George Washington Land Surveyor

 

In my novel Love's Compass the characters embark on a survey of the southeastern boundary of Colorado Territory prior to its statehood. Although my story is fictitious, I include an event that really happened. This was the survey in U. S. Land Grant Office Survey led by surveyor and astronomer, Chandler Robbins, who became a character in my novel. He had to place a marker at the four corners where the states of Colorado, Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet. Surveying and marking the perimeters of a territory was an essential step before statehood could be established. And thus it was in the colonies in the 18th century. Tracts of land had to be surveyed before it could be granted to proprietors. Once this important task was completed a patent could be issued and private property could be established. Some of this large areas became our original colonies and later our states.

Many years ago when I visited the Natural Bridge in Virginia, I recall seeing George Washington's initials carved into the rock. This is when I first learned that he had been a surveyor. He had learned the skills of surveying and measuring land as a student and practiced surveying the property of his boyhood home, Ferry Farm. The instrument he and other surveyors of the 18th century used was the "circumferentor," which was a brass encased surveying compass with perpendicular sights attached. This was mounted on a Jacob's staff (a tripod) with one or more survey chains. Washington also relied on the 8th edition of the a surveyor's manual entitled, The Art of Surveying and Measuring Land Made Easie by John Love. Mr. Love was especially concerned about those who were taking up grants of land in America without surveying knowledge.


At age 16, a neighbor, George William Fairfax, invited Washington to join him on a surveying party measuring tracts of land in the western frontier of Virginia. The following year, Washington received his first professional commission as a surveyor, at the recommendation of Fairfax, which launched a career that spanned some fifty years. He was appointed the Surveyor General of Virginia, and served as first official county surveyor in the colonies. Even when George Washington did not survey professionally, he still put his surveying skills to work. Using his earnings, he bought land and began to build his fortune. By the age of twenty-one, he had purchased 1,558 acres of land. In all, he held 69,605 acres in 37different areas, 24 city lots, and one city square in his possession. He laid out the boundaries of his own agricultural fields of his continually expanding estate, Mount Vernon. He continued survey his land until about five weeks before his death in 1799. All in all, Washington surveyed 199 tracts of land in his lifetime.

From The Granger Collection, New York

Its also important to note that George Washington's experience as a surveyor, mapmaker, and the back country skills that he acquired benefited him in the military. In the French and Indian War he  served as a lieutenant colonel. He was responsible for laying out construction roads and setting up a chain of forts spanning 400 miles. He was involved in the awarding of land claims to veterans, of which land needed to be first surveyed. During the War of Independence, Washington instituted the office of Geographer to the Army for the purpose of surveying and mapping the nation for aid in military operations and future surveys.


Examples of George Washington Surveys.

Best-selling inspirational romance author Carla Gade writes adventures of the heart with historical roots. With ten books in print, she is always imaging more stories and enjoys bringing her tales to life with historically authentic settings and characters. A native New Englander, Carla writes from her home amidst the rustic landscapes of Maine. An avid reader, amateur genealogist, photographer, and house plan hobbyist, Carla's great love (next to her family) is historical research. Though you might find her tromping around an abandoned homestead, an old fort, or interviewing a docent at an historical museum, it's easier to connect with her online at https://www.facebook.com/CarlaOlsonGade/.  

Mapping out History, Part One

Debra E. Marvin here. Hello! I am a big fan of audiobooks on CD and I'd chosen one from the library based only on the fact it was by an author I'd enjoyed decades ago. The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton turned out to be a very detailed historical based on the life of a real woman at the time of the Puritans' move to Massachusetts. While I consider myself a fan of American and British History, this story proved to me just how much I don't know about that period.




Throughout the story I would take the time to look up historical figures or a setting or particular incident. The Winthrop Woman is based on the journals of many people and historical research by the author. It always fascinates me when authors use 'real' people, as there is an obvious amount of the story that is created by the author. But where is the line between real and imagined? (To me, guessing is half the fun!)

