Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker (c. 1735 – 1807) was a Quaker woman of late 18th century North America who kept a diary from 1758 to 1807.

[1] This 2,100 page diary was first published in 1889 and sheds light on daily life in Philadelphia, the Society of Friends, family and gender roles, political issues and the American Revolution, and innovations in medical practices.

[4] Her affluence, due to her husband's employment, and her own education allowed her the literacy and leisure time to keep a diary of her life for 50 years.

From her journal entries and the 67 letters between them, it is evident that Henry encouraged Elizabeth to do as she saw fit to continue running the house in his absence.

In order to get through the seven months of Henry's absence, Elizabeth relied on her domestic skills, support from friends and family, and her religious beliefs.

Its published version is broken down into four parts: Youth and courtship (1755–61), Young wife and mother (1762–75), Middle age in years of crisis (1776–93), and Grandmother (1794–1807).

Her entries regarding her husband, and particularly his absences, also shed light on the gender roles within Quaker society, as she was often left in charge of the household and home.

[9] Her entries regarding Henry's arrest and time in prison, also shed light on the Quakers and their experience of the American Revolutionary War.