Criminals of Early America: the Harpes

Replica of the old jail in Danville, Kentucky

When studying historical figures, it's always interesting to try to figure out why people made the decisions they did. Some leave a clear enough record of their thoughts and feelings to give us at least an educated guess on their motivations. Others simply, as I state elsewhere, rise from the mists of history with no real clue to either their origin or inner workings of their mind.

With some of those, we really wouldn't want to see inside their minds, based on what we know of their actions.

The notorious Harpes are two such examples, in my opinion, billed as America's first known serial killers. It's a toss-up whether their criminal activities fit the serial killer mold or are better described as a murder spree, but regardless of what you call it, their thirst for blood and cruelty cast fear over the frontier for the better part of a year. Revenge killings, robbery, torture--they did it all, with no respect to age or gender.

Referred to as the Harpe brothers, Micajah (pronunciation up for grabs, based on phonetic spellings: Mi-CAY-uh or Mick-uh-juh/jer) and Wiley (often spelled Willey, so was it short for William? we may never know) were more likely cousins. They were often known as "Big" and "Little," Micajah being the elder and, of course, bigger, though Wiley was tall enough in his own right. Early records show the spelling of their last name as Harp, which may be short for Harper, their suspected birth name. Tradition and legend pegs them as sons of a pair of brothers who immigrated from Scotland, staunch Tories who lived in the North Carolina backcountry and probably participated in the Battle of Kings Mountain. I've observed elsewhere that if the boys were as young as estimated, then it's very likely that the brutality of partisan warfare, both during that battle and afterward, did imprint them with the cruelty they're later recorded as having indulged in.

Regardless of the reasons why, the end result was horrifying--two men whose respect for God and Scripture appears nominal and capricious at best, whose actions were defined more by a demonic enjoyment of inflicting pain than greed or even need.

They didn't even fit the profile of your usual highway robbers--men like Mason and his gang who chose piracy but took obvious pride in having a certain code of ethics. Robbery accompanied some of their murders, but certainly not all. A simple Google search reveals two-dozen-some websites which sketch many details of their misadventures, and most of which I list under sources for my upcoming release, The Blue Cloak. This story is best described as historical suspense meets true crime, with a thread of romance in the form of a fictional couple thrown together by the Harpes' reign of terror.

A particular area of interest for me as I researched the story was the plight of the Harpe women--two who were verifiably wives by law, and a third. All three women were heavily pregnant when the family surfaces on the Wilderness Road near Hazel Patch, Kentucky, in December 1798, and all three later gave birth in jail in Danville, Kentucky. By August 1799, only two of the three babies still survived. Many have condemned the women for not trying harder to get out of their situation, but I understood all too well the level of intimidation they must have been subjected to, how they surely felt they had no options while both men still lived.

Over the next couple of months, I want to look not only at how the justice system of the time dealt with such situations, but the possible, surprising link between the Harpes and a revival known as America's Second Great Awakening.

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To read more: http://www.shannonmcnear.com/p/links.html

Christmas Tea Party & New Release

It's time to celebrate Christmas with a Tea Party to to celebrate a December new releases by Colonial Quills team member, Shannon McNear. Welcome Friends!

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December 1 marks the release of Shannon McNear's first Civil War novel, The Rebel Bride, #10 of the Daughters of the Mayflower.

From the back cover:

In the clash between Union and Confederacy, Tennessee farm girl Pearl MacFarlane is compelled to help care for Yankee wounded, but determines to remain unmoved by their cause—until she faces the silent struggle of Union soldier Joshua Wheeler, a recent amputee.

This story is set September-November 1863, against the backdrop of the Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga in southern Tennessee. As a side note--Pearl is granddaughter to Kate and Thomas from The Cumberland Bride, and Josh is grandson to Sally and Sam from The Highwayman (from The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection.) It was fun to work in hints of the connection!

About Shannon:

Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in the Deep South, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. As the author of four novellas and three full-length novels, with her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, a 2014 RITA® finalist, her greatest joy is in being a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, and grammie of three. She’s also a contributor to Colonial Quills and a member of ACFW and RWA. When not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.

GIVEAWAY! One signed copy of The Rebel Bride! Please comment if you're interested in winning this title to be entered. ❤

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MERRY CHRISTMAS to our Colonial Quills followers! I'm giving away free codes for my new audiobook of colonial novella Mercy in a Red Cloak!

And for my debut book in Christian Fiction on audiobook, too, Return to Shirley Plantation!

