Margaret Hill Morris' Diary,
Burlington Quaker,
Revolutionary War Years
From the Diary of Margaret Hill Morris, a Quaker widow with children living in Burlington, as the war came to her door:
"December 6, 1776, .... On my journey home, I was told the inhabitants of our little town [Burlington, N. J.] were going in haste into the country, and that my nearest neighbors were already removed. When I heard this, I felt myself quite sick; I was ready to faint — I thought of my S. D. [Sarah Dillwynn, wife of George, then absent,] the beloved companion of my widowed state — her husband at the distance of hundred miles from her — I thought of my own lonely situation, no husband to cheer with the voice of love my sinking spirits. My little flock, too, without a father to direct them how to steer. All these things crowded into my mind at once, and I felt like one forsaken...."
"Dec. 10th. Today our amiable friend, E. C. [Hetty Cox] and her family bade us adieu. My brother also left us, but returned in less than an hour, telling us, he could not go away just as the Hessians were entering the town — but no troops coming in, we urged him to leave us next morning, which he concluded to do after preparing us to expect the Hessians in a few hours. A number of galleys have been lying in the river, before the town, for two days past."
"Dec. 11th. After various reports from one hour to another, of light-horse approaching, the people in town had certain intelligence that a large body of Hessians were come to Bordentown, and we might expect to see them in a few hours. About 10 o’clock of this day, a party of about 60 men marched down the main street — as they passed along they told our doctor [Odell,] and some other persons in the town, that a large number of Hessians were advancing, and would be in the town in less than an hour. This party were riflemen, who, it seems, had crossed the river somewhere in the neighbourhood of Bordentown, to reconnoitre, and meeting with a superior number of Hessians on the road, were then returning, and took Burlington in their way back; from us they crossed to Bristol, and by the time they were fairly embarked, the Hessians, to the number, as we heard, of 4 or 500, had passed, what we call, York bridge. ...."
I highly recommend reading the short 36 page journal here covering the war in Burlington County from December 6, 1776 - June 14, 1777.
The York Bridge mentioned above was one mile from Margaret’s home, Green Bank Estate. The VFW in Burlington, is located where this fine estate used to be. The resident of Green Bank Estate prior to Margaret Hill Morris was Royal Governor William Franklin. He moved out in 1774 to the much grander Proprietary House in Perth Amboy. The first 2 of 4 history sections on the Propriertary House web page link here are relevant to Burlington and Royal Governor William Franklin.
One of the Quaker (Religious Society of Friends) core beliefs was non-violence. This included opposing the violence of the revolutionary war. Quakers, who wouldn't side with with violence from either side in the war, were often persecuted by their neighbors as Tory's. Others who joined the militia were disowned by their Quaker Meetings.
In Philadelphia, a group of Quakers who supported the Continental Army, called themselves the Free Quakers (Fighting Quakers). They had their first meeting in 1781. Members included Samuel Wetherill (born in the town of Burlington), Timothy Matlack (born in Haddonfield with strong ties to Moorestown), Betsy Ross, and Lydia Darragh. Early in the war, Lydia Darragh used her reputation as a Quaker pacifist to get close to General Howe and overhear his plans for attack. She was able to get the information to General Washington and the Continental Army was prepared and fought back the attack.
Of the various paths Quakers took, Margaret stood steadfast as a pacifist. She provided medical care to soldiers on both sides. Yet, occasionally she let her views slip when she made references as below on December 21 (pg 18).
“Several of the families, who left the town on the day of the cannonading, are returned to their houses; the intelligence brought in this evening is seriously affecting; a party of our men, about 200, marched out of Mount Holly, and meeting with a party of Hessians near a place called Petticoat Bridge, an engagement ensued — the Hessians retreating rather than advancing — a heavy firing of musketry and some cannon heard ; we are informed that twenty-one of our men were killed in the engagement, and that they returned at night to their headquarters at Mount Holly, the Hessians to theirs at the Black Horse.”
Margaret also hid her Tory friend Dr. Odell from those searching. This document provides additional information. She clearly didn't want anyone to get harmed.
*Note on Quakers. While pacifists and non-violent, Quakers in history were not wimps. They had a history of strong commitment to doing good deeds, standing up to bullies for others, and working for positive change in the world. These actions were deeply rooted in their core beliefs of Peace, Equality, and Justice. You can find Quaker' fingerprints throughout history including advocating for the abolition of slavery and participating in the Underground Railroad, fighting for the vote for women (Alice Paul and others), and many other humanitarian causes at the local, national, and international level.