THE FIRST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN AMERICA

THE FIRST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN AMERICA

Did you ever wonder who took responsibility for, or treated, the mentally ill during the Colonial era?

At that time, either family members or the parish church oversaw their care. However, if the individual could not be controlled, and if they were thought to be harmful to themselves or a menace to others, they were often jailed or sent to a poorhouse.

While there was a hospital in Philadelphia run by the Quakers that established a wing for the treatment of the mentally ill, Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia was the first public facility in the colonies that was built solely for the care and treatment of individuals suffering from mental illness.

In 1766, Francis Fauquier, the Royal Governor of Virginia, first proposed to the House of Burgesses that provisions for a legal confinement should be made available for the mentally ill where they could be cared for and attended by physicians. Apparently the proposition was not acted upon, and it continued to weigh heavily on him since he brought it up again at the next House of Burgesses in 1767. His continuing compassion for those suffering from mental disorders eventually led to the establishment of the Eastern State Hospital. The House of Burgesses passed a law to establish the hospital in 1770, and the following years, Benjamin Powell was contracted to begin the construction.

Prior to the creation of the hospital, a person who was mentally ill was judged by twelve citizens as to whether they were criminal, insane or mentally defective. Rather than being diagnosed and treated by a physician, these individuals were either cared for by family members, the local parish, or put in the Public Goal in Williamsburg.

The mission of the Eastern State Hospital was to treat and discharge patients considered curable and to incarcerate those individuals considered dangerous. When the hospital first opened in October of 1773, a Court of Directors, selected from the gentry, oversaw admissions and discharges, and made the policy decisions for running the facility. James Galt, who had no medical training, was appointed keeper and head administrator of the hospital. His wife, Mary, was assigned to be the matron for the women. Dutch Physician John de Sequeyra attended the patients when they were admitted and on a weekly basis. Additionally, several slaves provided the labor required to care for the inmates.

Patient's cell

Patients were kept alone in a prison-like-cells with only a mattress, shackles and a chamber pot. The windows were barred to prevent patients from escaping. However, since it was believed they could be cured, patients would often be released after only a few weeks or months being assessed as being fit enough to return to their families or society

Straight Jacket
invented in the late 18th century

From 1781-1786, the hospital fell into disrepair as a result of the Revolutionary War. In the following decade the hospital was refurbished and grew in size, and fences were added at each end to provide exercise yards for female and male patients. An electrostatic machine, used to shock patients out of their illness and tranquilizing chairs were added. Over the years the hospital began utilizing new techniques in the care of the mentally ill.

Tranquilizing Chair

The hospital’s expansion was interrupted during the Civil War, but by 1875 The Eastern State Hospital owned 225 acres of land, including a 170-acre farm and had an inmate population nearing 500.

In June of 1885, the original 1773 hospital was destroyed by a fire, judged to have started from recently added electrical wiring.  A hospital was rebuilt on this site, but by the 1930’s its patient population had grown to almost 2,000 and there was no more land to expand on the present site. This is the same period when Colonial Williamsburg was being restored so a move in location on the outskirts of the city became necessary. By the late 1960’s all of Eastern State’s patients were moved to a new facility only a few miles away from its original site in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it continues to operate today.

 

In 1985, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation rebuilt a replica of the original hospital on its excavated foundations and it currently operates as a museum.

The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Colonial America

            This hardcover book, published in 1997 and written by Dale Taylor for the Writer’s Digest Series, gives a thorough and honest overview of times in colonial America from 1607 to 1783, at the end of the American Revolution. I emphasize overview, because that is just what it is—it covers so many topics for each of the thirteen colonies that it doesn’t get into too much historical depth of the people or events of this period. For the person who is interested in writing an historical novel set in this time period, it makes an excellent resource for building an authentic world; the research is dependable and well done.

            Taylor covers regional overviews for government, religion, every day life in the home, society, trades and businesses. He does mention notable leaders in some instances, and why this country offered such favorable conditions for the nation's growth. The book is generously illustrated with pictures of the period, and is a factual resource for the Early American history lover.           

