Middle Colony Pennsylvania Founded by William Penn in 1681 Presented by Sierra Fermin and Carolyn Rothmann

Geographical Characteristics/Climate In Pennsylvania, it was excellent for farming because they had fertile soil that helps plants grow well. The Growing season was long. They also had hills, valleys, wide rivers, and many sunny days and plenty of rain. The Middle colonies had warmer climate than the New England colonies.

Reason For Settlement William Penn hoped to start a colony where all Christians could live together in peace.

Religious Beliefs They were mostly Quakers. They wanted religious freedom. They thought that colonists should be free to worship in their own way.

Government/Laws The colonists elected representatives to an assembly. The assembly had the power to approve or reject a law that the governor and the council suggested.

Education Most children learned how to read and write but many colonists expected their children to learn the family business or run the family farm instead of going to college. Boy apprentices learned shoemaking, printing and bookmaking. Girl apprentices learned how to spin thread, and weave cloth.

Agriculture/Manufacturing Colonists raised livestock such as cattle and pigs. They grew fruit, vegetables, and other crops in the fertile soil. They also grew wheat, corn, and barley. They grew so much wheat that they became known as the “breadbasket” colony of the thirteen colonies.

Settlements/Homes In Pennsylvania, new comers from Sweden and Finland constructed the first log cabins. The houses they made were easy and cheap to build. To make the log cabins, they would chop down trees, stripped off branches, and stacked logs on top of each other. The cracks between the log cabin houses, were sealed with mud and grass.

Towns and Cities Pennsylvania’s first large city was Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s location was where the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers meet.

Other Interesting Facts to Know Some Quakers from Pennsylvania got put in jail for their religious beliefs. Some Quakers were even killed for their beliefs. Some apprentices lived with their master for seven years instead of with their own family.

Important people to Know Benjamin Franklin is an important person to know because he was a famous citizen in Philadelphia. He helped Philadelphia start their first public library, fire company, and hospital.