The Journal of Esther Edwards Burr, 1754-1757

by Esther Edwards Burr, Carol F. Karlsen (Editor), Laurie Crumpacker (Editor)

Daughter of Jonathan Edwards and mother of Aaron Burr, Mrs. Burr describes her experiences in colonial America

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Diary

318 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 1984

Reviews

[Abby Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before he went to be with the Lord, Ron Baines gave me a copy of The Journal of Esther Edwards Burr, 1754-1757. He gave me two copies, “For his literary girls”, with the promise that I would give the other copy to my dear Stephanie Florentino. He then proceeded to read me a passage from it and explain that he thought I would enjoy the book because Esther sounds a bit like someone from Pride and Prejudice.
As always, Ron was right. I did enjoy the book very much. The Introduction is exactly what you would expect two modern feministic women to say about intimate letters written by two Christian women. Where they see chafing against male leadership, I saw sanctification. Where they see the trappings of a society that put women down, I see Christian women trusting the Lord.
I tend to be focused on fiction, books on doctrine, and military history. This book was my first venture into non-military biographies since I was a kid. It is a collection of the letters written by Esther to her best friend as she moves with her husband, deals with health issues, brings two children into the world, worries about her extended family, and tends to her hearth and home.
Because of her letters, I was able to live with her through fear for her parents from the Indians and French, through fear of sickness, through her struggles with trusting the life and death of her children to the Lord, and all the other things two women would correspond about.
The sense of loss which filled me when I came to the end of Esther’s letters surprised me. I had become attached to this woman. Knowing the book ended because she passed away, and not just because we lost the rest of her letters, saddened me greatly. But how different that sadness is when your reading about real people compared to fictional ones. I love Sam, Harry, Hazel and so many other characters, but they are temporary and all dust in the end. Not so with Esther. I will actually get to meet this dear saint who went to be with the Lord shortly after her husband and left her children behind. Ron is now with Esther in heaven. What a glorious hopeful thought.
I highly recommend this book. It is funny, dull, beautiful, hopeful, sad, and everything normal life is. I’m very thankful Ron gave it to me, and I will treasure it for as long as the Lord gives me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost didn't get past the first fifty pages of this book, but I'm so glad I persevered.

The editors made the choice to retain most of Esther's nonstandard and archaic spellings, which makes for choppy reading at times. But once you get accustomed to her style and the topics she writes Sarah Prince about (commentary on mutual friends and presbytery business sprinkled in with spiritual reflections, updates on the family, and fears about the French and Indian War being waged at no great distance away), it's quite enjoyable and interesting reading. It's sweet to see how "Burrissa" and "Fidelia" cared for and exhorted one another, and there are hints of their inside jokes. The appended letters she wrote following her husband's death, as well as the letter she would have never read from Sarah Edwards regarding Jonathan's death, and Sarah Prince's closing eulogy, are all very affecting.

I'd really be interested in working on an updated language edition of this for a popular audience, but I'm not sure where to start.

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insightful personal journal if the reader is interested in early American living, the Christian experience during colonial era, the role of women in the colonies, or the Edwards and Burr families. Personally, I have an affinity for Jonathan Edwards, but knew little of his children. Esther was one of his daughters who married Aaron Burr Sr. who was the president of Princeton and the mother and father to the infamous Aaron Burr Jr. who dueled Alexander Hamilton. This journal is not always daily, there are gaps in between dates, and also contains personal correspondence to Esther's friends. She passed away young, 26 I believe, and this is the only writing that I know of from her hand. It provides a valuable insight into colonial living as a woman in the worlds of higher education, Christianity, and daily living. Not necessarily an exciting read, some are just a description of how her day went, but an interesting look into life as a colonial mother, minister's wife, daughter of one of the most famed theologians, and management of a homestead at a university.

[Dwain Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may not think that you know who she is, but you probably know more than you think. She was the daughter of America’s foremost theologian, Jonathan Edwards. She was the wife of the President of Princeton University President, Aaron Burr. And, she was the mother of one of America’s most famous Vice Presidents, Aaron Burr.

This was a beautiful book to read. Friendship and godliness are at the core of this journal. Her longing for godliness and the godliness of those around her is found all over this journal. So is the love she has for her friends and their importance to her.

[Katrina Zartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad that I read the book through to the end. The journal/letter portion can be less interesting, because it is one-sided. There are passages which are spiritually encouraging, and others which are historically informative.

[Vincent Ng · Rating 2 out of 5]

not much helpful organization or purpose in the way the entries are put together.

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a history research project! Overall, I enjoyed reading Esther’s letters and the introduction is a fantastic analysis.

[Nicholas Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Not only a helpful window in the times of mid-18th century America, but also a helpful look at friendship and faith between Esther and Sarah.

[Kathy Marler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Esther Burr from 1754-1757...a look into the life of a woman in early America.