            Writers of an early American novel—or of several other historical eras—might want to begin their research with a Writer's Guide to Everyday Life book. This series includes many historically accurate books of periods from the Middle Ages up through the Prohibition and WWII. Interesting as they are however, they do read like a high school level text book.
            FYI: I’d recently heard from someone interested in writing about World War I who was unable to find enough information on the subject, and though I’d expected to find a book written about the time period in this series, there were none. 

           You may find The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Colonial America and other books from the series on Amazon. My rating: 4 of 5 stars.                

Put Your John Hancock Here

 More than 200 years after signing the Declaration of Independence, it is still John Hancock’s ornate signature that draws the eye. His artistic style is looked upon with fascination by young and old alike. 

It is such a stark contrast to the methods of written communication today. Hovering with bent shoulders, writers click away on keyboards, leaving the "art" to the creation of passages that draw pictures for readers to envision. But the actual fonts? They are produced, magically it seems, by the software in computers.

So how did the Colonials write like that back in Early America? The students learned the art with painstaking practice. With a feather quill and homemade ink, these boys and girls refined their strokes in great flowing style that marked an era of intricate penmanship—an art nearly forgotten.

The script demonstrated by John Hancock was known as the “Boston Style of Writing,” taught by Abiah Holbrook, who was esteemed as a great master of the pen. Writing masters were universally honored in every community, according to Home and Child Life in Colonial Days by Shirley Glubock. In 1745, Mr. Holbrook had 220 scholars in one school, learning this art of penmanship. John Hancock was one of Holbrook’s most notable students.

Galls on a tree

It’s difficult to imagine all the intricacies of this type of written communication. It required a sharp quill with the feather still attached, usually from a goose. Some managed to perfect the art of sharpening the point of the quill with a knife—the origin of the word, “pen-knife.” Those not wanting to sharpen their own could have them done by professionals who stationed themselves on streets. These gentlemen were called “stationers.”

And then there was the ink. There were various recipes that produced the blue liquid that dried black and eventually faded to a brown tone. An essential ingredient of the formula was galls—odd swellings on oak trees that were a natural reaction to parasites—combined with copperas, which is an iron compound. This produced an ink that has lasted through hundreds of years, making letters from long ago still visible to the naked eye. And beautifully visible at that. The script makes any document look more art than narrative.

One recipe of olde to make “excellent ink:”

Raine water 3 gallons, of white wine vinegar a quart, gaules two pounds, gum arabeck one pound, pomegranate pills one quarter of a pound, all these bruised but not beat too small, copporus two ounces, this will be ready the sooner, if it stand nearby the fire, or in the sun.”

Summer Kitchen

August temperatures rose high enough without suffering the added heat of the baking ovens.  To spare the household unnecessary discomfort, the summer kitchen had been built—a one-room structure located to the rear and separate from the main house.  Outside its cottage door, Lorena’s flower, herb and vegetable garden grew.

            -Excerpt from Prize of My Heart

The large open fireplaces of Early American households generated an intense amount of heat that could warm an entire home. This was a serious responsibility in chilly weather but during the summer months the daylong fires required for hearth cookery could leave a dwelling oppressive.  Many dishes took hours or all day to cook—baked beans, steamed brown bread, boiled suet and meat pie, as a few examples.  Cooking odors lingered in the still, humid air, making the indoors not only unbearably warm but offensive.

For relief, it was common for colonials to build a separate building called a “Summer Kitchen.”  It would be located no more than a few hundred feet from the main house, close enough so that prepared foods could be carried to the dining room in a timely fashion.  Having a separate kitchen also reduced the risk of fire devastating an entire dwelling.

The summer kitchen would contain a large fireplace that would occupy almost an entire wall.  A bake oven was built into the side of fireplace, complete with its own flue outside the oven door.  The kitchen would include a pantry for storage and be furnished with a large work table and perhaps a smaller “breadboard table” for kneading dough.

Those without the means to build a separate kitchen, often used clay, outdoor bake ovens during the warmest months.  Many Northern homes were built upon rubblestone cellars which also served as a summer kitchens in season.

Lisa Norato is the multi-published author of Prize of My Heart, an inspirational, seafaring historical from Bethany House, set during the Federal era. A life-long New Englander, Lisa lives in a historic village with homes and churches dating as far back as the eighteenth century.

