ULRICH’S JOURNEYSwitzerland to America

1749

Ulrich’s Journey begins in Mettmenstettin where he was

born in 1731

Views of Mettmenstetten

The road from Mettmenstetten

By the early spring of 1749 Ulrich had left his home in Canton Zurich. His reasons for doing this are not known but certainly economic hardship and lack of opportunity may have been at the top of the list. Since there was no established road system the Rhine River offered the quickest and easiest route out of Switzerland.

Trip down the Rhine River from Basel, Switzerland to Rotterdam, Holland

Bridge across the Rhine at Basel

Map of Ulrich’s travels: 1) Rhine River from Switzerland to Germany; 2) Across Holland to Rotterdam; 4) Cowes; 5) Across the Atlantic

Ocean to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The port of Rotterdam was swarming with emigrants desperate to reach America

Typical Emigrant/Cargo Ship of 1749similar to the Priscilla upon which

Ulrich purchased passage to America

 Dutch cargo ship (known as a Three masted Hoeker) 1749.  Image by S. Sepp, 8 Sep 2007 Replica of

the VOC ship Amsterdam.

The Priscilla stopped briefly at Cowes England before crossing

the Atlantic

Ulrich signs a Loyalty Oath to the King of England, George the Second, who had been born in Germany.

End of the JourneySeptember 11, 1749 the Priscilla

arrives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

King George II by Thomas Hudson 1744

We Subscribers, Natives and late Inhabitants of the Palatinate upon the Rhine and Places Adjacent, having transported Ourselves and Families into this Province of Pennsylvania, a Colony subject to the Crown of Great Britain, in Hopes and Expectation of finding a Retreat and Peaceable Settlement therein, Do Solemnly Promise and Engage, that We will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to his present MAJESTY, KING GEORGE THE SECOND and his Successors, Kings of Great Britain, and will be faithful to the Proprietor of this Province; And that we will demean ourselves peaceably to all His said Majesty's Subjects, and strictly observe and conform to the Laws of England and of this Province, to the utmost of our Power and best of our understanding. 

Oath of Allegiance Signed by Adult, Male Passengers 

When Entering the American Colonies at the Port of Philadelphia, PA

List of the PriscillaSeptember 11, 1749