Colonial Quills' Three Year Anniversary Party!!!

Welcome to Colonial Quills 3rd Anniversary Celebration!!

Please join us as our authors share updates from their quills! We have a lot to share so hold on to your tricorns and bonnets. We have some wonderful giveaways that our CQ contributors and CACW members have graciously offered to celebrate CQ and our readers!

From Susan F. Craft: My Revolutionary War romantic suspense, The Chamomile, won the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick in 2011. The two sequels I wrote to The Chamomile, entitled Laurel and Cassia, will be available in January 2015 and later that same year, respectively. They will be published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. I also wrote A Writer's Guide to Horses, for the Long Riders' Guild Academic Foundation, www.lrgaf.org, to assist writers to “get horses right” in their works. I admit to being a history nerd. In addition to researching, I enjoy painting, singing, listening to music, and sitting on my porch watching the rabbits eat all my daylilies.

Because I named my novels after flowers, my latest fun project
is creating an “Author’s Garden” in my yard with chamomiles, mountain laurels, and cassia trees. For a garden feature, I plan to paint old bricks to look like books. 

To celebrate CQ's anniversary, I will be giving away a signed copy of The Chamomile and packets of chamomile seeds.

From Lori Benton: The past three years have been eventful. I saw my debut novel, Burning Sky, published in August 2013. My sophomore novel, The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn, set in the 1780s against the backdrop of an overlooked bit of North Carolina history—the secession of the State of Franklin, in what is now eastern Tennessee--landed on store shelves last month. On the day that book released I received news that my debut novel, Burning Sky, was a double finalist in the 2014 Christy Awards (Historical and First Novel categories). Burning Sky has also made the shortlist in the Debut Fiction category for the 2014 Inspy Award, the Blogger’s Award for Excellence in Faith-Driven Literature. And Burning Sky received a Grace Award, a reader driven award in faith-based literature. Last month (April) I signed a new contract with my publisher, WaterBrook Press, for a 2-book series set along the Mohawk River in New York, 1757—1777. April 20 was the due date for the first of those. Now I’m at work on the sequel, which should keep me busy, along with editing the first novel, for the rest of 2014.

I'm giving away a copies of Burning Sky and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn for the anniversary giveaway!

From Lisa Norato: I became a contributor to Colonial Quills shortly before the release of my first inspirational historical novel, PRIZE OF MY HEART, from Bethany House.  In the years since joining the blog, I have read some very talented authors, made lasting friendships and been inspired to continue writing of New England's federal era with a series called the Sea Heroes of Duxbury.

THE PROMISE KEEPER, to be released this summer, is a novel in which danger reunites a sea's captain's daughter with her childhood protector who is now a reclusive lighthouse keeper on an island across the bay.

I am offering a copy of Prize of My Heart as part of the anniversary giveaway.

From Joan Hochstetler: I'm truly blessed to have been a part of this amazing group of authors for the past 3 years! Since this group began, I released the new Heritage Edition of the first 3 books of my American Patriot series--Daughter of Liberty, Native Son, and Wind of the Spirit--as well as book 4, Crucible of War. In March Northill, Book 1 of the Northkill Amish Series, closely based on the inspiring true story of my Hochstetler ancestors released, authored with my cousin Bob Hostetler, a multi-published, award-winning author who's written a number of books with Josh McDowell. I'm offering a copy of Northill for the giveaway.

From Elaine Marie Cooper: It's hard to believe that Colonial Quills is celebrating its Third Anniversary! There have been so many exciting releases from our many authors and I am personally blessed to be a part of this group of Colonial American Christian Writers.

This last year has been an amazing one for me as my latest release, Fields of the Fatherless, has been given two awards: The Selah Award for Young Adult Fiction, and was also named winner in the Religious Fiction category in the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. I am blessed beyond words.




The most amazing day was on May 17, 2014, when I dressed up in my Colonial period dress and spoke before an audience of nearly 50 at the Jason Russell House in Arlington, Massachusetts. It is the actual site where the events depicted in Fields of the Fatherless occurred. It was an honor that I will never forget.

To celebrate CQ's Anniversary, I will be giving away a signed copy of Fields of the Fatherless to one winner.

