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| Mendenhall Plantation (used by permission of Historic Jamestown Society) |
Welcome, all, to Colonial
Quills’ virtual Tea Party, being held today at the historic Mendenhall Plantation in Jamestown,
North Carolina. Elaine Marie Cooper hostessing here, along with Kathleen Maher.
The very special event we are celebrating today is the release of Jennifer
Hudson Taylor’s newest historic romance, Path of Freedom, which is set in
this very locale in the year 1858.
Jennifer’s exciting new
missive journeys with the brave men and women of the pre-Civil War era who, at
the risk of their own lives, attempted to help the African American slaves
escape to the north through the Underground Railroad. Her novel involves a
young Quaker man and woman who decide to put their personal differences aside
to save the life of a pregnant slave couple. With only a quilt as their secret
guide, the foursome follows the stitches through unknown treachery. It is a
novel of love, faith, and forgiveness.
Here at the Mendenhall Plantation in North
Carolina, there is no official documentation of it being a station for the
Underground Railroad. But according to Shirley Haworth, President of Historic
Jamestown (NC) Society, “we knew that the activity was all around our area.” Ms.
Haworth explains that the likely reason there were no official records was the
danger: Smuggling slaves was illegal and you were either fined, imprisoned or
both.
Jennifer Hudson Taylor is
pictured here at the plantation doing her research for this wonderful novel
published by Abingdon Press. She is photographed in front of one of the
specially designed wagons that were fitted to hide slaves in a special
compartment. This wagon is just one of the many museum artifacts at the
beautiful Mendenhall Plantation. (All photos used by permission of Historic
Jamestown Society)
Jennifer, Kathleen and I
would be honored to have you as our guest today. On the menu is the food fare
of the Underground Railroad travelers who needed to eat late in the day or
early in the morning, resting all day while they journeyed by night. The food
is hearty and simple: Homemade biscuits, ham, bacon and eggs. And don’t forget
a generous dollop of strawberry jam on those mouth-watering biscuits. Fresh
coffee, anyone? Or how about some hot tea with a bit of sugar to sweeten?
Speaking of tea, we have
another release to celebrate at out Colonial Quills Tea Party today: A romance
anthology entitled I Choose You, published by OakTara publishers, featuring 38
short romance stories, both contemporary and historical. My particular chapter
is entitled, “The Tea Set.” It is set in New York City in World War I,
involving a young widow, a soldier, and a lonely four-year-old. Somehow the tea
set brings it all together. I hope you enjoy.
Be sure to leave comments on
our post today with your e-mail address. You will be entered in a drawing to
win either a copy of Path of Freedom or I
Choose You.
In the meantime, pull up a
chair and enjoy your tea!
All photos of plantation used
by permission of Historic Jamestown Society