All you have to do to enter for these free codes (and I have a lot of them!) is to put "Audio" in your comment and indicate Mercy (for Mercy in a Red Cloak) Return for (Return to Shirley Plantation) or put Mercy Return for both!

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Pegg Thomas is giving away one paperback copy of A Bouquet of Brides that includes her Colonial-era story, In Sheep's Clothing, winner of the 2019 Romance Writers of America, Faith, Hope, & Love Chapter's Readers Choice Award. To be entered for this book, simply comment below and include the word SHEEP somewhere in your comment. Drawing after the close of the Facebook party.
AND THE WINNER IS: KATHY DANHEIM!

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Naomi Musch will be giving away a copy of  Mist O'er the Voyageur, a 2018 Selah and Book of the Year Finalist, and NE MN Book of the Year Nominee. If you haven't yet read this romantic adventure, let Naomi know in a comment  below to be entered in the drawing. 




 

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Janet Grunst will be giving away a copy of The Highlanders, to a continental US blog commenter. This is a Smitten Historical Romance Collection just released in November of four stories that take place in different eras. Never underestimate the heart of a Highlander.  

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Jennifer Hudson Taylor will be giving away the first two novels of her colonial trilogy to one winner. Book 1 is For Love or Loyalty, set in 1760 and begins in Scotland and follows a highland family to Charleston, SC. Book 2 is For Love or Country, set in 1781 during the American Revolution in NC and carries the story of the MacGregor family to the second generation. To a second winner, Jennifer will be giving away a copy of the Backcountry Brides, eight novella collections set during the colonial period by many of the authors here on Colonial Quills.

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Angela K. Couch will be giving a way a winner's choice of her Hearts at War series as a e-book. For more information on these stories check out www.angelakcouch.com. Also, for the Christmas season, enjoy a short story set during the American Civil War. I Heard the Bells will be free for the week on Amazon!

 Virginia, December 1864
Three years ago, Gabriel Morgan left his home in Virginia to fight for the Union army, despite his family and his fiancée’s loyalties to the South. Now, with battle fresh in his mind, and the war still raging, he chances a quick trip home with one prayer…to make peace this Christmas.

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Please be sure to also come by our Facebook Party tonight, Tuesday December 17th from 6-9 PM Eastern Time! In the meanwhile, sit down for a spell and let us serve you a lovely Christmas tea!

Xanthakos Family Trilogy by Susan F. Craft, Reviewed by Tina Rice

Xanthakos Family Trilogy by Susan F. Craft

 The Chamomile book 1 Xanthakos Family Trilogy by Susan F. Craft

What does a sister do when her brother, Andrew, is captured by the British and placed aboard a notorious prison ship? There is only one answer for Lilyan Cameron, join the Patriot spies and rescue him. Having a plan is one thing, carrying out that plan is another thing all together. Nicholas Xanthakos leads the rescue mission and ultimately captures Lilyan's heart. But Lilyan's struggles and challenges don't stop there. She faces dangers that she never dreamed of and fought for her family in ways she never imagined. I loved her strong character, faith and devotion to her family and friends...even to the point of placing her own life in danger. Nicholas is another character that captured my heart. I loved his strength, moral character, faith and dedication to his beliefs...even if it leads to danger and possibly death. Angus McCallum, a hot tempered Scot and self-appointed guardian to Lilyan and Andrew after their father died, soon became a favorite too. He had a tender heart but didn't want anyone to know it.

The Chamomile is a story that I will long remember. It is filled with historical details of the British-occupied 1870's Charlestown, South Carolina in such a way that I could envision the area as if I was there among them. I got caught up in the lives of the characters, the dangers and challenges they faced which kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath and tears at times. There is joy, laughter and love woven through their war-torn lives that gives us a taste of all they faced. A fantastic, gripping story that is well worth staying up late into the night to see what comes next. This is now one of my favorite books.

Susan F. Craft’s novel The Chamomile won the SIBA Okra Pick and is a Christy Award nominee.

Laurel book 2 Xanthakos Family Trilogy by Susan F. Craft

Lilyan and Nicholas (Nikki) Xanthakos are desperately searching for their kidnapped—soon to be one year old—daughter, Laurel. Their search takes them hundreds of miles from their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, NC of 1783 to Baltimore, MD. They are not alone in their search, good friends search with them and at locations along the way. They do not rely solely on their own strength, their strong faith and trust in God empowers them on their quest. Each clue brings hope and then disappointments, even tragedy. While at Lilyan's old home in Charleston, she is arrested and thrown into prison for the murder of a British officer during the Revolutionary War. Now facing trial and possible hanging, Lilyan digs deeper into her faith for strength...and yes, hope.

