The Diaries of Sarah Hurst. 1759-1762: Life and Love in Eighteenth Century Horsham

by Saraara Ilrat

The Diaries of Sarah Hurst records the day to day life of a young woman who lived in Horsham, Sussex between 1759 and 1762. Consequently, this book can claim to be one of the most important sources of information on life in the 18th century. The Diaries of Sarah Hurst not only create a vivid portrayal of the local town's people they also provide a fascinating insight into the social history of women, as they contain the intimate thoughts and feelings of a young woman and her relationships with the people around her. Sarah's intimate diaries can't help but touch the reader as she writes about her love for Henry Smith, a man who was thirteen years older than her.

Genres: History

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Michael Harling · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the actual diaries of a young woman who lived in my town some 250 years ago. Sarah Hurst started her diaries in 1759, when she was 23 years old and waiting for her future husband to return from the 7 Years War.

Her world is vastly different from ours, yet strangely similar. While young Sarah would certainly be shocked at the Horsham of today, she would still see many familiar landmarks—her own street and the house she lived in still exist—and, though superficially changed, she would have little trouble finding her way around town, as long as she avoided Albion Way and the Sun Alliance complex.

This is a remarkable window into the 18th Century and a brilliant commentary on everyday life. Sarah was educated, well-travelled and an aspiring poet, so her diaries are not monotonous or weighed down with tedious language. Sarah’s observations are succinct, pithy and often witty and cleverly phrased. Despite having taken place two and a half centuries ago, life in a small town is the same everywhere (and any time, it seems); the intertwining relationships in Sarah’s family and between her friends and acquaintances read like a soap opera, and I often found myself scanning ahead to find out what happened next.

This is a marvellous, entertaining and educational read, filled with heroes, villains, broken hearts and a happy ending. And it all happened, just down the street from where I live.

[Carolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

primary source for my diss (1/4) - very interesting, almost reads like a novel with a long-distance love story at its heart