The PA Dutch, some say was an Anglicanization of the word for German word for German, Deutsch. (Pronounced Doich) However in the low German dialecct spoken by most Palatine immigrants, the word is Deitsch, pronounced with a long i. Now the Dutch refugees in German naturally picked up the low German dialect spoken by their neighbors. However, in the case of many, including the original settlers in Germantown Philadelphia, about half were actually refugees from Holland. Even in the early 1600's, the Dutch were burning mennonites at the stake. So Menoniites, escaped across the river into some of the western Germamic kingdoms. Germany was at that time a collection of about 60 small principalities. Some of my ancestors came from German speaking areas of Alsace Lorraine, some came from the Duchy of Zweibrucken. Also, Mennonites in Switzerland were being burned at the stake or other wise punished as heretics and they were given 2 weeks to leave by the Canton of Berne. On the 15th day, over 70 were burned at the stake in the center square of Berne. Many of these refugees were to one of several southern German principalities. Some of the most early arrived and most influential families in Colonial Philadelphia, were the Hendricks, Umstatts, Schumachers and two others families. All were Dutch Quaker families who emigrated to Germany from Holland and after 20-30 years in Germany to Philadelphia.
There is an interesting side note that led to their leaving Germany for Philadelphia. As Quakers they refused to pay taxes or serve as soldiers or even town sentries. In 1683, a huge Turkish/Moslem Army was at the Gates of Vienna with the avowed purpose of capturing Vienna and using it as a base to conquer Rome and then end Christianity. The turks were defeated and routed (On September 11, 1683), but those Quakers who lived a few hundred miles west of Austria who would not fight or even pay taxes intended to raise an army to save Christendom, were extremely unpopular with their fellow citizens. These folks were above average in education, wealth and often controlled the cloth weaving industry in their towns. (Linen weavers.) These Dutch Quakers who were refugees in what was to become Germany were actually the settlers who founded the Germantown section of Philadelphia. The fact that they spoke German, but were Dutch by lineage is what I believe caused the confusion that led to the group called Pennsylvania Dutch. Even many of the foods pf the PA Dutch can be traced back to the early Dutch and German settlers.
Kannst du Pennsylfannische Deitsch schwetze? Ich kann.
