The Crown took control of Pennsylvania away from Penn for two years. England and France were fighting in the American colonies. By revoking proprietorships, the crown hoped to build revenue Read More

James II is overthrown, and William and Mary take the throne as joint rulers. The Glorious RevolutionWhen Charles II died, the throne of England passed to his brother, James. This Read More

Charles II dies. His successor, James II, sought to build religious tolerance, which convinced idealistic Penn to stay in England and become the king’s advisor.

After only two years in America, Penn followed Maryland’s Governor, Lord Baltimore, back to England. Both claimed rights to the land that would later be known as Delaware. It was Read More

Penn began building Pennsbury Manor. Over the next few years, many laborers worked on the estate, including at least one slave.

Penn sailed for America onboard the Welcome. This was Penn’s first trip to America, and he arrived that fall after smallpox killed 31 of his fellow passengers. On July 5, Read More

King Charles II granted Penn a large tract of land in America to repay debts the king owed to Penn’s father. Penn used this land to form a colony in Read More

Penn mediates a dispute between two of West New Jersey’s Quaker proprietors. Then, he becomes a trustee of West New Jersey. This is Penn’s first official contact with America. He Read More

Penn married Gulielma Springett, a fellow Quaker, and moved to Basing House. They would have eight children, but only three would reach adulthood: Springett (1675-1696), Letitia (1678-1746), and William Penn Read More

Penn was arrested for “unlawful preaching” but a jury declared him not guilty. Penn’s father, Admiral William Penn, died. From his deathbed, Admiral Penn petitions King Charles II to favor Read More