Discovering America Podcast

Recounting Pennsylvania during the years 1702 through 1710 pertaining to meetings between the different Governors and the House and the assembly, there were individuals on both sides of the isle trying to set up an acceptable government with guidelines from England and William Penn, a definite learning curve. And the cost to the William Penn's estate was not growing as planned.

This episode is a continuation of the historical encounters and events of William Penn residing either in England or Philadelphia, trying to set up and maintain the territory of Pennsylvania and the lower counties between 1684 and 1701.

Individuals were starting a new life across the ocean and with that were able to purchase land. This land also had some strings attached. The crown had amount that was due for lands sold to the Proprietors, such as William Penn. The new comers had to purchase and pay a yearly fee upon what land was obtained, they experienced the old feudal system of “Quit-Rent.” This episode covers this system in Pennsylvania and the Lower Counties.

I read the United States Constitution in Celebration of July 4th 2023.

I read an excerpt of William Penn's frame of government for Pennsylvania.

It was time to let people know just what they had invested in, you know, keep them happy, so the monies would continue to flow to his venture. Penn offered to the first 100 investors an additional 5000 acres. Whoa what a deal. Is there a road to the property? Most likely not, so starts the hard work of making your own estate. Although, something you probably couldn't accomplish in your mother country.

A treatise written by Andrew Sowle in 1684 describing the why a person should make their way to the land of Pennsylvania.

This is a letter written in 1681 by William Penn to the Indians to express his intentions of peace and prosperity between the colonists and the Indians.

William Penn with patient in hand from Charles II begins to set up his form of government for Pennsylvania and the lower counties. Are the boundaries really set, yea riiiight that will come later? People pour into this land with opportunity abound, for those willing to work hard. Who sails to see this land, WP himself?

Mahlon's letter expresses the beauty and fertility of the country. He invites others to join him and with hard work will enjoy a good life. Gawen Laurie writes to the proprietors at London expressing much the same about the abundances the country has to offer.

Thomas Budd owned a share of propriety in West Jersey. He was related to large family who had arrived at Burlington in 1678. Thomas wrote a pamphlet nine or ten years after settling in. It describes relations between the colonists and the surrounding Indian inhabitants.

Samuel sends off a request to William Penn Edward Byllinge or Gawen Laurie about discontinuing the paying of customs or duty to the New York government.

This episode is kind of a part two surrounding William Penn. There is much more to it before he gets involved. So a back story must commence that involves other players, such as the Dutch, the Swedes, the Duke of York, Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley to name a few. These are the events that take place with William Penn's Quakers, in a sense, as they were gaining a place to live and worship in peace

I read a speech that was given on July 5th, 1926 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Who was William Penn? Which one you say, the father or the son? The father was a great sea commander and had ties to England's royalty. The son would not follow in his father's steps but, did make a name for himself in a non-agreeable way. Let's see what that means.

My next topic will be the settling of the Pennsylvania territory. I have not had the time to create a new episode for the podcast. So I've decided to give to you a small sampling of William Penn's Writing. Please enjoy.

In celebration of July 4th, I continue reading the final chapter of “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine - Chapter 4

In celebration of July 4th, I continue reading “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine - Chapter 3

In celebration of July 4th, I have decided to read Thomas Paine's great pamphlet, “Common Sense” and hear the reason so many were willing to fight to break colonial ties with England and create a separate nation with a new form of government with liberty and freedom at its core. Enjoy!

Sir Humphrey Gilbert invested a great portion of his fortune; this first attempt ended in disappointment. It became a starting point for the next one, taking encouragement from his stepbrother Sir Walter Raleigh. The second attempt took the lives of many including Gilbert himself. Enjoy this first hand account of what these sailors experienced along the coast of North Carolina.

The colonial forces along with Indian allies start to close in on the man named Phillip. This would also include many of his close leaders and many of his followers.

The war continues and it appears that there is no end in sight. Benjamin Church makes his way to meet with Awashonks and her tribe, the meeting is a positive endeavor, they are willing to side with the English.

A series of events lead to this clash between the English Colonies and some of the New England Indian tribes, this episode starts to cover this unfortunate time known as King Philip’s War.

The New England colonies are visited by the commissioners of England to sort things out; finally there will be peace among the colonies, in your dreams. Even after they left the in-fighting continued.

To celebrate this great holiday, I read a great speech, one by Pres. John F. Kennedy on July 4, 1962 at Independence Hall. Please listen to the words, hear what was important back then and maybe compare to what is happening today.

I read the Rhode Island charter of 1663 for your enjoyment and enlightenment.

The Rhode Island’s government had to stand its ground against the on slot of those who tried to take away its territory. What finally arrives is the charter of 1663; I think we made it, well sort of.

Time on your hands? Listen to a podcast. Above all stay safe during these unsettling times.

I read a Christmas story entitled, “the Year Santa Went Modern,” written by Richard Armour. May you have a great time during the holidays with family and friends and may the New Year fulfill everything good you envision.

A letter written by Sir Henry Vane sent to Roger Williams wondering why the people of the Plantations and Aquidneck could not see their way through their differences and become a union of one government.

The colonial settlers and leaders were trying to set a government through their own general assemblies far away from the mother country of England, a representative type from the local communities of freeman and landholders. This is one of those documents that describe their intent and a favor of their time.   

You would think that the charter of 1644, the plantations and Rhode Island had all they needed to move forward but, that was not the case. The Bay (or Massachusetts) or Plymouth felt that their jurisdiction covered more of the Narragansett Bay. Then the charter of 1647 comes along, now we have clarity but, wait there’s more, claims still persist and throw in William Coddington, who would be king and the mess continues. There were those in the Plantations that didn’t believe in magistrates to keep law and order. What will they do?

Unlike Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the plantations just did not have a firm foundation of government, which gave Massachusetts reasons to find ways to incorporate those lands under their jurisdiction. It also didn’t help that people like Samuel Gorton had beliefs that didn’t quite match up with those Puritans in Boston and sometimes even upset Roger Williams. The Gortonists purchased land from the Indians far away from everybody else in hopes that they would be left alone but, Massachusetts had other ideas and then the process and treatment against this religious group is disturbing.

The separation of Williams’ plantations settlements and Coddington’s Rhode Island settlements from that of the more pronounced settlements of Massachusetts and Plymouth was having its toll. There were those in Williams’ camp that wanted the safety and governmental arm that Massachusetts could furnish. Williams sailed off to England with the intent to receive a charter bring the colonies together under one roof. He arrived only to find England in turmoil. He was a man of means, with charter in hand he sailed home.

The other English colonies didn’t like the opinions or the teachings of Roger Williams and it was decided he must go. He headed off to plant a colony away from the rest of society although, many found his presents more favorable and made their way to his new land called Providence.

A letter sent home from a young indentured servant expressing his situation and begging for money so he could come back home.

The final parts describing Maryland really comes down to a few major items, the succession of the Calverts through the years. The conflicts between government and citizens, starting in Virginia, Bacon’s rebellion, an action that could have spilled over into Maryland’s own governmental uneasiness, and throw in the wars in Europe that added to the contention against Cecilius Calvert’s (second Lord Baltimore) religion.

Lord Baltimore had control of Maryland but, this was short lived. The disputes in Europe lead some to take advantage of the New World’s venerability. It didn’t help matters with the execution of Charles I. Claiborne and this time with the assistance of Richard Ingle put the strong arm upon Maryland. Once Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector in England, matters about the validity of Baltimore’s charter was finally laid to rest. Maryland was now its own province.

William Claiborne sailed over from England in 1621, became secretary of the province and was later appointed treasurer of Virginia for life. He created a trading post on Kent Island, a convenient place for trading with the Indians, far up the Chesapeake Bay. In 1634 new settlers landed in this area and created a new province naming it Maryland. This group had a charter authorized by the King, taking away land that was considered part of Virginia and this would include Kent Island. So starts the mud flinging between Claiborne and Lord Baltimore.

