn’t know about this and had to look it up! You might add:
Don’t make noise during Sunday services (since some of the settlers were Quakers) or Tiny might have to silence you permanently!
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Ha ha ha.
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Gasp! Mistaken for French, heaven forbid! 😱😱😱
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Uh huh. 😀
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“In 1683, thirteen families from Krefeld, Germany, arrived in Philadelphia to begin Germantown, one of America’s oldest settlements.”
Now that, John, is something I didn’t know yet, that it was families from Krefeld, my native town! How could I not have known it? Well, maybe because I actually was born in Linn, now a suburb of Krefeld, but in the middle ages a town of it’s own right, and that even before Krefeld. But now, to the chagrin of “enne Lennsche Borsch” [our local dialect for a lad from Linn], it’s “only” a suburb.
You can find our more about my birthplace here:
https://pitsfritztownnews.wpcomstaging.com/about-myself/
Best,
Pit
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Thanks, Pit.
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They probably throw great tailgate parties though. Brats and beer?
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Great idea, Craig 😀
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I’m with Sally on this one. I like beer, but I strongly prefer wine.
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Yup
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I’m jealous that these peeps didn’t have to suffer with Dominos. As for beer, no problems there. As for Philadelphia football? Nope, no thanks!
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Ha ha ha. 😀
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If the Philadelphia Eagles football team had existed during the Revolutionary War, the Redcoats would’ve won . . . by at least a field goal.
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🤣
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🙂
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Ha! A delivery from Domino’s Pizza would have been welcome, I am sure. 😁 thanks for the grins, John.
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Glad you got some, Jan 😀
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About #8, I would never admit that I don’t like beer. I did not realize German Town in Pennsylvania (which I knew about) is that old.
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It is that old. Thanks, Thomas.
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Ok, I’ll admit…I’m not hard wired to participate in a Wayback Machine time’ like that! But your description sure was entertaining! Sehr Klein indeed. Hahaha!
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Thank you, Monika 😊
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I live in a German founded village. Still many with a rich heritage and strong accent. Can I add one? Don’t try using their accent…lol.
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Ja wol
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This was good, John. #1 is true, and of course a German Tiny was a great addition.
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Can you imagine?
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I can’t! 😀
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😀
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Interesting. Any idea why they rowed across?
It set me thinking about what would have been happening around the world at the time.
In India, under Aurangzeb, the Mughal empire reached its greatest territorial coverage and would soon start declining.
In China, the Qing dynasty was going strong.
Isaac Newton published Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica
Shakespeare had been dead for over 70 years.
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I have no idea how or why they rowed. I enjoyed your almanac. Thanks, Ankur.
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🙂 The American dream is older than I thought.
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Compared to other places, it was born yesterday.😊
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And no word about Philadelphia cheese & delicious food it is used for! Thank you for the historical travel, dear John!🍻🍤🍤🍤🌞
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The Philly Cheesesteak was not invented until 1930, which is a long time to wait. Thanks, Maria.🧀🥩
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But one of his ancestors mighe have been on board)))
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True.
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