Tuesday 30 April 2024
William Penn in Bristol
William Penn was a Quaker and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania in the US. He was known as an early champion of democracy and is considered the founding father of Philadelphia which would go on to play a key role in the American Revolution. He was also a slave owner, and was not as outspoken as other Pennsylvania Quakers who became the earliest fighters against slavery in North America. His father Sir William Penn is also honoured in Bristol. Born in what was then known as St Thomas parish, a lot about his adult life is known due to him being neighbours with Britain's most famous diarist Samuel Pepys. He fought on the side of Parliament during the First English Civil War and served in the navy in the First Anglo-Dutch War. He is buried in Bristol, at St Mary Redcliffe Church.
On his scroll are the words “Death is but crossing the World as Friends do the seas, they live in one another still”
Sunday 31 March 2024
Thursday 29 February 2024
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