King James I was gracious enough to grant Lord Baltimore or George Calvert a stretch of land at the South Eastern promontory in Newfoundland a region that was known as Ferryland. It was great in the beginning but, a little on the cold side for his likely. He asked the new king, Charles, for a territory located in a warmer climate. The suggested area was Carolina but, in steps William Claiborne who already had his eye on this land. Next was the land area North of Jamestown, it was ripe for the settling. Yes, it was part of Virginia, not anymore, it would become Maryland. The worst part, this transferred control of the Indian trade and control of the great waterways connected to the great bay known as the Chesapeake to Lord Baltimore and his difference of religion. The Virginians are not going to be happy with this situation.

It seems tough times for Jamestown and Virginia were behind them, not quite. King James annuls the Virginia Company’s charter and then he passes away. The new King, Charles allows them to continue as they were, basically governing themselves in exchange for control of the tobacco trade, sure fair enough.

Happy thanksgiving, may you enjoy the day with friends and family.

Jamestown and Virginia were having a hard time keeping colonists alive. Jamestown was not located in a prime location. Sanitation and unfit drinking water lead to disease and grave sickness. Yet new colonists continued to pour into the settlements. These new arrivals were not the best sort that England could provide. The streets of England had fewer criminals, Virginia and Jamestown was their new home.

After Captain John Smith’s terrible accident, how did this affect the colony of Jamestown, well quite a bit actually. The man kept the colony fed and maintained somewhat friendly terms with the local Indians. Once he left, contentions grew between the Indians and the colonists. The storehouse was in pretty bad shape. The colonists would go through the starving time. Even with the arrival of several ships, surviving another winter looked bleak. Jamestown was abandoned but, just in the nick of time just over the horizon, came new hope to restart it all, Jamestown.

A quick update and couple requests to my listeners.

The New England settlers were still breaking away and creating new colonies. The behavior of Massachusetts was an ache in the side of King Charles II and New Haven wasn’t much better. To bring them back in line he created a rivalry and so Connecticut was given a charter. Did it work? I think when times were tough they stuck together. Such as when the Quakers started making their way across the ocean. The Quakers stood their ground and Charles II backed them up. Religious tolerance was coming to America. And John Eliot was doing his best to teach the Indians the Puritan religion.

After describing the colonization by the Dutch, I realized there was a lot movement by the English in New England, I wanted to further investigate their progress. What I found were groups breaking off to form their own colonies due to religious differences. These English colonists had established 50 settlements east of the Hudson River. There was so much more. They were writing constitutions or fundamental orders to set precedence of how they were to be governed. The start of a new nation yet, they had no idea that’s what they were doing.

The Dutch could no longer maintain control of their holdings. The English had surpassed them in population numbers and the Duke of York wanted his territory. The unsettled European politics didn’t help matters. Pieter Stuyvesant was not willing to let go but, the civilian population was ready for a new government besides, many of the Dutch colonies had English among them. Good-bye New Netherland, hello New York.

With the treaty of Munster in 1648, it gave the United Netherlands a new start from the control of the Spanish crown. The English and the Dutch had been always been on friendly terms, that was about to change. It didn’t help that the United Netherlands were not a tight confederation and there were contentions between the two parties. Most of the sea faring delivery of goods was made by Dutch vessels and added much to its wealth. The Dutch made a treaty with Denmark directed at hindering English interests. In retaliation, the English passed the Navigation act, this lead to the Anglo Dutch war in 1652. On other side of the world, it put the colonies on edge, and Dutch did what they could to fortify their positions.

I start off by talking about the most successful Patroon; Killian Van Rensselaer yet he never saw his estate in America. The further travels of the director general, Pieter Stuyvesant, he did a great job for the company but, not for the people, and finally, the takeover of the Swedish territory by the Dutch.

The choices for Director Generals over New Netherland were poor. Willem Kieft was only in the leadership position for himself and his relation with the Algonquin Indians was deplorable, created a war lasting two years. Their retaliation was devastating. I included a general history written by Author Frederick Jones covering the seven reasons the 3 nations of England, Holland and Sweden did not have an open conflict, disagreements but, no shots being fired. Now arrives Pieter Stuyvesant a better director I’m not so sure.