In a message dated 8/15/2007 3:12:14 PM Eastern Standard Time, abenn5630@aol.com writes: Joan, I read your message about the Leib family. One of my ancestors also was a passenger on the ship Molly that landed in 1727, and settled in Lancaster Co. Pa. His name was Augusten Weder. Do you know what drew these men to settled in Lancaster? Anna in AZ ---- Anna- Most of them who came around 1727 were Swiss Mennonites (and other oppressed religious groups) who had fled Switzerland due to persecution after the 30 Years War and settled in Southwestern Germany where the population had been decimated from the war. So they were somewhat nomadic to begin with and when they heard the stories of the opportunities that would await them in Pennsylvania--many set sail in the mid 1700s. Many of the Mennonites who arrived didn't remain Mennonites in PA -- so sometimes it isn't obvious that religious persecution was the cause of their leaving Germany. One branch of the LEIB family became Lutheran while another remained Mennonite. Other early immigrants decided to come over because of economic opportunities for their profession--glassmakers, iron workers, carpenters--they were all needed in PA. Joan ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour