Quotes and Notes on Pennsylvania Gardens (1681–1776)
1683 – "A very good kitchen garden with herbs of all kinds thrives under the care of Mistress Elizabeth Yardley." — Journal of the Free Society of Traders, Pennsylvania Archives Series I, Vol. 1.
1690s – “The Friends here take great care in their gardens, with cabbages, carrots, and the Indian maize all growing in neat beds behind their brick dwellings.” — Gabriel Thomas, *An Account of West Jersey and Pennsylvania*, 1698.
1701 – William Penn writes from Philadelphia: “I have directed the planting of apples and plums on my Pennsbury estate, and the kitchen gardens are set out according to English order.” — Letter from Penn to James Logan, Aug. 4, 1701.
1715 – "There is a brisk trade in seeds and fruit slips in Philadelphia, with widows and housewives bringing bundles of thyme, sage, and other plants to market." — Pennsylvania Gazette (reprinted in Sabine, *Early Markets in the Colonies*, 1889).
1734 – “Our meeting house gardens are planted with both physic herbs and flowers, for the health of the sisters and the joy of the children.” — Moravian Memoirs, Bethlehem Archives.
1743 – "Ann Claypoole, Widow, sells garden seeds, potted balm, wormwood, rue, and rosemary. Also, fine lavender water and a small number of dried elderberries." — The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 8, 1743.
1752 – Visitor’s letter: “Madame Jameson’s garden in Germantown is the most delightful in the colony — rows of damask roses, quince, and the finest lemon balm I have yet seen.” — Letter in *Letters from Colonial Pennsylvania*, ed. T. Hall, 1902.
1765 – “Our greenhouse now holds several orange trees and a specimen of mimosa that came by ship from Barbados. It is a point of pride among the Ladies’ Garden Club.” — Diary of Sarah Logan Fisher, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
1774 – “Let no season pass without setting new seed, for the soil of Pennsylvania is a forgiving one, and the plants show grace in return.” — Journal of Deborah Morris, Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1774.
1776 – John Bartram, noted botanist of Pennsylvania, is praised: “The garden at Kingsessing is laid out with great wisdom, with native plants and foreign species both cultivated for medicine and curiosity.” — Peter Collinson to the Royal Society, June 1776.
