William Penn

William Penn
By:
Rebecca (Hamilton)
March 3, 2003

“In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His good
presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business.” William Penn

William Penn was born in London, England on October 14, 1644 and died on July 30, 1718. He was educated at Christ Church
College, University of Oxford, where he was converted to Quakerism. He was eventually expelled for his nonconformist ideas
and activities. William did not have a set profession. He was well educated and traveled extensively due to his father’s wealth.
While traveling, he became a political influence and had favor with Parliament. This occurred, however, after a series of prison
stays. William was jailed several times for being too outspoken on his views, especially in his writings.
William Penn was sent by his father to Paris after he was expelled from Oxford. There, he was influenced by court society. As
far as who influenced him the most, I would say it was Thomas Loe. Loe was and early Quaker apostle. Quakers, at that time,
where called “Friends.” Penn attended many of their meetings. The founder of Friends, George Fox, would also be an influence
on Penn. The Quaker theory states that there is an intervention of the Holy Spirit in the consciousness of ordinary men and
women. This is also described as “inner light of Christ in us.” George Fox said that he received a vision from God: “A great
people gathered in North-west England” in 1652. I suppose one could speculate that William Penn was also influenced by the
Holy Spirit.
Penn also influenced a great number of people himself. He had authority in politics. Upon arrival in Delaware in 1677, Penn
brought with him Concessions and Agreements, which was a charter of liberties widely accepted by the young states. It stated
that, “No men, nor number of men upon the Earth hath power of authority to rule over Men’s consciences in religious matters.”
This philosophy reflects on the Quakers. They did not practice treating women as the weaker sex, women were equal. In fact,
Penn left an impression on one particular woman, Princess Elizabeth Palatine, which sparked her interest in Quakerism.
William Penn also wrote many articles, while both in and out of prison. He wrote a religious tract called The Sandy Foundation
Shaken. He revised a previously printed treatise called The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience. But his most famous writing is
a book entitled No Cross, No Crown, and Innocency with Her Open Eyes.
During one of his many travels, William acted as a missionary. On most of his other journeys he was a freedom fighter. Penn
wanted equality among all men and women. He wanted for everyone to be able to practice their religion freely. He even
emancipated his own slaves. His time in prison, ranging from charges of treason to publishing without a license, is proof that he
stood up for what he believed. This is in spite of the Quaker’s pacifism. Penn also took measures to protect the Indians from
white traders. The Indians in return, stayed loyal to him.
Upon returning to England from the colonies in 1672, William married Gulielma Maria Springett. In 1677, he made a missions
trip to the United States with Friends founder George Fox. There, Penn was made one of the trustees to manage the property
we now call New Jersey. As payment of a debt owed to his father by and admiral of Charles the Second, Penn was given a large
piece of land north of Maryland. Even though Charles II was not the debtor, he was the one who granted the land to Penn.
Charles II requested that the land be named in honor of Penn’s father, admiral William Penn. So, it was aptly named Penn’s
Woods, now known as Pennsylvania.
Penn’s political influence proved to be helpful in 1684. After establishing Pennsylvania, Penn returned to England. There he
found that the Quakers were being persecuted. His influence helped in the release of around 1300 Friends.
William had three sons who eventually inherited Pennsylvania. His wife, Gulielma died in 1694 and he remarried Hannah
Callowhill in 1696. Penn suffered from apoplexy in 1712, which destroyed his memory. Even though Penn died at the age of 74
in 1718, the Quakers still live on. They are able to do so because of people like William Penn who were willing to stand up for
religious freedom.

“No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.”
William Penn

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Dictionary of American Biography
Volume #: VII
Copyright: 1934
Title: “Penn, William”
Page #’s: 433-437

Dictionary of American History- 3rd Edition
Volume #: VII
Copyright: 2003
Title: “Quakers”
Page #s: 1-3

Pennsylvania: A Chronology and Documentary Handbook
Copyright Date: 1979
Page #s: 4, 6, & 7

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