Gov. John Winthrop of Massachusetts Bay Colony (Wikipedia)

Without planning it, this audiobook coincided with a trip to Boston. The story piqued my interest in the sites along that way that were included in the book. In my fiction, I have always used real settings and as much detail as I can using historical research and actual maps. Old maps are my favorite way to immerse myself in the setting.  With my upcoming novella, I'll be making a trip to Fort Niagara to supplement all the research I've done. And it will be an excuse to finally visit Johnstown and Mohawk Castle in the Mohawk Valley, and sharpen the details of setting and the actual historic figures I'll be using.

I asked two other members of Colonial Quills how they've used real historical characters and settings.

Denise Weimer adds:

In my Georgia Gold Series, romance with a touch of mystery set between the Cherokee Removal and Reconstruction in Northeast Georgia and Savannah, I included cameo appearances of a couple of real historical characters. Because I don't want to misrepresent people in any way, I try to limit those to an environment and conversation where I can be as accurate as possible. For example, if I don't know about a figure's personal life, I avoid mention of it and focus on public life. My research included published and unpublished letters and diaries of the period, as well as reputable books ... not just internet info. Two characters come to mind that I integrated, Jarvis Van Buren and Francis Bartow.

Jarvis Van Buren, cousin to 8th president Martin Van Buren, ran two saw mills instrumental in building the picturesque foothills town of Clarkesville. He also established a famous nursery that included samples of rare apple trees he'd collected from the Cherokee Indians. He was published in SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR and known as a great proponent of Georgia agriculture. Because the Van Burens were friends with the Kollocks, the ancestors of my historical mentor and cover artist, he is mentioned frequently in the Kollock diaries I borrowed for research. So I mention in the story when his son dies in an accident, when he establishes a wine industry, etc. These brief mentions give touches of realism to the historical backdrop. In one scene, my half-Cherokee heroine Mahala Franklin bumps into Van Buren in town. She is distracted by the disappearance of her friend but has to be polite because Mr. Van Buren is well above her in social distinction!


Francis Bartow was captain of Savannah's Oglethorpe Light Infantry, which attached to the famous 8th Georgia Infantry, CSA. He rose to the rank of brigadier general before being shot through the heart leading a charge against Federal batteries at First Manassas. In THE GRAY DIVIDE, two of my characters, brothers Devereaux and Dylan Rousseau, attend a rousing speech he makes as Georgia secedes from the Union. That way I was able to use his real speech. In another scene, Carolyn, Devereaux's wife, goes to plead with Bartow to take her husband to the action in Virginia even though Bartow has declared he will not take married men. And the rest is recorded in the sweeping romantic saga of The Georgia Gold Series!

Carla Gade here, I enjoy weaving in real events and characters into my novels to enhance their historical authenticity. The events can become plot points or points of interest in the story. As for characters, I, too, often utilize them in supporting roles. In each of my books I mention historical figures of the town such as doctors, ministers, sheriffs, politicians, town folks, etc. and without hesitation. Historical societies websites and antique books online provide biographies which sometimes include descriptions of physical and personality traits.

While researching, Love's Compass, I struck gold! I learned about the 1875 survey of Colorado Territory along the New Mexico border by U.S. Surveyor Chandler Robbins. I decided to have my characters tag along as a trail guide and photographer! There was plenty of historical documentation: journals, photographs, maps. I discovered more treasure when I found an autobiography written by missionary Rev. George Darley. Darley pioneered the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, preaching in mines and saloons, as there was not yet a single church. My hero turned his life to Christ because of his influence. I am personally inspired Rev. Darley’s story and am grateful for how the details he wrote about enriched my novel.


My novel Pattern for Romance is set in pre-revolutionary, British-occupied Boston. I had a timeline, historical maps, and a business directory, which were important as I considered proximity, transportation, and so forth. Famous citizens had the potential to join my cast of characters — providing they had an impact with my storyline. In fact, I may have been called to account if I did not incorporate actual personalities of the time. I appointed the famous Rev. Samuel Cooper of the Brattle Street Church as the hero's minister and friend. He played a pivotal role and knew the goings on about town. Boston newspapers were few and fiercely competitive (I used some of their text verbatim/no copyright!). Loyalist Editor John Mein comes into play and mean he is aptly portrayed. History does not always leave a sterling record of men. But fiction can become a voice of truth under the discretion of a careful writer and sometimes can give an extra salute to those most worthy.