And a special thanks to Carrie Fancett Pagels who brought all of us writers together to do this group blog. Huzzah and big HUGS to you, Carrie!

From Carla Olson Gade: What a whirlwind! Has it really been 3 years already? It's been an honor to be part of Colonial Quills and CACW. During this time I've enjoyed the colonial camaraderie, research partners, and fellowship with our very special and unique group. During this time my debut novel released, The Shadow Catcher's Daughter (set out west in 1875),  followed by my first colonial, Carving a Future in Colonial Quills (1752, Connecticut). My second colonial, Pattern for Romance in the Quilts of Love series (1769, Boston) came out last year along with best-selling Mistletoe Memories with my novella 'Tis the Season (1821, New Jersey). It was a pleasure to be included in A Cup of Christmas Cheer with our own Carrie Fancett Pagels! I also contributed to 31 Devotions for Writers, an encouraging digital devotional. I'm currently working on two contracts (A Cup of Christmas Cheer 2 and Proving Up in the Homestead Brides Collection). Although I sometimes write in other time periods, the colonial era is always near and dear to my heart!

It's been wonderful getting to know so many of our colonial American readers! To help celebrate, I'm giving away a print copy of Colonial Courtships and Pattern for Romance. The ebook of Pattern for Romance is currently on sale for 99¢ on Amazon, so don't miss picking up a copy!



From Rebecca: It's been 11/2 years for me with CACW and Colonial Quills and I still remember how excited I was to join this wonderful group of colonial aficionados! The richness of the research and knowledge represented here is amazing to me, as are the delightful ladies themselves! So honored to be in their company. I enjoy writing about colonial life in the 17th century and my stories are inspired by my ninth great-grandparents, the Hortons. At the time I joined I had just signed a contract for a three book series, titled The Southold Chronicles, and I am truly blessed that my debut novel, A Place in His Heart, officially releases June 3rd!



To celebrate CQ's anniversary and the release of my novel, I'm thrilled to give away a print copy of  A Place in His Heart.



From MaryLu Tyndall:  Hi Everyone!  It's been a few years for me as well with Colonial Quills! I love the CQ ladies and
especially their marvelous tea parties!  But hey, what's not to love about the Colonial time period? It's definitely my favorite.  I am the best-selling author of more than 14 novels, most of them set in colonial times.  Today, to help these ladies celebrate (And boy, do they know how to throw a party!)

I'm offering a free copy of my latest release, The Ransom in either paperback (US only) or ebook form.

In Jamaica in 1692, women were not allowed to run businesses. But Juliana has no choice. To save her family and keep her secret, she allies herself with the town buffoon. Alex, the most feared pirate in Port Royal, leads a dual life to stave off his boredom, but when his infatuation with Juliana puts them is in grave danger, only a divine hand can lead them to safety as Port Royal sinks into the sea.

So Fair a Lady

From Amber Lynn Perry: Happy Anniversary Colonial Quills!! I couldn't be more honored to be a part of this amazing group of writers. I was so happy to join the group last year and already I have been so blessed by these incredibly kind and knowledgeable women.

Giveaway: A Copy of So Fair a Lady, autographed.







From Jennifer Hudson Taylor: I'm so blessed and honored to be part of Colonial Quills and very thankful for all that Carrie Fancett Pagels does in keeping us together and on track. To help celebrate our CQ anniversary, I'll be giving away a signed copies of both For Love or Loyalty & For Love or Country, books one and two in The MacGregor Legacy series.

For Love or Loyalty, Book 1, 1760
To atone for her father's evil, Lauren Campbell agrees to help Malcolm MacGregor. By the time she realizes she's the bargaining price to free Malcolm's mother from indentured servitude, it's too late. Malcolm MacGregor only wants to free his family and exact revenge against Duncan Campbell. As the pride and joy of Duncan's life, his daughter Lauren is the perfect answer, but during the voyage to America, her faith continues to witness to Malcolm. He becomes enraptured with her, and upon their arrival, discovers he's sold her into a fate worse than death. Now Malcolm has the dilemma: free his family or rescue Lauren? Time is short and with little means, he needs a miracle.

