Most of us have heard of Philadelphia’s nickname, the City of Brotherly Love but where did the title come from? The answer is two fold. Most simply it is the meaning of the word, taken from the two Greek words “phileo” meaning love, and “adelphos” meaning brother. The other reason brings us back to the 1600’s and some history on the founder of our city and state, William Penn.
William Penn was born on October 14, 1644 into a distinguished Anglican Family in London England. He was the son of a well-respected Admiral therefore expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. A charismatic and intelligent young William Penn, however, had a different plan for himself. At the age of 22 Penn became a Quaker by joining the Religious Society of Friends whose beliefs would not allow for him to take up arms.
Religious turmoil abounded in England in the 1660’s causing Penn to dedicate himself to finding a place for himself and people of all faiths to celebrate in freedom. In 1677 William Penn was one of many prominent Quakers to set sail for the Colonial Province of West New Jersey, which is now half of the state of New Jersey.
Thanks to a debt owed to his Father by King Charles II William Penn was granted the rights to a large area of land to the west and south of New Jersey on March 4, 1681, after his father’s death. This land was to become Pennsylvania meaning “Penn’s Woods” named after Admiral William Penn.
Still hoping for a place of peace for himself and the other settlers looking to practice their various faiths Penn established Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, in 1682. Penn set the streets up in a grid pattern and even the names of the streets link back to his faith and make Philadelphia the unique place it still is today.
