Preserving the Legacy of the New Sweden Colony in America

The Swedish Colonial Society

97 Wanamaker Avenue
Essington, PA 19029

The SCS Registrar

The SCS Historian

Book Sales

Purchase online: link

Purchase in person:
Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church
916 S. Swanson St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147-4332

Enjoy the benefits of membership

The Swedish Colonial Society

Enjoy the benefits of membership

Patrons, Officers and Councillors

The Swedish Colonial Society

Patrons, Officers, Councilors and Honorary Governors

January 2024

To contact one of the Officers, please use this contact page

His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf

High Patron – King of Sweden

info.stockholms-slott@royalcourt.se

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria

Deputy High Patron – Crown Princess

info.stockholms-slott@royalcourt.se

His Excellency Urban Ahlin

Patron: Ambassador of Sweden to the United States of America

ambassaden.washington@foreign.ministry.se

Lauren Swartz

Associate Patron: Honorary Consul, Philadelphia

philadelphia@consulateofsweden.org

Joseph Patrick Mathews

SCS Governor

Joseph Mathews serves as The Swedish Colonial Society’s Governor.

(With my dog Meko in front of the “Swedish Granary” in Greenwich NJ.) Born and raised in SW Philadelphia (Kingsessing); moved as teenager to Mt. Holly NJ; lived 7 years in my 20s in Zürich, Switzerland; now live in Maurice River Township NJ. BA & MA & beyond in English and history. Varied work history, now retired, working part-time for Cumberland County (NJ) Historical Society. As chairman of the New Sweden Company, advocated for preservation of the New Sweden Colonial Farmstead. Still learning New Sweden history and honored to serve as SCS Governor.

Governor@colonialswedes.net

Beverly B. Walker

Deputy Governor

Beverly B. Walker has been the Curator for the Swedish Colonial Society, helping to qualify Forefather membership, since 2011. She has recently become appointed as Deputy Governor of Membership. Beverly is a graduate of Temple University and earned her Masters degree in Education at Arcadia University in 1978. She taught English and then Special Education in Philadelphia before becoming involved in residential real estate in Germantown.  Beverly became involved with the SCS when she started researching her Yocum family history. She is a descendant of Peter Jochimsson and three other Forefathers. Beverly is passionate about genealogical research and looks forward to serving the Swedish Colonial Society in a variety of ways.

user917826@aol.com

John B. Tepe, Jr., Esq.

Honorary Governor (2019-2022)

He has long been interested in rare books and archives, having served as President of the University of Delaware Library Associates and as a member of the Friends of the Princeton University Library. He is also a member of the Mayflower Society, the Society of Colonial Wars and the Delaware Historical Society. John is a retired attorney, and is one of our Forefather Members as an 11th generation descendent of Peter Larsson Cock.

John is the main point of contact regarding our efforts to make the Craig Collection of genealogical materials available electronically.

Craig Collection

Michael R. D’Andrea

Honorary Governor (2014-2018),
in memoriam

Michael was a former Director of Human Resources, Department of Veterans Affairs. He retired in 2007 after 27 years of exceptional service in the federal government, and is an honorably discharged veteran US Navy. Michael joined Montgomery College, Maryland in 2001 and served as an Adjunct Faculty member until 2012 in the History/Sociology Department. He received his MA Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School of Communications, and Baccalaureate degree in Sociology from Adelphi University.

Margaret Sooy (Sally) Bridwell, LNO

Honorary Governor (2010-2014), Royal Honors

Governor Margaret Sooy (Sally) Bridwell was The Swedish Colonial Society’s 33rd Governor. Before becoming the Society’s first female Governor, Governor Bridwell served as Treasurer, Junior Deputy Governor and Senior Deputy Governor. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Swedish Council of America, the New Sweden Colonial Farmstead and the New Sweden Centre.

Mrs. Bridwell is a Forefather Member as the 12th generation descendent of Olaf Stille and other Swedish settlers including Hans Månsson. After Ella Stille, Olaf’s daughter, married Hans Månsson, the Månsson name was changed to Steelman.