Thank you, ladies!
So, folks...what do you enjoy? Do you like stories where authors bring in actual historical figures?
And have you ever traveled somewhere and been more interested in the local history because of a book you'd read?

With this colonial novella coming next year from Barbour (in a collection from the Colonial Quills authors) I also have a mystery out in July of 2017 (Journey Fiction) and a colonial releasing later this year from Forget me Not Romances. I'd love to have you sign up for my newsletter if you aren't already doing so.  Thank you! Here's the link!

Motherhood in Colonial Times

In the Colonial period, families were essential for the welfare of the community. The role of motherhood was a high calling and a necessary role. After a woman became married, between the ages of twenty and forty-five, much of her life was spent as a mother. It was entirely normal for her to be pregnant or nursing during most of her lifetime with children coming on an average about two and a half years apart. Nursing was a natural method of birth control. Most mothers gave birth to eight, twelve, and sometimes more children as a large family was considered an asset. But the mortality rate was high in infants and children in those early days with so much infection and disease. Some parents did not name a child immediately. Others, as I have seen in my own ancestry, named a later born child after one previously deceased. I cannot imagine how they bore such heartache.

Mothers in colonial times a women of the gentry would have servants to help her raise her children such as a wetnurse, nanny, and governess. A mother in he middling class may have some assistance, but for certain a mother of any other means would have full charge of her own offspring under normal circumstances. If the mother were in financial need she may have to find a creative arrangement for childcare so she could be employed. When a son or daughter were old enough she would have them apprenticed out, even at a young age, so they could learn the skills necessary for providing their own way. Many were a sacrifice of a mother. Yet, quite often a daughter would sit at her mother's side to prepare for her own future role as a wife and mother and learn skills such as cooking, sewing, and spinning. Those who did not become wives and mothers for various reasons were considered spinsters, which by 1716 became a legal terms which simply referred to a maiden lady who was typically past the age of spinning (at home with her mother.). "Spinsters" often enjoy children and have typically lent supportive roles to many families through the ages.

This post is in honor of Judith Greenleaf (Somerby) Coffin, one of my colonial New England grandmothers. Born in 1715, Judith was a first settler in Massachusetts who came from Ipswich, England. She first married and gave birth to four children, three surviving. As a widow, she married again and had ten more children, one dying at age 12. Two sons were lost in Indian wars, one was only 16. Her youngest was born when she was age 43, a grandmother to six. In 1795, Judith passed away at the age of 80 having lived to see 177 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren which was very rare in those times. Ten of her progenitors were named Judith. Her epitaph credits her as being "Grave, sober, faithful, fruitful vine was she, a rare example of true piety."

New Englander Carla Gade is a best selling author of eight books. Check her new release Love's Compass, an 1875 western and Pattern for Romance, set in colonial Boston.

FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY - COLONIAL QUILLS BLOG!!!

 Here we are in COLONIAL Philadelphia, celebrating our FIVE YEAR anniversary of the Colonial Quills blog! Little did I realize that it would take five more years from that time to finally see my colonial Philadelphia (and France/Palatinate) story Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter to finally be published! But, praise God, it releases in June in ebook and in July in paperback!!! God's timing is what we have to trust.

Over the five years we have had many wonderful contributors, all members of Colonial American Christian Writers group. Some no longer blog, but we are grateful for their time with us!

The original founders of the group, who continue to blog on CQ AND our new members are:

Founding/Continuing Members 2011

From Carrie Fancett Pagels: I'm so grateful for the like-minded authors who joined in the Colonial American Christian Fiction group five and a half years ago, and then began this blog five years ago this month! When I began, I was researching my colonial novel, Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter, finally about to release this June from Pelican Books! Our group also covers the Early American period up until 1820. I recently released The Steeplechase (Forget Me Not Romances, February 2016) set in 1810 in Williamsburg and Yorktown, Virginia.

In the past five years, I've won a national contest (Family Fiction's "The Story") for my short story "The Quilting Contest" and finaled in the Maggie's unpublished Historical Romance with a romance set on Mackinac Island, which will be published by Barbour next summer.

