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.
Fourth day, Sept. 25th.—This day, till 12 o'clock, the road was mighty quiet, when Hobson Jones came riding along. About that time he made a stop at our door, and said the British were at Skippac road; that we should soon see their light horse, and a party of Hessians had actually turned into our lane. My Dadda and Mamma gave it the credit it deserved, for he does not keep strictly to the truth in all respects; but the delicate, chicken-hearted Liddy and me were wretchedly scared. We could say nothing but "Oh! what shall we do? What will become of us?" These questions only augmented the terror we were in. Well, the fright went off; we seen no light horse or Hessians. O. Foulke came here in the evening, and told us that General Washington had come down as far as the Trap, and that General McDougle's brigade was stationed at Montgomery, consisting of about 16 hundred men. This he had from Dr. Edwards, Lord Stirling's aid-de-camp; so we expected to be in the midst of one army or t'other.
5th day, Sept. 26th.—We were unusually silent all the morning; no passengers came by the house, except to the Mill, and we don't place much dependance on Mill news. About 12 o'clock, cousin Jesse heard that General Howe's army had moved down towards Philadelphia. Then, my dear, our hopes and fears were engaged for you. However, my advice is, summon up all your resolution, call Fortitude to your aid, don't suffer your spirits, to sink, my dear; there's nothing like courage; 'tis what I stand in need of myself, but unfortunately have but little of it in my composition. I was standing in the kitchen about 12, when somebody came to me in a hurry, screaming, "Sally, Sally, here are the light horse." This was by far the greatest fright which I had endured; fear tack'd wings to my feet; I was at the house in a moment; at the porch I stopt, and it really was the light horse. I run immediately to the Western door, where the family were assembled anxiously waiting for the event. They rode up to the door and halted, and enquired if we had horses to sell; he was answer'd negatively. "Have not you, sir," to my father, "two black horses?" "Yes, but have no mind to dispose of them." My terror had by this time nearly subsided. The officer and men behaved perfectly civil; the first drank two glasses of wine, rode away, bidding his men follow, which, after adieus in number, they did. The officer was Lieutenant Lindsay, of Bland's regiment, Lee's troop. The men, to our great joy, were Americans, and but 4 in all! What made us imagine them British, they wore blue and red, which with us is not common. It has rained all this afternoon, and, to present appearances, will all night. In all probability the English will take possession of the city to-morrow or next day. What a change will it be! May the Almighty take you under his protection, for without his Divine aid all human assistance is vain.
May Heaven's guardian arm protect my absent friends,
"From danger guard them,
and from want defend."