|
|
|
|
September 1695 "Most Dear Hannah Callowhill My best love embraces thee, which springs from that fountain of love and life which time, distance, nor disappointments can ever wear out nor the floods of many and great waters ever quench. Here it is - dearest Hannah- that I behold love, and value thee, and desire, above all other considerations, to be known, received and esteemed by thee."
When Penn returned to England after his first trip to Pennsylvania in 1684, his life changed drastically. Penn experienced years of frustration and even a period of hiding and imprisonment for his political activities, and he lost control of his beloved colony. In addition, his physical condition began to deteriorate. However, by 1694 Penn's troubles were beginning to ease when another tragedy struck. Penn's beloved wife, Gulielma, became ill and died on February 23, 1694. Gulielma was Penn's source of support and strength through his spiritual and physical trials. Penn was now physically broken and depressed by the loss of his love. He tried to find solace at Quaker meetings and preaching around England. While preaching in Bristol, Penn was reintroduced to Quaker acquaintance Thomas Callowhill. Penn became interested in his daughter, Hannah. Penn felt an instant attraction to Hannah who was unaccustomed to the attention. Hannah was uneasy with Penn who was almost twice her age and from a higher social standing. Penn was faced with the daunting challenge of winning Hannah's affection and the approval of the Callowhills. He sought the admiration of Mrs. Callowhill by sending recipes. Penn aided in business matters with Thomas Callowhill to gain the linen draper's respect. Hannah needed more convincing and reassurance for she was unsure of Penn's motivations. Penn was in debt and his previous marriage occurred under similar conditions. Gulielma was also the only heir of a family fortune when Penn married her. Hannah did not want a marriage that was based on a financial benefit and her eventual inheritance. Penn began writing a series of letters that would convince Hannah of his love. Penn wrote, "Let my letters have some place if I deserve any, though I hope thou art sensible of me in that in which we can never be separated." The letters were a reassurance that his love and friendship were boundless. Penn demonstrated his confidence that his love for Hannah would prevail when he wrote, "O let us meet here, most Dear H! the comfort is unspeakable, and the fellowship undissolvable. I would persuade my Self thou art of the same mind, though it is hard to make thee say so. Yet that must come in time, I hope and believe; for why should I love so well & so much when I am not well beloved?" Penn believed that love would prevail in the end. Letitia Penn, Penn's daughter by his first marriage, wrote a letter to Hannah that expressed her approval of the courtship. Letitia wrote, "I have great pleasure in thinking how easy and happy I shall be in enjoyment I promise my self of thy company, which I can truly say I prefer before any other settlement." Letitia added that Penn's feelings had been noticeable from the very beginning. Letitia wrote "I must tell thee that at my fathers first coming from Bristol ten months since, though I kept it to my self, I perceived which way his inclinations was going, and that he had entertained an inward and deep affection for thee, by the character he gave of thee, and the pleasure he took to recommend thee for an example to others" The one-year courtship climaxed when Penn and Hannah appeared before a Friends' meeting to seed Quaker approval of the union. After a three-month engagement, they were married on March 5, 1696. Penn and Hannah remained devoted to each other until his death. When Penn returned to Pennsylvania, Hannah, pregnant with John, undertook the strenuous journey. The trip was opposed by Hannah's family who understood Penn would stay in Bristol, but Hannah insisted on traveling with her husband. Hannah also conducted the affairs of the colonies after Penn became incapacitated from a stroke in 1712. Penn was writing a letter to James Logan, an administrator in the colony, when he experienced the stroke. Hannah found the incomplete letter and sent the correspondence to Logan. Hannah provided support for Penn until his death. Through good times and bad, William and Hannah's love prevailed. Their relationship until the end was as Penn wished during their courtship when he wrote that "dear and best friends we shall ever be; and a life of truth and tenderness and devotion I hope we shall live."
Sources: The Papers of William Penn Hannah Penn And The Proprietorship of
Pennsylvania William Penn A Biography Footnotes:
|
Today
when we read through the letters that William Penn wrote to
Hannah Callowhill during their courtship, we glimpse an
intensely idealistic, romantic man who wrote eloquently of
his love. Let's put these letters in context by considering
the events which led up to them.
Return
to Pennsbury Home PageFor More Information Please Telephone (215) 946-0400
|
the American Association of Museums. Pennsbury Manor is Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission In association with The Pennsbury Society The information on this page was reviewed and approved by Doug Miller, historic site administrator of Pennsbury Manor. Page created and maintained by Professional Internet Pages. If you have comments about this page, please e-mail us at pip@profitpages.com |