Adam's County PA Biographies
Dirck Keyser
Donated by Sara Hemp
From a newspaper in the collection of the Germantown Historical Society (date
unknown, probably early 20th Century):
Dirck Keyser's House - Main Street above Tulpehocken
Dirck Keyser, the founder of the name in Germantown, was born in 1635. He was a silk merchant in Holland, but desiring religious liberty, he emigrated to America in 1688. On April 4th, 1689, the inhabitants of Germantown drew for lots, that there might be no partiality shown. Dirck drew No. 22, east side of the road, which contained in all fifty acres. Upon this lot he built the house... . It was a strong , stone house that would afford protection from the Indians and other external influences. This old hous has passed down in the line of the family, and is in excellent preservation. It is now occupied by Mrs. John C. Channon, who is a direct descendant from the original Dirck Keyser. The custom in Holland of cutting initials in the front wall was carried out by Dirck, for on a stone alongside the front door frame are still to be seen the letters D. K. Dirck, the fonder, was a Mennonite, and for some years a minister of the sect. He died in 1714.
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