Herbert Rambo, RNO

Honorary Governor (2009-2010 & 2000-2003) – Royal Honors

The Swedish Colonial Society
By: Herbert R. Rambo

Herbert Rambo brought international visibility and enhanced prestige to America’s oldest Swedish-American historical group during his first term as Governor, and during the Society’s year long Centennial Observance in 2009, he was invited to serve a second time. He chairs the New Sweden 375 Friendship Delegation visiting Finland, Sweden and Iceland in June 2013.

His leadership contributions to Sweden-United States relations were officially recognized in 2002 when His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf awarded him knighthood in Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star (in Swedish Kunglia Nordstjärneorden)

Rambo chaired the 360th and 365th New Sweden Jubilees and is a member of the Executive Committee planning the 375th Jubilee in 2013. He is a past president of the New Sweden Centre, Wilmington, De., where he founded the living history program. He is on the Board of Directors of the New Sweden Colonial Farmstead at Bridgeton, NJ. Herb and his wife Zofia belong to Trinity Episcopal (Old Swedes) Church, Swedesboro, NJ, where his family was among the founders. He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge # 15, F. & A. M., Haddonfield, NJ.

HerbertRambo@verizon.net

The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams, LNO

Honorary Governor (2005-2009) – Royal Honors

Ninety Years of Growth and Challenge
The Swedish Colonial Society, 1919 – 2009
By: Kim-Eric Williams

Dr. Williams is retired from teaching Swedish at the University of Pennsylvania and as Archivist at the Philadelphia campus of the United Lutheran Seminary, He has written extensively on New Sweden history including a biography of Justus Falckner, the text for the visual history, New Sweden on the Delaware and as translator for the nine-volume series, Colonial Records of Swedish Churches in Pennsylvania.

WKimEric@gmail.com

Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq., RNO

Honorary Governor (2003-2005) – Royal Honors

Accomplishments of the Swedish Colonial Society
By: Ronald A. Hendrickson

Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq., is a 10th generation descendant of the Forest Finn Johan Hendricksson, who arrived with his family in New Sweden in America on the vessel Eagle (Örn) in 1654. His 8th great-grandfather built the “Hendrickson House” which was re-constructed in 1959 at Holy Trinity (Old Swedes’) Church, Wilmington. He has published Swedish Colonial News since 1998. He is a Fellow of the Swedish Colonial Society, served as SCS Webmaster and Senior Deputy Governor, and was Governor from 2003-2005. For service in the Swedish-American community, he was knighted (Kungliga Nordstjärneorden) in 2006 by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

Other Works of Ronald A. Hendrickson: “Hendrickson House: Oldest Stone House in Americs?” and “Ronald A. Hendrickson Receives Swedish Royal Honors

RonHendrickson@Cataleno.com

2024 Officers, Councilors, Honorary Governors and Patrons

As of January 16, 2024

Governor

Joseph Patrick Mathews​
PO BOX 395
607 Main Street
Leesburg NJ 08327
(C) 856 405-7152
Jpmathews1@aol.com
governor@colonialswedes.net

Deputy Governor

Beverly B. Walker
728 Moonraker Court
Galloway NJ 08205
(H) 215 601 9934
user917826@aol.com

Treasurer

Linda K. Alexy
438 Regina Street
Philadelphia, PA 19116-2405
(H) 215 677 2046
kennethbykota@verizon.net

Registrar

Theresa Brasko
26 Stiles Ave.
Maple Shade, NJ 08052
(C) 856 524 8313
TerryBrasko@mindspring.com

Recording Secretary

Carol Ann Coates, RN
26 Rodman Avenue
Havertown PA 19083
610-636-5829
wessnercarol@gmail.com

Historian

The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams
503 Pine Needle Drive
Exton, PA 19341
(C) 484 716-7953
WKimEric@gmail.com

