User:BillFlis
Lifelong resident of Philadelphia. Mechanical engineer.
Articles started
Articles I have started are listed on this page.
My useful links
History/Biography
Sports
My to-do list
Isaac Norris
Isaac Norris, proprietor, born in London, England, 21 July, 1671; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 June, 1735.
His father, Thomas, removed to Jamaica when the son was seven years old. Isaac went to Philadelphia in 1690 to arrange for the removal of the family to that city, but on his return found that they had all perished in the great earthquake at Port Royal. He then went back to Philadelphia, entered into business, and became one of the wealthiest proprietors in the province. While he was in England in 1706 he assisted William Penn in his difficulties and rescued him from imprisonment. On his return, two years later, he was elected to the governor's council, and from that time until his death continued in public life. He was in the assembly for many years, speaker of the house in 1712, justice for Philadelphia county in 1717, and, on the organization of the high court of chancery, became a master to hear cases with the lieutenant-governor. He was elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1724, and on the death of David Lloyd was unanimously chosen justice of the supreme court, but declined and remained in the county court. Although a strict Quaker, he lived in great luxury for that age and drove a four-horse coach on which was emblazoned a coat of arms. He owned the " slate-roof house," which was the residence of William Penn during his second visit to Pennsylvania, and a dwelling on Fair Hill. which was one of the handsomest buildings of that day, and which was subsequently burned by the British during the Revolution. For many years he was one of the chief representatives of the proprietaries, and by the will of Penn he was named a trustee of the province of Pennsylvania. In 1694 he married Mary, daughter of Thomas Lloyd, president of the council.
Namesake of Norristown, Pennsylvania. The borough is named for Isaac Norris (1671–1735), a Quaker merchant and a mayor of Philadelphia, who in 1704 bought a large tract of land there from his friend William Penn.
References
Isaac Norris (II)
Their son, Isaac, statesman, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 3 October, 1701; died in Fair Hill, near Philadelphia, 13 June, 1766, engaged in business till 1743, and acquired a large fortune in addition to what he inherited. He was a common councilman and alderman, a member of the assembly in 1734, and chairman of its most important committees. He was a Quaker of the strictest sect, and endeavored to keep the policy of Pennsylvania consistent with the principles of his religion. On the prospect of war with France and Spain in 1739, he opposed the organization of volunteer companies and preparation for the defence of the province. His followers, in opposition to the war party, were known as the "Norris party," and his subsequent election to the assembly was the occasion of violent political struggles between the Quakers and other residents of the city. He was one of the commissioners to treat with the Albany Indians in 1745 and 1755 and he and his colleagues effected the purchase of several million acres comprising the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. He was elected speaker of the assembly in 1751, and held that office fifteen years. In the first year of his administration the old statehouse bell was ordered from England, and Norris proposed the inscription "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." (See illustration.) During his speakership the contest was waged between the people and the proprietaries on the subject of taxation and legislative control of the Penn family estates. Norris, at the head of the Quakers, joined the opposers of privilege, and in a debate in the assembly declared "No man shall ever stand on my grave and say, ' Curse him, here lies he who betrayed the liberties of his country!'" He was appointed with Benjamin Franklin a commissioner to England in 1757 to solicit the removal of grievances that were occasioned by the proprietary instructions, but declined on account of the failure of his health. Although he opposed the encroachments of the Penns, he would not support the proposition to convert Pennsylvania into a royal province, resigning his speakership when in 1764 a petition to that effect passed the assembly: He was returned at the next election, and again resigned in 1764. Norris was an excellent French, Latin, and Hebrew scholar, collected a valuable library, and was active in educational and benevolent enterprises. See "Genealogical Record of the Norris Family," by J. Parker Norris (Philadelphia, 1865).
Isaac Norris (1701-1766)
Trustee 1751-1755
# Merchant # Quaker political leader # Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly
In 1701 Isaac Norris was born in Philadelphia, the son of Isaac Norris, a well-to-do Quaker merchant and original participant in William Penn's "holy experiment." Isaac was educated at the Friends' School in Philadelphia, and went abroad in 1722 and 1734-1735. After he finished his schooling, Norris managed the family business on behalf of his ailing father until the latter's death in 1735. At that time Isaac became a senior partner. Four years later he married Sarah Logan, the eldest daughter of James Logan.
