Where did William Penn live when he visited his colony? Although his accomplishments are monumental, he actually spent less than four years in what became Pennsylvania.

Sails from England on September 1, 1682. Returns to England on August 12, 1684.
Sails from England September 7, 1699. Returns to England November 1701.

Most well known is Pennsbury Manor in Bucks County, probably due to the recreation of his estate in the 1930s. Construction of his property began in 1683 and was completed in 1686. Penn and his family lived at Pennsbury briefly and for part of two summers. Penn’s country estate fell into disrepair by 1736 and the original buildings were gone by 1864. So, where did he really live?

When Penn arrived on the “Welcome” in October 1682, he was invited to stay at “Essex House,” the home of Quakers Robert and Lydia Wade in Upland (now Chester). The log house was located about 200 yards from the Delaware River. Wade purchased the house from Arnegot Papegoja, daughter of John Printz, governor of the former Swedish colony.

Penn then made his way to the Shackamaxon home of Thomas Fairman, his Deputy Surveyor. Fairman purchased land from Lasse Cock, a Swedish farmer, in 1681, who had previously bought the land from the Lenni Lenape. The house eventually became known as Fairman’s Mansion. At the time Penn visited, it was a more modest dwelling. The stately brick home that appears in Benjamin West’s painting had not yet been constructed.

Thomas Fairman hosted Thomas Holme, assistant to the deputy governor and surveyor general and William Markham, Penn’s cousin and deputy general of the colony, so it made sense that Penn move in. This, of course, puts him in close proximity to the Great Elm under which the Treaty of Friendship was forged. The Treaty Tree was already a landmark. Those who question if the Treaty took place might want to consider this.

Penn actually liked the house so much that Fairman loaned his home to him and moved near Frankford. Penn’s son William was born in Fairman’s house in 1683.

The Fairman Mansion was demolished 1824-1825.

In September 1699 Penn could be found at the home of Edward Shppen (1639-1712) located at what is now the southwest corner of South and Broad Streets. Shippen served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1699. He was appointed Mayor of Philadelphia for a one-year term by Penn in 1701. In 1702 he was elected to a second one-year term. This makes Shippen the first elected Mayor of Philadelphia.

Penn was again on the move later in 1699. He stayed in what was known as the Slate Roof House, located in the 100 block of Second Street, north of Walnut Street during his second visit to the colony. This was the home of Quaker merchant Samuel Carpenter. Penn actually rented this as his city residence and visited his country estate from time to time. It was while in residence here in 1701 that he wrote his “Charter of Privileges,” a model for the U.S. Constitution.

The Slate Roof House was demolished in 1867.

The Caleb Pusey House in Upland, Pennsylvania (now known as Chester.) should also be noted. Built in 1683 and still standing, it is documented that William Penn visited here several times.

There is another residence known as the “Letitia House,” named for Penn’s daughter. It was originally believed that Penn resided here but preservationists date the house to 1715. There are some, however, who believe that the interior fittings date to 1681. The house was moved to West Girard Avenue in Fairmount Park in 1883. Current thinking is that there is no connection to William Penn.

Penn sailed back to England in November, 1701 and never returned to his colony.

“Governor Palmer/Fairman Mansion Residence at Kensington, Facing the Treaty Elm, 1747-8”
By William Breton

“Penn’s Treaty with the Indians” by Benjamin West.