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Piestewa Peak NSDAR Newsletter

DAR Mission, Historic Preservation...

Read the Revolution

Read the Revolution is published biweekly by the Museum of the American Revolution to
inspire learning about the history of the American Revolution and its ongoing relevance.

Sally Wister’s Journal

by

Sally Wister

When the British Army moved to occupy Philadelphia in September of
1777, sixteen-year-old Sally Wister fled with her Quaker family. While in
the relative safety of the countryside, Sally began to keep a journal of her
experience for her friend, Deborah (Debbie) Norris. Written over a nine-
month period, Sally charmingly documented for Debbie her occasional
adventures and mild flirtations with the various officers and soldiers who
passed through the area. Recording an unusual side of the war, Sally’s jour-
nal offers a lively and accessible perspective of life during the occupation
of Philadelphia.

The opening entries of the journal, excerpted below, were written as the British marched towards Phil-
adelphia and Sally fretted over the “uncertainty” of her and Debby’s positions “in the midst of war, and
ruin, and the clang of arms.” The following is an excerpt from this book.

To DEBORAH NORRIS: - for drink, and several push’d into the house. One
of those that entered was a little tipsy, and had a
Tho’ I have not the least shadow of an opportunity to mind to be saucy.
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 I then thought it time for me to retreat; so figure
of it may some time hence give pleasure in a solitary me (mightily scar’d, as not having presence of
hour to thee and our Sally Jones. mind enough to face so many of the Military),
running in at one door, and out another, all in
Yesterday, which was the 24th of September, two Virgin- a shake with fear; but after a while, seeing the
ia officers call’d at our house, and inform’d us that the officers appear gentlemanly, and the soldiers
British Army has cross’d the Schuylkill. Presently after, civil, I call’d reason to my aid. My fears were in
another person stopp’d, and confirm’d what they had some measure dispell’d tho’ my teeth rattled, and
said, and that Gen’l Washington and Anny were near my hand shook like an aspen leaf. They did not
Pottsgrove. Well, thee may be sure we were sufficiently offer to take their quarters with us; so, with many
scared; however, the road was very still till evening. blessings, and as many adieus, they marched off.

About seven o’clock we heard a great noise. To the door I have given thee the most material occurrences
we all went. A large number of waggons, with about of yesterday faithfully.
three hundred of the Philadelphia Militia. They begged

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