Reviews for Sally Wister's Journal: A True Narrative: Being a Quaker Maiden's Account of Her Experiences with Officers of the Continental Army, 1777-1778

The average rating for Sally Wister's Journal: A True Narrative: Being a Quaker Maiden's Account of Her Experiences with Officers of the Continental Army, 1777-1778 based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-06-01 00:00:00 Joey Smith This really-truly genuine journal is adorable. Sally Wister is an irresistibly cute Quaker girl who will banish all of your preconceived notions of a Colonial era young lady. She writes her journal 'to' a dear friend she will not see for some time so that Deborah will know exactly how her days passed as officers - handsome, ugly, attractive and otherwise - flit in and out of family life. She is quite artless about herself and her friends being appealing to these young soldiers: "A polite good-morning from Major, more sociable than ever. No wonder; a stoic could not resist such affable damsels as we are." They form many new friends and some of the accounts of their mischief really are very funny. You get a good idea of what it was like for civilian households to live day in and day out with the knowledge that the British could be over the next rise in the road, coming to raze your house and turn you out penniless. There is a heavy emphasis on romance and boy/girl relationships, but it is all quite pure - not so much as a hand-holding if I recall correctly. Very enjoyable read, and especially because it gives you a peek into how real people of that time lived and acted. Besides - Sally would make such a fun companion if she lived today! Bonus: Descriptions of clothing and daily dress are very valuable for reenactors and costumers.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-12-25 00:00:00 Boun Phommachanh-wolpov This is a slight little memoir by someone who saw no battles, but it is worth reading nonetheless. Sally Wister was a 16-year-old Quaker girl at the time of the Battle of Brandywine in the American Revolution. Her family had residences both in and near Philadelphia, and when the British occupied the city the Wisters moved away, and sent the children even further. Sally stayed in a farmhouse next to a major highway, not far from Wissahickon Creek, which was being used as a potential defensive line by the Americans. This meant that troops were constantly passing nearby, or camping in the pasture; and officers were regularly billeted in the farmhouse. The text records her and her friends' flirtations with the officers (some of whom became important politicians after the War), and their worries about a British attack. It gives a sketchy, but realistic impression of what life just behind the lines was like, from the view of a non-combatant. Two brief details: A description of visiting a vacated army camp. "This morn my charming friend and self ascended the barren hills of Whitemarsh, from the tops of which we had an extensive prospect of the country round. The traces of the Army which encamp'd on these hills are very visible,---ragged huts, imitations of chimneys, and many other ruinous objects, which plainly show'd they had been there." The unit stationed at the house begins packing up unexpectedly: "Yes, madam. Are you Mr. Wister's wife?" "No, his daughter." "Is your papa at home?" "No," I reply'd, but invited him in to see mama. He agreed; dismounted, as did many other officers; but he alone came into our parlour. Watts follow'd, to bid us adieu. They sat a few minutes; told us that two of their men had deserted, and when that was the case, they generally mov'd their quarters. Watts told him how I was frightened. He said I paid but a poor compliment to their cavalry. I only smil'd....