Isaac Norris (II)

Isaac Norris (3 October, 1701 – 13 June, 1766) was a merchant and statesman in provincial Pennsylvania.

Isaac Norris was born in Philadelphia in 1701, the son of Isaac Norris, a well-to-do Quaker merchant and original participant in William Penn's "holy experiment." Isaac was educated at the Friends' School in Philadelphia, and went abroad in 1722 and 1734-1735. After he finished his schooling, Norris managed the family business on behalf of his ailing father until the latter's death in 1735. At that time Isaac became a senior partner. Four years later he married Sarah Logan, the eldest daughter of James Logan. 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.

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 Quaker 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.

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 Pennsylvania) from 1751 until his resignation in 1755.

Norris's daughter Mary married John Dickinson.

References

* [http://www.archives.upenn.edu/histy/features/1700s/people/norris_isaac.html Biographical sketch and portrait at University of Pennsylvania]

External links

* [http://deila.dickinson.edu/norris/about.html The books of Isaac Norris at Dickinson College]