| Philadelphia | |
 | |
| Continent | North America |
| Location | Province of Pennsylvania |
| Notable inhabitants | Joseph Guthrie Marion Guthrie |
| Population | British citizens
Slaves |
| Affiliation | British Empire |
Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and, in the early 18th century, was one of the largest and most important cities in America.
Name[]
Philadelphia was named by it's founder William Penn, who wanted it to be a place where everyone would be free to worship their religion of choice without fear of persecution. Philadelphia is Greek for "brotherly love."
Layout[]
The city of Philadelphia is built between two rivers, the Schuykill and the Delaware, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Pirates inhabit the east bank of the Delaware across from Springett Island. Docks line the western bank of the Delaware. Wooden and brick houses are assembled in neat blocks. The Charles Grace Library overlooks a square, as does a small boarding house.
History[]
Background[]
The first European settlers on the site were Swedes, who established a community at the mouth of the Schuykill not later than 1643. England, however, established its control over the entire region, and in 1681, King Charles II made William Penn a grant of land that became Pennsylvania. Philadephia's guiding principle was tolerance towards all faiths. Philadelphia attracted people from all over Europe, with such Quakers as Penn especially well represented. The city developed a thriving trade with the West Indies. It received its city charter in 1701. By the 1720s, the population of American colonists reached 475,000. Boston (pop. 12,000) was the largest city, followed by Philadelphia (pop. 10,000) and New York (pop. 7000). Philadelphia's most famous citizen in the 18th century was Benjamin Franklin, widely considered to be one of the guiding lights of the Revolution. Joseph and Marion Guthrie spend their winters in Philadelphia, negotiating with their suppliers for the spring.
Season Four[]
Eleanor Guthrie tells Woodes Rogers, who is now her husband, that her grandparents will likely help them in their war against the pirates. Eleanor believes that the prestige that Rogers will bring the Guthrie family will appeal to them, for it will help erase the stain Eleanor and her father had put on the family name by fencing the pirates' cargo using company ships[1].
Eleanor is prevented from leaving by Edward Teach's blockade of Nassau's harbor. Rogers sails towards Port Royal, luring Teach away from the harbor[2]. However, Eleanor is again unable to leave when Captain Berringer tells her that he needs the soldiers in her escort in Nassau Town. Shortly afterwards, Nassau falls to the pirates, and Eleanor is forced to retreat to Fort Nassau[3].
After the Rogers'-backed Spanish invasion of Nassau, Max convinces Jack Rackham to head north to Philadelphia instead of following Flint to the Maroon Camp. They are allowed to dock after paying a number of fees. Jack and Featherstone go ashore. Jack goes to the Charles Grace Library to try and win over Joseph Guthrie, while Featherstone tries to go find a doctor for the injured Anne Bonny[4].
Jack takes a walk outside with Marion Guthrie after Joseph refuses the deal. Marion explains that Joseph was meeting with the wealthiest men in Pennsylvania Colony, men who are critical suppliers of the Guthrie Trading Company and consider character to be very important in their partners. Thus, Joseph has gone through great lengths to convince them that their family's sordid beginnings are in the past, so it is no wonder that Joseph refused to engage in a revenge plot against the Royal Governor of New Providence Island.
Jack stands by his plan and asks Marion to help him gain Joseph's ear again, but Marion cuts him off. She tells him that her husband's commercial interests have grown immensely in the past three years, and they have the ninth largest family fortune in the Americas. Marion asks if that sounds like something built by someone who would discard a deal as profitable as this because of appearances. Jack realizes that Marion is the real brains behind the company, and convinces her that he and his partners are worth working with.
Jack and Featherstone regroup with Max at their ship in the docks. Jack explains that Joseph declined the offer, but his wife Marion Guthrie is interested, and she is the real brains behind the company. After negotiating a deal where the Guthries will purchase Rogers' debt, forcing him into a debtor's prison and they can buy all of Nassau's valuable property and businesses for extremely cheap prices due to their state of ruin, Jack and Featherstone depart to kill Flint, a condition of their deal. Meanwhile, Anne remains behind to heal, and Max and Idelle to continue solidifying their deal[5].
Marion takes Max to the docks to observe the pirates on the east bank of the Delaware River across from Springett Island. They discuss how those in power benefit from the premium the shipping companies pay due to the risk the pirates pose. That night they go to a party at the library, where Marion tries to get Max to agree to be married to a decent, but not very bright member of Philadelphia's high society, to act as a figurehead for Max. Max refuses, because she fears that this would interfere with her rebuilding her relationship with Anne. Nevertheless, Marion agrees[6].
When Jack returns to Philadelphia he reunites with Anne. He later meets with Marion, who agrees to the deal, even though Flint wasn't killed, but rather was imprisoned humanely in Savannah[7].
Quotes[]
"Seven major shipping concerns in the city here. In less than years, more goods will move through here than any English-speaking port outside London."
- Marion Guthrie to Max in XXXVI.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Creating Philadelphia in the winter was not easy for the production team in the summer in Cape Town. While the characters wore heavy coats and appeared to be freezing, the temperature was in the high thirties degrees celsius.