Archivist

Ruth Rizzi
Kim-Eric Williams

Communications Director

Jill D’Andrea
3500 Falling Green Road
Olney, MD 20832-1128
(H) 301 570-3084

Farmstead Director

Joe Mathews
John Tepe

Forefather Director

Bev Walker

Genealogists

Mr. Ronald and The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde-Beatty (26)
PO Box 598
Hempstead, TX 77445
(C) 713 503-0836
rsbeatty@gmail.com
scsgenealogist@gmail.com

Membership Director

John Tepe

Tinicum Township Liaison

Bill Moller

Journal Editor

Lawrence Backlund
2001 Hamilton Street Apt 2022
Philadelphia, PA 19130-3816
(H) 267 640 5455
LBacklund@yahoo.com

Chaplain – open

Website Administrator

Candace Roberts
248 Delancey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(O) 215 645-2186
croberts@quantum-think.com

 

Honorary Governors

John B. Tepe, Jr., Esq. (2018-2022)
906 Stuart Road
Wilmington, DE 19807-2822
(H) 302 656-3937

Michael R. D’Andrea (2014-2018), in memoriam

Margaret Sooy Bridwell (Sally) (2010-2014)
880 Saratoga Road
Berwyn, PA 19312-2232
(H) 610 644-7654 (C) 610 608-6304
SallyMSB@verizon.net

Herbert R. Rambo (2009-10 and 2000-03)
52 Smokey Run Drive
Berlin, NJ 08009-1535
(H) 856 768-5325 (C) 856 278-3982
HerbertRambo@verizon.net

The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams (2005-2009)
503 Pine Needle Drive
Exton, PA 19341
(C) 484 716-7953
WKimEric@gmail.com

Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq. (2003-2005)
207 E. Oak Avenue
Moorestown, NJ 08057-2017
(C) 856 304-1037
RonHendrickson@Cataleno.com

John C. Cameron, Esq. (1993-1995)
1410 Church Road
Malvern, PA  19355-9714
(H) 610 296-4596
JCC15@psu.edu

Councilors

Kenneth Alexy (27)
438 Regina Street
Philadelphia, PA 19116-2405
(H)  215 677-2046
kennethbykota@verizon.net

Kristina Antoniades, MD (28)
260 St. Joseph’s Way
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(H) 215- 925-1725
kanton@aol.com

Britt M. Apell (26)
608 Society Hill
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003-2430
(H) 856 751-1278
brittapell@me.com

Lawrence Backlund (24)
2001 Hamilton Street Apt 2022
Philadelphia, PA 19130-3816
(H) 267 640 5455
LBacklund@yahoo.com

The Rev. Michael Barnett (28)
PO Box 281
Lederach. PA 19450
215-256-8481
mbarnett@tradenet.net

Marie B. Boisvert (27)
975 Sunset Hollow Road
West Chester, PA 19380-1849
(H) 610 430-6999 (C) 610 742-1591
mboisvert54@gmail.com

Alfred B. Capotosto (24)
504 Oakleaf Terrace
Glen Mills PA 19342
(H) 484 841-6596 (C) 610 883-6095
acapotos@comcast.net

Jill D’Andrea
3500 Falling Green Road
Olney, MD 20832-1128
(H) 301 570-3084

Dr. Ted Hallman (28)
PO Box 281
Ledrach, PA 1945O
215-256-8481
hallbarn@tradenet.net

Leif Lundquist (24)
Nypongränd
182 45 Enebyberg, Sweden
(C) +46 70-568 15 05
leif@leiflundquist.se

William F. Moller (28)
237 Seneca Street
Lester. PA 19026
510-764-0691
wfmoller@rcm.com

Kenneth S. Peterson (25)
1640 Cabot Avenue
Whiting NJ 08759-3304
(H) 732 849-5820
kspeterson63@comcast.net

Sandra S. Pfaff (26)
116 Arbor Place
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(H) 610 527-3980 (C) 610 308-6410
Sandra.Pfaff@verizon.net

