Isaac Norris (II)
Encyclopedia
Isaac Norris was a merchant and statesman in provincial Pennsylvania
.
, a prosperous Quaker merchant and original participant in William Penn
's establishment of the colony of Pennsylvania
. Isaac was educated at the Friends' School in Philadelphia, and went abroad in 1722 and 1734-1735.
. In 1742 he moved out of his house in the city proper, and resettled in his family's estate, "Fairhill" in the Northern Liberties
section of Philadelphia county
. He was engaged in business till 1743, and, having acquired a large fortune in addition to what he inherited from his father, he retired from business to devote himself to politics.
of the strictest sect, and endeavored to keep the policy of Pennsylvania consistent with the principles of his religion. On the prospect of war with France and Spain in 1739, he opposed the organization of volunteer companies and preparation for the defense of the province. His followers, in opposition to the war party, were known as the "Norris party," and his subsequent election to the assembly was the occasion of violent political struggles between the Quakers and other residents of the city.
He was one of the commissioners to treat with the Albany Indians in 1745 and 1755 and he and his colleagues effected the purchase of several million acres comprising the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. He was elected speaker of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1751, and held that office fifteen years. In the first year of his administration the old statehouse bell
was ordered from England, and Norris proposed the inscription "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." During his speakership the contest was waged between the people and the proprietaries on the subject of taxation and legislative control of the Penn family estates. Norris, at the head of the Quakers, joined the opposers of privilege, and in a debate in the assembly declared "No man shall ever stand on my grave and say, 'Curse him, here lies he who betrayed the liberties of his country!'" He was appointed with Benjamin Franklin
a commissioner to England in 1757 to solicit the removal of grievances that were occasioned by the proprietary instructions, but declined on account of the failure of his health. Although he opposed the encroachments of the Penns, he would not support the proposition to convert Pennsylvania into a royal province, resigning his speakership when in 1764 a petition to that effect passed the assembly: He was returned at the next election, and again resigned in 1764. Norris retired due to poor health and died at his estate "Fairhill" shortly thereafter. His death proved his value to the Quaker faction, in that his passing marked the end of the Quaker's strong influence in Pennsylvania's politics.
) from 1751 until his resignation in 1755.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Early life and education
Isaac Norris was born in Philadelphia in 1701, the son of Isaac NorrisIsaac Norris
Isaac Norris was a merchant and prominent figure in provincial Pennsylvania, including mayor of Philadelphia in 1724.He was born in London, England, but his father, Thomas, moved to Jamaica when Isaac was seven years old...
, a prosperous Quaker merchant and original participant in William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
's establishment of the colony of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Isaac was educated at the Friends' School in Philadelphia, and went abroad in 1722 and 1734-1735.
Business
After his schooling, Norris managed the family business, Norris and Company, on behalf of his ailing father until the latter's death in 1735. At that time Isaac became a senior partner. In 1739, he married Sarah Logan, the eldest daughter of James LoganJames Logan
-People:* James Logan , colonial American statesman* James Richardson Logan , British lawyer and amateur ethnologist* James Harvey Logan , American horticulturist...
. In 1742 he moved out of his house in the city proper, and resettled in his family's estate, "Fairhill" in the Northern Liberties
Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
-Boundaries:Northern Liberties is located north of Center City and is bordered by Girard Avenue to the north; Callowhill Street to the south; North 6th Street to the west; and the Delaware River to the east...
section of Philadelphia county
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
-History:Tribes of Lenape were the first known occupants in the area which became Philadelphia County. The first European settlers were Swedes and Finns who arrived in 1638. The Netherlands seized the area in 1655, but permanently lost control to England in 1674...
. He was engaged in business till 1743, and, having acquired a large fortune in addition to what he inherited from his father, he retired from business to devote himself to politics.
Politics
Like his father before him, Norris entered into politics at an early age. He served as a councilman and alderman, a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1734, and chairman of its most important committees. He was a QuakerReligious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
of the strictest sect, and endeavored to keep the policy of Pennsylvania consistent with the principles of his religion. On the prospect of war with France and Spain in 1739, he opposed the organization of volunteer companies and preparation for the defense of the province. His followers, in opposition to the war party, were known as the "Norris party," and his subsequent election to the assembly was the occasion of violent political struggles between the Quakers and other residents of the city.
He was one of the commissioners to treat with the Albany Indians in 1745 and 1755 and he and his colleagues effected the purchase of several million acres comprising the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. He was elected speaker of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1751, and held that office fifteen years. In the first year of his administration the old statehouse bell
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American Independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House , the bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack in 1752, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY...
was ordered from England, and Norris proposed the inscription "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." During his speakership the contest was waged between the people and the proprietaries on the subject of taxation and legislative control of the Penn family estates. Norris, at the head of the Quakers, joined the opposers of privilege, and in a debate in the assembly declared "No man shall ever stand on my grave and say, 'Curse him, here lies he who betrayed the liberties of his country!'" He was appointed with Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
a commissioner to England in 1757 to solicit the removal of grievances that were occasioned by the proprietary instructions, but declined on account of the failure of his health. Although he opposed the encroachments of the Penns, he would not support the proposition to convert Pennsylvania into a royal province, resigning his speakership when in 1764 a petition to that effect passed the assembly: He was returned at the next election, and again resigned in 1764. Norris retired due to poor health and died at his estate "Fairhill" shortly thereafter. His death proved his value to the Quaker faction, in that his passing marked the end of the Quaker's strong influence in Pennsylvania's politics.
Scholar
Norris was an excellent French, Latin, and Hebrew scholar, collected a valuable library, and was active in educational and benevolent enterprises. He served as a trustee of the College and Academy of Philadelphia (now the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
) from 1751 until his resignation in 1755.