American Historical and Literary Curiosities, Part 12. / Second Series

UNDER the impression that the British army would very soon take possession of Philadelphia, one of its highly respectable citizens removed his family to North Wales, in the county of Montgomery, Pennsylvania, and the following lively, amusing, and natural journal was written by his daughter, then in her fifteenth year. It was addressed to her friend and schoolmate, Deborah Norris, subsequently married to Doctor George Logan, the grandson of James Logan, and has been kindly loaned by the family of the writer.
To the youth of the writer must be ascribed any inaccuracies of expression which may be discovered. It has been carefully copied from the much-faded original, and the punctuation only corrected. The Journal gives a peep at the manners of the day, and introduces us to the American army in a most characteristic manner.
To DEBORAH NORRIS.
1776-7
Though I have not the least shadow of an opportunity to send a letter if I do write, I will keep a sort of journal of the time that may expire before I see thee: the perusal of it may some time hence give pleasure in a solitary hour to thee and our S. J.
Yesterday, which was the 24th of September, two Virginia officers called at our house, and informed us that the British army had crossed the Schuylkill. Presently after, another person stopped and confirmed what they had said, and that General Washington and army were near Pottsgrove. Well, thee may be sure we were sufficiently scared; however, the road was very still till evening. About seven o'clock we heard a great noise; to the door we all went; a large number of waggons, with about three hundred of the Philadelphia militia: they begged for drink, and several pushed into the house; one of those that entered was a little tipsy, and had a mind to be saucy. I then thought it time for me to retreat; so figure me (mightily scared as not having presence of mind enough to face so many of the military) running in at one door and out another, all in a shake with fear; but after a little, seeing the officers appear gentlemanly and the soldiers civil, I called reason to my aid; my fears were in some measure dispelled, tho' my teeth rattled, and my hand shook like an aspin leaf. They did not offer to take their quarters with us; so, with many blessings and as many adieus, they marched off. I have given the most material occurrences of yesterday faithfully.