Philadelphia Family-Ties and the British Occupation: Part 2
We left off in Part 1 of this post learning about the British occupation of “…the little society of Third and Fourth Street[s]” as British Major Andre called the Powels’ neighborhood. Part 1 is available HERE. As mentioned previously, Elizabeth Powel’s sister Anne Francis had taken refuge in New Jersey during the occupation, as her husband Tench was a vocal patriot and could not risk staying in town. The April 2, 1778 letter that Elizabeth sent Anne further highlights life du
Philadelphia Family-Ties and the British Occupation: Part I
September 1777. Our Capitol, Philadelphia, has been captured and is now occupied by the British. Ordinary, peaceful people are faced with the stark and irrevocable choice: will you stand loyal to your mother county and benevolent King... or, take up arms and fight against the law and order of the day, in the pursuit of greater opportunities and liberty from a system of government no longer representing your immediate best interests? There is no turning back. Life as you kno
