William Coleman: A Pillar of Colonial Philadelphia
In the bustling atmosphere of colonial Philadelphia, few individuals embodied the spirit of civic duty and intellectual curiosity as completely as William Coleman. A man of diverse talents, Coleman transitioned seamlessly between the worlds of commerce, law, and public service, leaving an indelible mark on the institutions that still define the city today.
Early Life and Education
Born in Philadelphia in 1704, William Coleman was raised in a family deeply rooted in the colony's early development. His parents were Quakers; his mother, Rebecca Bradford, had arrived in Pennsylvania as a child in 1683, and his father, also named William, was a carpenter and an early member of the Carpenter's Company of Philadelphia. Educated locally, Coleman pursued the study of law, which provided the foundation for his extensive career in the colonial judiciary.
A Distinguished Legal and Political Career
After being admitted to the bar, Coleman climbed the ranks of municipal government. He began his public service as the Town Clerk and Clerk of the City Court. His legal acumen led to appointments as a judge for several local bodies, including the Quarter Sessions, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Orphan's Court. The pinnacle of his judicial career came in 1758, when he was appointed as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Beyond the bench, Coleman was a successful merchant, operating in partnership with Thomas Hopkinson. His ability to balance private enterprise with public responsibility made him a trusted figure in the colony's administration.
Founding the Intellectual Landscape of Philadelphia
Coleman was a central figure in the cultural and intellectual awakening of the mid-18th century. By 1727, he had become a close friend of Benjamin Franklin and a member of the Junto, a mutual improvement society. Franklin held Coleman in the highest regard, describing him as having "the coolest, clearest head, the best heart, and the best morals of almost any man I ever met."
His commitment to education and science is evidenced by his role in founding several landmark institutions:
- The College of Philadelphia: Now known as the University of Pennsylvania, Coleman served as the first treasurer (1749–1764) and the original clerk of the Board of Trustees (1749–1755).
- American Philosophical Society: He was a founding member and served as the society's first treasurer from 1743 to 1744.
- Philadelphia Contributionship: He served as one of the first directors of this early insurance company.
- Pennsylvania Hospital: He was an early and steadfast supporter of the city's first hospital.
Personal Life and Civic Conflict
In 1738, Coleman married Hannah Fitzwater, the daughter of a prominent merchant and landowner. Although the couple had no children, they adopted Coleman's nephew, George Clymer, the son of Hannah's sister Deborah and Captain Christopher Clymer.
Coleman's life was not without controversy. In 1747, he joined other merchants to outfit The Warren, a privateer intended to protect the Delaware River and Bay from French and Spanish pirates. Because this action contradicted the pacifist beliefs of the Quaker faith, the Philadelphia Friends Meeting read Coleman out of the society. Undeterred, he continued his civic contributions, partnering with Benjamin Franklin in 1748 to manage a public lottery to fund the Association Battery, Philadelphia's first military defense.
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Later Years and the Mason-Dixon Line
In 1756, Coleman expanded his personal estate by purchasing 12 acres along the Schuylkill River, where he constructed an elegant country home named Woodford.
One of his final significant public contributions occurred in 1761, when he was appointed to the commission tasked with resolving the boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland. This commission engaged surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon to map the border. The resulting boundary, certified by the commission in 1768, became known as the Mason-Dixon line.
William Coleman passed away in Philadelphia on January 11, 1769, at the age of 64 or 65.
Key Facts
- Born: 1704, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Died: January 11, 1769.
- Judicial Peak: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (appointed 1758).
- Educational Legacy: Founder and first treasurer of the College of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania).
- Scientific Contribution: Founding member and first treasurer of the American Philosophical Society.
- Geopolitical Role: Member of the commission that certified the Mason-Dixon line.
| Domain | Role/Contribution | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Law/Judiciary | Associate Justice | Supreme Court of Pennsylvania |
| Education | Founder/Treasurer | College of Philadelphia (UPenn) |
| Science | Founding Member/Treasurer | American Philosophical Society |
| Commerce | Merchant | Partnered with Thomas Hopkinson |
| Civic Defense | Privateer Organizer | Outfitted The Warren |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was William Coleman's relationship with Benjamin Franklin?
Coleman was a close friend of Benjamin Franklin and a member of Franklin's Junto. Franklin praised Coleman's intellect, heart, and morals, and the two collaborated on projects such as the 1748 public lottery for the Association Battery.
Why was William Coleman removed from the Quaker Meeting?
He was read out of the Philadelphia Friends Meeting because he helped fit out a privateer ship, The Warren, to defend against pirates. This action was considered incompatible with the Quakers' pacifist beliefs.
How did William Coleman contribute to the University of Pennsylvania?
Coleman helped found the College of Philadelphia, which later became the University of Pennsylvania. He served as the institution's first treasurer from 1749 to 1764 and as the original clerk of the Board of Trustees from 1749 to 1755.
What role did Coleman play in the creation of the Mason-Dixon line?
Coleman served as a member of the Pennsylvania Commission appointed in 1761 to adjust the disputed boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland. He helped certify the map created by surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in 1768.
Who was George Clymer in relation to William Coleman?
George Clymer was Coleman's nephew (the son of Coleman's sister-in-law Deborah) and was adopted by William and Hannah Coleman.