Comments on: The Quick 13: Where the 13 Colonies Got Their Names

By: dsavage

dsavage — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:29:00 +0000

Sorry, Charles II was not king in 1729. Charles reigned 1660-85. George II was king in 1729, reigning 1727-1760.

By: QT314159265

QT314159265 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:58:00 +0000

BAH! No Deleware. Inaccurate naming. I think the floss hit a snag. As a former resident of one of the original colonies I get defensive. Alas, now I live in the wild west. On an indian reservation no less, where Thansgiving is only moderately tolerated.

Recaptcha : Rifle propositions

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:34:00 +0000

Hang on! Quick correction about the naming of Pennsylvania. William Penn’s father was an extremely wealthy man, and made quite a few loans to Charles II. Upon his death, son William acquired the rights to the debt. Rather than cashing in, though, the younger Penn asked that the debt be resolved by trading it for the landrights of the area west of Jersey (hoping to create a safe haven for Quakers). Charles granted this, naming the land for Penn’s father. (Source: The William Penn article on the HowStuffWorks website.)

Sorry, born & bred Pennsylvanian, here, who knows a thing or two about his commonwealth. ;)

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:34:00 +0000

Although the link is dead, I am still excited that you find my home state’s story interesting! As a descendent of Roger Williams, I am proud to be a Rhode Islander!

By: Mark Chadwick

Mark Chadwick — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:33:00 +0000

Surprisingly, Pennsylvania is not named after the William Penn we all know and love, but his father, Admiral William Penn.

Still correct through ambiguity, though misleading.

wikipedia:wiki/List_of_U.S._state_name_etymologies

By: Eli

Eli — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:28:00 +0000

umm, those aren’t the 13 colonies… Vermont was never a proper colony (it was a disputed territory claimed by NY and NH) and you forgot Delaware.