Colonial Hipster

       There were hipsters back then and one of them was William Penn. Not soon after he turned eighteen William decided to grow his locks long and wavy. His dad was an Admiral for the British navy. Will started hanging with the Quakers who thought for themselves, wouldn't remove their hat or act pompous and everyone they met was considered a friend. Will decided to rebel against his father's wishes to be part of the court of the King, he took it too far and got expelled from college so his dad said, "I am not having any of this," and sent him off to France, then Ireland where he was put in prison. Despite being sent away from the influence of the Quakers, Will found himself always draw back in.

       When his dad passed on Will inherited land owed to his father by the King. He declared an adventure open to his friends to take part in a chance for freedom. Over 3,000 colonial hipsters decided the journey was worth the chance and settled with Penn in Penn's Woods (Pennsylvania). A great city of commerce and education was born where refuge from war was sought and people of all colors and creeds found comfort. The name of the city was befittingly called the city of brotherly love (Philadelphia). 

William Penn
Photo By: Getty Images

He may have been off beat to some in those days but as Jim Powell states in his article, William Penn, America's First Great Champion for liberty and Peace, "By creating Pennsylvania, Penn set an enormously important example for liberty. He showed that people who are courageous enough, persistent enough, and resourceful enough can live free. He went beyond the natural right theories of his friend John Locke and showed how a free society would actually work. He showed how individuals of different races and religions can live together peacefully when they mind their own business. He affirmed the resilient optimism of free people."

Sadly, Penn wasn't able to settle in His own 'land'. Due to financial troubles, he had to return to England in 1701.  He died in 1718 never able to return to America. Ronald Reagan gave him honorary citizenship November 28, 1984.

The Hipster as defined by the urban dictionary: "Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter." 

The Colonial Hipster definition by Chandra and Alex Brown: "Colonial Hipsters are a subculture of men and women that valued independent thinking, counter-culture (of their time period), would have owned a 'make love not war' bumper sticker for their horse, enjoys solitude, intelligence and witty banter. Drab brown, Grey, black and white articles of clothing depicts the extent of fashion sense; it's simple. May find themselves in prison for their hipster lifestyle. 

Resources:

http://www.ushistory.org/penn/bio.htm
http://www.quaker.org/wmpenn.html
http://www.archive.org/stream/childsbookofamer00stim#page/8/mode/2up

My Mom helped with the articles and quotes....