"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.
The British are Coming to Philly!
September 18, 1777
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Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton and Captain Harry Lee were ordered by Washington to move their supplies to Valley Forge as General Howe and his army makes his way to Philadelphia.
September 25, 1777 - Sally Wister Begins Her Entry
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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.
September 11, 1777 - Battle of Brandywine
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General George 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.
September 20, 1777 - The Paoli Massacre
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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.
September 26, 1777 - The British Occupies Philly
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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.
Washington Reconvenes in Whitpain
"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, October 19, 1777
October 4, 1777 - Battle of Germantown
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Washington and his army marched to Germantown where the battle was fought. It took place at the home of Benjamin Chew, known today as Cliveden.
October 20-November 2, 1777 - Washington Stays at Dawesfield
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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.
Off to Valley Forge!
December 5-8, 1777 - Battle of Whitemarsh
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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.
December 11, 1777 - Battle of Matson's Ford
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Washington's army faced General Charles Cornwallis' British army at Matson's Ford where they were outnumbered and retreated to Swede's Road.
December 12, 1777 - British soldiers were seen in Penllyn
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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.
December 19, 1777 - A Beginning of a Long Winter
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.
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It was also that day Washington led 12,000 troops to their winter quarters at Valley Forge.
The British Wreaks Havoc
February 15, 1778 - If You're a Patriot, You'll Go to Jail
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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.
February 14, 1778 - The Failed Capture of Andrew Knox
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It was 4 o'clock in the morning when 8 British troops attempted to break into the home of Squire Andrew Knox of Whitpain.
February 17, 1778 - Laurens Wrote about the Knox Incident
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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.
Correspondences from Spring House
Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr.
Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh
Coming to a Close
"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, June 5, 1778
"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, June 20, 1778 (Her last entry)
June 18, 1778 - The British Leaves Philly
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General Henry Clinton, who replaced Howe as British General, was order by the government to evacuate the city of Philadelphia to defend New York City.
Aftermath
The war was victorious for the Patriots who sought freedom and independence from the British. But not everyone was satisfied with the Patriots' victory. During the war, there were those who supported the British crown, and even helped the British find those who fought against them. From their actions against the Patriots, they were arrested and their homes were confiscated.
Learn About a Founding Father
Back in 2020, I was an intern at the Biomedical Library (now called Holman Biotech Commons) where I given an opportunity to express ideas that would benefit the library and the UPenn community. That was when I talked about doing an exhibition on the medical history provided with the resources UPenn offered. It was my supervisor who came up with the idea of doing a project on Founding Father Benjamin Rush.
Since my internship took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, we ended up making the exhibit "virtual" with the collaboration of best-selling author and professor Stephen Fried.
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The Wertsner Mill