<P> German immigrants favored the Middle Colonies . German immigration greatly increased around 1717, and many immigrants began coming from the Rhineland . They were erroneously labeled the Pennsylvania Dutch (the German word for German is "Deutsch"), and comprised one - third of the population by the time of the American Revolution . The industry and farming skills they brought with them helped solidify the Middle Colonies' prosperity . They were noted for tight - knit religious communities, mostly Lutheran but also including many smaller sects such as the Moravians, Mennonites and Amish </P> <P> The Scotch - Irish began immigrating to the Middle Colonies in waves after 1717 . They primarily pushed farther into the western frontier of the colonies, where they repeatedly confronted the Indians . Other groups included the French Huguenots, Welsh, Dutch, Swedes, Swiss, and Scots Highlanders . </P> <P> When the English took direct control of the Middle Colonies around 1664, many Quakers from Rhode Island had already been pushed into the region by Puritans, while Episcopalian businessmen settled in Philadelphia and New York City . </P> <P> Welsh Quakers, Baptists and Methodists settled in the Welsh Tract of Pennsylvania . While some Welsh colonists like Roger Williams, left to found Rhode Island, Anne Hutchinson founded a seed settlement in New York . Rhode Island was not initially counted as part of New England, having been excluded from the New England Confederation, but later joined the Dominion of New England . Thus, the definition of the Middle Colonies sometimes changed and overlapped with Rhode Island's colonial boundaries . After joining the Dominion of New England, however, Rhode Island was permanently thought of as a New England colony . New York's initial possession of parts of Maine ensured a close relationship with other New England colonies like Vermont and a continuing New England influence in the colony . </P>

Why were pa ny and nj known as the bread colonies