Guest Post - Diana Flowers Reviews Thorns In Eden and The Everlasting Mountains by Rita Gerlach

Thorns in Eden

Thorns In Eden And The Everlasting Mountains
By Rita Gerlach, 2013

~5 stars*****
Reviewed by Diana Flowers

A Historical Masterpiece!

Rita Gerlach has once again penned a riveting, powerful saga beginning in the beautiful, lush, snow laden fields of England, with its magnificent manors---to the breathtaking beauty and dangers of the raw, savage land of colonial Maryland.

Due to the death of her father, Rebecah Brent lives with her uncle in Endfield Manor in virtual isolation. Because of past secrets, Samuel Brent does not hide the fact that he despises his niece, and plans to marry her off to a wealthy landowner. However, a glorious encounter with John Nash, a colonial who comes to visit his parents in England, forever changes the course of Rebecah's life.

As she follows after John to the colonies of America (not knowing whether he will have her or not), she has no idea of the dangers that lie in wait for her; testing her very soul, mind, and body. As the fear of Indian attacks and the onset of the Revolutionary War consume her and the colonists, Rebecah is faced with an even greater danger. John's worst enemy, a man seeking vengeance who has no allegiance to any tribe or nation, will stop at nothing to have her for his own. Is Rebecah and John's love doomed from the very beginning?

I have read and loved all of Rita Gerlach's books, but this one truly reinforced what I already knew. Rita Gerlach is one of the strongest voices and greatest talents in historical fiction today. Her extensive research and knowledge of colonial life, realistic fleshed out characters, and an intriguing, emotive, intense storyline established this as one of the best books I have read this year! My heart pounded as Rebecah sought to escape her Indian captors, and soared with the beauty of her and John's love story. Guaranteed to keep you burning the midnight oil, make sure to put this one at the top of your wishlist!

This book may be purchased through Amazon and is available in paperback and ebook format.

From Rita: Comment for a chance to win a free Kindle ebook copy.
 


Why I Wrote Thorns In Eden & The Everlasting Mountains

Back at the turn of this century, I had it on my heart to write a novel set in the area in which I live during the

start of the American Revolutionary War. I wanted to delve into a history that was not well-known that you would not find in history books. And so, I went to the local library and read through a thick volume of historical accounts transcribed in the early 1800s about the settlement of central and western Maryland.

What I read was indeed fascinating. There was the settler whose entire family was massacred by Indians, and he taken prisoner to be either a slave or a sacrifice. He escaped and described his harrowing journey homeward through the mountains, how there was no sound, not even a bird, only the sound of snow falling. He shouted 'Help', and crawled back to Fredericktown.

There was a mention of some backwoodsmen seeing an Indian canoe coming up the Potomac with a young Indian girl in it. The Indians told the men she'd been captured from another tribe and was destined to be sacrificed to the forest gods.

In Book 2, The Everlasting Mountains, is a scene where my hero John Nash and his Rangers come to a burned out cabin and find the Folk family dead, their bodies hacked and given to the pigs. This was a true account I read in the historical records as well.

Then there was the massacre of Chief Logan's family. He was a peace-loving man, apt to help strangers, white, black, or Indian. But when whites killed his father, wife, sister and her unborn child, he went on the war path. We can only imagine the horrific event caused his mind to snap. There are various accounts on what actually happened, so I strove to bring forward the one most believed.

All these events are harrowing indeed, and you may wonder why you should read a novel that contains them. Believe me, they are not in such gruesome detail to prevent you from turning the page. I wrote them in because these events were common for the time, they were part of the dangers of living in the wilderness, events that have pretty much been forgotten over time.

Not far from Frederick, MD along the Potomac, stands Fort Frederick, built during the French and Indian War. It is a marvel of historical detail. But when I ask people in town if they've ever been there, they look at me baffled and say they've never heard of it. How sad. Remember the days when schools would take children on field trips? Fort Frederick is not among them.

So why did I reissue this 2 in 1 collection? First of all to give my readers a respite from the world. Books take us into another time and place, and get our minds off our troubles for a while. Secondly, to share some history that has been forgotten. And third, to bring to my readers a stirring lovestory between two people struggling to build their legacy in a time when the firebrands of Revolution were hot.

