Richard Penn

Background

Richard Penn was born on May 27, 1735. He was the second son of the proprietor of the same name (1706 - 1771) and his wife, Hannah Lardner, and was a grandson of William Penn, founder of the province.

Education

Richard Penn was a student for a time, though not a graduate, of St. Johns College, Cambridge.

Career

For many years, Richard Pennb drifted about without settling down to any profession. Coming to Pennsylvania with his brother John [1729-1795] upon the latter's appointment as governor in 1763, he took some part in public affairs until his return to England in 1769. Two years later, when his father's death called his brother home, he was appointed as lieutenant governor by his brother and his uncle, Thomas, who were then sole proprietors. In August 1773 he was abruptly superseded by his brother, John. He evidently felt himself wronged either by his removal from office or by the settlement of his father's estate, and was not reconciled to his brother for some months. During his residence with the people of Pennsylvania Richard Penn had secured their confidence, and when he returned to England in 1775 the Continental Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia, entrusted to him the delivery of the "Olive Branch, " their final address to the King.

This petition he presented, and when it was being considered in the House of Lords Richard Penn was questioned as to the American colonies, for whose claims he had much sympathy and understanding. For the rest of his life, except for a brief residence in Philadelphia near its close, Richard Penn lived in England. He was returned four times to Parliament, sitting once for Appleby (1784 - 1790), twice for Haslemere (1790, 1806), and once for Lancaster (1796 - 1802). His financial situation was apparently straitened during the Revolution, when there was little income from sources in Pennsylvania. From 1787 on he began to receive a share in the funds voted by the newly formed state to descendants of its former proprietors, an interest that was at least trebled at the death of his brother John in 1795.

Richard Pen died on May 27, 1811.

Achievements

• Richard Penn was best known due to his service as the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, and a member of the British Parliament.

Connections

On May 21, 1772, while governor of Pennsylvania, Richard Penn married Mary (1756 - 1829), daughter of William and Mary Masters and grand-daughter of Thomas Lawrence. Of their five children, two sons named William and Richard had some distinction of mind, but none left any children.

Father:

Richard Penn

Mother:

Hannah Lardner Penn

Spouse:

Mary Masters Penn

Brother:

John Penn

Son:

William Penn

Son:

Richard Penn