[Clemenza]

One of the key reasons for New York’s emergence as the financial center of America was due to the fact that the Dutch trading houses stayed after British control. Most of the elite of 18th and 19th Century New York was of Dutch, NOT English ancestry (the Schemehorns, Scuylers, Vanderbilts, etc.).

[Pharmboy]

When Washington visited NYC on his way to Boston in 1758, he met some of the Dutch upper class and they thought he was nice but a bit rustic.

Coupla more thoughts about the Catholics, Maryland and the RevWar:

First, Charles Carroll was the only Catholic signer of the DoI. He was also the last Signer to die.

Second, let us not forget the Maryland 400, those incredibly brave largely middle class Irish Catholic lads whom, it may be said with little exaggeration, saved our fledgeling Republic from being strangled in its crib at the Battle of Brooklyn.