Stop and wonder. What historical events happened in your town that have been forgotten?

Rita's Website: http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com

Thorns in Eden & The Everlasting Mountains
ebook 
http://tinyurl.com/c6pwlzd
paperback  
http://tinyurl.com/bhvlqz3

The Value of Reenactments for Research & Fun!

In March, I attended the Revolutionary War Reenactment for the Battle of Guilford Courthouse between General Lord Charles Cornwallis leading the British and General Nathanael Greene leading the Continentals. It was sponsored by The Greensboro Parks & Recreation. The actual battle took place on March 15, 1781. This annual event takes place in my hometown of Greensboro, NC. The first time I attended, I was around 10 years old. It was then that history came alive to me, and I knew I was going to love history as much as my father loves it.

I included this battle in my upcoming novel, For Love or Country, which is set to release in the spring of 2014. It's the 2nd book in The MacGregor Legacy series. While most of the story takes place in Wilmington, NC, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse is mentioned and plays a major part of the story since Lord Cornwallis leaves the battlefield and marches his war-torn, weary troops to Wilmington to rest and recover. While the Battle of Guilford Courthouse is considered to be a British victory, it caused significant damage to the British army, enough so, that the British troops never quite recovered. The battle marks a significant turn of events in the overall war in favor of the Continentals' eventual victory.

This particular battle has always intrigued me because it was fought in my hometown on New Garden Road and on part of the church grounds of New Gardens Friends Meeting, the Quaker Church where some of my ancestors attended. In fact, I have a land deed dated in 1802 showing that my family sold land where the first Guilford Courthouse was built.

After the heat of the battle, Quakers tended to the wounded on both sides of the war and even buried them together. Quakers did not believe in war and fighting to settle conflicts and tried not to take sides. Still, I like to imagine what some of my ancestors may have witnessed and what their small role might have been. I also had an ancestor who fought in the war, and I can't help wondering if he might have been there that day.

Reenactments are like gifts of time travel. We can go back and see their clothing, tools, battles, homes, furnishings, and how they did things. It's the perfect research for historical writers. My advice is to attend as many of these events as possible. Take photos, video tape the action when you are allowed, and learn as much as you can. Ask questions of experts that you otherwise would never meet.

Visiting reenactments gives you connections on a personal level. It's another way to network. Experts at these events want to teach people what they know and share their knowledge. As writers, we need to take advantage of these rare moments when they are accessible to us. For instance, at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse Reenactment, one of the reenactors held a microphone and asked certain members to come up and model their uniform while he explained different things about each uniform. It was awesome!

There are several tents where reenactors camp out and they not only sell their handmade items and historical replicas, but they also perform demonstrations showing how certain tasks were accomplished, things were made, songs are played on instruments of the day, and how food was cooked while camping outdoors. These tents are where you will meet lots of the women and children of these families.


A List of Revolutionary War Reenactments
Some of these may be a one time event, others are reoccurring  You will need to check out the website and contact the hosting organization for further information.

~ March - Battle of Guilford Courthouse - Greensboro, NC
~ April - Revolution in Massachusetts - Boston, MA -
~ June - Battle of Monmouth - Manalapan, NJ
~ July - Battle of Wyoming - Lake Ariel, PA
~ September - Cantigny & The Northwest Territory - Wheaton, IL
~ September - Mount Harmon Plantation - Earleville, MD
~ October - Battle of the Hook - Gloucester, VA
~ October - Yorktown Battlefield - Yorktown, VA
~ November - Anniversary Encampment - Reddington, CT

More Resource Links
~ Re-Enactor Links
~ National Society of Living Historians
~ British Brigade Events

* Images are from the Guilford Courthouse Reenactment sponsored by the Greensboro Parks & Recreation held in March 2013. Only images are used where individuals are shown from the side, back and/or distance to prevent easy identification.  

May/June Releases by Rita Gerlach and Roseanna White and CQ Two Year Anniversary Party

Feel free to copy & share this graphic with a link back to CQ! Thanks!

In celebration of Colonial Quills 2 year Anniversary we bring you our May/June Colonial American Christian Fiction releases. Our members and contributors also share their thoughts on CACW and CQ! Please have some cake and enjoy (the first piece goes to Carrie, our wonderful founder). Please comment below to be eligible for our giveaways!