For Love or Country, Book 1, 1781
At the height of the Revolutionary War, Tyra MacGregor is successful at thwarting the British Army with her colonial spy efforts. But her sleuthing ways come to a screeching halt when Captain Donahue "Hugh" Morgan puts her under house arrest. Hugh is intrigued by this courageous spy the natives call "War Woman." She's more daring than most men and is intelligent in defending her convictions. Even more impressive to Hugh is the strength of Tyra's unshakeable faith in God. When Tyra saves his life during an attack, Hugh vows to return the favor. Before he can intervene, however, she is caught by his superior officer and imprisoned. Soon Hugh's honor, faith, country, and love are all on the line. Can he risk it all to gain everything?

A Pioneer Christmas Collection

From Shannon McNear: Happy Anniversary to Colonial Quills! I joined this amazing group in early 2013, shortly after being surprised with my first publishing contract. My novella Defending Truth is a Revolutionary War tale dealing with the aftermath of the Battle of Kings Mountain (October 1780, not 1781 as the timestamp says—long story!), and released in September 2013 as part of A Pioneer Christmas Collection. This last March I had the honor of finding out the novella finaled in Romance Writers of America’s RITA contest.

Twenty-three years ago, my husband and I were transplanted to Charleston, South Carolina, courtesy of the US Air Force, and early this year we moved yet again, after all this time, to North Dakota. What a change! I’ve enjoyed continuing to visit the Lowcountry in my posts for Colonial Quills as I highlight some of the lesser-known historic sites I’ve visited and enjoyed over the years.

In celebration of CQ’s third anniversary, I’m giving away a signed copy of A Pioneer Christmas Collection.

From Janet Grunst: A Three Year Anniversary - WOW! It's been a privilege to be part of Colonial Quills and such a great group of talented writers and kind ladies. I've so enjoyed reading and contributing to this stellar site. I've completed one Colonial period manuscript that is currently out with a couple of publishers and am nearing the completion of the sequel. I'm represented by Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency. I've been serving as co-hostess of the Tidewater Area Christian Writers group with member Carrie Pagels.

Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance

From Carrie Fancett Pagels: Who would have known that prayers and meeting with Laura Frantz, Joan Hochstetler, Lori Benton at the ACFW conference and chatting with Rita Gerlach via email would result in the formation of Colonial American Christian Writers Association three and a half years ago! Some of our original founders, like Laura, have moved on as they've gotten busy in their writing careers. A few months after we got started, we formed a blog and Carla designed the gorgeous custom header that we have.

For myself, I've published my novella "Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance" published by a small press in 2013. The novella is set at America's oldest still operational plantation! It was so exciting to remain on the Amazon Civil War best seller list for months and months and to remain on the top-rated Civil War list for almost a year!

As Carla mentioned, I had a short story, Snowed In, which appeared in Guidepost Books “A Cup of Christmas Cheer” (October, 2013) which sold through its first printing of 30,000 copies within weeks of release and went into a second printing. How fun is that!  During the past several years I also served as ACFW Zone Mid-Atlantic Zone Director and Virginia/West Virginia Area Coordinator (both of which I no longer do) but I continues to serve as co-hostess of the Tidewater Area Christian Writers group with member Janet Grunst.

My short story "The Quilting Contest" is one of the 200 Short Stories published online for The Story contest sponsored by Family Fiction.  Here's the link to my story.  Free to read and please vote for it if you like it! 

Selah Finalist "God's Provision in Tough Times"

I also contributed to CQ member Cynthia Howerter's Selah Award finalist "God's Provision in Tough Times" (Lighthouse of the Carolinas, 2013). Cynthia has been busy working on her colonial manuscript!

The authors who contribute to this blog are some of the smartest, sweetest, funniest, and encouraging bunch of ladies I have ever "met" (some I haven't gotten to meet in person yet but we engage in our private Facebook page and via a Yahoo group.) Their posts continue to amaze and bless me. I often shake my head at how good a post is and how blessed we are to have such godly women writing for this blog.  It is very humbling to me and I'm glad to be part of it. And they've been an amazing inspiration to me as I completed three colonial 100,000 word manuscripts and a 20,000 word novella manuscript during the past three years (just in case you thought I don't actually write in that era!) 