My debut book Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance, from 2013 was a Civil War Amazon top-rated Ebook for a year and bestseller for over seven months. The novella re-released with a beautiful new cover from CQ member, Roseanna White.

So much has happened in the past five years, but a few more highlights are having all three of my Christy Lumber Camp books final in Family Fiction's Book of the Year (The Fruitcake Challenge was also a Selah Award finalist). I qualified for Romance Writers of America's (RWA) Professional Author's Network (PAN) this fall.

GIVEAWAY: I'm giving away winner's choice of any of my books in ebook or paperback, a pair of my handmade earrings, bookmarks, and oversized postcards of my cover for Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter!

From J. M. Hochstetler: Thank you with all my heart, Carrie, for inviting me to join Colonial Quills 5 years ago! It's been a delight and a blessing be a part of this wonderful group of writers who share a common love of history and our Savior, and I add my congratulations to Colonial Quills on this 5th anniversary! I'm an author, editor, publisher, and historian. My first historical novel, Daughter of Liberty, set during the American Revolution, originally released in 2004. I little imagined it would be followed by what will be a total of 6 more volumes of my American Patriot Series when the last two are finally released. The inspiring story of my Amish Mennonite Hochstetler ancestors, who emigrated to this country in 1738 only to be caught up in the French and Indian War, first sparked my interest in history. I'm privileged to be writing a fictional treatment of that story along with my cousin, multi-published author Bob Hostetler. Northkill, Book 1 of the Northkill Amish Series, is currently available, and the sequel, The Return, releases next spring. You can find me at
www.jmhochstetler.com and https://www.facebook.com/joan.hochstetler.

To celebrate CQ's anniversary, I'm giving away a copy of Northkill and a copy of the Perfect Pies Cookbook from Rise n' Roll Bakery in Shipshewana, Indiana.

From Roseanna M. White: How has it been 5 years already? It seems like just a few months ago that I was so excited to join this group as I anticipated the release of my first book from a big publisher, Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland. It released in December of 2011, my third book, and now I'll be celebrating the release of #13 by the end of 2016!

My books range from biblical fiction to my American-set historical romances that include 3 early-American titles (LFY Annapolis, Ring of Secrets, and Whispers from the Shadows - the final book in that Culper Ring Series is Civil War Baltimore), to my newest series from Bethany House, set in England of the 1910s.

I was shocked and honored to recently learn that the first of that new Ladies of the Manor Series, The Lost Heiress, is a finalist this year in the prestigious Christy Awards.

When I'm not writing, I'm homeschooling my kids, editing for WhiteFire Publishing, and designing book covers. You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, sign up for my newsletter, swing by my blog, or check out my website!

It's been both pleasure and honor to partner with these amazing ladies over the last 5 years! I love having this blog as a place to recommend readers and writers who love the early-American era, and also as a place to encourage and celebrate the work my CQ sisters are doing!

I'm giving away winner's choice of any of my novels, plus a Tea Forte infuser cup, for making that perfect mug of loose-leaf tea (choice of 1 design).

From Janet Grunst: Congratulations to Colonial Quills on its five-year anniversary.  I’m blessed to have been a part of this group of talented writers for the past four. Virginia has been my home for four decades and the historic triangle for the past ten years. Living in the Old Dominion has nurtured my lifelong love of history. 

I am excited to have a colonial story set in Virginia and Scotland that will be published in December with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. The sequel to that story is my current work in progress. 

Janet Grunst Website

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Represented By Linda S. GlazHartline Literary Agency

From Carla Olson Gade: Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! I can hardly believe that 5 years have passed here at CQ! The camaraderie enjoyed by the Colonial American Christian Writers under the guidance of our fearless leader, Carrie Fancett Pagels, has been a fantastic experience! I have learned so much from my fellow writers who enjoy early American history, especially its founding years, as much as I. And what a blessing it has been to get to know so many our amazing readers and blog friends. The journey of publications for so many of us has been like a bumpy carriage ride, but alas! it has been memorable, and we've enjoyed having your company along the way! From the very beginning of the blog, each and every participant has enjoyed varied successes and we are humbled and grateful that among our ranks are many award winning authors, including the esteemed Christy Awards.

