Isaac Zane Sr. (d. 1794)

Isaac Zane Sr. was one of the early members of the Carpenters’ Company. Born in New Jersey in 1710, Zane grew up on his family’s farm and then made his way to Philadelphia to work as a carpenter. He became a member of the Company during the 1730s. While Zane was listed as a member until the 1790s, he was no longer attending Company meetings in the 1760s and had begun to devote his energy to other pursuits other than carpentry.

Isaac Zane, due to his wealth and his status within Philadelphia and the Society of Friends, as well as his interest in the progression of Philadelphia as an urban cultural center, became a mover for social and intellectual affairs within the city. In 1754, he contributed to the recently instituted Pennsylvania Hospital. His son, Isaac Jr., contributed as well at a later point. Isaac Zane was a lifelong member of the Society of Friends and later in life devoted most of his time and efforts to the Society’s projects. He travelled on the behalf of Philadelphia Meeting representing them in altruistic affairs and serving as a delegate to larger conventions. The famous Quaker activist Anthony Benezet often worked with Isaac Zane promoting civic affairs and progressions. Both found interest, rather than fear, in the shockingly different lives of Native Americans and sought to promote peaceful cohabitation with the tribes in Pennsylvania. Benezet, speaking of the kindness and hospitality of the Native Americans, states “There are scarce any but Isaac Zane & myself who have attended treaties & endeavored to inform ourselves of original Indian Affairs.” (George S. Brooks, Friend Anthony Benezet, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1937, 378)

In 1778, Zane and Benezet wrote a pamphlet indicating to Quakers the importance of educating the youth of their society. The article, Some Observations Relating to the Establishment of Schools, emphasized the importance of purveying the morals and virtues of their religion to youths in order to prepare them for adulthood. It also called for a fund  to cover the education cost of less fortunate students. Isaac Zane Sr., through his faithfulness to his religion and his devotion to humanitarianism, progressed the welfare of those around him and played in an important role in developing Pennsylvania Quakers' desire for a peaceful cohabitation and mutual understanding with Native Americans in the face of growing animosity between white settlers and increasingly disenfranchised tribes.  

Partially written by Roger W. Moss, Philadelphia Architects and Builders website.

George S. Brooks, Friend Anthony Benezet, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1937