This is a section of the scarf from Colonial Williamsburg, unfolded.

My giveaway: A copy of the paperback of my novella and  a Colonial Williamsburg scarf.

From Roseanna M. White: Three years? Amazing! When I first joined the CQ, I had 2 biblical novels published and my first Colonial was slated for release but not out yet. Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland is what whetted my appetite for this wonderful era, and after its release in late 2011, I followed my newfound love for early American fiction with a series from Harvest House that began during the Revolution with Ring of Secrets and then skipped forward to the War of 1812 in Whispers from the Shadows. The final installment of that Culper Ring Series just released, with the Civil-War set Circle of Spies. The series also contains two free novellas, Fairchild's Lady and A Hero's Promise.

My next book out is another biblical, sequel to my first one. Though I have some other ideas for early American work that I hope to sell someday soon, for now my next project is an Edwardian trilogy with Bethany House. I'm very excited about this one, because the first book, The Lost Heiress, is a rewrite of a book I wrote at age 13--my first novel!

To celebrate the anniversary, I'll be giving away tea bricks, much like what the colonists would have used before the tea party--though we may imagine loose tea being tossed into the Boston Harbor, it was bricks!

 From Gina Welborn: The year of our Lord 2013 ushered in the release of Gina's third Barbour novella, "Mercy Mild," in the ECPA-bestselling Mistletoe Memories. Her first Harlequin LIHp novel, The Heiress's Courtship, released in January, with her second, The Marshal's Pursuit, coming out in September. Gina ends out the year with a historical romance, Masterpiece Marriage, in Abingdon Press's Quilts of Love series. While she wanted to set the story in Colonial Williamsburg, she settled on a tiny Victorian village on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Visit her new website! www.ginawelborn.com

Gina is giving away an autographed copy of Highland Crossings featuring her 1791 novella, Sugarplum Hearts and, in honor of her confectionary-owner heroine, a custom-crafted apron.

Bachelor Buttons: A Civl War Romance

From Kathleen L. Maher: Since joining CQ, Kathleen has been represented by Terry Burns of Hartline Literary and published a Civil War novella "Bachelor Buttons" which has been an Amazon top rated and best selling Civil War book. 

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Members: We have a CQ contributor page which includes information on our bloggers who haven't posted on this anniversary page (click here.) We love and value all our CQ writers!

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If you would like to post a picture of your party clothing, please feel free to put it on the Facebook party invitation page (click here.)

Please be sure to leave a comment for us. We'd love to hear more about YOU and what type of stories you enjoy reading. Have you read any of our colonial era fiction?

Inventions and Improvements of Thomas Jefferson

by Roseanna M. White

One thing I really love about the early American era is that so many gentlemen with time on their hands went about interesting pursuits--like invention. I've previously talked about some of the inventions of Benjamin Franklin. Today I wanted to take a look at Thomas Jefferson's.

The Jefferson Polygraph

One of the most interesting of the inventions to be found at Monticello is the polygraph. In an age well before copiers or computers, Jefferson still wanted multiple copies of his letters--so came up with a way to copy them as he wrote them.

The Wheel Cipher

Though the image above is actually a Confederate era wheel cipher, Jefferson described one of his own creation in a letter. These could be used to encode correspondence, so long as both parties had one.

The Revolving Items

Looking through the page at Monticello.org featuring Jefferson's inventions, there are quite a few that utilize the idea of revolving or spiraling objects to maximize the use for a space. The first is a "turning machine" for hanging clothes--much like many of the closet-organizing items to be found today! The "hanger" was a spiral with arms coming out in all directions, over which you would drape the clothing. It seems that only a drawing of it remains, and many mentions of it in the correspondence of those who had visited Monticello.

He also invented a revolving bookstand that could hold up to five books at once, displaying them all. This would also be quite handy for anyone who is comparing various texts. The stand displayed one book on the top and one on each side, and then the reader could spin the devise to show him whichever text he needed. Certainly beats spreading them all out on a table or stacking them one on top of the other!

But Jefferson didn't stop there. He also created a revolving service door between the dining room and the passageway so that servants didn't have to physically open a door to bring the food in--always difficult when hands are full. Instead, they slid the food onto the shelves on one side of the door and spun it.