Rita Gerlach

John Nash, has built a new life in the Maryland frontier, and journeys back to England to see his father before the first shots of the Revolution are fired. Rebecah, a young woman who has known little more than the solitude of an isolated manor, has lost her father and is now under the control of a domineering patriarch. As their romance unfolds, they become trapped in the schemes of her uncle and immersed in one of the most infamous Indian wars in Colonial history.

As the firebrands of Revolution grow hot, they marry and work together to build their estate, Laurel Hill. Facing a strange new world, Rebecah experiences the prejudice of being English, but finds friendship and acceptance in the wilds of the Maryland frontier. Joy reins at Laurel Hill when she announces she is carrying a child. Nash, known as Jack, is captain of a band of rangers who protect the frontier families from Indian attack. His friendship with Chief Logan has not prevented the Indian War from reaching their peaceful home along the lush hills of the last outpost.

Can he protect his wife from warring Indians and from a man who has no allegiance to any nation, tribe, or creed, wanted for robbery and murder, who has vowed vengeance? In Thorns in Eden and The Everlasting Mountains, love and faith are the sustaining forces that cannot be overtaken by the vines of adversity.

Amazon ebook: http://tinyurl.com/c6pwlzd
In Paperback:  http://tinyurl.com/bhvlqz3

Rita's Reflections

When Carrie first approached me two years ago about Colonial Quills, I was thrilled to have been asked to participate. I had just signed a contract with Abingdon Press for the Daughters of the Potomac Series, three books intertwined, set in the Colonial era along the Potomac. Being a part of this fellowship of writers has broadened my knowledge and love for the many people who played a role in the founding of our great nation. 

Writing for CQ has been a blast, and kept  me moving forward. I am currently writing an Edwardian era novel, and just received news I have been chosen to collaborate on a series about the Pilgrims with bestselling author Gilbert Morris. 

As you may know, we are a group of women writers dedicated to bringing readers many things that have been forgotten, and often sadly ignored or revised to fit the current politically correct agenda. I feel privileged to have been a part of CQ. 

Happy Anniversay, CQ! 

Roseanna White
 

Fairchild's Lady by Roseanna White

June 1, a fun, FREE bonus novella is being released (and is available for pre-order now!) in my Culper Ring Series! Fairchild's Lady is set at the beginning of the French Revolution and gives the love story of a character from Ring of Secrets, whose daughter is the heroine of the next book. Please download and share the link!

In 1789 General Isaac Fairchild travels across the Channel on a very special assignment. After surviving the American Revolution, he is now gathering information on life at King Louis XVI’s court. But he must also locate a countess and her grown daughter and escort them back to England before revolution explodes in France. He knows danger is in the task set before him, but when he meets the beautiful Julienne, a new peril beckons him deeper into the intrigue of Versailles.

Roseanna's Reflections

When I had the privilege of joining Colonial Quills at its start two years ago, I was still riding high from the sale of my first American-set historical romance to Summerside Press, still several months from its release. My previous books had been set in biblical times, so this was still pretty new to me...but I'd caught the bug. And I wanted (oh, how I wanted!) to write more about this era I'd fallen in love with!

Finding like-minded sisters with this group was amazing for me. I love being able to share joys, triumphs, and questions with the wonderful women who are so passionate about all things early American. The summer CQ was getting underway, I was hard at work on my second Colonial novel and hopeful about it's chances. Now, two years later, that second book is out from Harvest House too.


What a journey it has been! And what a blessing to watch this beautiful blog grow at the same time! I know I'm but a small part of it...but I'm so proud to be a little finger waving in joy for all we've accomplished.

Happy birthday, Colonial Quills!!

MaryLu Tyndall's Musing's


I'm so thrilled to be a part of this incredible group of talented ladies!!  I was asked to join about a year ago by Carrie and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Especially the camaraderie of the ladies here, the way they all support each other and care about one another. And I simply adore the Tea Parties!  My only regret is not having the tine to participate as much as I’d like.  I love Colonial times because they were filled with “newness” new lands, new countries, new ideas. I love the adventure ^th century!  I’m anxious to return to Colonial days, so I’m warming up my time machine. I’ll meet and wildness of our nation at that time. In fact I started my writing career with books set in Colonial times, A pirate series set in the Caribbean, but then my latest releases ended up way out in the last 19 you there!

