A Small World and Discovery of A Prison Ship Cenotaph

It's a small world, so they say. And with Memorial Day soon upon us I thought I'd share a recent adventure that I had that reaffirmed this notion. Huddled against the wood line on a Maine farm, hides a small family cemetery. Under the shelter of an ancient Pine, and with no more than a dozen grave stones, it is protected by no more than a few granite pillars and iron cross bars, and a the watchful eye of a kindly caretaker across the country road. Barely-there tire tracks led the way across unplowed fields to where the earth gently rises. My companion and I stopped before the descent where the hill overlooked the Kennebec River which flows with a rich history of its own to tell.

When we walked up to the beautiful cast iron gate I could tell at once, in this very place there was a story to discover. The first clue began with the name on the gate: Dean Bangs. Once I scurried home to unlock the secrets enclosed within, I found this family name with close community and family ties to my husband's ancestors in Harwich (now Brewster), Massachusetts. Some of them men of the sea during the American Revolution.

The Dean Bangs family cemetery is located on a large tract of land that Captain Bangs purchased in 1802 while in his mid 40's. What motivated him to remove from Cape Cod, where his Pilgrim forefathers had lived from the early 17th century, I know not, but the property in Maine remained in the family for many generations. In his late teens Dean enlisted in the American Revolution as a privateer for one year and a soldier for two more.

There is another story, learned from the cenotaph below. This story is about Dean's father, Elkanah, who was also serving as a privateer in the Revolutionary War, though his fate was not as favorable.

Elkanah Bangs was taken captive with three of his Harwich neighbors and put aboard a British prison ship in Wallabout Bay. The HMS Jersey had earned the nickname "Hell" due to such inhumane conditions and an incredibly high death rate of its prisoners. An exchange of prisoners was arranged and Elkanah's neighbor's were freed from captivity. Because Elkanah had the skill of a ships carpenter he was never released and died aboard the HMS Jersey in July 1777.

Cenotaph Inscription:
To the memory of ELKANAH BANGS, Father of Dean Bangs, who was in the privateer service of the Revolution; was taken prisoner with three of his neighbors, and died on board the Jersey prison ship at Wallabout Bay, New York, in July, 1777, aged 44 years; this CENOTAPH is respectfully dedicated by his great-grandson, Isaac Sparrow, son of Dean  Bangs, who settled upon this farm in the year 1802.

The cenotaph tells a tale that honors this ancestor who is not actually buried in the family resting grounds. Elkanah Bangs's life and service is memorialized in another special monument, the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument in Brooklyn, New York.

Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument Plaque:
In memory of the 11,500 patriotic American sailors and soldiers who endured untold suffering and died on the prison British ships anchored in Wallabout Bay during the Revolutionary War 1776- 1782.

Sometimes when I see large memorials dedicated to so many individuals I am awed and even overwhelmed. But when I come across a solitary marker in the back of a huge field, put there with love and admiration so that a great-grandfather's sacrifice would not be forgotten, it brings history very close to home.


That's a bit of my small world. What's yours? Do you find history around your home?

Keeping a Colonial Inn

The colonial inn's great room

Another area of research I had to do for my recent release The Highwayman was on the care and keeping of a colonial inn.

One of the most interesting things I found out was that during colonial times, an inn was more commonly known as an ordinary. And that wasn’t a term I could handily explain in the context of my story, without serious author intrusion, so I avoided using it. (I was already 1k over the allotted word count when I finished the first draft.)

First, I had to sort out the difference between a tavern and an inn. Both were considered general gathering-places of the day, where men of a community could meet not only for refreshment but to share local news and gossip, conduct business, and hold formal meetings. A tavern might serve meals, but only an inn or ordinary also provided for travelers to stay overnight.

Hartwell Tavern, Massachusetts

The most helpful article I ran across was kindly linked to me by one of my fellow Quillers: Daily Life of the American Colonies: The Role of the Tavern in Society. Some of the high points: important community events such as militia musters, council meetings, even trials often took place at the local tavern (public house) or inn (ordinary). Alcoholic beverages were commonplace, especially ale or hard cider, but drunkenness was strongly discouraged. Taverns or inns were a handy place to gather for breaks between church services on Sundays, and though most often frequented by males, one source says that three-fourths of colonial taverns were run by women, especially widows, who were encouraged into the trade in order to support themselves.

From Wikipedia:

Larger taverns provided rooms for travelers, especially in county seats that housed the county court. Upscale taverns had a lounge with a huge fireplace, a bar at one side, plenty of benches and chairs, and several dining tables. The best houses had a separate parlor for ladies, an affable landlord, good cooking, soft, roomy beds, fires in all rooms in cold weather, and warming pans used on the beds at night. In the backwoods, the taverns were wretched hovels, dirty with vermin for company; even so they were more pleasant and safer for the stranger than camping by the roadside. Even on main highways such as the Boston Post Road, travelers routinely reported the taverns had bad food, hard beds, scanty blankets, inadequate heat, and poor service.

