The Life of

William Penn

By: Mr. Runkle

William Penn was born in England on October 14, 1644. His father was a famous admiral in the British navy.

William Penn became a Quaker when he was 23 years old.

In 1647, George Fox founded the Religious Society of

Friends.

Quakers believed in living simple lives. They believed in peace andtreating others fairly. They also

thought all people were created equal.

Quaker Meeting House

When William Penn’s father died,King Charles II owed him money.

So to pay off the debt, the king gaveWilliam land in America.

This was called the Charter of 1681.

Penn wanted to name the new colony “Sylvania” which means

“woods.” The king wanted William to name it after his father.

They compromised and called itPennsylvania.

In 1682, Penn wrote Pennsylvania’sfirst constitution called the First

Frame of Government. It made surethat everyone had freedom of religion.

William Penn came to Pennsylvaniafor the first time in 1682. He sailedon the ship Welcome. About 1/3 of

the people aboard the ship died from smallpox on the journey.

Penn treated the Native Americansliving in Pennsylvania fairly.

He wanted to be friends with them,and they respected him for that.

William Penn lived at Pennsbury Manor while he was in America.

Penn designed the city of Philadelphia.It means the city of “brotherly love.”

William Penn died on July 30, 1718.