Jan Siemons, Original 13 Families of Germantown, PA

The Oct. 6, 1683 landing date of the German-Dutch settlers in Philadelphia marks a significant date in the history of Philadelphia, but not in the development of Germantown. Philadelphia was nothing more than a stopping-off place for the group (increased to 34 by the birth of one child aboard ship.) Immediately after drawing lots in Pastorius’ cave for their new homes, the businessmen and craftsmen who made the first old world contingent to America built crude homes and caves where they spent their first winter.

The 13 settlers who brought their families to this new land in search of religious freedom they were unable to find in Germany were: Abraham Op den Graeff, Herman Op den Graeff, Dirck Op Den Graeff, Lenart Arets, Jan Seimaens, Willem Streypers, Thones Kunders, Reynier Tyson, Jan Lucken, Johannes Bleikers, Peter Keurlis, Abraham Tunes and Jan Lensen.