A New Englander, I've always been captivated by our country's early history, which has influenced my writing profoundly. My first novel, The Shadow Catcher's Daughter was a 19th century western and I'm pleased to announce that it is set for a reprint next year under a new title from Barbour Publishing, Love's Compass. Following my debut, came my colonial novella Carving a Future in Colonial Courtships, re-released in The American Dream Romance Collection.
Mistletoe Memories, with my 1820 novella, 'Tis the Season, found its way to #5 on the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA) national best sellers list! Another novella, Proving Up, a prairie romance in The Homestead Brides Collection was #10 on the ECPA bestsellers list. I also enjoyed writing two Christmas stories in Guidepost Books bestselling A Cup of Christmas Cheer (2013 and 2014), one of them beside Carrie's story! My novel Pattern for Romance, set in pre-revolutionary Boston, was among Abingdon Press's popular Quilts of Love series a recently recorded by Audible.com. Please visit me Amazon.com Author Page, Pintrest Storyboards, and like my Facebook Author Page!

To celebrate my 5+ years of publications and CQ's anniversary, I am giving away an audio copy of Pattern for Romance!

 

2012 First Year Additions
Susan F. Craft


2013 Second Year

From Shannon McNear: Happy Fifth Anniversary to Colonial Quills! I joined this amazing group in early 2013, shortly after being surprised with my first publishing contract. That first novella Defending Truth (A Pioneer Christmas Collection, 2013 and 2015) is a Revolutionary War tale dealing with the aftermath of the Battle of Kings Mountain (October 1780), and was a 2014 RITA® finalist. My second novella The Highwayman released last year as part of The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection.


After growing up in the Midwest, I spent several years in Virginia and more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, where I was thoroughly infected with the early history of our country. We now live on glacier prairie in southeastern North Dakota. What a change! I’ve enjoyed continuing to delve into colonial history and politics, and revisiting the Lowcountry in my posts for Colonial Quills. Mostly I’m just a hopeless research nerd. :)

shannonmcnear.com
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Pinterest
Represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency

In celebration of CQ’s fifth anniversary, I’m giving away a signed copy of A Pioneer Christmas Collection, 2015 second edition.

From Cynthia Howerter: Since joining Colonial Quills in 2013, I've had the time of my life writing for this unique website. It's the perfect place for me to share my love and knowledge of the American colonial period.

I'm a direct descendant of several men who fought in the Revolutionary War, most notably the legendary Colonel John Kelly, a Revolutionary War hero and member of Pennsylvania's 1776 Constitutional Convention.

One of my most favorite childhood experiences was playing with my siblings and cousins in family-owned Fort Rice, the last-standing Revolutionary War fort in Pennsylvania. We pretended to re-enact battles that actually took place there and in the surrounding area between British soldiers and their Iroquois allies and Colonel Kelly and his Pennsylvania militia and local settlers.

My stories and articles reflect my unique life experiences gained from living in history-rich Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Virginia, and through hearing spell-binding stories told by my history-loving mother and paternal grandmother about my family's lives in 18th century America. You could say that American history flows through my veins. Thank you for allowing me to share with you these past several years. 

Award-winning author Cynthia Howerter earned First Place in historical fiction at the 2015 Florida Christian Writers Conference. The non-fiction anthology she co-authored with La-Tan Roland Murphy, God's Provision in Tough Times, was a 2014 Selah Award Finalist and is available at Amazon. Currently, Cynthia has two colonial historical fiction novels in progress. 

You can find Cynthia at her website,
Cynthia Howerter - all things historical, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Fourth Year 2015

From Denise Weimer: I began blogging for Colonial Quills in early 2015. I had never written Colonial fiction before, having lingered comfortably in the mid-1800s for most of my writing career, but last year I was writing my Restoration Trilogy (White, Widow and Witch). While the main trilogy story is modern romantic suspense, each novel includes a historical back story from a different century, with book three reaching back to 1787. Researching Colonial Georgia presented a challenge! As I went on to write Across Three Autumns, a romantic novella of the Revolutionary War backwoods, I realized just how much I didn't know about this time period! Joining Colonial Quills amounted to one of the smartest decisions I'd ever made, because I got to interact with some of the coolest Christian writer ladies on the planet. They have blessed, encouraged and stretched me, especially where it came to publicity and networking! And CQ connected me to a wonderful group of readers, you! 

