Presented by the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelpha, this VIRTUAL program will explore how builder Owen Biddle, Jr. (1774–1806) had deep Quaker roots as the great-great-grandson of an early important settler of Quaker New Jersey who was also an associate of William Penn. Although he died at a young age, Owen made an impact in the development of 19th century Philadelphia, not only in the building of the Arch Street Meeting House but as a master carpenter helping to shape the future city of Philadelphia.

We will also see how the rest of the Biddle family, from Nicholas Biddle of Andalusia in Bucks County, the banker who opposed President Andrew Jackson, to Francis Biddle, who served as Attorney General under President Franklin Roosevelt, made their mark in American history. They ventured away from Quakerism, but established a wealthy and talented family influential in Philadelphia, and indeed, American history.

All are welcome! No prior registration required. The Zoom link for the event will go live on the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia’s website the day of the event.

About the Speaker

Tom Bowen is a member of Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia (Arch Street Friends). As a teenager he was a member of Salem Monthly Meeting in New Jersey, after which he obtained an undergraduate and law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Following his retirement as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge, he moved to Philadelphia, and is the board chair of Friends in the City Retirement Community, a Quaker-based non-profit corporation for senior activities and services.

About the MMFP Adult Education Series

Adult Education Committee at Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia (Arch Street Friends) hosts a monthly series of Zoom talks on Quaker topics of particular relevance to meeting members and attenders. For a full slate of upcoming lectures, visit archstreetfriends.org/calendar.