William Penn One of the most memorable people in United States religious history whose efforts are still evident in this twenty first century is William Penn. In today’s America, Penn is recognized through the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) as their chief. Penn is also well remembered through the city of Philadelphia, which was in fact, the first city for Penn to plan and build in his colony. His writing capabilities can also not go unmentioned. In fact, one of his most important works is No Cross, No Crown; A Discourse Showing the Nature and Discipline of the Holy Cross of Christ—a well-known Christian classic. This essay explores different facets of William Penn including his position as icon in the Capitol, his relations with Native Americans, his planning of Philadelphia, and particularly, his affiliation with the Quakers. It is because of Penn’s political intelligence coupled with his strong beliefs in religious tolerance that he is considered one of America’s early heroes. William Penn was from an Anglican family that was very distinguished because they adherents of English Church. His father was Sir William Penn, a landowner. At twenty two, Penn decided to join the Quakers, which were also referred to as the Religious Society of Friends. The Quakers obeyed the “inner light”, which they believed to have come directly from God. They refused to take their hats off or even bow for any man. They also refused to take up arms. Their beliefs were completely different compared to beliefs that other Christians had (Barbour and Frost 167). The Oxford University in England expelled Penn in the year 1662 when he refused to conform to the teachings of the Anglican Church. He used to publicly state his beliefs and he printed some of the things that he believed in. At that time, there was no freedom of speech in England. The Quakers’ founder, George Foxx was a close friend to Penn. Oliver Cromwell’s death was a time of turmoil to the Quakers since they were suspected for the death because they had beliefs that differed from the religion that had been imposed for the state. ****** They had also refused to swear a loyalty oath to Cromwell, who was the king. Quakers did not swear since Christ had commanded people not to swear (Penn 21). The religious views that Penn had were a distress to his father. Naval service had helped him earn an Ireland estate and he had always hoped that the intelligence and charisma that his son had could help him in winning favor at Charles II court. However, that could not happen since his son was always arrested. Penn and George Foxx were frequent companions since they could always travel together in order to spread their ministry (Penn 20). He also wrote a comprehension that was detailed and comprehensive regarding Quakerism. After the death of his father in 1670, Penn inherited the estates of the family and he could frequently visit the court of King Charles II where he was always campaigning for freedom in relig.

1. William Penn
One of the most memorable people in United States religious
history whose efforts are still evident in this twenty first
century is William Penn. In today’s America, Penn is
recognized through the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
as their chief. Penn is also well remembered through the city of
Philadelphia, which was in fact, the first city for Penn to plan
and build in his colony. His writing capabilities can also not go
unmentioned. In fact, one of his most important works is No
Cross, No Crown; A Discourse Showing the Nature and
Discipline of the Holy Cross of Christ—a well-known Christian
classic. This essay explores different facets of William Penn
including his position as icon in the Capitol, his relations with
Native Americans, his planning of Philadelphia, and
particularly, his affiliation with the Quakers. It is because of
Penn’s political intelligence coupled with his strong beliefs in
religious tolerance that he is considered one of America’s early
heroes.
William Penn was from an Anglican family that was very
distinguished because they adherents of English Church. His
father was Sir William Penn, a landowner. At twenty two, Penn
decided to join the Quakers, which were also referred to as the
Religious Society of Friends. The Quakers obeyed the “inner
light”, which they believed to have come directly from God.
They refused to take their hats off or even bow for any man.
They also refused to take up arms. Their beliefs were
completely different compared to beliefs that other Christians
had (Barbour and Frost 167). The Oxford University in England
expelled Penn in the year 1662 when he refused to conform to
the teachings of the Anglican Church. He used to publicly state
his beliefs and he printed some of the things that he believed in.
At that time, there was no freedom of speech in England.
The Quakers’ founder, George Foxx was a close friend to Penn.
Oliver Cromwell’s death was a time of turmoil to the Quakers

2. since they were suspected for the death because they had beliefs
that differed from the religion that had been imposed for the
state. ****** They had also refused to swear a loyalty oath to
Cromwell, who was the king. Quakers did not swear since
Christ had commanded people not to swear (Penn 21). The
religious views that Penn had were a distress to his father.
Naval service had helped him earn an Ireland estate and he had
always hoped that the intelligence and charisma that his son had
could help him in winning favor at Charles II court. However,
that could not happen since his son was always arrested. Penn
and George Foxx were frequent companions since they could
always travel together in order to spread their ministry (Penn
20). He also wrote a comprehension that was detailed and
comprehensive regarding Quakerism. After the death of his
father in 1670, Penn inherited the estates of the family and he
could frequently visit the court of King Charles II where he was
always campaigning for freedom in religion (Penn).
William Penn was born in London, United Kingdom. He
was born on the fourteenth of October in the year 1644. He was
a privileged son, born of a gentleman who was a landowner.
Thomas Loe, who was a Quaker minister, greatly affected Penn
by his teachings (Ushistory.org).
In the year 1677, the Quakers relocated to another land in the
city of Burlington, which is located in the Burlington County in
New Jersey. It is Philadelphia’s suburb. The Quaker settlers
moved to Burlington. Burlington served as West Jersey’s capital
until the year 1702 (Barbour and Frost 90). The Quakers were
able to formally establish their congregation in the year 1678.
Initially, they could meet in private homes. However, between
1683 and 1687, a hexagonal house that was made of brick was
constructed by Francis Collings where they could meet. In the
next century, there was a substantial growth in the membership
and they required larger buildings that could hold the whole
congregation (Penn 50). The house meeting that is presently
located on High Street was built in the year 1783.
Penn filed a case that was aimed at extending the region for the

