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My German immigrant ancestors in PENNSYLVANIA 1683 - 1808

The early German immigrants to Pennsylvania, from 1683 to 1808, were predominantly from parts of SW Germany, known today as the states of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland- Pfaltz) and Baden-Wuerttemberg. Others came from nearby German communities just over the border in Switzerland and in Alsace, France. Collectively they were all referred to as "Palatines" or "Palatinates" in the historical literature.

The first significant number of Palatine immigrants arrived at Philadelphia in 1683 on the ship Concord, which has often been called the "German Mayflower". There were many reasons why this group of Germans left the Fatherland. Their incentive started with the missionary zeal of William Penn, who made many converts among the Palatines to the Quaker persuasion. Penn also secured a royal charter in 1681 for land in Pennsylvania and the terms for purchases were made reasonable.

Crest of Krefeld

At this time in American history the Kesters were Kusters or Koesters and one of the first to arrive shortly after the 1683 arrivals was Arnold/Aret Kuster. Arnold Kuster was born in Crefeld, Germany. He was baptized in Kaldenkirchen, September 6, 1669. He migrated to Germantown, Pennsylvania, with his parents in 1684. He attended school as a young boy under Francis Daniel Pastorius.

Arnold Kuster and his brother, Hermanus, were two of the most active early Pennsylvania Mennonites. In all probability Arnold did not serve in the militia because this would have meant bearing arms. The Mennonites were pacifists. Arnold refused to be a Germantown committeeman in 1702 because of conscientious scruples. Such a position involved the taking of an oath which was against his principles. As early as 1701 Pastorius, writing to William Penn, said that he could not get men to serve in the General Court for "conscience sake" and he trusted for a remedy in the expected arrival of immigrants. From all indications, Arnold Kuster remained a Mennonite throughout his life.

Arnold was a bricklayer by trade. Apparently he remained in Germantown until about 1714, at which time he migrated to the western part of Philadelphia County. He bought 316 acres of land in 1714 from John Henry Sprogell in the "Manatawney tract." on this plantation, situated on the banks of the Schuykill River, in Philadelphia County (now Berks), Hanover Township, he and his family settled. Arnold Kuster died in Manatawney, located at the mouth of Sprogell's Run, in 1739. Presumably, he a Rebecca, his wife, are buried in the Manatawney vicinity, possibly in an early Mennonite cemetery. He left an estate but no will. Letters of Administration were granted to his brother, Hermanus, on Dec. 22, 1739. A record of Arnold's Estate and the Administrator's Bond is to be found in the Orphan's Court, File No. 35, Philadelphia, PA. The Deed is recorded in Deed Book, No. 32, page 90, in Norristown, PA. (Descendants of Jacob & Sarah Custer, by C.E. Custer, pg. 9)

Sources: Descendants of Jacob & Sarah Custer, by chester E. Custer, pgs 7-8; Letter Dorothea Schweiger (file); Newscaster, pg 12, V 6 #1 pg 10; Descendants of Paulus and Gertrude Kuster, by J. White, pgs 19-22; LDS Ancestrial file(From Eric Bosley at Roots Web, World Connect,)