JOHANNES (JOHN) CASTLE

Prior to immigrating, Johannes was a Mennonite who converted to Quaker religion. Along with several other families, he refused to pay Turkish war taxes as contrary to their religious principles. When they also refused to stand sentinel at the town walls of Krisheim, the electoral steward at Hochheim, Herr Schmal, petitioned the government to banish "the foolish sect." No such edict was issued, however, due to the influence of Princess Elizabeth at electoral court. However, in light of these actions, the families voluntarily chose to emigrate. They were the first Castles to come to America under the terms of a promise by William Penn. They were Johannes (John) with his wife, Mary, and his sons Peter and Arnold Castle. They came on the ship "Jeffries" captained by Thomas Arnold and it took seven months to make the journey and they landed in Philadelphia on November 20, 1686. Shortly after, Johannes arrived in Germantown, he learned that a large legacy was left his family, through the death of a relative, amounting to nearly one million dollars. It was necessary for them to return to Germany to claim the legacy. A church council was called to discuss the matter. It was decided unanimously to not receive the money as it would have a tendency to make them proud. He signed the application of a charter for the Borough of Germantown, and was one of the members of the first council of Germantown. He was a weaver by trade.

In 1639, Johannes (John) Castle lived in Kriegsheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, one of the regions affected by the Thirty Years’ War that raged across continental Europe during that time.