Ruth Nelson Rizzi (28)
503 Pine Needle Drive
Exton, PA 19341
(C) 781 801-6865
ruthrizzi1@gmail.com

Edward R. Root, MD
19 Skylark Lane
Lakewood NJ  08701
(908) 384-6624
goteborg13@yahoo.com

Richard Steadham (24)
809 Discovery St. Spc 41
San Marcos, CA 92078
(C)  619 254-7899
RStiddem@gmail.com

Steven E. Widtfeldt (28)
PO Box 911
Newtown Square,  PA 19703
817-609-0932
widtfs@gmail.com

Jeanette Woehr (26)
164 Merion Ave
Haddonfield, NJ  08033
(C) 856-261-3551
jeanettew164@verizon.net

Richard Woehr (26)
164 Merion Ave
Haddonfield NJ 08033
(C) 856 261 2046
richardw164@verizon.net

SCS Patrons

High Patron:
His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf
King of Sweden
The Royal Palace
SE-111 30 Stockholm Sweden

Deputy High Patron:
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria
C/o Marshal of the CP Court Jörgen Lindström
The Royal Palace
SE-111 30 Stockholm Sweden

Patron:
Her Excellency Karin Olofsdotter
Ambassador of Sweden
2900 K Street. NW
Washington, DC 20007- 5118
(O) 202 462-2611 Fax 202 467-2699
Karin.olofsdotter@Gov.SE

Lauren Swartz
Honorary Consul of Sweden
c/o World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
One Penn Center
1612 JFK Blvd. Suite 1055
Philadelphia PA 19103
215 561 4700 x232
N.B. The consulate is open by appointment only.
philadelphia@consulateofsweden.org

Swedish Colonial Society Forefather DNA Project

Becky Griswold
beckygrizz@yahoo.com

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde, AAPC
Genealogist, Swedish Colonial Society, NGS, ASG

scsgenealogist@gmail.com

Governors of the Swedish Colonial Society 1909-2022

  • The Honorable Marcel A. Viti, Esq. 1909-1921
  • Gregory B. Keen, L.L.D. 1921-1927
  • Colonel Henry D. Paxton, Esq. 1927-1932
  • Dr. Albert Duncan Yocum, 1932-1936
  • Colonel Frank W. Melvin, Esq. 1936-1946
  • Branton Holstein Henderson 1946-1948
  • Charles Sinnickson, Esq., 1948-1950
  • Issac Crawford Sutton, Esq. 1950-1952
  • Colonel Robert Morris 1952-1954
  • Frederic Swing Crispin 1954-1956
  • Dr. Samuel Booth Sturgis 1956-1958
  • Dr. Amandus Johnson 1958-1960
  • C. Colket Wilson, Jr. 1960-1962
  • Alan Corson, Jr. 1962-1964
  • Charles Paist, III 1964-1966
  • Donald E. Hogeland, Esq. 1966-1968
  • Allen Lesley. Esq. 1968-1970
  • Conrad Wilson 1970-1972
  • The Rev. Dr. John Craig Roak, 1972-1975
  • David Hillman 1975-1977
  • Dr. Erik G. M. Tornqvist 1977-1982
  • Herbert E. Hanson Gullberg 1982-1984
  • Dr. Benkt Wennberg 1984-1986
  • Dr. Erik G. M. Tornqvist 1986-1989
  • Wallace F. Richter 1989-1993
  • John C. Cameron, Esq. 1993-1995
  • Commander John W. Widtfeldt 1995-1997
  • William Benjamin Neal 1997-2000
  • Herbert Ripley Rambo, RNO 2000-2003
  • Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq., RNO 2003-2005
  • The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams, LNO 2005-2009
  • Herbert Ripley Rambo, RNO 2009-2010
  • Margaret Sooy Bridwell, LNO 2010-2013
  • Michael R. D’Andrea, 2014-2018
  • John B. Tepe, Jr., Esq., Governor, 2018-2022
  • Joseph P. Mathews, Governor, 2022-

The title was changed from President to Governor in 1944.