Ordinary Days
The Everyday Lives of the Pennsylvania Dutch from 1750 to 1800
Current “Ordinary Days” post
Good Fences make Good Neighbors
Having no word for fence, the early Pennsylvania Dutch adopted the English word which became “Fens”.
The Revolution added another layer of complexity to the lives of the Pennsylvania Dutch
Loyalist or Patriot, the cows still needed to be milked, the fields tended, and children fed.
“Ordinary Days” focuses on the lives of Pennsylvania Dutch prior to the significant changes ushered in by the Industrial Revolution.
The Pennsylvania Dutch were skilled and knowledgeable farmers and they depended on the food they grew, raised and preserved to survive. Purchased ingredients like sugar were expensive and saved for special occasions.
Ordinary Days
The Everyday Life of the Pennsylvania Dutch 1750 to 1800
Good Fences make Good Neighbors
Having no word for fence, the early Pennsylvania Dutch adopted the English word which became “Fens”.
Links to Our growing collection of articles
Click on any image or title in the three sections below to read the full article
Ordinary Days
The Everyday Life of the Pennsylvania Dutch 1750 to 1800
Good Fences make Good Neighbors
Having no word for fence, the early Pennsylvania Dutch adopted the English word which became “Fens”.
Revolutionary Times 1777
The Revolutionary War and Recollections of Maria Keely
19 Sept, 1777 Map
18th c writers take you on a one day, 25 mile tour of the movements of the Continental Army. September 19th, 1777. Illustrated, Interactive, Modern and Historic Maps. Quotes from people who were there.
Maria Section 3
You may drive on the roads Maria mentions not even realizing George Washington and the Continental Army marched on them.
Maria Section 2
Section Two – 1777 Maria Keely Recollections
Grimly Keely Timeline
Timeline of the Grimly and Keely families.
Introduction by Alan Keyser
Original Introduction to the Maria Keely Recollections by Alan Keyser in 2017.
Maria Keely Recollections – Section One
Maria tells of the soldiers burning the old log house on the family farm.
Alan Keyser original annotations, section one.
Original annotations by Alan Keyser. Section One, Maria Keely recollections.
Tools and Resources
Understand and Discover Local History
19 Sept, 1777 Map
18th c writers take you on a one day, 25 mile tour of the movements of the Continental Army. September 19th, 1777. Illustrated, Interactive, Modern and Historic Maps. Quotes from people who were there.
TUTORIAL – 1777 Property Owner Map
Use “Mapping West Philadelphia 1777” to identify property and landowners including the Grimly and Keely farms.
Grimly Keely Timeline
Timeline of the Grimly and Keely families.
Maria Keely Ancestor Tree
Maria Grimly Keely’s Ancestor Fan Chart from FamilySearch.org
Quick Links to Sections
and Home Pages
A 250th Anniversary History Series
by the
Goschenhoppen Historians