Sally Wister - The Story of a Young Quaker Girl’s Struggle, Growth, and Unfulﬁlled Love during the American Revolution

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

A young Quaker girl, Sally Wister, begins a journal in September 1777 as the American Revolution closes in on Philadelphia. Separated from her best friend Deborah, she records fear, uncertainty, and shifting perceptions as American militia and officers enter the Foulke household. Her entries show conflict between pacifist Quaker beliefs and the realities of war, while faith and prayer provide comfort. Published in 1902, the journal portrays disruption, personal growth, and love that remains unfulfilled.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time17 min

AccessFree to download

September 1777: Opening of Sally’s Journal

Separation, fear, and hope

Encounters with American soldiers and officers

Initial fear and gradual easing

Quaker beliefs and the wider political context

Pennsylvania, tolerance, and opposition to war

Faith, prayers, and views on the British and Americans

Uncertainty, protection, and family loyalty

October 1777: War’s deeper impact

Clothing, quarters, and General Smallwood

Sally Wister: The Story of a Young Quaker Girl’s Struggle, Growth, and Unfulﬁlled Love during the American Revolution Grace A. Fox Xavier University ’28 In September of 1777, a sixteen-year-old Quaker girl from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, named Sally Wister began her journal of her experience during the American Revolution. She and her family had moved out of their home in the city to stay with friends, the Foulke family, in the countryside as the ﬁghting between the American and British armies drew near. Separated from her home and her best friend Deborah, who remained in the city, her journal was a means of contact, a way to keep hope alive that she would see her friend again soon. For nine months, she detailed her thoughts and fears of war, and her experience of a new reality, one which contrasted greatly with her paciﬁst Quaker beliefs. Yet, she was also able to use her faith to ease her fear of the war. Published in 1902, Sally’s journal is a story of a young Quaker girl whose life was disrupted by the Revolutionary War. It is a story of struggle, growth, and unfulﬁlled love. “To Deborah Norris:-Tho’ 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…”(65), Sally wrote on September 25th, 1777. It was her ﬁrst entry in her journal. As a result of the British army’s encroachment, and eventual occupation of Philadelphia that year, her communication with her dear ©2026 All rights reserved by the author.“Sally Wister” is available under the Fair Use terms of copyright law. Images reproduced from Sally Wister’s Journal (Philadelphia: Ferris & Leach, 1902) Revolutionary Lives Project Sally Wister friend had been severed.1 Sally began by detailing her ﬁrst encounter with soldiers of the American army, an experience which, as for most Quakers, with war antithetical to their beliefs, ﬁlled her with fear. She described three hundred men of the Philadelphia Militia appearing at the Foulke’s doorstep asking for something to drink: “I then thought it time for me to retreat; so, ﬁgure me (mightily scar’d, 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…”(66) . However, her fear of the militiamen began to ease as she spent more time with them,“…seeing the oﬀicers appear gentlemanly, and the soldiers civil, I call’d reason to my aid”(66-67) . Sally had never been around soldiers or oﬀicers before, and their participation in the war conﬂicted with her own religious beliefs about violence and warfare. However, this ﬁrst experience with soldiers and oﬀicers ended graciously,“…so with many blessings, and as many adieus, they marchedoﬀ”(67). Thus, Sally’s beliefs about soldiers and oﬀicers began to shift slightly. Sally’s beliefs were largely inﬂuenced by her home of Pennsylvania, which was established in 1682. Pennsylvania attracted many Quakers, and they adopted a strong opposition to war.2 This was inﬂuenced by the founder of the colony, William Penn, who intended Pennsylvania to be a peaceful place with religious tolerance and a government which did not involve itself in war.3 Three years before the start of Sally’s journal, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in order to discuss and send grievances to the King of Great Britain. This was unsettling to Quakers there, as they were afraid this would result in violence.4 Consequently, by 1776, the many Quakers were not in support of independence through war.5 The idea of brotherhood was of tremendous importance to the Quaker community. They referred to themselves as a Society of Friends and considered participation in war as a sin.7 Fortunately, Sally was also able to use her faith to ease her fears of the violence. She wrote on September 26th, after having been informed that the British army was drawing nearer to Deborah, Revolutionary Lives Project Sally Wister

FAQs

Why did Sally Wister start her journal in September 1777?

She began recording her experiences during the American Revolution after her family moved from Philadelphia to countryside friends, and after she was separated from her best friend Deborah. The journal served as a way to maintain contact and preserve hope.

How did Sally’s views about soldiers change during her journal?

Her early encounters with militia filled her with fear because war conflicted with Quaker pacifist beliefs. As she observed officers and soldiers behaving civilly, her fear eased and her perceptions shifted slightly.

What role did Sally’s Quaker faith play in coping with the war?

Sally used prayer and religious conviction to ease her fears of violence. Her writings invoke divine protection for absent friends and express hope despite uncertainty and the risks of war.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Liam