Spies and Saboteurs

On October 9, 1777, Mary Frazer delivered supplies to her husband, Major Persifor Frazer of the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment. He was imprisoned at the Pennsylvania State House after being captured by the British Army at the Battle of Brandywine. She snuck a letter that Persifor gave her during their meeting out of prison in the lining of her petticoats, crossed the British lines, and delivered it to General Washington at Valley Forge. The letter alerted Washington of the poor conditions of the American prisoners.

This military chest was likely among the supplies Frazer delivered to her husband while he was imprisoned at the Pennsylvania State House. 

On Loan from Mrs. Brian D. Draper and Graham Dougherty

This pillow-shaped pin cushion dated 1769 with the initials “SF” descended in the Frazer family. It was likely given to Mary and Persifor at the birth of their first child, Sarah Frazer (later Smith) born in 1769. We know the story of her mother’s wartime heroism in part from a memoir Sarah later compiled.

On Loan from Mrs. Brian D. Draper and Graham Dougherty

This pillow-shaped pin cushion dated 1769 with the initials “SF” descended in the Frazer family. It was likely given to Mary and Persifor at the birth of their first child, Sarah Frazer (later Smith) born in 1769. We know the story of her mother’s wartime heroism in part from a memoir Sarah later compiled.

On Loan from Mrs. Brian D. Draper and Graham Dougherty