3. Quakers. He aimed to acquire the land for political expediency
and personal sympathy. However, he was surprised when he was
granted a large area of land by the king. That made him the
largest private landowner all over the world since he owned
more than forty five thousand square miles. Since Penn became
the sole owner of a large piece of land, he was able to acquire
sovereign rule all over the territory since he had great privileges
and rights (Ushistory.org).
King Charles II gave all that land as a way of settling the large
debt that he had owed Penn’s father. Penn had intended to name
the land Sylvania but the king insisted that the land was to be
named Pennsylvania as a way of recognizing Penn’s father.
Many people tend to believe that Pennsylvania is named after
Penn but that is wrong since it is named after his father
(Barbour and Frost 358).
Philadelphia is a name that means “brotherly love”. It comes
from Greek. Philadelphia also means loving people. It was
founded by the Quakers that had high ideals and the friends had
the tradition of naming their eldest daughters after the city
(Penn 21).
By guaranteeing religious freedom, all the people had the
chance to choose their own faith on a condition that they
believed in God. Having been in a religion that was not
accepted in the society, Penn had come to realize how important
it was for people to choose the religion that they wanted to
believe in. That is because he had faced a lot of problems for
what he thought was right and that is why he allowed the people
that were in his colony to follow the religion that they were
comfortable with (Channing 192).
Penn was known to treat all the Indians well and with a lot of
fairness. He made a great treaty with the Indians that allowed
for him to give the Indians a large amount of money in
exchange of their land. It is a treaty that was made under the
Elm tree. In the Rotunda, which is the US capital, there is a
stone carving that is very famous and it represents this event of
Sylvania (Ushistory.org).

4. Penn was considered an abolitionist. However, he had his own
slaves and he also traded in slaves. But, he treated his slaves
very well and he really respected them. He did not mistreat the
slaves since he had a lot of respect for them. He tolerated
slavery; thus it is evident that he was not an abolitionist
(Ushistory.org).
The smiling man does not represent any actual person. That is
because it is an image that shows a man who is dressed in
Quaker clothing. The image was chosen since the faith of the
Quaker religion aimed at advocating certain values; for
example, purity, integrity, strength, and honesty
(Ushistory.org).
Works Cited
Barbour, Hugh, and J. William Frost. The Quakers. New York:
Greenwood, 1988. Print.
“Brief History of William Penn.” Ushistory.org. Independence
Hall Association, 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
Channing, E. Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1906 1: 191-197. Print.
Penn, William. A Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the
People Called Quakers in Which Their Fundamental
Principle, Doctrines, Worship, Ministry, and Discipline, Are
Plainly Declared: With a Summary Relation of the Former
Dispensations of God in the World, By Way. The 10th ed.
London: Printed and Sold by James Phillips, George-Yard,
Lombard Street, 1803. Print.
William Penn
One of the most memorable people in United States religious
history whose efforts are still evident in this twenty first
century is William Penn. In today’s America, Penn is
recognized through the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
as their chief. Penn is also well remembered through the city of
Philadelphia, which was in fact, the first city for Penn to plan

5. and build in his colony. His writing capabilities can also not go
unmentioned. In fact, one of his most important works is No
Cross, No Crown; A Discourse Showing the Nature and
Discipline of the Holy Cross of Christ—a well-known Christian
classic. This essay explores different facets of William Penn
including his position as icon in the Capitol, his relations with
Native Americans, his planning of Philadelphia, and
particularly, his affiliation with the Quakers. It is because of
Penn’s political intelligence coupled with his strong beliefs in
religious tolerance that he is considered one of America’s early
heroes.
William Penn was from an Anglican family that was very
distinguished because they adherents of English Church. His
father was Sir William Penn, a landowner. At twenty two, Penn
decided to join the Quakers, which were also referred to as the
Religious Society of Friends. The Quakers obeyed the “inner
light”, which they believed to have come directly from God.
They refused to take their hats off or even bow for any man.
They also refused to take up arms. Their beliefs were
completely different compared to beliefs that other Christians
had (Barbour and Frost 167). The Oxford University in England
expelled Penn in the year 1662 when he refused to conform to
the teachings of the Anglican Church. He used to publicly state
his beliefs and he printed some of the things that he believed in.
At that time, there was no freedom of speech in England.
The Quakers’ founder, George Foxx was a close friend to Penn.
Oliver Cromwell’s death was a time of turmoil to the Quakers
since they were suspected for the death because they had beliefs
that differed from the religion that had been imposed for the
state. ****** They had also refused to swear a loyalty oath to
Cromwell, who was the king. Quakers did not swear since
Christ had commanded people not to swear (Penn 21). The
religious views that Penn had were a distress to his father.
Naval service had helped him earn an Ireland estate and he had
always hoped that the intelligence and charisma that his son had
could help him in winning favor at Charles II court. However,

