Susanna Merritt and her family have had a difficult year as the fighting between British and American troops intensified — fighting that has involved Susanna’s father and her brother Hamilton. The work of running the farm has fallen to Susanna, her sister Maria and her mother. Caroline, her married sister, is staying with them while her husband is away with the troops. Susanna, as is her habit, writes in her journal as if she is talking to her future great-granddaughter, Constance.