
From Volume 1 Page 1 of Diary Read online https://therevolutionarycity.org/islandora/fisher-sarah-logan-diary-volume-1
Sarah Logan Fisher (1751-1796) daughter of William Logan and Hannah Emlen married Thomas Fisher (1740-1796) son of Joshua Fisher and Sarah Rowland.
Sarah was a Quaker Loyalist who wrote a diary about her experiences during the American Revolution. Fisher documented her pro-British views, as well as domestic life and the religious and spiritual contemplation of 18th century women in her community. Her diary, A Diary of Trifling Occurrences, was published in 1958. It became a source of information about the lives of residents of Philadelphia as they anticipated and experienced the Revolution.
In August 1777, Sarah's husband, Thomas, visited her family estate of Stenton and discovered that American officials were lodging there. George Washington lodged at the property later in the same month. Sarah feared that the American soldiers would vandalize Stenton. It is at this time when she starts a diary to document her life and events.
Sarah's diary had a clear pro-British sentiment. In it, she also documented the prices of goods like spices, sugar, and tea, all things that were being taxed by Britain through legislation like the Sugar Act.
In September 1777, Thomas Fisher was arrested for being "suspected of Toryism" and sent with other Quakers to Winchester, Virginia where he was held for eight months. This, too, was documented in Sarah's diary.
Sarah and Thomas participated in the refusal of using the continental money. This branded them as "enemies of the country" and prohibited them from trade. Fisher wrote about the restrictions to the "disaffected community" as well as the acts of radical leaders.
"A Diary of Trifling Occurrences": Philadelphia, 1776-1778. Published in "The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 82, No. 4."
(Oct., 1958), pp. 411-465 (55 pages)
Comments