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William Penn
Introduction
William Penn was a very famous English Nobleman and writer of his times. He was also one of the earliest Quakers of the American History, but his most notable contributions to the United States of America is the foundation of the province of Pennsylvania, which later became the American North Colony of England. He was a great advocate of democracy and religious freedom and rights. More of his contributions include good relations and fruitful treaties with the Lenape native American and the planning and development of the city of Philadelphia.
Early Years and Education
He was born to a brave Admiral, Sir William Penn on October 14, 1644. He acquired his early education from Chigwell Grammar School, in the Essex countryside. The family moved back to London after the naval defeat of Admiral Penn in West Indies in 1655. From here, Penn moved to Ireland to look after his father’s properties.
In 1660, he took admission in University of Oxford, from where he was expelled due to his religious beliefs of non-conformity. Admiral Penn, watching all this situation, sent his son to Saumur, France, to attend the Protestant College, so his religious beliefs could be restored. William Penn returned to England after two years and studied law at the Lincoln’s Inn for a year.
Religious Conversion
Penn’s religious beliefs were greatly intensified when he moved to Ireland. At an invitation to an Admiral’s event, he heard a Quaker itinerate, Thomas Leo, preach his teachings to the family, which greatly inspired him.
During his stay in Ireland, William Penn met many leading Quaker personalities and stayed at their places with their families. He also attended many Quaker meetings in the process, which aided in shaping up his non-conformist religious beliefs (Endy). One of the most notable turns during his Ireland stay was his friendship with William Morris, a leading Quaker figure in Cork. He often stayed with Morris at Castle Salem near Rosscarbery. Penn’s research in Quakerism was published in 1726, eight years after his death.
Colonial Proprietorship
Colonization and religious persecution always go hand in hand, especially in the history of America. Quakers were facing a great deal of tough time in Europe, which is why they decided to move to America, to practice their religious beliefs freely. Here, they also faced problems in New Jersey, which interested William Penn significantly. He contributed to the formation of “Concessions and Agreements” that was signed in 1677. It was an extremely important document for the settlers as it secured many rights for them especially religious freedom, religious toleration, and trial by the jury, which were denied to them in England.
Founding and Governorship of Pennsylvania
During all this, Pen became significantly interested in American Colonization and became a Trustee of Edward Byllynge. Penn, along with 11 other Quakers, bought the propriety rights to East New Jersey in 1681. In the same year, he sought and received a large area of land on the west bank of Delaware River, which was later named Pennsylvania (Dunn). William Penn intended to provide a safe place to the Quakers and the other persecuted people to practice their beliefs without any fear and create an ideal Christian Commonwealth.
William Penn found it as a perfect opportunity to form a government that would give a meaning to Quaker-Whig ideas. He made sure in his state that every individual got the freedom to practice their religion traditional rights of the Englishmen were carefully safeguarded. The pattern of the city of Philadelphia was also laid out keeping the same idea in the mind. A great number of Quakers came and settled in the newly built city, capturing the fertile lands lying around it. Penn also signed a number of treaties with the Delaware Indians, already settled in the area, to develop mutual trust and corporation. William Penn also tried to build a boundary between the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. For this, he held a conference with the proprietor of Baltimore, but it did not prove to be successful.
Marriage and Family
William Penn married twice in his life. His first wife was Gulielma Maria Posthuma Springett, who was the daughter of William S. Springett and Lady Mary Proude Penington. The marriage took place in 1672 and both had eight children together, three sons and five daughters (Jenkins).
Penn married for the second time to Hannah Margaret Callowhill, daughter of Thomas Callowhill and Anna (Hannah) Hollister. They both had great age difference as William was 52 and Hannah was 25 at the time of their marriage. This marriage took place after two years of his first wife’s death, in 1698 and both had eight children as well. The marriage continued for 12 years.
Final Years
Penn’s final years of life were not so happy. He suffered betrayal in the hands of his own many people, whom he trusted once, very much. His own son, William, Jr., disobeyed him and turned out to be scapegrace. In his days, he realized that his judgments were wrong and he had picked up unworthy people as his subordinates. His steward, Philip Ford, is especially notable in this respect as he cheated him at a very critical time w3hen he needed him the most. Penn even had to spend nine months in the debtor’s prison due to the incompetence of his trusted ones. Sir William Penn breathed his last on July 30, 1718, in Ruscombe, Berkshire, England, and Great Britain.
Works Cited
Dunn, Mary Maples. William Penn: Politics and Conscience. Vol. 2426. Princeton University Press, 2015.
Endy Jr, Melvin B. William Penn, and Early Quakerism. Vol. 1261. Princeton University Press, 2015.
Jenkins, Howard M., William Penn, and Laetitia Aubrey. "The Family of William Penn. V: William Penn's First Marriage (continued)." The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 20.3 (1896): 370-390.
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