The name Amish was derived from the name of Jacob Ammon, a native of Switzerland. He was a Mennonite preacher of the seventeenth century. He parted from the Mennonite faith, thinking they were too worldly.   His followers, the Amish, came to America about 1717-some say 1737-settled in Lancaster County and still carry out customs, standards and garb that he advocated. They are very prosperous farmers, living on farms that have been in the same family for generations.

Charity is a religious duty. Their members are never allowed to become public charges. They hold their religious services in their homes or in barns. There is another group of Amish who have meeting houses very much on the order of Quaker Meeting houses.  The old order will not wear buttons on their clothing, consider them a vanity. This is a throw back to the first buttons used, which were entirely ornamental and at that early date banned by the Amish.

They do not have musical instruments in their homes or places of worship; no telephones, electricity, window curtains, pictures, rugs nor anything too modern in the line of farm inplements. But they do have beautiful fast-stepping horses in which they take great pride.

The young men and girls ride in buggies with-out tops rain or shine, and the married folks and little children ride in a narrow built covered wagons somewhat of the old type rural mail carriers' carts. In mild weather the rear curtain is rolled to the top and from two to six little bonnets and broad brimmed hats will bob out at you as you pass. Some of the faces under these hats and bonnets are very beautiful with the delicate beauty of old miniatures of children. Ten to a family is only average. They have no dash boards on either of these conveyances. but do have a burlap curtain hanging from the shafts to front of cart to catch the mud spatter.

Their religious belief forbids them to enter military service, to take oath, to infant baptism they only baptize adults. Theological training is banned. Their ministers and deacons are not allowed to draw a salary and are chosen from the congregation. Higher educatuin is frowned upon, believing it takes people away from the simple things, so they select ministers by lot. A number of candidates are called upon, each presented with a Bible. One Bible contains a slip of paper, the one drawing the slip must serve.

The children dress exactly like their fathers and mothers; babies from birth wear red, blue, and purple dresses and black or colored bonnets anbd little aprons. The taking of photographs is particularly frowned upon as a vanity and also as creating an image.

The language used is Pennsylvania Dutch in its broadest form. They live secluded lives, coming into town only to trade at market and the stores. They do not mix with worldly people. It is their aim and desire to raise their children to preserve all the old religious beliefs and customs just as they were hundreds of years ago.

Selling Amish Dresses and Suits. Also carry Mennonite Cape Dresses in my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/AMISH-MENNONITE-DRESS