Fancy Pennsylvania Dutch and the Revolutionary War.
Perhaps due to the pacificism of the Amish and the tendency to think that all Pennsylvania Dutch are Amish, many people believe that the Pennsylvania Dutch did not join in when the colonists declared their independence from Britain.  This is false.  The town square in Reading was one of a very small handful of locations that received a "pony express" version of the Declaration of Independence right after it was written (they didn't have airmail or email in those days).  Reading was an important part of the war effort.  The fancy German heritage, culture, and tradition lead to an eagerness to defend the newfound liberty.  For example, liberty to go to the church you chose, unlike what they experienced in Europe.  When the freedom bell rang in Reading early in July 1776, fancy farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers came from all around the area to listen to the sheriff read the proclamation.  The bell that rang is still on display at the Berks County Historical Society.  The citizens volunteered in droves.  The area made excellent rifles, ironwork, wagons, textiles, and of course food.  They supplied food to Boston when the British were trying to starve out the rebels.  One of my email correspondents pointed out to me that whole church congregations (Lutheran and Reformed mostly) frequently volunteered, and if they were too old, they'd provide shelter, hospital space, etc.  We have to remember that the Pennsylvania Dutch were headstrong, determined, and fiercely independent.  They NEVER liked having their lives over-regulated.  They had had enough of that in Europe and that was why they came over to William Penn's little experiment in the first place.  Yeah, they volunteered.
Back to Plain or Fancy
----------------
Or Compare theAmish