"About twelve o'clock, cousin Jesse heard that Gen. Howe's army had moved down towards Philadelphia. Then, my dear, our hopes &. fears were engaged for you. However, my advice is, summon up all your resolution, call Fortitude to your aid, and 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 little of it in my composition."
Sally Wister, September 26, 1777
Chapter 4: The Revolutionary War Close to Home
The British occupation of the city of Philadelphia caused local residents to panic and fled the city to seek safety. One of the families to move out of the city was the Wister family of Germantown. While families sought safety, General George Washington and his Continental Army struggled to defeat the Red Coats as they began to cause havoc in the local communities.
Washington and his troops faced General William Howe and his troops at Chadds Ford where it was the beginning of Howe's success to capture the city of Philadelphia.
One of the Philadelphia families to leave the city was the Wister family. They lived in what's now Grumblethorpe in Germantown. They fled their home and sought safety at their relative's home in Penllyn where the eldest daughter Sally began writing in her diary.
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General Howe and his army marched into the city of Philadelphia unopposed as they successfully won major battles prior to taking the city. Even though the British captured Philadelphia, the war continued as General George Washington planned his future plans and strategies to defeat the British.
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton and Captain Harry Lee were ordered by Washington to move their supplies to Valley Forge as General William Howe and his army made his way to Philadelphia.
Brigadier General Anthony Wayne and his troops were camped in Paoli where the British troops took the opportunity to strike that night that became known as the Paoli Massacre.
He and his army marched to Germantown where the battle was fought. It took place at the home of Benjamin Chew, known today as Cliveden.
Washington and his troops retreated Germantown after their defeat. He needed to strategize on what to do in the future battles. Washington made his headquarters at the home of James Morris in Whitpain where he sent letters and general orders to his trusted generals.
"Cousin Prissa and myself were sitting at the door; I in a green skirt, dark short gown, &c. Two genteel men of the military order rode up to the door; 'Your servant, ladies' &c; ask'd if they cou'd have quarters for Gen. Smallwood. Aunt Foulke thought she cou'd accommodate them as well as most of her neighbours,-said they could. One of the officers dismounted, and wrote 'Smallwood's Quarters' over the door, which secured us from straggling soldiers. After this he mounted his steed and rode away." - Sally Wister
Washington and his troops retreated Germantown after their defeat. He needed to strategize on what to do in the future battles. Washington made his headquarters at the home of James Morris in Whitpain where he sent letters and general orders to his trusted generals.
Washington and his troops retreated Germantown after their defeat. He needed to strategize on what to do in the future battles. Washington made his headquarters at the home of James Morris in Whitpain where he sent letters and general orders to his trusted generals.
Washington and his troops retreated Germantown after their defeat. He needed to strategize on what to do in the future battles. Washington made his headquarters at the home of James Morris in Whitpain where he sent letters and general orders to his trusted generals.
Washington's army faced General Charles Cornwallis' British army at Matson's Ford where they were outnumbered and retreated to Swede's Road.
Major General John Armstrong, Sr. sent a letter to Washington while camping near the Spring House Tavern. It was during that time Armstrong planned to leave his position to serve in the Continental Congress after being elected as a delegate for Pennsylvania. Colonel John Lacey later took over his militia.
It was also that day Washington led 12,000 troops to their winter quarters at Valley Forge.
Washington was able to track every move of the British Army as they march out of Philadelphia to take down Washington and his army in Whitemarsh.
Washington was able to track every move of the British Army as they march out of Philadelphia to take down Washington and his army in Whitemarsh.
On this night, Sally and the Foulke family were interrupted by a British soldier who was looking for any rebel officers in the area. The solider then ran off through the woods until he was confronted by rebel officers.
Sally bid farewell to Major Stodard of Maryland who paid her many visits since General Smallwood used their home as his headquarters. During his visits the two had intimate conversations, and Sally grew fond of him:
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"He seem'd possessed of very amiable manners; sensible and agreeable. He has by his unexceptionable deportment engag'd my esteem." - Seventh Day Night, Oct. 31
Washington's aide-de-camp John Laurens wrote a letter to his father Henry Laurens about what had happened during the war. He included the incident that happened at the home of Andrew Knox.
It was 4 o'clock in the morning when 8 British troops attempted to break into the home of Squire Andrew Knox of Whitpain.
Not only was Whitpain affected, so was Lower Gwynedd. From a New Jersey newspaper in 1778, the British imprisoned anyone who associated with the American cause and looted buildings.
Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh wrote a letter to Washington while staying at the Spring House Tavern in Lower Gwynedd.
Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr. followed up in a letter to Washington about his meeting with General McIntosh at the Spring House Tavern.
Sally and the Foulke Family were visited by Captain Alexander Spotswood Dandridge.
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"Dandridge is sensible (and divest'd of some freedoms, which might be call'd gallant in the fashionable world), he is polite and agreeable. His greatest fault is a propensity to swearing, which throws a shade over his accomplishments. I ask'd him why he did so. 'It is a favorite vice, Miss. Sally.'" - Third Day Night, nine o'clock, eye ten, I fancy
General Henry Clinton, who replaced William Howe as British General, was order by the government to evacuate the city of Philadelphia to defend New York City.
"Don't call me a country girl, Debby Norris. Please to observe that I pride myself upon being a Philadelphian, and that a residence of 20 months has not at all diminished the love I have for that dear place; and as soon as one very capital alteration takes place (which is very much talk'd of at present), I expect to return to it with a double pleasure." - Sally Wister
"We have been very anxious to hear how the inhabitants have far'd. I understand that Gen'l Arnold, who bears a good character, has the command of the city, and the soldiers conducted with great decorum. Smallwood says that they had the strictest orders to behave well; and I dare say they obey'd the order. I now think of nothing but returning to Philadelphia." - Sally Wister
