This article is about a Quaker girl. For other uses, see Catherine (disambiguation). |
- "He took my face between his hands and said, "Thee learned to open thy heart to those who are different from thee, Caty. That is why thee stood in the light. But such learning is very lonely and cannot be taught to others, for thee had to suffer greatly to uncover such truth.""
- —Catharine's father to her[3]
Catharine Carey Logan (born c. 1751), also known as Snow Bird (Chilili), was the oldest daughter of Quaker parents, Mr. and Mrs. Logan. She had three younger siblings, Thomas, Eliza, and Will. Catharine and Thomas were captured by the Lenape in January 1764. During her time with the Lenape, Catharine grew to appreciate their culture.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Catharine was born around 1751[1] to Quakers, Mr. and Mrs.Logan. She had several younger siblings, including Thomas, Eliza, and Will. She grew up in a small community in the Delaware Valley near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Life with the Lenape[]
In late 1763, Catharine was constantly frightened by the news of Indian attacks, despite her father's reassurances. She and Thomas were captured by Lenape Indians on their way to school in January 1764. Catharine was renamed "Snow Bird" (Chilili) and presented to an old woman and her daughter, who she later learned were named White Owl and Little Cloud. Unknown to Catharine, Thomas was taken to a different camp to live with Black Snake and his family. Catharine's thoughts often dwelled on Thomas's whereabouts, making her restless.
A Lenape hunter, named Snow Hunter, later revealed to Catharine that he used to be English. Catharine began asking of his help in finding Thomas. One day, she dreamed of Thomas sick with fever. When he heard about her dream, Snow Hunter agreed to take her to go see him. He talked with Black Snake, who allowed Thomas to be with Catharine. White Owl and Little Cloud nursed Thomas back to full health within a few days. He adapted well to his life with the Lenape, which Catharine felt conflicted about.
Over the next few months, Catharine became closer to Snow Hunter. Before leaving for a hunting party, he admitted his love for her by saying "Snow Bird captures the Snow Hunter." Catharine wrote in her diary that she felt the same and was prepared to marry him. However, Snow Hunter never came back. The Lenape village was attacked by white soldiers a few weeks later. Catharine and Thomas were brought back to their family. She had a hard time adjusting back to old life after her experiences with the Lenape. Catharine later had her father read her diary and he told her that she had "stood in the light."
Later life[]
Catharine never returned to school. When her mother passed away in 1765, she had to stay home to care for her siblings, Eliza and Will. Her father continued teaching her, which allowed Catharine to eventually become a teacher in Philadelphia. She taught impoverished children until the end of the Revolutionary War. Catharine then dedicated herself to the abolition of slavery. She and Thomas never learned the fates of White Owl or Little Cloud. Thomas did hear from missionaries about a John McCloud (Snow Hunter), who was killed by soldiers in the fall of 1764.
Personality and traits[]
When she was young, Catharine described herself as a "spirited girl" who sometimes danced and sang alone in the woods. As she grew older, she became more subdued and quiet. She feared that she was too bold and "not very modest and courteous, as the Quakers require a young woman to be". Catharine found her voice while living with the Lenape. She learned understanding from the Lenape, which her father called "standing in the light".
Family tree[]
Mr. Logan | Mrs. Logan (d. 1765) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catharine Logan (b. 1751) | Thomas Logan (b. 1756) | Eliza Logan (b. 1759) | Will Logan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Behind the scenes[]
- Catharine is the heroine of Mary Pope Osborne's Standing in the Light.
- She is played by Canadian actress Stephanie Anne Mills in the film adaptation of the book. Mills has since become a voice actress with roles in 6teen and Total Drama Island
- In 1999, Catharine was one of four Dear America characters made into a doll by Madame Alexander.
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Standing in the Light, Mary Pope Osborne, page 122
- ↑ Standing in the Light, Mary Pope Osborne, Epilogue, pages 157-159
- ↑ Standing in the Light, Mary Pope Osborne, pages 152-153
See also[]