William Penn
Events
Date of Baptism: 2 September 1716.
Place of Baptism: Halesowen, Shropshire, England (St John’s).
The baptism is given in the parish register (“William Pen son of John and Hanah Pen de Ridgacre Bapt Sept 2, 1716”).
(possible) Date of Burial: 5 November 1801.
(possible) Place of Burial: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire (St John the Baptist).
The burial is given in the parish register.
Relationships
Father: John Penn (died 1756).
Mother: Hannah Deeley (1688 - 1730).
William’s parents are named John and Hanah Pen in his baptism record. Hannah’s surname is given in her marriage record.
Spouse: Elizabeth Hunt (possibly born 1719). Married 17 March 1739 in Halesowen.
The marriage is given in the parish register.
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project. All children were baptized in Halesowen.)
Thomas Penn (baptized 26 December 1741 in Halesowen - died 11 May 1818 in Bromsgrove) married Sarah Bach 29 August 1775 in Bromsgrove.
Hannah Penn (baptized 25 November 1743 in Halesowen - buried 18 March 1745/6 in Halesowen).
William Penn (baptized 23 February 1745/6 in Halesowen - buried 14 December 1814 in Bromsgrove) married (1) Ann Ashmore 24 June 1782 in Bromsgrove; married (2) Lydia Bach 22 March 1789 in Birmingham (St Martin’s).
Betty Penn (baptized 14 February 1748 in Halesowen) married George Lea 8 November 1779 in Bromsgrove.
John Penn (baptized 26 December 1751 in Halesowen) married Mary Harden 28 April 1778 in Bromsgrove.
Hannah Penn (baptized 29 December 1754 in Halesowen).
Evidence
Apprenticeship records:
Bromsgrove, 1769
Apprentice: John Lea (for good husbandry)
Master: William Penn
Newtown, Bromsgrove, 1772
Apprentice: William Mallett (for good husbandry)
Master: William Penn
Waseley Hill, 1783
Apprentice: William Haiden
Master: John Penn
Bromsgrove, 1801
Apprentice: John Crump (for good husbandry)
Master: William Penn (farmer)
From the UK Land Tax Redemption (1798, Bromsgrove):
Proprietor: Wm Penn for Gannow
Sum Affected: [1 pound 12 shillings 6 pence]
Proprietor: Mr Geast Birmm
Occupier: Wm Penn
Sum Affected: [5 pounds 8 shillings 4 pence]
Date of Contract: 18th Decr 1799
Commentary
William’s parents were living in Ridgacre when he was baptized, and that is where the parish registers record William as living in the 1740s.
It is uncertain that the 1801 burial is of the William of this page, as the record gives only his name. In 1797, an Elizabeth, wife of William Penn, was buried in Bromsgrove.
Perhaps Elizabeth Hunt was baptized 28 February 1719 in Halesowen, but this guess is based merely on the date and place of baptism making it seem more likely than any other known candidate.
References
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, St John the Baptist parish registers, FHL films 321125, -7, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cotton, William Alfred. Bromsgrove Church (1881).
Halesowen, Worcestershire, St John’s, parish registers, FHL film 886632, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Land Tax Redemption Office: Quotas and Assessments. IR23. Records of the Boards of Stamps, Taxes, Excise, Stamps and Taxes, and Inland Revenue. The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England . Digital image on Ancestry.com.