Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker was a shining example of the Quaker plight throughout the American Revolution. The Quakers, while often loyal to England in ideation, were truly committed to peace and non-violence. As a people stubborn in their values, they were incongruent with the growing sentiment of revolution. While passive to both sides of the American Revolution, Elizabeth Drinker and fellow Quakers found themselves in much dispute with the revolutionaries whom expected the Quakers to support them in combat and conflict.

            The Drinker family had come from Ireland early in the 18^th century to settle in the colonies. The Drinker Household was quite affluent thanks to the prominence of Henry (Elizabeth’s husband) as a merchant. Elizabeth and Henry had 5 children, all of whom enjoyed high socioeconomic status in their Philadelphia home. However, the Drinker family’s future became uncertain with rising dissent towards the English government, a government Henry had business arrangements with.  In 1777, Elizabeth’s husband Henry was exiled from Philadelphia to Virginia over his noncooperation with revolutionary efforts. Negotiating his return was Elizabeth’s first major clash with the local governance.

            Following Henry’s exile, Elizabeth sought audience with George and Martha Washington. While she was unable to conscript Washington’s aid in returning Henry, Elizabeth did obtain a permit to travel and meet Henry. Soon after reuniting in Virginia, both Drinkers were allowed to return to Philadelphia together. However, this was far from the last of Elizabeth’s problems with surrounding government figures.

            Until the end of the war Elizabeth fought a constant battle to retain her own property. British soldiers occupied Philadelphia and would often simply seize any necessary lodging or resources from the regular citizens. Drinker, having many such resources, would often find herself arguing her way out of having her livestock taken. While she couldn’t keep everything the soldiers tried taking, Elizabeth admirably warded off more than enough seizures to survive.

            Unable to catch a break, the Drinkers later found themselves in trouble with the returning American army. Having taken Philadelphia back from a government that over-imposed taxes, the Americans began over-imposing taxes and robbed Drinker of several livestock. Somehow, the Drinkers had been stepped on by both sides of the American conflict.

            The citizens of Philadelphia were not much kinder to the Quaker families. Due to their nonviolent beliefs, Quakers would not celebrate American combat victories. The Americans took this as an affront to their cause and would riot, causing much damage to the properties of Elizabeth Drinker and many other Quakers.

            All things considered, the Drinker family remained tough, and thanks to huge effort from Elizabeth much of the potential damage to them had been curtailed. Elizabeth, a nonviolent living in a time of war, managed to secure permission for her husband to return from exile, and was able to keep armed soldiers from seizing much of her property. The life of Elizabeth Drinker is a testament to all those who believe a peaceful resolution to exist concerning all problems.

            And of course, most notably is Elizabeth Drinker’s Diary. For the final 50 years of her life, Elizabeth kept a detailed record of not only her life, but the lives of many proximal Philadelphians. Henry’s affluence allowed her to dedicate herself to this preservation of American History. She filled the pages with an almanac-esque prerogative, her passages encompassing a rich variety of topics surrounding the life of the Philadelphian. The diary continues to be hailed as a paramount source of historical data surrounding the lives of late 18^th century Philadelphians.