~*~

I just love how all these early-American inventions are so very practical--and some are so very surprising. And especially how "gentlemen of leisure" put that leisure to such good use.

Artwork Painted on the Edges of Books

Fanned pages of a book to show the artwork on the edge.

        Artwork that’s painted on the edges of book pages is called fore-edge painting.
        There are several types of fore-edge painting:
1. single fore-edge painting -- painting on only one side of the book page edges. Generally, gilt or marbling is applied by the bookbinder after the painting has dried, so as to make the painting completely invisible when the book is closed;
2. double fore-edge painting -- paintings on both sides of the page margin so that one painting is visible when the leaves are fanned one way, and the other is visible when the leaves are fanned the other way;
3. triple fore-edge painting --paintings on the edges with a painting applied directly to the edges (in lieu of gilt or marbling); and
4. panoramic fore-edge painting. paintings that are continuous scenes wrapped around more than one edge are called.


Painting the edge of a book

        Single fore-edge painting includes two basic forms -- paintings on edges that have been fanned cannot be seen when the book is closed, but can only been seen when the edges are fanned. For the second form, the painting is done on the closed edge itself and is visible when the book is closed.   
        Fore-edged paintings came about during the European Middle Ages and became popular during the mid-17th century to the late 19th century.

The speeches of the right honorable William Pitt, v.2 1808
by William Pitt. The book's edge is painted with
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin



Analysis of the Game of Chess, 1790
by François-André Danican Philidor

        Since most fore-edge painters didn’t sign their works, it’s difficult to date the hidden paintings. The Boston Public Library holds one of the finest collections of fore-edge paintings in the United States. You can view them at http://foreedge.bpl.org/


1777. Two-volume set of Duncan & Whitworth “Cicero” with original Edward of Halifax bindings.

Also, each book has a fore-edge scene, likely contemporary to the book itself.

 

 

Susan F. Craft is the author of the award-winning Revolutionary War novel, The Chamomile.

She is represented by Linda S. Glaz, Hartline Literary Agency.

 

 

Visiting our Past

 

Visiting Our Past – America’s Historylands

a book recommendation by Pat Iacuzzi

 

            “A land of plenty, and plenty of it. Born amid bounty, America grew up in the age of wondrous new machines made for abundance—they reaped it quicker, spread it around, created more and the hunger for more. From the fertile wilderness sprouted the giant of the Industrial Revolution.”

            Several years ago I wandered through a favorite spot—my public library bookstore where used books are donated and sold for a pittance (usually .50—5.00) depending on size and condition. Beautiful books. Fiction, non-fiction, craft books, hard cover, soft cover…

It’s where I found Visiting Our Past – America’s Historylands published by the National Geographic Society. Need I say more? Like its magazine namesake, this coffee-table, hardcover version contains impeccable research text on America ’s past from the conquistadors, to earliest new world settlements such as Jamestown, Plymouth, and Williamsburg, to the industrialized Gilded Age. And like the magazine, this book is richly illustrated on every page with detailed photos by staff photographers.

If you enjoy discovering more about America’s history, take a virtual tour of life in forts, settlements, early American homes, or people working and enjoying leisurely pursuits, this well-written and illustrated book is a treasure.          

Review of SO FAIR A LADY

I'm so honored to be back on Colonial Quills today and I'm even MORE honored to be able to share with you a wonderful review of SO FAIR A LADY by the magnificent Rachel McMillain. Rachel is a fabulous writer, and on her blog A Fair Substitute for Heaven she wrote a beautiful review of my debut novel, and was gracious enough to allow me to share it with you today.

Take it away, Rachel!

"Boston, MA 1773: Shards of Eliza Campbell's life crash to the ground when she discovers a devastating secret: her father was a spy for the Sons of Liberty. Determined to uncover the truth, not even a marriage proposal from the dashing British Officer Samuel Martin can dissuade her. When rescued from British capture by handsome patriot Thomas Watson, Eliza discovers what her father risked his life for and yearns to know more. But will her budding attraction to this courageous patriot damage her already wounded heart? 

