Richard Peters: Provincial Secretary and Cleric, 1704-1776

Richard Peters was one of the most important officials in colonial Pennsylvania. In the employ of the Penns, Peters was at different times Secretary of the Land Office, Secretary of the Province, and Clerk of the Council. For the last quarter century of colonial government, until the Revolution, Peters was also appointed to the Governor's Council. During these years, he interacted with all the key people in the colony and also assisted with negotiating treaties with the native peoples. Peters was closely associated with Benjamin Franklin, collaborating on the Library Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hospital, American Philosophical Society, and the College of Philadelphia (which became the University of Pennsylvania). Later in life, Peters returned to the church and became the rector at Christ Church in Philadelphia until his death, working closely with Bishop William White.