Peninah Aldham

"Let them eat bread"

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History Lesson of the Day #2003021?

I apologize, Eustace, but I have eavesdropped on your readings once again. To my readers, this can be a chance for both of us to learn of our origins ;) Apparently, and ironically, William PENN received PENNsylvania as a land grant, and attracted others here because it was his haven for the Society of Friends-us! He was persecuted by friends and family for his attraction to our “religion,” if you will. He noticed the hangings my ancestors experienced,or our lack of rights to land in Puritan New England, and hoped to colonize this ne land as a “Holy Experiment.” 

He wanted to avoid starting up large landowners systems, so he wanted yeoman farmers to come here and gave everyone quitrents (an annual fee for use of land). Penn also made us pay the Native Americans for their land, which made them amicable to us. Currently, we are home to  21,000 settlers (you can say we’re like the Puritan's Great Migration)! Pennsylvania is settled by farmers and many indentured servants. Obviously, most were Quakers, but  other religious groups can worship as they please, whether Protestant or Catholic. Like Bronson, other farmers haul wheat to export and sell.

Finally,  Philadelphia was meant to be a center of trade (as it is now) and serves as the meeting place for revolutionary leaders. Who are these leaders they speak of, and why? Maybe they mean Benjamin Franklin?

Intriguing, yes?

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‘Tis a little late, but I was reminded of my first assembly, which I also happened to take part in actively (that’s me standing on the half-barrel stump, by the way)! Once again, proud to be a Quaker because I have a right to speak! As a woman, this empowers me, because some ladies educate their children at home, which makes them responsible for the future of our nation! We spoke about the unfairness of taxes, but I interjected with words of wisdom from Poor Richard’s Almanack: “Speak little, do much... Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.” This cut off most of the murmurs about lack of money coming in, and we moved on to our discussions about the lack of faith in our children, and we began to “quake” while reciting a few hymns, the usual. 

Unlike the  Puritans, we believe in the Light Within, or how God speaks to each of us individually. At the moment, he spoke and I was told I was a part of this colony, and had a choice in how things were done. In the end, I am the same as them: I want slaves to do my husband’s work, but this nation was built on the backs of hardworking men! If we didn’t continue to follow in their example, Pennsylvania would not be where it is today. Maybe slavery in other colonies isn’t worth it, r so my husband says: he is what they call an “abolitionist.”  Also,  things are not so bad: indentured servants may demand much, but ours, Michel Piper, gets things done.

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Life and Death

The past few weeks have been one ride for my family, with both ups and downs. The upside was the bundle of joy Baby Ridley was born on the 14th day of Auguste, the year of Sixteen hundred and two, but the downside was that he passed away almost a year later. I am not the only one mourning the deaths of my children: Friend Pamela lost her daughter to disease, and Friend Emily, as well. Methinks the losses could be attributed to malnutrition, but it makes no sense since our husbands sell and trade wheat and bring food ome everyday. As I’ve said before, it’s definitely the lack of slaves-oh Lord, forgive me when I say this, but I wish we had others to work for us! My husband is against the thought, because we Quakers believe all were born free as servants and children of God, not servants of eachother. This is why I am often scared to bring up my beliefs because it can affect the children’s, as well. To raise them up as Proper Quakers, we must engage in religious discussions and instill the Love of God and all mankind, not instill hatred.

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Educating th’ young’uns

Raising my children under the hands of God is hard work, I say! Edith, Tuesday, and Corin have enrolled an apprenticeship under the guidance of the Lady’s Circle for Household Management, and have taken up the hobbies of sewing. I send Blaine and Landon to school not many furlongs from our residence (the school happens to be located on the outskirts of town because teachers did not want noise to disrupt learning) , and Eustace continues his work fervently to further his religious knowledge. Who knows? Maybe he, too, someday, can lead a church assembly like I did (more on that later)! 

What plagues my mind at the moment was the words in one of his history books- words that described William Penn’s peace alliance with the Indians. You shan’t get me wrong, no: I have nothing against them, since they’ve been so good to me. What irks me is that us Quakers impose the ban on slavery, when all it does is cause us more trouble! My sweet Bronson returns at 1 o’clock in the morning some nights due to a lack of more manpower on the farm. Even if we are a people of Peace, I say Peace within good reason. 

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In the bustling hub of trade within the Breadbasket Colonies, my husband managed to maneuver Conestoga wagons like this one for leisure time with my family. In the summer, that white cloth there is crafted from the same fabric as a thin Sunday dress. In the winter, however, said tops are made of denser material like wool. Also, you can barely tell, but upon further inspection one can notice the fields of wheat and corn behind the wagon. Farms produce thousands of pounds of the stuff annually to sell to other colonies, as well as England. I heard Bronson discussing the purpose of the Triangular Trade with some merchants, but I don’t really know what he meant... I know my place as his wife, so I don’t ask much about is economic situation, or about his 

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It’s Sunday, which means another religious festival! People term us the “Quakers” due to our love for the Lord: we “quake” at the mention of His Glorious Name! We are also coined “Friends” due to our hospitality and free-spirited nature. After a brief sermon and singing a few hymns, we had a potluck party and the ladies brought in large dishes. The twins helped enormously in the cooking and serving, and we also got to know some of the different people that live here, including a few passersby Native Americans. In layman’s terms, we had what one would call “a ball,” but all in good fun according to the Blue Laws. I look forward to becoming further interconnected with my Friends...say, if you’re passing by, would you care for a visit on a Sunday? I promise you the gruel is to die for!

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Salutations!

Greetings, my Friends! Once Eustace introduced social media to me, I had to jump on the bandwagon, so to speak! I go by the name of Peninah Aldham, and reside in a Philadelphian cottage with my children and husband Bronson Aldham. We experience many religious freedoms here, and ’tis because of the Act of Toleration I can stand proudly as a Quaker. As a mother of seven in the Middle Colonies, life can get rough, especially when you have no rights to voting or property, but I’m grateful God blessed me with a beautiful family and the right to speak in religious assemblies.

My children include Eustace,as mentioned before(the eldest attending the College of Philadelphia to become a minister); the twins Edith and Tuesday; Alder; Corin; Landon; and Blaine. Forunately, I am due for the newest addition to our family, baby Ridley! My husband, Oswald, toils day and night to give us a place to sleep and warm food in our bellies. He works in one rich farmer’s land alongside other lesser farmers that must pay taxes to the rich one, as well. Over 100 people of diverse cultures and Christian backgrounds frequent the streets. It’s not much, but I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here :)