After years of being blackmailed by Officer Martin, Thomas plans to start a new life in the small town of Sandwich. However, when his actions place Eliza and her sister in danger, he must act quickly to protect them from falling into enemy hands. If the three of them are discovered, their lives will never be the same. Now, not only must he protect Eliza, he must protect his heart from a love that is sure to wound him far greater than any British soldier ever could.

Know what is funny? I have been reading Christian historicals forever and 99 per cent of them are by American authors and so few of them are set during the Revolutionary War. This has always baffled me. People, if you’ve got it, flaunt it! This is a fascinating period of history and I have always enjoyed the surmounting tension that cracks an inevitable rift which births the American nation. Amber Lynn Perry also loves this period to distraction as is evident in her pitch-perfect historical romance So Fair a Lady.

I confess I am not one to read independently-published fiction: mainly because I am always a little skeptical about its editing. Fortunately for me, and for you, prospective reader, Perry is a professional. There is nothing in this book that would lead anyone to believe its publication was one sought independently by its author. Indeed, the prose is so crystalline and scintillating, the characterization so well-rounded and the pacing so perfect, it is a far stronger offering than many books of similar ilk who have their home in mainstream publishing. Also, can we say cover love?

There are several historical romance tropes that are followed here: the spunky heroine who must feign a marriage of circumstance while falling for the unlikeliest of heroes as the proper old suitor is revealed to have off-colour circumstance; family circumstances ( in this case, secret Patriotism, traitorism! spies!) are exhumed and the heroine must re-discover her identity against the pitfalls of a long-buried familial ideology while the hero picks up the ramifications of this fall-out in stride; two people who fight their attraction for each other, often jumping hurdles of mis-understanding that ruffle their journey toward their deserved happy end.

In Perry’s capable hand, these conventions are sought in unique light.  She knows the genre well and she imparts into the traditional her own strengths such as the characterization mentioned, some surprisingly beautiful prose and a strong sense of historical fact.

At one point, our hero Thomas ( he of the printing press—sigh! ) must see our heroine Eliza ( wrought with gumption) and her believable younger sister to safety in Sandwich, Mass.  Their moonlit-canopied adventure, met with danger and unpredictable elements was presented with perfect exposition making it one of my favourite sequences in CBA historicals this year.

There is a strong and encouraging faith element made more potent when explored in conjunction with a tenuous time in history where everyone was acting on conscience and principle. Perry does well at making the motives of both sides understandable and human.

I was surprised and delighted to discover an exciting new voice in CBA historical fiction."

Thank you so much, Rachel!!

Rachel McMillan lives in Toronto and reads a lot of books and watches a lot of baseball. Her bookish ramblings are housed on blogspot at A Fair Substitute For Heaven. Find her on Twitter: @rachkmc

Amber Lynn Perry is a historical romance novelist, focusing on her favorite time in American history--the Revolutionary era. She currently lives in Washington state with her husband and two daughters. Amber loves to hear from readers and you can contact her through her website, www.amberlynnperry.com or through her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/authoramberlynnperry

George Washington - A Man of Faith

Throughout history, people have honored the memory of our founding father, hero of the Revolutionary War, and first president of the United States. But even though everyone agrees that George Washington was a man of character, recently some have question whether he was a man of faith or just had a general belief in a distant God.

This change in people's opinions about George Washington's faith isn't because some new historical evidence has come to light but because some historians want to prove our founding fathers did not rely upon God. It has become politically incorrect to consider George Washington as any more than a deist, someone who believes in a distant God who doesn’t interfere with the plans of man.

This theory became popular in 1963, when Professor Paul Boller wrote a book, George Washington and Religion. Until then nobody questioned Washington's strong faith in God. Professor Boller wrote, “Broadly speaking, of course, Washington can be classified as a Deist.” But there wasn't any evidence to support that statement.

The truth is that the evidence to support the view that George Washington was indeed a man of faith is overwhelming. Peter A. Lillback wrote a biography documenting George Washington's faith based on fifteen years of research called George Washington’s Sacred Fire.

Here’s a few things that prove George Washington had a strong Christian faith in God.

• At age thirteen, Washington transcribed and memorized "110 Rules for Young Gentlemen," written by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits in the 1590's. They teach that man is God's servant who lives not for self, but for others. They became part of his character.

