1600
20,000 Lenni Lenapes estimated to live in Delaware Valley
1610
Capt. Samuel Argall discovers large bay of water, names it Delaware Bay in honor of Sir Thomas West, Third Lord De La Ware
1620
Puritans sail for the New World – Plymouth Rock, MA.
1626
Attacks by the Susquehannock (Minqua) start against the Lenapes
1630-1635
Susquehannock attacks against Lenapes throughout southeast Pennsylvania, Lenapes become subjects to Susquehannocks
Devastating outbreak of Smallpox among the Lenapes, wipes out half of population
1638
First Swedish Colonists arrive to found eventual New Sweden Colony in Delaware Valley
1642-1651
English Civil War
1644 October 14
William Penn born
1651
Initial Dutch inroads in Delaware Valley, establishing Fort Casimir (New Castle)
1652
George Fox has his vision of “a great people to be gathered.”
1655
New Sweden Colony lost to the Dutch
1659-1664
Esopus Wars between Dutch, Mohawks, and Senecas, against Espous Tribes of Munsee
1661
Devastating outbreak of Smallpox hits Susquehannock, spreads to Lenapes
1664 June 5
Peter Larsson Cock patents original Shackamaxon Tract from Governor d’Hinojossa at New York
1665-1667
2nd Anglo-Dutch War, England takes control of New Amsterdam and New Sweden
1672-74
3rd Anglo-Dutch War, the Dutch regain New Sweden briefly, then lose it for good to England
1675
Iroquois defeat Susquehannock, Lenapes now under control of Iroquois
1677
Thomas Fairman arrives at Burlington, West Jersey
1678
Elizabeth Kinsey completes her late father’s transaction for 300-acre estate at Shackamaxon
1680
Thomas Fairman marries Elizabeth Kinsey at Burlington, West Jersey, moves to Shackamaxon
1681
William Penn given Charter for his colony of Pennsylvania sends William Markham to colony to facilitate transition
1682 January
William Haige, a William Penn’s Land Commissioner, lives with Fairman at Shackamaxon
August
Thomas Holme, Surveyor General for William Penn, lives with Fairman for six months at Shackamaxon
October
William Penn arrives in Delaware Valley
November
1683 February-March
Thomas Fairman allows William Penn to take over his house at Shackamaxon, Fairman removes to Frankford
August 16th
William Penn’s letter to the Free Society of Traders describing council with Indians, possibly the “Great Treaty.”
1708
Oldmixion publishes The British Empire in America, first history to mention Penn’s Treaty.
1718 July 30
William Penn dies
1764
Voltaire quote on Penn’s Treaty first published
1771-1772
Benjamin West paints Penn’s Treaty with the Indians
1777-1778
General Simcoe of the Queen’s Rangers post guards to protect Treaty Tree during British occupation of Philadelphia
1795
Matthew Vandusen purchases Fairman Mansion and Treaty Tree grounds
1797
Proud publishes his History of Pennsylvania, first local history book to mention Penn’s Treaty
1798-1800
William Birch’s City of Philadelphia published, includes print of Treaty Tree
1810 March 5
The Treaty Elm Tree uprooted in storm – afterwards many relics made from tree
1813
Clarkson’s biography of William Penn published, Peace Treaty mentioned
1820-1821
Benjamin Hicks begins painting his Peaceable Kingdom series
1824
Lafayette’s Visit to Philadelphia stirs historical interest – Penn Society founded
1825
Fairman Mansion razed to straighten Beach Street
Roberts Vaux reads his report at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, calls for Penn Treaty Memorial
1827
Penn Treaty Monument placed by the Penn Society
1836
John Fanning Watson’s Communication on Penn’s Treaty
Du Ponceau & Fisher report on Penn Treaty
Roberts Vaux, chief advocate for Penn Treaty Memorial dies
1844
Peter S. Du Ponceau another advocate for Penn Treaty Memorial dies
1845
First mentioning of Penn Treaty Monument in decline
1848
County Board advocates for purchasing the Penn Treaty grounds
1851
West’s painting of Penn’s Treaty sold at Penn Family estate auction
1854
Philadelphia County consolidated into the City of Philadelphia
1856
“For Rent” signs go up on Penn Treaty grounds
1857
Granville Penn presents Wampum Belt to Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1860
John Fanning Watson, advocate for Penn Treaty Memorial dies
1869
State Legislator Adaire votes for funding the Penn Treaty Memorial
1870
Resolution introduced into City Council to purchase Penn Treaty grounds
1872
“For Rent” signs again appear on Penn Treaty grounds
1880
Resolution introduced in City Council to get fencing for Penn Treaty Monument
1890
“For Sale” signs appear on Penn Treaty grounds
1891
Kensington lawyer Joseph L. Tull argues in City Council for a park at the Penn Treaty Monument
1892 January 25
Philadelphia City Council and the Fairmount Park Art Commission join hands to establish Penn Treaty Park
February 25
Bills submitted to Council for creation of Penn Treaty Park
March 2
Penn Treaty Park placed on the City Plan
March 10
Ordinance passed to purchase the Penn Treaty Monument grounds
July 15
Plans for Penn Treaty Park available to view
1893 January
Bureau of City Property budgets for improvements at Penn Treaty Park
October 28
Official Grand Opening of Penn Treaty Park – 10,000-15,000 in attendance
Henry C. Merritt hired as first Park superintendent – Patrols Park
1910
Federal Government tries to build immigrant station next to Penn Treaty Park – neighborhood rejects idea
1917
Henry C. Merritt dies – Park begins its first decline
1920
PECO builds plant next to Penn Treaty Park
1920’s
Penn Treaty Park’s Pier 57 starts to be used for Harbor Police & Fire Units
1931
Terrible explosion of Police Harbor boat as it approached Pier 57
1940’s
Park in decline – Transferred from Bureau of City Property to Bureau of Recreation
1949
State Representative Miles Lederer calls for funding to restore Park
1954
Jurisdiction of Park transferred from Bureau of Recreation to Fairmount Park Commission – patrol watch started
1960’s
Park in decline, I-95 Bulldozes way through neighborhood cutting off Park from community – patrol watch stopped
1970’s
Bicentennial Celebration stirs interest in renovating Park- old Pier 57 removed – obelisk moved near to original Treaty Tree
Dr. Etta May Pettyjohn calls for building Penn Treaty Museum
1982
Tercentennial Celebration at Penn Treaty Park – Park to expand by 5 _ acres
New sculpture of William Penn by Frank C. Gaylord
1987
Official rededication of expanded and restored Penn Treaty Park
2002
Treaty of “renewed brotherhood” signed between Lenape Indian Tribe and Delaware River Greenway Partnership
2007
Threats of Casino being built near Park