This story captured my interest from the first page to the last. I found myself holding my breath at certain times in the story. I really liked the unique blessing/prayer Lilyan and Nikki said together before they began their search for their daughter. Even in prison, God used Lilyan as she witnessed to some of the women there. Their journey was an arduous one, full of unknown dangers, unexpected situations, tragedies, pain, heartbreak, joy, humor, a terrible storm at sea and shipwreck, forgiveness, love and strong faith. There are many of the characters that I enjoyed reading about and hope to see more about them in another book. The life-style of the 1780's was a hard one, calling for hard-working, strong, brave and God fearing people to settle the land, which is clearly shown in this story. Unexpected twists and turns in the story line that kept me guessing to the end. One line really spoke to me, “...one can survive the terrible, unspeakable pain—God will sustain us if we let Him...”  Even though I have not read the first book, Chamomile—yet, I could follow along with the characters. I do plan to read Chamomile soon.

Cassia book 3 Xanthakos Family Trilogy by Susan F. Craft

Cassia is the third book following Lilyan and Nikki Xanthakos' family. April 1799, Lilyan and Nikki have taken their family—sons, Paul and Marion and daughter, Laurel—on a voyage from their South Carolina home. Lilyan hopes this voyage is uneventful, however her hopes were dashed when they were marooned on a deserted island along North Carolina's Outer Banks. Lilyan, Paul and Laurel are captured by pirates and taken to a secret island hideout of the evil Captain Galeo (the Shark). How can she save her children? Will Nikki and Marion find them before it's too late?

This is a story full of adventure, suspenseful—tense situations, and evil pirates that keep you on the edge of your seat. I like the way Lilyan and Nikki's strong family love and devotion, along with their strong enduring faith impacts their family and those around them. One thing I love, that has been included in each book, is the unique blessing Lilyan and Nikki have. Lilyan's determination to survive is felt as she prays for guidance and forms plans to escape. There are some humorous parts of the story that had me chuckling—like when Marion said, “I am book-ended by weeping, happy women”. The budding romance is sweet to watch even in the mist of fear and possible death. Susan Craft weaves history throughout the story in great detail making this a fantastic story.

Susan F. Craft’s novel Cassia is a Christy Award nominee.

Reviewer Tina Rice is a lovely new addition to the Colonial Quills blog! She lives in historic Maryland and is an avid reader of Christian fiction. Tina is Beta reader for many Christian fiction authors and is active in social media. You can find her reviews here, monthly, on Colonial Quills blog.

Guest Review by Bonnie Roof of Elaine Marie Cooper's "Road to Deer Run"

Road to Deer Run

Road to Deer Run (CrossRiver Media Group, 2015)

By Elaine Marie Cooper

Review by Bonnie Roof

In 1777, nineteen-year-old Colonial woman Mary Thomsen finds wounded British soldier Daniel Lowe lying on her Massachusetts colony farmland. At first fearful of aiding an enemy - she is reminded of the biblical account of the Good Samaritan, her sense of right and wrong demands she must help Daniel. Managing to help support Daniel's weight while the two walk to an abandoned American wigwam, which Mary and her younger brother used as a playhouse when children, Mary hides Daniel and rushes home to secure medical supplies. Leading her mother, a midwife, to believe she is leaving to give medical aid to a wounded dog - Mary returns to the wigwam to nurse Daniel. When he develops a fever from the infection of his wound, and without enough protection from the cold late October weather, Mary realizes the time has come to ask for her mother's help; yet fearing her reaction due to the recent death of Mary's younger brother, Asa, by British soldiers.

Mary's mother, Ruth - a widow, still grieving over her youngest son's death, and concerned for older son James' safety while away fighting for America's freedom - refuses to fully engage in Daniel's care. Until...while sharing bible scripture with her youngest daughter Sarah, she reads Proverbs 25:21: "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink". A woman of deep faith, she prays for God to remove her bitterness towards the King's troops and restore forgiveness - then makes the decision to bring Daniel into her home for healing treatment. The dangers involved in hiding Daniel, a smallpox epidemic, and an incident of drunken abuse aren't the only elements of drama which kept my eyes glued to the pages of "Road to Deer Run".

Elaine Marie Cooper paints an unforgettable story of forgiveness, redemption, romance, deep faith, courage, hope, and the horrors of war during the American Revolution. Based on true events and the lives of her great-great-great-great grandparents - there is much realism of characters, precise historical facts, suspense, and one of the sweetest, most tender love stories I've read. My initial attraction to the book being it's beautiful, compelling cover featuring it's heroine portraying such depth of distress on her face - I found it hard to put down once I began reading, it's characters remained in my heart after finishing the book. A touching story of deep inspiration! 