I’d love to give away a free copy (paperback or e-copy) of either of my two prior books, Veil of Pearls or Forsaken Dreams. Please leave a comment with your email to win!  And tell us why you like Colonial times. To read about the books, click on their names above.


Jennifer Hudson Taylor's Thoughts

I was delighted to join Colonial Quills two years ago and I have been so blessed to be among such wonderful authors and historical enthusiasts who share this passion with me. At the time, I was in the midst of seeing my second novel, Highland Sanctuary, release after my debut, Highland Blessings. While not colonial, these books are set in late medieval Scotland. Over the next two years, I had two novellas release and another historical novel, Path of Freedom, set in 1858 regarding a Quaker characters who help a pregnant slave couple reach freedom. This year, I will finally see my first colonial in print, For Love or Loyalty, set in 1760, book 1 in The MacGregor Legacy. Book 2 in this series is For Love or Country, set during the Revolutionary War. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey with us!



Observations from Carla Olson Gade

Has it been two years? It has sailed by! How blessed I have been to have the support and companionship of the writers from CACW and the quillers! We have a special connection cemented in our love of Colonial America - the historical era as we tell it through our stories, and many of the values which we still hold dear. I love having the resources of so many ladies with such an immense wealth of knowledge of this period with access to it it via our email loop and here on the CQ blog. What a tremendous group of talented writers, and researchers! I know I am not alone in my appreciation of our beloved Carrie for everything she does for us in promoting Colonial American Christian Fiction and our authors (even if its set in another time period ~ Carrie, you are the best!)

Since I began at CQ my debut released and recently came out as an e-book. Although its a 19th century western I hope you'll check out The Shadow Catcher's Daughter.  My novella "Carving a Future" in Colonial Courtships was my first colonial, released last fall. Pattern for Romance (Abingdon's Quilts of Love series), a colonial novel, releases this August while 'Tis the Season, a Christmas novella (set in 1820) in Mistletoe Memories releases in September. My short story, Upon a Christmas Schooner, will release (alongside Carrie's) in time for Christmas in Guidepost's A Cup of Christmas Cheer. It has been an amazing time and I look forward to seeing how our CQ authors are doing by our 3rd anniversary!  I'd like to offer 2 copies of Colonial Courtships for my giveaway, so please leave a comment below!


Susan F. Craft

I love researching for my historical novels and when I discover a fascinating piece of history I have never seen before, I call it "my treasure."  Finding and becoming a part of Colonial Quills is one of my most valuable treasures. My talented sisters in Christ, each a gem in her own right, never cease to amaze me with their knowledge and their generosity in sharing that knowledge.

I'm working on a third in the trilogy that began with The Chamomile, a Revolutionary War romantic suspense set in Charleston, SC. The second in the trilogy is Laurel, and is about the daughter of my main characters. The third, Cassia, takes place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with lots of adventure and pirates.

The Chamomile won the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Fall 2011 Okra Pick as one of the best novels of the season. Laurel is represented by Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency.

I also have a contemporary inspirational novel ready entitled Promises Kept about three couples who face and overcome almost insurmountable situations in their marriages - the death of an adult child, sudden wealth and infidelity, and impotence.

My giveaway will be a copy of The Chamomile, a packet of chamomile seeds, and a mobcap.

J. M. Hochstetler

When Carrie invited me to become a contributor to Colonial Quills, I was absolutely delighted. I was already deep into my American Patriot Series, set during the American Revolution, and I knew being part of this group devoted to everything 18th century would be loads of fun, not to mention being an excellent research resource. And so it’s turned out to be. I’m deeply grateful to Carrie for offering me the opportunity to be a part of this enterprise.

Since CQ began two years ago, the first 3 books of my series, Daughter of Liberty, Native Son, and Wind of the Spirit have been released in an awesome, newly revised Heritage Edition. Book 4, Crucible of War, expanded the series last fall, continuing Elizabeth Howard and Jonathan Carleton’s epic adventure and romance as they seek to build an enduring legacy of love, hope, faith, and freedom. I had to take a hiatus from CQ during the winter to work on Book 5, Valley of the Shadow, but I hope to return to contributing regularly later in the summer.

