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Born
the privileged son of a land-owning gentleman, young William Penn was
greatly affected by the preaching of Quaker minister Thomas Loe.
Expelled from Oxford University in England in 1662 for refusing to
conform to the Anglican Church, Penn joined the Quakers. He was locked
up in the Tower of London four times for stating his beliefs in public
and in print. After his father died in 1670, Penn inherited the family
estates and began to frequent the court of King Charles II,
campaigning for religious freedom.
Seeing no prospects for
religious tolerance or political reform in England, Penn looked to
America, which he had visited briefly in 1677. In a 1682 document,
Penn guaranteed absolute freedom of worship in Pennsylvania. Rich in
fertile lands as well as religious freedom, the colony attracted
settlers and grew rapidly.
Penn is also
remembered for peaceful interaction with the Lenni Lenape Indians and
his draft of the Plan of Union, a forerunner of the U.S. Constitution.
Thanks to William Penn, Pennsylvania, which guaranteed religious
freedom for its citizens, was established in the New World.
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Penn's
cottage in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia |
Penn
used to worship at the Arch Street Friend's Meeting House |
Pennsylvania means Penn's Woods. William Penn,
got it from his dad, who got it from Charles II (the Merry Monarch).
Pennsylvania was established by Quakers. Quakers thought that people
should believe inwardly, and did not need the guidance of a church or
clergy. The rejected war, didn't like slavery, and wanted religious
toleration.
Native Americans sign a treaty
with William Penn. Penn purchased land from the Indians to
establish his new colony,
- even though the King of England
had already given him legal title to the land.
American Revolution - William Penn's Last Farewell to England
"William
Penn as Law-Giver", - Violet Oakley
Mural, Supreme Court room, State Capitol, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
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