The First Pennsylvanian: William Penn and the Quakers’ Commitment to Equality

As you venture down Broad Street, you will undoubtedly be struck by the figure that stands atop the extravagant City Hall. Small from afar but towering at over 36 feet tall, a statue of William Penn overlooks the streets of Philadelphia, the city that he planned out himself. Penn is known as one of Pennsylvania’s most influential forefathers and poured his heart into forming our state yet, tragically, he was unable to live out his life in the colony he had created.

Born into a prominent Anglican family in 1644, William Penn decided to stray from his family’s religion and joined the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, when he was 22. A highly persecuted group, the Quakers, and now Penn, faced many difficulties in England, and Penn’s father, Admiral Sir William Penn, denounced him for his religious choice.

Though estranged from his father, Penn received a large inheritance following the Admiral’s passing. This included a land grant from King Charles II due to a debt he owed the Penn family. Penn was able to take advantage of this land, located southwest of the New Jersey colony, and establish it as a sanctuary for Quakers and anyone seeking to escape religious persecution. Penn dubbed the land “Sylvania,” but it became Pennsylvania when King Charles II insisted that the name honor the elder Penn. Therefore, the name does come from William Penn, though not the one who actually founded the colony.

William Penn was not only responsible for establishing Pennsylvania and fighting for religious freedom. The Religious Society of Friends prioritizes equality, and this concept was woven into the Pennsylvania government system that Penn and other Quakers formed, though still subject to the king. Their democratic ideals led to separated governmental powers and allowed those in the colony to be guaranteed free trials and the chance to elect government officials. These examples were later instrumental in inspiring the principles of the founding fathers’ constitution.

Penn’s commitment to equality was also seen in his interactions with Native Americans. He befriended local tribes, mainly Lenape, learned their language, and ensured their fair treatment, both socially and legally.

Though the colony thrived in its growing population and diversity, William Penn still faced many challenges. Following the procurement of his land, Penn traveled back to England twice in his life, largely to fight for his right to retain ownership of Pennsylvania. He also faced large amounts of debt from this, and later was imprisoned and fated to die in England after suffering a stroke, which ended his chances of himself and his family returning to his beloved colony.

William Penn was buried in 1718 with a simple gravestone at the Jordans Quaker Meeting House in Buckinghamshire, England, the same county that later inspired the name of Pennsylvania’s Bucks County. His first and second wife, as well as 10 of his children, were also laid to rest near him in the cemetery.

Today, you can visit William Penn’s gravesite at the Jordans Quaker Meeting House, which holds services to this day. The building faced a fire in 2005 that decimated the roof, but the original interior remains intact, so visitors and worshipers can experience the authentic Quaker roots.

Seeing Penn’s gravesite has been an intriguing experience for many Philadelphians, including former Mayor Nutter and GPA’s CEO and President, Zabeth Teelucksingh. She shared that the Meeting House reminded her of the Free Quaker Meeting House in Philadelphia’s Old City, and the experience helped her realize how important the Quakers were and continue to be to Philadelphia’s heritage.

Quakers have played a large part in Philadelphia’s history since William Penn’s time. They were responsible for establishing Haverford, Swarthmore, and Bryn Mawr Colleges, creating the country’s first lending library and professional medical facility, advocating against slavery, and overall, being a catalyst for religious tolerance and equality since the founding of the colony.

Pennsylvania is proud to have been established as a sanctuary for religious tolerance, and Philadelphia honors William Penn and the Quakers’ influence by preserving and spreading their history throughout the years. When you see statues of William Penn around the city, or have the chance to visit historic Quaker sites like Cedar Grove or Bartram’s Gardens, remember take into account the values and morals they not only cherished in the private sphere but actively advocated for, and how different our state could have been without their dedication to equality and rights.

Sources
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/william-penn-s-final-resting-place
https://www.jordansquakercentre.org/copy-of-history
https://www.ushistory.org/penn/bio.htm?srsltid=AfmBOooM904SAclvrFHuU_lGLb0O0eAVQpuNRFTQq3Yn4J-mwuUDnoDy#google_vignette
https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/themes/quaker-city/#:~:text=Philadelphia%20Quaker%20entrepreneurs%20were%20early,railroad%20systems%20(1830s)%3B%20investment%2D