6. that could not happen since his son was always arrested. Penn
and George Foxx were frequent companions since they could
always travel together in order to spread their ministry (Penn
20). He also wrote a comprehension that was detailed and
comprehensive regarding Quakerism. After the death of his
father in 1670, Penn inherited the estates of the family and he
could frequently visit the court of King Charles II where he was
always campaigning for freedom in religion (Penn).
William Penn was born in London, United Kingdom. He
was born on the fourteenth of October in the year 1644. He was
a privileged son, born of a gentleman who was a landowner.
Thomas Loe, who was a Quaker minister, greatly affected Penn
by his teachings (Ushistory.org).
In the year 1677, the Quakers relocated to another land in the
city of Burlington, which is located in the Burlington County in
New Jersey. It is Philadelphia’s suburb. The Quaker settlers
moved to Burlington. Burlington served as West Jersey’s capital
until the year 1702 (Barbour and Frost 90). The Quakers were
able to formally establish their congregation in the year 1678.
Initially, they could meet in private homes. However, between
1683 and 1687, a hexagonal house that was made of brick was
constructed by Francis Collings where they could meet. In the
next century, there was a substantial growth in the membership
and they required larger buildings that could hold the whole
congregation (Penn 50). The house meeting that is presently
located on High Street was built in the year 1783.
Penn filed a case that was aimed at extending the region for the
Quakers. He aimed to acquire the land for political expediency
and personal sympathy. However, he was surprised when he was
granted a large area of land by the king. That made him the
largest private landowner all over the world since he owned
more than forty five thousand square miles. Since Penn became
the sole owner of a large piece of land, he was able to acquire
sovereign rule all over the territory since he had great privileges
and rights (Ushistory.org).
King Charles II gave all that land as a way of settling the large

7. debt that he had owed Penn’s father. Penn had intended to name
the land Sylvania but the king insisted that the land was to be
named Pennsylvania as a way of recognizing Penn’s father.
Many people tend to believe that Pennsylvania is named after
Penn but that is wrong since it is named after his father
(Barbour and Frost 358).
Philadelphia is a name that means “brotherly love”. It comes
from Greek. Philadelphia also means loving people. It was
founded by the Quakers that had high ideals and the friends had
the tradition of naming their eldest daughters after the city
(Penn 21).
By guaranteeing religious freedom, all the people had the
chance to choose their own faith on a condition that they
believed in God. Having been in a religion that was not
accepted in the society, Penn had come to realize how important
it was for people to choose the religion that they wanted to
believe in. That is because he had faced a lot of problems for
what he thought was right and that is why he allowed the people
that were in his colony to follow the religion that they were
comfortable with (Channing 192).
Penn was known to treat all the Indians well and with a lot of
fairness. He made a great treaty with the Indians that allowed
for him to give the Indians a large amount of money in
exchange of their land. It is a treaty that was made under the
Elm tree. In the Rotunda, which is the US capital, there is a
stone carving that is very famous and it represents this event of
Sylvania (Ushistory.org).
Penn was considered an abolitionist. However, he had his own
slaves and he also traded in slaves. But, he treated his slaves
very well and he really respected them. He did not mistreat the
slaves since he had a lot of respect for them. He tolerated
slavery; thus it is evident that he was not an abolitionist
(Ushistory.org).
The smiling man does not represent any actual person. That is
because it is an image that shows a man who is dressed in
Quaker clothing. The image was chosen since the faith of the

8. Quaker religion aimed at advocating certain values; for
example, purity, integrity, strength, and honesty
(Ushistory.org).
Works Cited
Barbour, Hugh, and J. William Frost. The Quakers. New York:
Greenwood, 1988. Print.
“Brief History of William Penn.” Ushistory.org. Independence
Hall Association, 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
Channing, E. Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1906 1: 191-197. Print.
Penn, William. A Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the
People Called Quakers in Which Their Fundamental
Principle, Doctrines, Worship, Ministry, and Discipline, Are
Plainly Declared: With a Summary Relation of the Former
Dispensations of God in the World, By Way. The 10th ed.
London: Printed and Sold by James Phillips, George-Yard,
Lombard Street, 1803. Print.