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396 A History of Sweden
During the latter years of the Swedish government
of the colony four pastors were sent out, Israel Holgh,
Lars Lock, Matthias Nertunius, and Peter Hjort. Of
these the first named returned home after a brief stay,
the last two arrived at the same time as Governor
Rising. In 1655, after the capitulation, they together
with Governor Rising returned to Sweden, leaving only
Rev. Lock to care for the scattered Swedish congrega-
tions. This he continued to do until his death in 1688-.
With advancing years and failing strength, however,
he found it impossible to serve all the congregations
alone. The congregation at Wicaco, therefore, called
the Dutch Lutheran pastor, Rev. Jacob Fabritius, as
their pastor, in 1677. A block-house, erected nine years
before, was converted into a church, and there, on
Trinity Sunday of that year, he preached his first ser-
mon. Five years later he became blind, but continued
in the work to the time of his death.
The Coming of William Penn. The grant of Penn-
sylvania and Delaware to William Penn, and his ar-
rival, in 1682, did not materially affect the condition
of the Swedes. In a letter to England the year after
his arrival, he writes concerning the settlers already
well established in his province: "The Swedes inhabit
the freshes of the river Delaware. There is no need of
giving any description of them, who are better known
in England than here. . . .
They kindly received me,
as well as the English, who were few before the people
concerned with me came among them. I must needs
commend their respect to authority, and kind behavior
to the English. They do not degenerate from the old
friendship between both kingdoms. As they are a peo-
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