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Reading Room:  Ann Whitall's Diary-amazing woman  |
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auntsmelly
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Jenny
Pitman
NJ
USA
559 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 01 2013 : 5:56:21 PM
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Hello. I thought this would be a great place to share some interesting information.
I am working towards my Intermediate "Each Other" badge in Civiv Heritage. I researched
Ann Whitall of the Whitall House from Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, New Jersey.
I volunteer with my daughter at this historic house and have recently researched information about the wonderful, Quaker woman who lived on this amazing farm in the 1700s.
Here's some history I'd like to share:
Ann Cooper Whitall was born to Ann Clarke and John Cooper( a member of the Continental Congress). One of her relatives is Fenimore Cooper. Also one of her sons helped ratify the U.S. Constitution.
Ann's house sits on the banks of the Delaware River directly across from Fort Mott. Fort Mercer was placed in the apple orchard north of the Whitall's home.
During the Revolutionary War, Ann removed her 7 children to safety and remained on the farm with her husband. She was in her parlor spinning when a cannonball from the war rolled down the stairs into her great room. She quickly picked up her spinning wheel and went down into the basement to continue spinning. Not even a cannonball through the attic wall stopped this determined woman. Being Quaker, Ann did not agree with the battle taking place on her property. She offered her services to the injured placing Hessian, British and American soldiers in her home. She expected them to get along while they were in her home healing. She was tough, I believe they listened to her.
After surviving the war, Ann lost her life to the Yellow Fever epidemic in 1797. Several family members and her servant also perished due to yellow fever.
Ann's diary is available free online. It's an amazing read. You can google it too. It will show up first on a google search and you can download it as a pdf. Love her spelling!
Her house is now owned by our county freeholders. Volunteers give tours and once a month we celebrate the past with a Heritage Sunday. So much fun!
Thank you for letting me share. If you have any questions, please ask.
Jenny
Sister #4359
Be someone's blessing. |
Edited by - auntsmelly on Sep 01 2013 6:00:55 PM |
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auntsmelly
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Jenny
Pitman
NJ
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2013 : 5:59:03 PM
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Here is a photograph of the house. It's much more beautiful in person.
My daughter who is 12 says the house smiles at her when she visits.
You can feel the warmth and love this house held all those years ago.
We are trying to keep the history alive!
Jenny
Sister #4359
Be someone's blessing. |
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wildflower17
True Blue Farmgirl
3043 Posts
Judy
KY
USA
3043 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2013 : 05:45:25 AM
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Jenny,
I love your post...it is amazing how much history that we do not know about or never take time to read...I love the picture of the house. It is a beautiful setting...thanks for keeping the history alive...
Hugs!
Judy
"A Falling Leaf is Summer's Wave Goodbye"...
"Country Girl at Heart...Blessed Beyond Measure"!!!
Farm Girl #5440 |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2013 : 08:01:55 AM
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Thanks for sharing this history and picture with us Jenny! I love visiting historical places. You just gave me a mini roadtrip .
Farmgirl sister #3926
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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auntsmelly
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Jenny
Pitman
NJ
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2013 : 09:15:55 AM
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Thanks Judy and Judith,
We just recently opened the upstairs of the house, which has never been open to the public.
Two rooms were converted into mini museums- one on yellow fever and one on midwifery.
It's amazing what people went through then. Reminds me to be thankful for modern advances.
Jenny
Sister #4359
Be someone's blessing. |
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Lavender Rose
True Blue Farmgirl
1979 Posts
Brenda
Jackson
MI
USA
1979 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2013 : 12:47:47 PM
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Jenny,
Very interesting information. I love to learn how everyday life was for people in the past. It's amazing the strength and determination some people have. Thank you for sharing with us. Ann is a person I would like to know more about.
Lavender Rose
Brenda
Each day we add to our legacy--good or bad.
Our Daily Bread
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Reading Room: Ann Whitall's Diary-amazing woman |
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Ann Whitall's Diary-amazing woman
