In a message dated 5/31/2006 2:40:04 PM Eastern Standard Time, mstauf@comcast.net writes: Where do you find Oath of Allegiance documents for Lancaster Co PA? Thank you and appreciate any comments. There seems to be some misconception on this subject. In 1777 there would be no American citizenship--only non-English citizens not born here becoming Naturalized *British* citizens for the purpose of voting, holding public office, and/or owning land. PA state archives has a list of all aliens naturalized in PA between 1740 and 1773 by PA courts. There are also several books that include this information. There is a book (which I do not have) entitled The Names of Persons Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania Between 1777 and 1789 which was originally published in 1865 and which was reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Company in 1965. Fred Hagan wrote: "The emigrant, in order to become a citizen of the U.S., had to sign a paper renouncing his allegiance to the King of England. Interestingly, it was in the emigrant's own hand writing. Fred Hagan" The above would not have been true in 1777 when there was no American citizenship as yet. Joan

I don't want to create more confusion, but ... My immigrant ancestor arrived from Germany in 1749 and took an oath of allegiance to Great Britain when he arrived in Philadelphia. In 1769 he was also naturalized as a citizen of Great Britain. (Not sure why he neede to do both, but he did.) The 1777 Oath of Allegiance I'm referring to was to the State of Pennsylvania and was published in the PA Archives, Series 2, Vol. XIII. My limited understanding is that these oaths were expressions of allegiance to the cause of the American Revolution. Individuals making these oaths are also documented in "Revolutionary Patriots of Lancaster Couinty, PA, 1775-1783", by Henry C. Peden, Jr., publ. 2002 by Willow Bend Books. I am enjoying the discussion. Thanks to all. ----- Original Message ----- From: <JYoung6180@aol.com> To: <PALANCAS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 2:59 PM Subject: Re: [PALANCAS] Question re: Oaths of Allegiance > > In a message dated 5/31/2006 2:40:04 PM Eastern Standard Time, > mstauf@comcast.net writes: > > Where do you find Oath of Allegiance documents for Lancaster Co PA? > Thank you and appreciate any comments. > > > > There seems to be some misconception on this subject. In 1777 there would > be no American citizenship--only non-English citizens not born here becoming > Naturalized *British* citizens for the purpose of voting, holding public > office, and/or owning land. PA state archives has a list of all aliens naturalized > in PA between 1740 and 1773 by PA courts. There are also several books that > include this information. > > There is a book (which I do not have) entitled The Names of Persons Who Took > the Oath of Allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania Between 1777 and 1789 > which was originally published in 1865 and which was reprinted by Genealogical > Publishing Company in 1965. > > Fred Hagan wrote: "The emigrant, in order to become a citizen of the U.S., > had to sign a paper renouncing his allegiance to the King of England. > Interestingly, it was in the > emigrant's own hand writing. > Fred Hagan" > > The above would not have been true in 1777 when there was no American > citizenship as yet. > > Joan > > > > ==== PALANCAS Mailing List ==== > List Owner can be reached for help with the list at > PALANCAS-Admin@rootsweb.com > >

Thank you for the information regarding the books and will try to find them. I appreciate your help