To say thanks for all that, I'm giving away a reader choice print copy of my new book, White, or any of my Georgia Gold books. Of course I'd recommend starting with Sautee Shadows, set during the time of the Georgia Gold Rush and Cherokee Removal. You'll follow four fictional families through the real events and places of the Civil War to Reconstruction, as represented in book four, Bright as Gold, winner of the 2015 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern literature.

Web site

Twitter 
White on Amazon, print

White on Amazon, ebook (only $7.99!)
Georgia Gold books on Amazon
To enter leave a comment stating which book you'd prefer and why.

Gabrielle Meyer: Happy Fifth Anniversary, Colonial Quills! I joined the blog a little over a year ago, but I first discovered CQ a few years back when my author friend, Laura Frantz, recommended this blog. It's been a wonderful place to learn, meet new people, and share my love of history.

This past year has been a blast, not only because of my time here at CQ, but also because my dream came true and I became a published author. My first two stories were released in Barbour novella collections (The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection & The Convenient Brides Collection). I also signed my first contract with Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical Line. In September, A Mother in the Making will hit shelves, followed by A Family Arrangement in December. I also have another novella releasing with Barbour in December called Seven Brides for Seven Texans.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Colonial Quills, I'm giving away a copy of The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection!

Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Amazon, Goodreads, or My Website.

Pegg Thomas: I can't believe I've been part of the Colonial Quills for more than a year! Time flies when you're having fun. And this is a fun group to be with.

Last month I sold my first manuscript to Barbour Publishing for a release in April 2017. That story will be part of a nine-story anthology centering around the Pony Express.

I'm currently working on a couple of Colonial-era novellas, one set here in my native state of Michigan.

Represented by Linda S. Glaz of the Hartline Agency.

I'm easy to find around the web! Facebook, Twitter, Google+, PeggThomas.com, The Quid Pro Quills, here on the Colonial Quills.

Angela K Couch: So excited for Colonial Quill's five year anniversary! I have only been a contributor for the past six months, but have enjoyed the wonderful articles and fun facts about the Colonial era for much longer. I have had so much fun the past couple years writing and preparing my Revolutionary War novel, The Scarlet Coat for publication. It is set in the Mohawk Valley and is the first book of my four book, Hearts at War series that will also include, The Patriot and the Loyalist, The Tory's Daughter, and The Return of the King's Ranger. Yep, there is plenty of conflict in each of these stories that will be released by White Rose Publishing of Pelican Book Group. 

In celebration of CQ's anniversary I am giving away an ebook of Mail-Order Revenge, my recently released Novella.

www.angelakcouch.com

Amazon (The Scarlet Coat is available for Preorder!)
Facebook
Twitter

From Christy Distler: Happy 5th birthday, Colonial Quills! I joined the blog in 2015, and look forward to contributing more this year. I write both contemporary and historical fiction, although I'm now finding that the French & Indian War time period is my favorite. My current novel (circa 1756) takes place primarily in my hometown and is a fact-and-fiction story about my Quaker ancestors, who settled in the "wilderness" north of Philadelphia in the 1709. I'm represented by literary agent Ruth Samsel. Feel free to visit me on my website.

From Tina St. Clair Rice: Our newest member. Tina is a respected Book Reviewer of Christian fiction. We're so blessed to have her join us! Look for Tina's reviews of colonial era books and other Christian fiction books written by our authors! 

Tina will be kicking off our Facebook portion of the party today! Don't forget to swing by Facebook, which is the place to share your party clothes, recipes, and meet with the authors during their assigned times! Click here to swing by the party!   

Remember, the giveaways are done here on the blog, so leave a comment here to enter for those prizes! Please partake of tea and pastries and enjoy the conversation.

Thanks for joining us in celebrating!!!
  
We'd love to know how long you've be companions with Colonial Quills.