The Americas

Swedish Colonies in the Americas
AD 1638 - 1655

New Sweden was founded late in the race for territory in the Americas. Peter Minuit, the former director-general of the Dutch colony of New Netherland, had been dismissed from service, but was then drawn to the Swedish efforts to start a colony. In either 1636 or 1637, the Swedish government agreed to help create the first Finno-Swedish colony, locating it on the lower Delaware River (now Wilmington, Delaware). This was within territory that had been claimed although apparently not settled by the Dutch, and the first Swedish and Finnish immigrants arrived in early 1638. The administration of the colony was placed in the hands of Lieutenant Kling, until the next governor was selected and sent over from Sweden, two years later. The capital was Fort Christina, although the first full governor used Fort New Gothenborg on Tinicom Island as his headquarters.

1638

Peter Minuit

Director and colony founder, 29 Mar-15 Jun.

1638

The first wave of Swedish and Finnish settlers arrive, settling around Fort Christina. Land is claimed to have been purchased from the local Delaware and Susquehannocks, although they counter the claim with accusations of land theft.

Fort Christina on the lower Delaware was named in honour of Queen Christina of Sweden

1638 - 1640

Måns Nilsson Kling

Commander.

1640 - 1643

Peter Hollander Ridder

Commander.

1643

The colony is expanded inland, following the course of the river as it extends to the north-east (the river now forms the border between the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania).

1643 - 1653

Johan Björnsson Printz

Governor.

1653 - 1654

Johan Papegoya

Governor.

1654 - 1655

Johan Classon Rising

Governor.

1654 - 1655

The Dutch fort of Casimir is captured from New Netherland by the Swedes. In retaliation, the Dutch bring an army down from New Netherland (roughly 140 kilometres to the north-east). In 1655, New Sweden's main settlement at Fort Christina is captured and Swedish attempts at colonising the New World are brought to an end. The colony is absorbed into New Netherland, although the settlers are allowed a certain degree of self-government.