The Diary of Priscilla Kirk Townsend

The Diary of Priscilla Kirk Townsend In Fourteen Small Books 1848-1861, Second Edition, is part of a series of volumes comprised of letters, diaries, journals, and poetry written, primarily during the first half of the nineteenth century, by members of a Philadelphia Quaker family.

Born in 1785 to Ruth Miller and Elisha Kirk, by age five Priscilla had lost all six of her siblings, including her twin brother Aquilla. Her father died the night before her fifth birthday, and even her mother died when Priscilla was still a young girl. A sampler wrought by Priscilla at age ten indicates her attendance at Hannah Thornton's school in 1795. Records show that Priscilla, fourteen years old, was admitted to Westtown School from Byberry, Pennsylvania. Under the entry for parent or guardian is written the name Henry Drinker (G) [guardian]. Henry Drinker, a well-known Philadelphian, was a founder of Westtown School, serving on the first Westtown Committee formed in 1794.

In 1803 Priscilla Kirk (1785 - 1862) of York County, Pennsylvania, and Charles Townsend (1777“1859) of Philadelphia, a watch and clockmaker, were married at Darby Meeting House in Philadelphia. In the ensuing twenty-three years, Priscilla gave birth to twelve children, only seven of whom lived to adulthood. These were Elisha (1804-1858), Edward (1806-1896), Charles (1807-1866), John Kirk (1809-1851), Hannah (1812-1851), Mary (1814-1851), and Elizabeth (1824-1869). Of these seven adult children, Priscilla and Charles would outlive all but three of them: Edward, Charles and Elizabeth.

By 1810 Priscilla and Charles had become established in their community and were prominent members of the Green Street Meeting. In 1828 the Townsends joined the minority of Philadelphia Friends siding with the Hicksites, and were among the founding members of Spruce Street Meeting in 1833. Priscilla was a recorded minister in the Society of Friends.

Priscilla was in her sixty-fourth year when she began secretly keeping her diary, which she was motivated to do for her own improvement. She hoped that by recording her shortcomings she might also be able to later record favorable changes in her behavior. Most of Priscilla's diary centers upon her faith as a Friend, including her attendance at meetings and her concerns for controversies among Friends over issues of the day and the departures of younger friends from the simplicity with which she had been raised. Much of the material in the diary falls into eight categories: introspective thoughts, Quaker meetings, family members and friends, ailments, domestic references, the weather, excursions and travel, and quotations and literary references.

Although Priscilla's diary is privately held, by transcribing and publishing the contents it becomes available to a wider audience, in particular researchers of Quaker history and of 19th century women.