How many "lower counties" ruled by Pennsylvania?

The correct answer is three. The term "lower counties" refers specifically to the three counties in what is now Delaware that were originally part of the Pennsylvania colony. These were New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, which were governed by Pennsylvania as a result of a 1682 agreement between William Penn and the Duke of York. This governance lasted until the Delaware counties eventually declared independence from Pennsylvania in 1776.

Understanding the historical context is crucial here, as the relationship between these counties and Pennsylvania was a significant aspect of colonial governance. The term "lower counties" arose from their geographic position along the Delaware River, distinguishing them from the "upper" counties in Pennsylvania. This historical arrangement plays a key role in American colonial history and the eventual development of Delaware as its own state.