Like his father before him, Norris entered into politics at an early age. In 1727 he was elected to the Philadelphia common council, and from there he moved to the provincial Assembly. In 1742 he moved out of his house in the city proper, and resettled in his family's estate, "Fairhill" in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia county. The next year he retired from business to devote himself to politics full time. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly for most of the rest of his life, serving as its Speaker from 1751 until 1764.
In the Assembly, Norris played a key and acrimonious role as the leader of the old Quaker faction. Over the course of the 18th century the Quakers fast became a minority in Pennsylvania. To counteract the political fallout of the change in demographics, Norris led the charge in gerrymandering and other underhanded tactics to retain a Quaker majority in the assembly. Norris and other Quakers wanted the Penn family to pay taxes on their immense land holdings and, as pacifists, were against the appropriation of public money for military use during the French and Indian War. He was thus a fierce opponent of the Penn family, although he was not willing to go so far as to support the call of Benjamin Franklin and other more radical leaders for the conversion of Pennsylvania from a proprietary colony to a royal colony. Ultimately, Norris retired due to poor health and died shortly thereafter. His death proved his value to the Quaker faction, in that his passing marked the end of the Quaker's strong influence in Pennsylvania's politics.
Isaac Norris served as a trustee of the College and Academy of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) from 1751 until his resignation in 1755.
References
- Biography at virtualology.com (under his father, also Isaac Norris)
- Biographical sketch and portrait at University of Pennsylvania
The Thomas Lawrences
There were at least two prominent men of this name who served as Mayors of Philadelphia in the early to mid 1700s. One Thomas Lawrence (mayor) already has an article. I'm trying to find info on the apparent second (later) one, especially his relation, if any, to the first. Here's all I have on the second:
This page lists a T.L. Sen. (certainly Senior) and T.L. Jr. as attending a dance assembly in the winter of 1748-49. (Also a John Lawrence, probably the prominent-surveyor father of this fellow.)
This page lists a T.L. as an early (1763) student of U. Penn, with the note "non-graduate".
Jeremiah Langhorne (d. 1742) was a prominent landowner and jurist in colonial Pennsylvania. He is the namesake of present-day Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He was a justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 1726, chief justice from 1739, until his death in 1742.
A Quaker, Langhorne settled in Bucks County, where he purchased 7200 acres in 1724.
PA Supreme Court Justice Son of Thomas Langhorne Speaker?? of the Assembly
- Jeremiah Langhorne, 1726, chief justice 1739 till death in 1742
Prominent Quaker settler of Bucks County, Pennsylvania Namesake of Langhorne, Pennsylvania In 1724 purchased 7200 acres in Bucks Co. Freed his slaves and granted them land on his death in 1742
m. ?? Pemberton
In 1684, Jeremiah Langhorne, with his wife, Grace, and his children, Jeremiah and Sarah, withdrew his certificate from the Friends Monthly Meeting at Kendal in Westmoreland and came to America, settling in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He represented Bucks County in the Assembly. His sister, Sarah Langhorne, married William Biles, Jr., the son of the settler. (http://scarbrough.bizhat.com/index_files/Page408.htm)
Of interest to Black History is the early land ownership of the town's very center. Jeremiah Langhorne, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and a substantial landholder in Bucks County, deeded approximately 300 acres from the present Hamilton Street, one block west of the main intersection, extending easterly along Court Street to East Street (outside the district) to his two slaves Cudjo and Jo to become free landholders after his death in 1742. Soon after this date the lands were sold to Isabell Crawford and subsequently divided into large lots to become the basis for Doylestown's development, including the location of Doyle's second tavern.
William Crispin
Captain William Crispin (c. 1610-1681) was a (October 3, 1627 - 1681) Captain William Crispin (*) John Bazar (*) Nathaniel Allen (*) William Haige (*) (*)appointed by Penn as Commissioners for settling the colony, Sept. 30, 1681. Crispin was also appointed Surveyor General. William Penn appointed Captain William Crispin as the first Chief Justice in a letter dated August 18, 1681. Crispin died at sea on his way to Pennsylvania. He was replaced by Thomas Holme as Surveyor General.
m. Rebecca BRADSHAW (1631 - 1660) September 28, 1652 in St Dunstan's, Stepney, Middlesex, England. Children:
- William CRISPIN (June 24, 1653 - )
- Silas CRISPIN (1655 - May 31, 1711) born Abt. 1655 in London, England; died May 31, 1711 in Dublin, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; married (1) Mary STOCKTON; married (2) Esther Holme 1683.
