Am I not an American?

First Sister

Many immigrants from south of our borders now live in my home town and work side-by-side with me. I often hear others complain that these are not real Americans and they should go back to their own country. These comments always bring to mind a long list of my own immigrant ancestors that came to this country to became Americans. If we are not of Native American descent, how can we be anymore American than these new arrivals? Koenratt Koltman was a resident of Gundheim, Germany in 1698, a Lutheran registered in the Churchbooks at Dalsheim. Koenraat Koltman, his wife, and five children were in the sixth party of refugees to reach Rotterdam, Holland in 1709. He first appears on the Hunter Lists in New York on July 4, 1710 with two persons over ten years and three persons under ten. If he is my ancestor, am I then not an American? Am I a German?

Born on the Side of Right

Same work, same place, same time. We labor side by side.
It is my right. It is his wrong.
Why? Just because. Just Because.
I was born on the side of right.
He on the side of wrong.
Just Because. Just Because.

Three hundred years have come and gone
Since Koenraat Koltman, oppressed and persecuted,
Fled the Palatine along the Rhine. Wife, six children and he
To Holland, to England with Queen Anne, and then
To the New World and the Beloved Schoharie Valley.
Why? Just Because. Just Because.

No Food, No Home, No Land for the Palatines.
Said Queen Anne, “Come, I welcome you.”
But still, No Food, No Home, No Land for the Palatines.
Til’ the Mohican Indian Chief extented a hand and said,
“I have land abundant. I will share with the Palatines.”
Why? Just Because. Just Because.

Conrad Goldman, To Canada to fight and die.
Sons Jacob and Conrad trudged with the widow’s possessions
Sixty miles, on a sled, no path, unbroken forest,
Three foot of snow, howling winds blowing cold,
To the beloved Schoharie Valley of the Mohican Indian Chief.
Why? Just Because. Just Because.

And I was born on the side of right, He on the side of wrong.
Why? Just Because. Just Because.
Koenraat Koltman, a wife, six children, No Food, No Home, No Land
Til’ Queen Anne and the Mohican Indian Chief said,
“I have abundance. I will share with the Palatines.”
Why? Just Because. Just Because.

Fleta Aday V April 20, 1996


Why should the Palatine boors be suffered to swarm into our settlement, and, by herding together, establish their language and manners, to the exclusion of ours? Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a colony of aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanized us, instead of our Anglicifying them, and will never adopt our language or customs any more than they can acquire our complexion?
Benjamin Franklin V 1751