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German's Immigrate to America
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Content: German's Immigrate to America
The first large group of German immigrants to America, came from the Rhineland area of Germany. Thirteen families from the town of Krefeld arrived in Philadelphia on 6 October 1683. These first German immigrants established a community called Germantown which still exists today within the city of Philadelphia. The first paper mill in America was built by Wilhelm Rittenhouse, a German immigrant, in 1690 in Roxboro, Pennsylvania. The journey to America during colonial times was far from comfortable and often times deadly. Depending on the time of year, the time it took to cross the Atlantic was sometimes as long as six months if the voyage were made during the winter season. Food and water was of the poorest quality. Because of this many passengers did not survive the journey to America. Many ships are known to have sunk mid-way and when possible, this fact was concealed so as not to discourage future immigrants. Emigrants in every port of departure faced swindlers who would try to rob them of their life savings.