• When Washington was twenty, he wrote prayers to say each morning and evening. Every Sunday morning, he prayed, "...pardon, I beseech Thee, my sins; remove them from Thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept me for the merits of Thy son, Jesus Christ..."

• Captain Washington, at the age of twenty-three, was caught in a surprise ambush by the French and Indians near what is now Pittsburgh. Every British and American officer was shot except for Washington. He rode through the battlefield numerous times without being hit. Later Indians who had been in the battle said they believed His God protected him because many of them aimed straight at him, but it was as if there was a shield around him. Washington later wrote to his brother, "By the all powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation, for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me."

• During the Revolutionary War, General Washington, Commander and Chief of the Continental Army, told his troops: "The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance or the most abject submission. We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die."

• As Commander and Chief, Washington pushed for army chaplains and required church attendance among the soldiers.

• At one point in the war, British General Howe had trapped Washington and his 8,000 troops on Brooklyn Heights, ready to crush them the next morning. Washington gathered every vessel from fishing to row boats and spent all night ferrying his army across the East River. By morning, many troops were still exposed to the British. This gave the British a chance to win the war. But the fog that almost always lifts from the river in the mornings, stayed thick and covered Washington’s retreat until the entire army escaped.

• In 1777 at Valley Forge, a dozen soldiers died a day in the freezing cold. They lacked supplies such as blankets or shoes. A Quaker named Isaac Potts reported seeing Washington on his knees in the snow praying aloud for his beloved country. He thanked God for exalting him to the head of a great nation which was fighting at fearful odds. Potts told his wife, "Till now I have thought that a Christian and a solider were characters incompatible, but if George Washington not be a man of God I am mistaken, and still more I shall be disappointed in God does not through him perform some great thing for this country."

• On May 5, 1778 Washington learned the French would join America as allies. The General told his troops, "It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the cause of the United American States, and finally to raise up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our liberty, and independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness..."

• While encamped on the banks of a river, Washington was approached by Delaware Indian chiefs who desired that their youth be trained in American schools. In Washington's response, he first told them that "Congress... will look on them as on their own children." That is, we would train their children as if they were our own. He then commended the chiefs for their decision: You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.

• In 1781, General Washington's southern army defeated a detachment of British troops. Lord Cornwallis was infuriated and began pursuing the outnumbered Americans. He waited the night at the Catawba River, which the U.S. troops had crossed just two hours earlier. Miraculously, a storm arose during the night causing the river to be uncrossable for five days. Cornwallis nearly overtook Americans at the Yadkin River, but another flood arose, allowing Americans to escape.

• The French navy seized control of the Chesapeake Aug. 30, 1781, driving out British ships. Washington rejoiced and besieged Cornwallis' stronghold at Yorktown. With no ships to escape upon, Cornwallis surrendered.

• Washington wrote Congress, "I take a particular pleasure in acknowledging that the interposing Hand of Heaven...has been most conspicuous and remarkable."

• During the oath of office, when Washington became president, he chose to take the oath with a Bible.

• President Washington often spoke on the importance of prayer and signed the first official Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in US history.

We can have confidence in the fact that faith in God was very important to President George Washington and that he was a strong Christian.

Seasons of Yesteryear

The seasons of yesteryear, to our ancestors, were not so much about three month blocks of time, but were really defined month to month. Each month brought critical change to how they coped with survival.

And though the month of May might have brought Maypoles and baskets of flowers, it was also a month of growth and renewal - and the season of the plow. After months of breathing stale, smoky air, the smell of the freshly turned earth made the toil of plowing bearable.

Almanacs from colonial times advised, "In May your Indian corn must be planted. This is the basic chore and the field work of the year." Corn to the colonists meant grain from wheat, oats or any grass that bore kernels. Thus they called the kernels on the main crop of the Native American's, corn.

It's interesting to note that corn, left on its own, will not reseed. It requires proper planting, a few seeds in a hill of dirt, for the kernels to survive and propagate.

In addition to plowing, May was the season to collect pole wood. And though it might be used for a Maypole, it also would be used to make brooms for spring cleaning, among other things.

Other "woodlot chores" in May would include gathering splintwood for baskets and barrel hoops. Black ash, hickory and white oak were commonly used and after cutting into splints, they were kept in running water, which helped keep them soft and ready for pounding.

