William Blake (1757-1827), the poet, visionary and painter who wrote and illustrated America in 1793 came to live at Felpham a few years later. Blake regarded America as the land of freedom and here he tells, in allegorical form, the story of the struggle for American independence.

George Keith, former head of the Quaker School founded by William Penn in Philadelphia, split with the Quakers, returned to England and became rector of Edburton parish church from 1705 to 1716.

In a warrant for his arrest from the Assize Court held at East Grinstead on 20th March 1682 William Penn was charged with trespass and contempt against the statute for discovering, and repression of, Popish recusants. The charges were dropped when he convinced the authorities that he wasn’t a Catholic.

Richard Cobden (1804-1865), politician and free-trade campaigner, had strong ties with the United States and was dedicated to forging positive Anglo-American relations, particularly during the period of the American Civil War (1861-1865).

In February 1828, members of the parish vestry meeting at Cuckfield agreed to pay £65 '…for the purpose of conveying Thomas Baldwin and family to Pitsford in North America.' In March 1852, the parish agreed that the 'irremoveable pauper' William Lee and his family should be sent to America.

It was here that William Penn, with Benjamin Hayler, oversaw the conversion of John Shaw’s timber-framed house, Little Slatter, into a permanent Quaker meeting house between 1691 and 1694.

Peter Pelham (c1695-1751), artist and engraver of Boston, is said to have emigrated from Chichester in 1726.(2) Dame Agnes Frankland, formerly of Massachussetts, came to live and be buried in Chichester in the late 18th century.

Lieutenant-Colonel Cecil Bisshopp (1783-1813), heir to the estate of Parham fought and died in the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain. His younger sister, Katherine Annabella Bisshopp [add dates], married Sir George Brooke-Pechell (1789-1860), a naval officer, member of parliament for Brighton and baronet.

Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr (or 12th Baron) (1577-1618) was a politician and merchant who became governor of the colony of Virginia (c1609). He made his mark on the New World through the state, Native American people, bay and river of Delaware, which were all named after him.

Here in 1679 William Penn campaigned unsuccessfully for the election to Parliament of his friend and republican Algernon Sydney, part of an ineffective attempt to achieve religious toleration.