While my fictional Brewster’s Inn might not be the most upscale establishment, nestled in the lower Shenandoah Valley along the Great Wagon Road in colonial Staunton, Virginia, you can bet that Sally and her parents take pride in keeping the place clean and serving very good food!

Some notable taverns and inns:

The Smithfield Inn, Smithfield, VA (Wikipedia)

The Old 76 House in Tappan, New York. The oldest example of Dutch public architecture, and established early on as a “safe house” for the patriot cause. Washington and the early Continental army met there whenever in town. This was also the location where Washington questioned Major John Andre of the British army, before his execution as a spy in 1780. (The tavern was also used to house the town records for many years.)

McCrady's Tavern and Long Room in Charleston, South Carolina. Purchased in 1778 and opened as a tavern, expanded upon over the next decade, and a hub of social activity including plays and banquets for Charleston residents. Washington was entertained at a banquet at McCrady’s during his visit to the city in 1791.

Cobb's Tavern in Sharon, Massachusetts—built in 1740’s, now a private residence.

The Indian King Tavern. Site of a New Jersey General Assembly meeting that ratified the Declaration of Independence in 1777, rumored to be frequented by Dolly Madison and a site on the Underground Railroad.

A CALL TO PRAY FOR OUR NATION

Around five weeks into the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Benjamin Franklin recognized the members were in the midst of a number of divisive issues, at a stalemate while drafting the U. S. Constitution. Soon the delegates would return home to their states. He rose to speak to the assembled delegates, and appealed for reconciliation and for God’s intervention. He challenged them to pray. Franklin’s appeal is recorded here:

"In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our

"Benjamin Franklin by Joseph Siffrein Duplessis"
National Portrait Gallery, London

prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. . . . And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . . . I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business." 

228 years later, many Americans think our nation is in crisis; violence, economic, ethnic, cultural and religious divisions are rampant. People are cynical. Corruption, deceit, and self-serving ambition are pervasive in all areas of government. How can individuals influence all that besets our nation? We can pray. There is power in prayer.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”   

                                                                               1 Timothy 2:1-2

A number of Christian leaders are calling for Americans to observe the nine days between the Day of the Ascension of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost, (May 15th to May 23rd, 2015) for repentance, prayer, and fasting. Note that repentance, prayer, and fasting go hand in hand. Jesus, as well as His disciples fasted and prayed. There are many references throughout the Old and New Testaments to fasting and prayer. This spiritual discipline is not relegated to the early church. Fasting and praying are Bible-based disciplines that Jews and Christians have practiced throughout history. Many people have discovered that observing periods of fasting enhances their prayer lives.

There is no right or wrong fast. It is more about the condition of your heart than it is about the duration or type of fast. It can be as simple as giving up a meal a day or fasting for a longer period. Evaluating your individual health needs should be taken into consideration when determining how long to fast or what kind of a fast is best for you.

A repentant heart is essential in fasting.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.

 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders,

gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

                                                                                        Joel 2:12-17                                                                                            

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

                                                                                Psalm 127:1 ESV

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 

                                                                                     2 Chron. 7:14

Review of Lumberjacks' Ball by Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski

The Lumberjacks' Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels


A Must READ for Christian Romance Readers!

The Lumberjacks' Ball (The Christy Lumber Camp Series, Book 2) 
by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Review by Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski

This is one of the best novels I have ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a real page turner and I did not want to put it down. I loved the cover and the whole story line. I loved the characters Carrie created (even Sister Mary Lou).

What a wonderful Christian Romance. It was so well written and enjoyable. I definitely give this book a five star rating, plus, plus, plus. Thank you, Carrie.

Bio: Our guest reviewer is Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski. She is a former nurse and a nun serving in Pittsburgh, Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She's a Christian fiction reader and reviewer.

CFP: Thanks so much, Sr. Mary Lou, for your kind review!!! And I loved creating a character named after you! She will be appearing in the next book, currently titled, Lilacs for the Lumber Camp. And I feel pretty sure she'll show up for all those weddings that we hope will eventually happen for the Christy family and all their friends!

Did you hear? The first book in the series, The Fruitcake Challenge, an Amazon bestselling Christian Historical Romance (hitting #1 spot December, 2014) is a Selah finalist. The winner will be announced in two weeks at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers' Conference.

GIVEAWAY: Ebook copies of BOTH books OR paperback copy of one, winner's choice!

The Faith of George Washington

Throughout history, people have known the founding father of the United States, George Washington was a man of faith. Recently his reputation as a Christian has been tarnished, not because any new documents have been discovered, 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. Professor Boller wrote, “Broadly speaking, of course, Washington can be classified as a Deist.” But the evidence that Washington was more than a Deist is overwhelming. To debunk this theory, Peter A. Lillback wrote a biography 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. On Sunday mornings 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 but Washington though he rode back and forth across the battlefield. He 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."

As Commander and Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, on July 2, 1776, General Washington 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, he pushed for army chaplains and required church attendance among the soldiers.

Seven weeks later, 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, that day, 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.

As president, Washington often spoke on the importance of prayer and signed the first official Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in US history.

It is clear that faith in God was very important to President Washington and that he was a Christian.