Road to Deer Run - publisher CrossRiver Media Group, is followed by book 2 of the Deer Run Saga, "Promise of Deer Run" (June, 2016), and book 3, "Legacy of Deer Run" (December, 2016). "Saratoga Letters" will be released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in October, 2016.  

GIVEAWAY: Winner's choice of paperback or ebook copy (ebook only outside the USA).

Guest Reviewer: Bonnie Roof is a reviewer on the Overcoming with God blog. She lives in beautiful Kentucky, is an avid reader, and loves God and His people.  

After the Rain by Rita Gerlach - Review by Tina Rice

After the Rain by Rita Gerlach

After The Rain
Five Stars ***** 

by Rita Gerlach

Review by Tina Rice

Louisa Borden is from a wealthy family who make their home in 1908's Chevy Chase, Maryland. Her grandmother, Beatrice—who is not only domineering, even cruel at times—insists she marry Rupert Eastcott and live far away in a lonely castle in England. Louisa has no intentions in marrying Rupert—a man she does not love and barely tolerates. One day as she is riding she is thrown from her horse and lands along the bank of Rock Creek. Laying on the cold, wet, muddy bank Jackson O'Neil—a handsome stranger—comes along, picks her up and carries her to safety thereby changing her life in a way she never would have dreamed. Even though she finds him fascinating and charming, he is not of her class....but it doesn't seem to matter to her heart. Jackson was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on Louisa. Can there really be a future for them?

Rupert soon informs her of a shocking secret about Jackson that crushes her tender heart. Adding to her broken heart, her grandmother gives her another shock when she shares a long held secret that shatters her even more. On top of these revealed secrets, a terrible tragedy strikes—one that could forever change her life. With nowhere else to turn, she takes the train to Chestnut Creek, Virginia to visit her loving and fun-loving widowed aunts. 

After the Rain is an unforgettable story set in the Edwardian era that takes the reader back to a time where the past meets the future. The real-to-life characters experience struggles, heartaches, joys and love just as we do. I loved Louisa's strength and giving heart and Jackson's integrity, faith and compassion. Maude and Mildred, the two widowed aunts, are full of wisdom and fun—I loved their enthusiasm for life. There are humorous moments, one scene involving a mule and motorcar had me laughing out loud—I still chuckle whenever I think about it. I also cried—some sad tears and some happy tears—along with the characters and was on the edge of my seat during some suspenseful situations. There are more unexpected surprises that take the story-line in directions I had not anticipated. The descriptions of the country side, town and Edwardian era are so well written I could envision it all as I read along. I enjoyed the historical aspects in the story and how they were woven throughout the story seamlessly. Instead of one romance there are actually four. Rita Gerlach has written a remarkable story that will stay with me for a long time.

CFP: Thanks so much for coming on board with CQ as a Reader/Reviewer, Tina!!! 

Christmas at Schoenbrunn in 1773

Christmas at Schoenbrunn in 1773
by Tamera Lynn Kraft

Schoenbrunn Village

In the wilderness of Ohio in 1773, a small band of missionaries and Lenape Indians celebrated Christmas at Schoenbrunn Village, the first settlement in Ohio. They’d come to this wilderness and started the village a year earlier to preach the Gospel to the Lenape, also known as the Deleware. 

The missionaries, both white and native families moved from a town in Pennsylvania called Bethlehem. Moravians had come to Bethlehem years earlier when a preacher named John Wesley had donated the land to them. But the Lenape had been forced west as more white men had moved into the area, so the Moravians decided to move west with them.

Life was hard in Schoenbrunn. Cabins were quickly made and community gardens were planted that included beans, corn, and squash. Most villages also planted potatoes and turnips next to their cabins. The rest of their food came from hunting. But the real danger came from the many Indian tribes surrounding the village, some of them hostile.

Schoenbrunn School

They didn’t have time to build a fence to keep out varments and the first Ohio church until Spring, 1773, but they did manage to build a school, the first built in Ohio. The school taught both boys and girls, a first for the colonies, how to read the Scripture in their native language and in English. The Moravians printed a Bible in the Lenape language.

The village council was led by David Zeisberger and including white Moravians and Lenape converts. The rules for the village were established by the Lenape Christians. These missionaries did not consider the native converts to be beneath them but instead brothers in Christ.