How to make a yellow birch broom:  find one yellow birch sapling, peel off the bark and cut into a pole. Splinter one end upward. Make cuts in the middle to splinter downward. Fold the middle splinters downward and tie around the lower splinters.

Rebecca's debut novel, A PLACE IN HIS HEART, is a historical romance based
on Mary and Barnabas Horton, Rebecca’s ninth great-grandparents. Set in 1600’s Southold, Long Island, book one of The Southold Chronicles releases June 3rd. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and when not writing, she enjoys faith, family, genealogy, travel, reading, running, baking and gardening. Rebecca is represented by Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary Agency.

Settling Iroquois land--One town's history from Revolution to Civil War

Elmira, New York today is a mid-sized city set in the Southern Tier of the state along the Pennsylvania border. April 6 marked the 150th anniversary of Elmira's incorporation as a city during the Civil War in 1864, but its roots go down into history much deeper than that.

After the Revolutionary War and Sullivan's army had driven away many of the Iroquois who had settled the
land along the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers, some of the continental soldiers came back to the fertile valleys to homestead. The battle of Newtown, fought in 1779, had left an impression on the soldiers of farmland and orchards cultivated by the native Haudenosaunee. By 1783, Matthias Hollenbeck had built a trading post along the northeast bank of the Chemung River not far from the Newtown battlefield. That same year, white settlers arrived in "Newtown" and surrounding lands.

Revolutionary War drums at the Chemung Valley historical society

Colonel John Hendy, one of General Sullivan's officers, is the first white man reported to have built a log cabin in what is now West Elmira, where he lived out the rest of his days battling the seasons as a farmer. Just a year later in 1789, a drought caused severe local food shortages, and the land of plenty which had tempted the settlers there seemed to fall under a curse, as though the Iroquois blood cried out from the ground against them.

By 1790, the first streets had been laid in Newtown and nearby Dewittsburg and Wisnerburg. Several still stand today, including Main Street and Sullivan Street, which run north to south, and Water and Church Streets which run east to west. As the years passed, these small burgs would combine into one town.

A treaty was signed in Newtown/Elmira in 1791 with the Six Nations for the right of Europeans to settle safely. The Treaty of Painted Post ended warfare between settlers and the native tribes. Originally slated for the Iroquois settlement of Painted Post, the treaty 's signing location was pushed to Newtown due to localized flooding.

In 1800, the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania mail route added Newtown to its delivery, and the village's name unofficially changed to Elmira. The name is said to have come from the innskeeper Nathan Teall's daughter, Elmira Teall. It means "fair outlook". On April 6, 1808, the name change became official, and the outlying villages were annexed.

Progress in transportation

From the first days of mail delivery, it took a rider on horseback four days to reach Elmira from Wilkes-Barre. With the Berwick Turnpike linking Elmira to Wellsboro, PA in 1817, a road opened up the city's first stage coach service in 1819. A decade later, in 1830, Colonel Hendy and others began work on digging a canal that would link Elmira to the Erie Canal via the Finger Lakes. The Chemung Canal opened in 1833. Almost simultaneously, the first rails came through the city. 1832 brought the Elmira and Williamsport Railroad, linking Elmira to southern Pennsylvania and points even further south. Elmira became a transportation hub between canal and rail, complete in 1849 with the Erie railroad. 

This accessibility from points north, south, east, and west served Elmira when the War Between the States erupted in 1861. Elmira was chosen as one of three sites statewide in New York for a military recruiting rendezvous to muster and train troops. The town flourished with the influx of population and commerce until it became the city of Elmira later in the war. By then, one of the barracks for training troops had been converted to a prisoner of war camp detaining Confederates. 

This same rail line which sent troops south and prisoners north, also brought escaped slaves to Canada just prior to the war. A literal railroad to freedom transported hundreds of souls with the help of an escaped slave and resident of Elmira who worked at Erie station in the wee hours of the night.  

From its earliest days as a trading post after the Revolutionary War, to its dramatic role in Civil War history, Elmira has seen its share of history. With such an eyewitness to historic events, Elmira is a destination spot for the serious student of history.