The Colonial Period Pennsylvania 1682

Just as Christianity was central to the planting of the first American colonies, it was equally evident in the founding of the later colonies. Consider, for example the colony of Pennsylvania which was founded by William Penn.

William Penn grew up in England as the son of Admiral William Penn, who was knighted for courageous service to the king. The young Penn, coming from this high station in life, was able to study at Christ Church College, one of several colleges within Oxford University. This was a school that only members of the Anglican Church, the official State church of England, could attend.

During this time at college, William and some of his fellow students became interested in the teachings of George Fox. Fox advocated a much simpler expression of Christian faith without the pomp and ceremony of the State Church. His followers, commonly know as the Quakers, refused to submit to certain State-decreed Anglican theological tenets and practices. Many of the students at the college, including Penn, openly revolted against the college’s stiff and inflexible Anglican formality. 

Content Sourced from The American Story The Beginnings by: David Barton & Tim Barton