Chapter One

  Bartholomew Penrose stood on the deck of the ship "Welcome", he said good by to the shore of England and turned his face towards the New World.


Standing next to him was his best friend, William Penn. William had been given land in the New World by the crown. It would become the state of Pennsylvania. They were on an adventure of a lifetime.

  Bartholomew, came from an very old English and Irish family. There were Penroses in England and Ireland with a family crest. The Penroses had been doctors to the royal crown, they had been Templar's fighting in the Crusades. They were captain's of there own vessels and shipbuilders. They were bluebloods and adventurers.

  Bartholomew was the second son, his brother Thomas, inherited the shipyard, manor and wealth that the first born always did in that day. Bartholomew worked for his brother as a captain and shipbuilder.  But, it was up to Bartholomew to make his own way, he borrowed money from his older brother with the promise of paying it all back. A promise he never kept.

  He stepped on the dock of the new world in the year 1700 and never looked back.  He met and married a wealthy girl named Esther Leech in 1703.

  Esther brought with her the best land in Philadelphia, Bartholomew would add to it. In 1706, he started his own shipbuilding business. His partners were William Penn, William Penn Jr, James Logan and William Trent.

  The first ship built was "Diligence" which sailed to foreign lands with Bartholomew as the captain. This ship was christened the "Happy Union" but retained the name of "Diligence" in the register. She left Virginia in 1708 with the "London Merchant" and 2 other ships. The "London Merchant" was captured by french pirates but "Diligence" made her way safely to England.

  Bartholomew prospered, he and Esther had 5 children:

Dorothy Penrose born 1703 - died 1764 married Issac Shoemaker

Sarah Penrose born 1705  - died 1777 married Richard Mather

Bartholomew Penrose Jr born 1708 died 1758 married Mary Kril

Thomas Penrose born 1709 died 1757 married Sarah Coats. This is the Penrose I came from and it is his line that this book will follow.

Bartholomew died in 1711, he was buried at Christ Church of which he was a member (Episcopalian). In the 1800's the church added to its building using cemetery ground. Bartholomew's grave is under that addition. He's definitely a part of his church.