- Rebecca CRISPIN, born Abt. 1656; married (1) Edward Blackfan October 24, 1688 in Sussex, England; married (2) Neheniah Allen 1725.
- Ralph CRISPIN, born Abt. 1657; died June 21, 1730; married (1) Anne Millner in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland; married (2) Anna Busted 1682 in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland.
- Rachel CRISPIN, born Abt. 1658; married Thomas Armstrong
Some sources cite Wm. Crispin as having married Ann Jasper rather than Rebecca Bradshaw; it has been determined that this was an error which has been perpetuated in the literature; Wm Penn's father, Admiral Penn, and Rebecca Bradshaw's mother, Rachel Penn Bradshaw, were brother and sister, making Rebecca Bradshaw Crispin & Wm Penn, found of PA, 1st cousins - and their son, Silas Crispin, a 1st cousin once removed, in accord with the letters Wm and Silas exchanged, in which they referred to each other as cousins.
External links
http://www.stefanovich.com/Crispin/Capt_William_CRISPIN.html
Not to be confused with the companion of William the Conqueror http://www.thecrispins.de/William%20Crispin.htm
Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly
The Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly was the legislature of the Pennsylvania provincial government from the province's founding in 1692 until the ratification of the state constitution in 1790, when it was replaced by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Origin
Powers
The powers of the Assembly changed with each version of the province's constitution, called the Frame of Government, of which there were four. The first Frame of Government of 1682, also known as Penn's Charter, was written by William Penn while he was still in England, but was rejected by Pennsylvania's Colonial Assembly. In the preface, Penn stated his political philosophy on government: "Any government is free to the people under it ... where the laws rule and the people are a party to those laws." However, the provision for amending the Frame of Government, Section XXIII, stated, "No act ... to alter, change, or diminish the form, or effect, of the charter ... without the consent of the governor, his heirs, or assigns, and six parts of seven of the said freemen in provincial Council and General Assembly."
Changes appeared in the second Frame of Government, also written by Penn. This was approved by the colony's bicameral General Assembly in 1683 and became the colony's constitution.
In 1696, the colony received its third Frame of Government, written by William Markham, Penn's cousin and appointed deputy governor. This version, known as Markham's Frame, was regarded as the constitution until Penn returned to Pennsylvania in December 1699.
Penn signed the fourth Frame of Government in October 1701 when he left Pennsylvania for England, where he died in 1718. This last frame, also known as the Charter of Privileges, was drafted for the first time in conjunction with members of the Provincial Assembly.
The Assembly by this time had power to make its own rules and initiate all legislation. The constitution continued to evolve, following the English tradition of permitting constitutional changes to occur through the ordinary legislative process. It was the basic constitution for the next 75 years and it virtually ended proprietary rule by giving self-government to Pennsylvania.
In 1751, the Assembly ordered a bell to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Charter of Privileges. The bell was inscribed with the words "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." This bell cracked on first ringing, was recast twice, and today it is known as the Liberty Bell.
The autonomy of the Pennsylvania House, under Speakers such as David Lloyd, Andrew Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin, was fashioned after that of the British Parliament and served as the model for American legislative and congressional government.
Speaker
In its opening session, the Provincial Assembly elected its first Speaker. As the Provincial Assembly was succeeded by the state House of Representatives, the office of the Speaker is today the oldest elected statewide position in Pennsylvania. The Speaker serves all members and upholds the orderly conduct of business, protecting the parliamentary rights of the elected Representatives.
The Speaker presides over the session, appoints committee chairpersons and refers bills to committee. The Speaker can sponsor legislation himself, vote on all bills, and on rare occasions may turn the podium over to a Speaker Pro Tempore in order to occupy his desk on the floor and participate in debate.
From PA House of Representatives site:
The Pennsylvania House first met as the Provincial Assembly on December 4, 1682, at Upland, near Chester, 40 days after William Penn arrived in the colony. After three years, the Provincial Assembly initiated greater independence from the colonial authorities. It insisted upon the right to control its own affairs, qualify members and initiate legislation. The Provincial Assembly became the foundation upon which organized representative government in America was built.
