History of Pennsylvania and Delaware
     William Penn joined a new religious group called the Society of Friends.  This group was also known as the Quakers.  They were disliked by the English because their beliefs were so different from those of the Church of England.  The Quakers were founded by George Fox in England.  He felt that people did not need to go to church or to be preached to.  He also believed that people have an inner light and should listen to God's voice in their hearts.

     The Quakers felt that all people were equal and believed that "Thou shall not kill".  For this reason, they did not serve in the army or navy or pay taxes used to pay for war.  This attitude angered England.  They placed many Quakers in jail.

     In 1681, King Charles gave William Penn land in the New World.  Penn wanted to start a colony where all Quakers could live without fear of being put in jail.  They wanted religious freedom and the chance to live in peace.

     Pennsylvania had no seaport, so in 1682, William Penn asked the Duke of York for land on the west bank of the Delaware River.  Eventually this land was renamed Delaware.  These people later broke away from Pennsylvania to become their own colony, Delaware.

     William Penn was careful to respect the people of Delaware.  He treated them as equals.  He also paid them for their land.

     Penn called his colony a "holy experiment".  Penn wanted a colony where people could be free and happy.  He felt that people should make their own laws and have religious freedom.