Where Quakers Settled in Colonial America: Pennsylvania & New Jersey

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), founded in 1650s England by George Fox, faced persecution for pacifism, refusal of oaths, and egalitarian worship. They found refuge in two colonies shaped by their principles.

Pennsylvania: The "Holy Experiment"

• 1681: William Penn (Quaker) receives charter from Charles II for debt repayment.
• 1682: Penn arrives, founds Philadelphia ("brotherly love") on grid plan with public squares.
• Frame of Government: Religious freedom, fair trials, elected assembly, peaceful Indigenous relations (Treaty of Shackamaxon/Lenape).
• Settlement: Quakers dominated Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia, Montgomery counties. By 1700, ~50% of PA's European population.

New Jersey: Early Quaker Haven

• 1675: Fenwick & Byllynge (Quakers) buy West Jersey. Salem founded.
• 1677: Concessions and Agreements — landmark liberal constitution (religious liberty, trial by jury, elected assembly).
• Burlington (1677) becomes West Jersey capital; Quaker merchants, farmers settle.
• East Jersey also sees Quaker influx (Perth Amboy).

Other Notable Communities

• Rhode Island: Portsmouth, Newport — early refuge (Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams allies).
• North Carolina: Guilford, Alamance counties (Cane Creek, New Garden meetings) — 1750s onward.
• Ohio/Indiana: 19th-century westward migration (Orthodox/Hicksite split).

Quaker Impact

Abolitionism, women's rights, prison reform (Eastern State Penitentiary), Native American advocacy, education (Swarthmore, Haverford, Earlham, Guilford colleges), business integrity (Barclays, Lloyds, Cadbury, Clarks).

Pennsylvania and New Jersey remain the historic heartland of American Quakerism.