In its opening session, the Provincial Assembly appointed the first Speaker. The office of the Speaker is the oldest elected statewide position in Pennsylvania. The Speaker literally speaks for the people and is beholden to no executive authority but the law. The Speaker serves all members and upholds the orderly conduct of business, protecting the parliamentary rights of every elected Representative.
The speakership is a constitutionally mandated office, elected by the full membership. The House cannot convene without a Speaker. The Speaker presides over the session, appoints committee chairpersons and refers bills to committee. The Speaker can sponsor legislation himself, vote on all bills, and on rare occasions may turn the podium over to a Speaker Pro Tempore in order to occupy his desk on the floor and participate in debate.
The autonomy of the Pennsylvania House, under Speakers such as David Lloyd, Andrew Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin, was fashioned after that of the British Parliament and served as the model for American legislative and congressional government.
The Pennsylvania House has participated in several significant events throughout the history of Pennsylvania and the United States, particularly during the founding of the nation. The Pennsylvania House initiated plans and supported the construction of Independence Hall, one of the most important buildings in our history. In addition, it hosted the meetings and conferences during which two principle documents, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, were written.
From Constitution Party web site:
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been governed by five constitutions between 1776 and 1968. Before that, the province of Pennsylvania was governed for almost a century by four successive constitutions, referred to as The Frame of Government.
The first Frame of Government 1682, also known as Penn's Charter, was written by William Penn while he was still in England, and was repudiated by Pennsylvania's Colonial Assembly. In the preface, Penn stated his political philosophy on government: "Any government is free to the people under it ... where the laws rule and the people are a party to those laws."
The provision for amending the Frame of Government, Section XXIII, states, "No act ... to alter, change, or diminish the form, or effect, of the charter ... without the consent of the governor, his heirs, or assigns, and six parts of seven of the said freemen in provincial Council and General Assembly." Changes appeared in the second Frame of Government, also written by Penn. This was approved by the colony's bicameral General Assembly in 1683 and became the colony's constitution.
In 1696, the colony received its third Frame of Government. This constitution was written by William Markham, the proprietor's deputy governor and Penn's cousin. This version, known as Markham's Frame, was regarded as the constitution until Penn came back to Pennsylvania in December 1699. Penn signed the fourth Frame of Government in October 1701 when he left Pennsylvania for England, where he died in 1718. This last frame, also known as the Charter of Privileges, was drafted for the first time in conjunction with members of the Provincial Assembly.
The Assembly by this time had power to make its own rules and initiate all legislation. The constitution continued to evolve, following the English tradition of permitting constitutional changes to occur through the ordinary legislative process. It was the basic constitution for the next 75 years and it virtually ended proprietary rule by giving self-government to Pennsylvania.
In 1751, the Assembly ordered a bell to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Charter of Privileges. The bell was inscribed with the words "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." This bell cracked on first ringing, was recast twice, and today it is known as the Liberty Bell.
As the colony grew in population and wealth, disputes arose over the respective powers of the elective Provincial Assembly and the appointed Provincial Governor. Divisions were developing between the established eastern city interest and the expanding western frontier, between the farmer and the city dweller, between the working man and the capitalist, and between the settler and the land speculator.
As a result of general dissatisfaction with the proprietary government, there were petitions to make Pennsylvania a royal province, while other more radical elements urged the drafting of a new constitution and called for independence from England. The first Continental Congress was a turning point for most citizens who had expected the Congress to propose a new relationship between England and the colonies. Instead, the second Constitutional Congress on May 15, 1776, passed a resolution urging all colonies to draft and adopt constitutions.
Philadelphia Convention Less then two weeks after the Declaration of Independence, the citizens of Philadelphia were inspired to form a convention for drafting a constitution for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Provincial Assembly and the governor were ignored, and the convention not only entered upon the task of forming the constitution, but superseded the old government by assuming the legislative power of the commonwealth and establishing a Council of Safety with extensive powers to rule in the interim.
The elected delegates debated, drafted, and on Sept. 28, 1776, passed and proclaimed the Bill of Rights and Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania signed by "Benj. Franklin, Prest." The Constitution of 1776 provided that the power of amending the constitution would rest with a Council of Censors as it found necessary. The Constitution of 1776 was considered one of the most democratic state governmental structures of the times, even though it was not submitted to the electorate for ratification or adoption.
External links
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Constitution Party page on PA Constitution
- same article, with citation
Templates for copying
- Owen Davis at the Internet Broadway Database
- Owen Davis at IMDb