Category: History
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Isaac Norris and his sister, Elizabeth, inherited slaves from both of their parents. His father, Isaac Norris, Sr. had freed… Continue Reading →
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John Inglis was a founder, trustee, and held numerous positions in public office including city councilman and deputy collector for… Continue Reading →
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Benjamin Franklin was a slave owner, however, his ownership was not the only way he benefited from the institution. He… Continue Reading →
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Benjamin Chew, perhaps one of the most well‐known of the trustees, came from one of the wealthiest families in the… Continue Reading →
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The University Archives profile on Kinnersley includes his wife’s labor running the dormitories, maintaining dorm hygiene, and doing laundry. Outside… Continue Reading →
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William Smith was the first Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. William Smith was arrested with his friend, William Moore,… Continue Reading →
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We know very little about Caesar. All the records referencing Caesar make no mention of him outside of his enslavement. We… Continue Reading →
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There are five different versions of John Cadwalader’s will available at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In the first four… Continue Reading →
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Josiah Nott, Samuel Cartwright (not pictured), Charles Caldwell, Samuel Morton, and their colleagues provided a scientific rationale for American racism. Their… Continue Reading →
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Pictured here is the 1786 inventory of enslaved people owned by the estate of Penn trustee John Cadwalader. The inventory… Continue Reading →
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