Fireplace in Schoenbrunn Church

After a year and a half in Schoenbrunn, the villagers were excited to celebrate their first Christmas. They had many traditions that we still use today. They would have a candlelight Christmas Eve service called a Lovefeast. During this service, they sang Christmas hymns, shared sweet rolls and coffee together, and prayed for each other. The service concluded when they gave each child a bleached beeswax candle and a scripture to hang on their trees at home. The white candle symbolized the purity of Christ and the flame showed that Jesus is the light of the world. A red ribbon would be wrapped around the candle to symbolize how Jesus shed His blood for a lost world. 

In every home in Schoenbrunn, families decorated artificial Christmas trees with candles and papers with scriptures written on them. The trees were made by putting together a wood frame and decorating it with real pine branches. The family would also make a putz, a nativity village that included the nativity scene, the wise men, and other Biblical scenes and place it under the tree. Most Moravians gave small gifts at Christmas, but resources were so limited that the children in Schoenbrunn were happy with their candles they received at the church. After a Christmas feast, the family would read the verses hung on the tree and talk about God’s blessings at Christmas.
Schoenbrunn Village has been restored and is open to tourists.

Find out more at this link (http://www.ohiosfirstvillage.com) .

A Christmas Promise

By Tamera Lynn Kraft

A Moravian Holiday Story, Circa 1773

During colonial times, John and Anna settle in an Ohio village to become Moravian missionaries to the Lenape. When John is called away to help at another settlement two days before Christmas, he promises he’ll be back by Christmas Day.

When he doesn’t show up, Anna works hard to not fear the worst while she provides her children with a traditional Moravian Christmas. 

Through it all, she discovers a Christmas promise that will give her the peace she craves.

“Revel in the spirit of a Colonial Christmas with this achingly tender love story that will warm both your heart and your faith. With rich historical detail and characters who live and breathe on the page, Tamera Lynn Kraft has penned a haunting tale of Moravian missionaries who selflessly bring the promise of Christ to the Lenape Indians. A beautiful way to set your season aglow, A Christmas Promise is truly a promise kept for a heartwarming holiday tale.” – Julie Lessman

Review of "The Promise Keeper" by Lisa Norato

by Elaine Marie Cooper

I am delighted to review Lisa Norato's latest release, "The Promise Keeper." I give it a resounding Five Stars!

Here is the Back Cover Blurb:

The new keeper has manned Pilgrim Light for a year now, and though her father recruited him for the post, Iris Moon has never seen the fellow nor will anyone discuss him. Rumors circulate he was once a pirate and had been imprisoned. Lured by the secrecy, Iris rows out to the light to meet the solitary keeper. He's a curmudgeon who remains as mysterious as ever, until confusing dreams haunt her, causing Iris to suspect they share a past connection.

Jonathan Mayne sailed with Captain Moon's family as a young cabin boy during the earliest years of Iris's life. A grown woman, Iris holds no memory for her childhood friend, who now guards the bay from a lonely lighthouse tower. When a shipwreck survivor bent on revenge washes up on the shores of the Moon family mansion, will Johnny be able to protect Iris from her dead mother's secret while keeping a promise to her father never to expose it?

Here is my review:

From the opening lines to the final scenes of The Promise Keeper, I was captured by the story, the characters and the twists and turns that kept me reading, long after I should have been asleep. Lisa Norato has a winner on her hands!

The plot weaves a complicated yet easily followed tale of intrigue involving two continents, two generations, and two love stories. Lisa’s writing flowed like a smooth running brook with descriptions of settings that made you envision them as if you were there. 

Her knowledge about the sea and ocean going vessels was so clear, even to a landlubber, but not so much as to overwhelm a reader with technical details. It all blended into the story.

The characters in this novel were so well crafted and believable with dialogue befitting the times that added just the right flavor to make you realize you were reading about the early 19^th century.

The Promise Keeper is more than just historical romance—it is filled with intrigue, suspense, and realistic characters whose faith is tested.

The author obviously did painstaking research for every detail that found its way into her narratives. What a pleasure to read such a well-developed book. Bravo, Lisa Norato! 

Author Bio:

A native New Englander, Lisa Norato lives in a historic village with homes and churches dating as far back as the eighteenth century. She writes Christian seafaring romance of suspense and adventure set during New England's Federal Era. 

In the Sea Heroes of Duxbury novels, Lisa's goal is to spin stories rich in historical detail which will transport readers back in time and encourage Christians in their faith  and in finding the courage to place their trust in God.

She has received critical praise for her romantic fiction from reviewers such as Publisher's Weekly, Booklist and RT Book Reviews. Her previous novels include a western time travel and a contemporary romantic comedy.

To purchase The Promise Keeper, click here