Weren't they appointed by the King?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Pennsylvania
How were the governors of the Pennsylvania colony chosen?
2 answers
In effect the Governor was the Proprietor of the Colony. Thus it was William Penn and his family after his death. However, Penn spent little time in the colony and at various times appointed Deputy Governors starting with William Markham (his 1st cousin) in 1681. However, sometimes Deputy Governors were replaced by a small group of provincial Councilors, and sometimes by the President (leader) of the provincial Council.
There was a period of about one year i 1693-1694 when the Crown (William III) appointed a Governor when the Crown took away Penn's Proprietorship (after the Glorious Revolution of William and Mary). At that time Benjamin Fletcher then Governor of New York was also appointed as the Governor of Pennsylvania (which was now a Crown Colony). When Penn was re-instated, he (or his heirs) then either continued to appoint Deputy Governors or rely on the provincial Council President to fill that role. The Proprietors were ousted in 1776 during the Revolutionary War.
There was a period of about one year i 1693-1694 when the Crown (William III) appointed a Governor when the Crown took away Penn's Proprietorship (after the Glorious Revolution of William and Mary). At that time Benjamin Fletcher then Governor of New York was also appointed as the Governor of Pennsylvania (which was now a Crown Colony). When Penn was re-instated, he (or his heirs) then either continued to appoint Deputy Governors or rely on the provincial Council President to fill that role. The Proprietors were ousted in 1776 during the Revolutionary War.
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