William Penn, the visionary founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, made his initial landing in America on October 27, 1682. His journey began aboard the ship Welcome, which set sail from Deal, Kent, on the English Channel on August 30, 1682. Penn's first stop in the New World was New Castle, Delaware. This significant arrival marked the beginning of his direct involvement in establishing the colony that would become a beacon of religious freedom
and democratic principles.
Early Landings and Ceremonies
Upon his arrival in New Castle, Delaware, Penn participated in an ancient tradition known as the "turf and twig" ceremony, or the livery of seisin. This ritual was performed to formally take possession of New Castle County, solidifying his claims to the land. Within two days of his landing in New Castle, Penn traveled approximately 18 miles north along the Delaware River, reaching Upland. At the time, Upland was the only town within the province of Pennsylvania.
It was at Upland that Penn made another significant gesture. According to historical accounts, immediately after his arrival, Penn asked a companion from Chester, England, to rename the town. The companion promptly renamed it Chester, a name that has endured. Penn spent his first night in Upland at the log house of Robert Wade. This house was not only a residence but also served as the first Quaker meetinghouse in the area, highlighting the early presence and influence of Quakers in the region. Robert Wade had acquired the property in 1675, which had previously belonged to the daughter of Johan Printz, the governor of New Sweden. The house was even mentioned in the journal of Quaker minister William Edmundson in 1676, indicating its early importance.
Administrative Foundations of the Province
The groundwork for the Province of Pennsylvania had been laid even before Penn's personal arrival. King Charles II of England granted Penn the charter for the province on March 4, 1681. Following this, Penn appointed William Markham as Deputy Governor on April 10, 1681. Markham's role was crucial in establishing initial governance and administration in the new territory. He traveled to New York, which had maintained nominal control over the Pennsylvania area since 1676, to present his credentials and assert the new authority.
By August 3, 1681, Markham had arrived in Upland, the primary settlement in the province. At this time, the European population in the province was estimated to be around 500 individuals, primarily concentrated in what are now Delaware and Chester counties, with Upland as their center. Swedish and Dutch settlers had already established themselves in the area as early as the 1630s, and Quakers had begun migrating from West Jersey around 1675. The existing governmental structure was minimal, primarily provided by the Upland Court, which operated under the laws of James, Duke of York, and was nominally supervised by the Governor of New York. This court wielded judicial, legislative, and executive authority.
Early Governance and Border Disputes
Upon his arrival, Deputy Governor Markham took steps to formalize the provincial government. He appointed judges to the Upland Court and selected members for a council. During this period, Markham also met with Charles Calvert, the 3rd Baron Baltimore, in Upland. Lord Baltimore informed Markham that the Pennsylvania-Maryland border was situated approximately 12 miles north of their current location. This information brought to light an early border dispute, which Markham apparently communicated to Penn.
In response to this emerging territorial issue, Penn took action to strengthen his claims further north along the Delaware River. He arranged to receive deeds from the Duke of York for the "three lower counties," which today constitute the state of Delaware. This strategic move was intended to bolster Pennsylvania's position in the ongoing border negotiations and secure more land for his burgeoning colony. These early administrative and diplomatic efforts were fundamental to shaping the geographical and political landscape of the Province of Pennsylvania, setting the stage for its future development under William Penn's leadership.
