Peter Gunnarsson chose the distinctive surname of Rambo from his place of origin, Hisingen, the northwestern section of Gothenburg, which is dominated by Ramberget (meaning, raven's mountain) with its enchanting view of the Gothenburg harbor.
Born in 1612, Peter Rambo was 27 years old when he sailed to New Sweden as a laborer on the second voyage of the Kalmar Nyckel in 1639-40. After becoming a freeman, Peter married Brita Matsdotter from Vasa, Finland, on April 7, 1647. Initially they lived in Kingsessing, but moved by 1669 to Passyunk on the northeast side of the Schuylkill.
During Governor Rising's rule (1654-55), Peter Rambo served on the Governor's Council. He continued to serve as a justice under both Dutch rule (1655-64) and English rule (1664-80).
Peter Rambo had a prosperous farm,which included apple trees grown from seeds he had brought from Sweden. The "Rambo Apple"' is still grown in several of the northeastern states.
Peter Rambo's hospitality was well known. Not only was the court occasionally held at his house, but it was also a place where many visitors were welcomed, notable among them William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
Peter's wife of over 46 years, Brita Matsdotter, died at their Passyunk plantation on October 12, 1693. Peter Rambo was buried at the Swedes' log church at Wicaco on January 29, 1698, at the age of 85 years and almost eight months.
According to a letter written by Peter Rambo to his sister in Gothenburg in 1693, he had four sons and four daughters. One daughter died at the age of eight. Another daughter (married in 1693 but dead by August 3, 1694, when Peter Rambo revised his will) has not been identified.
Peter's daughter, Gertrude Rambo, born October 19, 1650, died after 1705 in Moyamensing (South Philadelphia). Married on November 22, 1668, to Anders Bengtsson (Andrew Bankson), who drowned in the Delaware River on September 14, 1705; nine children.
