Career
In 1657 he was elected as Master of the Clothworkers" Company and he became a Governor of Christ"s Hospital in 1659. As a successful merchant, he was involved in trading of cloth, tobacco, livestock and gunpowder, and he had interests in sugar plantations and fishing. He was involved in business ventures with the East India Company.
William Pennoyer was involved in the foundation of free "Pennoyer"s Schools" in the village of Pulham Street Mary, Norfolk and at Hay-on-Wye, Brecknockshire (now Powys).
He made extensive charitable provisions in his will in connection with Christ"s Hospital, Harvard College (now University) in Massachusetts and local charities in Pulham Street Mary. In his will, Pennoyer left a 92 acres (37 ha.
0144 sq mi) farm in Pulham Street Mary to provide, from its income, funds for stipends for two Fellows and two Scholars at Harvard College. By the late 19th century, agricultural depression in England had reduced the annual income and steps were taken to sell "Asten"s Farm", as it had become known.
In 1903 United States$4,030 was realised and added to the Pennoyer Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship continues to be available to qualifying applicants. Among the recipients of Pennoyer scholarships have been historians Jared Sparks and John G. Palfrey and theologian George R. Noyes.
