[jay1949]

Correct. The term "Dutch" in this context does not refer to persons from the Netherlands, but to western German folk. The British use of the term "Dutch" to refer to Netherlanders alone developed later, around the time of the establishment of the German nation. In Germany, the usage survives; the German term for "German" is Deutsch and the nation is called Deutschland. The term "Pennsylvania Dutch" means "Pennsylvania German." My own German ancestors in North Carolina were known as "North Carolina Dutch" down to the time of my grandfather Slack. The North Carolina Dutch became thoroughly assimilated, however, and the usage has largely disappeared.

[RipSawyer]

Some say my grandfather was kinda slack too.

[Inyo-Mono]

Correct. The term "Dutch" in this context does not refer to persons from the Netherlands, but to western German folk.

Which is why The Lost Dutchman's Mine in Arizona is really the "Lost German's Mine."

My ancestors too, settled in North Carolina in 1750 after leaving Pennsylvania with the Boone family and stayed there till they were run out by the Cherokee in 1763.