Thank you, Carrie and all the members of this amazing group, for 2 years of fun, fellowship, and learning as we share our passion for the 18th century with each other and with our wonderful visitors to the blog!

I’m offering a copy of one of the books in my American Patriot Series in either e-book or print edition at the winner’s choice. For more information about the series, go to www.theamericanpatriotseries.com.


Reflections From Elaine Marie Cooper

I cannot remember a time when I did not love history. I grew up in New England surrounded by the monuments and tombstones of the Colonial Patriots who fought in the American Revolution. It stirred a love in me for our country's heritage and I wanted to discover even more about the courageous men and women who fought for freedom both in the homes and on the fields of battle.

This love of history and passion for writing blended in my award-winning series called the the Deer Run Saga. Book 1 (The Road to Deer Run) begins in the American Revolution, Book 2 (The Promise of Deer Run) follows the veterans of the war who suffered from post traumatic stress, and Book 3 (The Legacy of Deer Run) follows the next generation of Americans, still keeping the country safe from its enemies. My upcoming fall release, Fields of the Fatherless, is based on a true incident that occurred on the first day of the American Revolution in my hometown.

I am giving away a copy of The Road to Deer Run to one winner today. I hope it blesses you!

And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Colonial Quills!! I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful group of Colonial American Christian Writers!

To read more about my Deer Run Saga, go to my website here.

Lisa Norato

Lisa, author of Prize of My Heart says: I want to say Happy Anniversary to Colonial Quills with a special huzzah! to our founder and dear Carrie. Carrie invited me to join CQ a little more than a year ago and gently coaxed me into becoming a contributor. My experience with CQ has been a blessing and a joy as I have gotten to know the talented, sweet and wonderful ladies who make up Colonial Quills. During that time, I have enjoyed and shared their enthusiasm for stories set in colonial and federal times, and I have been exposed to and have read some truly wonderful novels. CQ has also been an invaluable source for my own writing, and I am proud to be a CQer!

Cynthia Howerter joined us this past year and has an upcoming release "God's Provision in Tough Times" co-authored with La-Tan Murphy. It contains twenty-five true stories of God's provision for the seventeen authors as they experienced unemployment and financial despair.  This title releases in July, 2013, and is available for pre-order now.

 

Kathy Maher is one of our newer members.  Kathy is the debut author of best selling Civil War novella Bachelor Buttons.

Add caption

Carrie Fancett Pagels says "whodathunkit?"  Her fiction debut was with a Civil War novella pulled from a proposal with earlier-set stories.  God is so good--the novella, like Kathy's, is a best seller in Civil War on Amazon. In the past two years, Carrie headed up CQ's popular serial story A Forted Frontier Christmas, wrote two novellas, completed and polished one manuscript, completed another that  she has set aside till next fall, has written the proposal for another story, and got to enjoy hanging out with all the lovely CACW ladies. Whew! We've been especially appreciative of Joyce Lamb's inclusion of our authors' new releases on the USA Today HEA blog.  So very happy to see our group growing!  And while we miss some of our founding members we are happy that some have had to depart because of how very busy they've gotten with their writing--which is a good thing for colonial authors!

Every time I look through the posts written by this talented group of ladies I think how blessed I am that they have joined together on CQ to share really cool colonial - Early American information with our followers.  And our readers don't know this but the CACW group itself is full of prayer warriors and we've had some amazing blessings come from praying for each other!  Every author is here by invitation and has at least one colonial work. These are writers dedicated to getting their history right!



Giveaways (including those mentioned above, one book per winner) - to be eligible, please leave a comment. Tell us why you like colonial times! Signed copy of God's Provision in Tough Times, Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance (2 copies), Bachelor Buttons (2 copies), Ring of Secrets & Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, Forsaken Dreams or Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall, the winner’s choice of 1 book of the American Patriot Series by J. M. Hochstetler, Colonial Courtships by Carla Olson Gade (2 copies).

Come have a seat and enjoy the lovely cake and your choice of beverage. Are you here in character? Your comments will count DOUBLE in the drawings! Twice as much fun for our two year anniversary!