Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

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Researching Rhode Island — Part 1

October 2, 2018 by emcoop 6 Comments

 

While readers who love historical fiction enjoy the journey into the past, the journey to make the time travel believable begins with research. That can mean an author spends hours delving into old documents, diaries, even maps, to ensure the accuracy of the time period.

I recently returned from scouring the American Revolutionary history of Rhode Island where an often-forgotten battle—at least in our American History books are concerned—took place in 1778. Even more significant was the formation of the first black regiment in the American Army. These pieces of our Revolutionary War history fill in many of the blanks of our understanding of the war that freed our country from being a colony of England. It is history both amazing and, at times, heartbreaking.

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Although I’d grown up in New England, for some unknown reason I’d never visited Rhode Island. I had been to every other New England state at one time or another, but the smallest state in our country had always eluded my notice. Until now.

 

It all began with a simple suggestion from my older son, who said to me one day, “Mom, you ought to write a book about the black soldiers during the American Revolution.” My interest was immediately piqued. What I did not realize was the journey that simple statement would take me on.

 

First, I discovered that there was an entire black regiment formed in 1778 called the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. Next, I discovered something shocking. This regiment was predominantly made up of slaves, essentially sold by their masters, and purchased by the state of RI to serve in the Army. They would be free if they served the duration of the war.

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The rationale behind this regiment was simply the need for troops. Numbers were dwindling in the ranks and by January of 1778, a quota was required of each state to send men to fight for the cause of liberty. Rhode Island had such a large black population—another surprising discovery—that the plan was to recruit black slaves. Owners of slaves, anxious to remain on their plantations in Rhode Island, often sent one of their slaves to meet the quota.

 

Plantations in Rhode Island? You could have knocked me over with a feather quill pen.

 

But then the real horror became unearthed through my research: Rhode Island had major landing ports for slave ships. Boston did as well. The tales of slavery that I attributed to the southern states suddenly crept into the northern states of my ancestry. Slavery was alive and well during the American Revolution.

 

They called it “The Triangle Trade.” Molasses from Barbados was shipped up to Rhode Island, where they processed it into rum. The rum was filled into wooden casks, then transported by ship to Africa. There, black tribes captured black people from other tribes, and exchanged people for rum. Instant slavery. The men and women were forced into horrible, cramped quarters on the ship below deck and carried across the ocean back to Barbados. There, the auctioning of human lives began. Many of those souls ended up in the southern colonies, then were transported to the northern states.

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If you’ve ever seen the musical “1776,” there is a haunting song called, “Molasses to Rum.” It describes the triangle trade in its gut-wrenching reality.

 

Next time I’ll post about my recent trip to Rhode Island for research.  (Photo to the right is part of a rum cask along with a metal ring, perhaps used for slavery purposes)

The American Revolution – America’s FIRST Civil War

July 4, 2018 by emcoop 6 Comments

 

While we celebrate the birth of America today, please extend a silent moment of thanks to God for the many who sacrificed to birth the United States of America. While there were fewer casualties in this war than there were in the 19th century War between the States, the colonists clashed with opponents who were often members of their own family. It was a civil war in every sense of the word.

As I peal through books about Rhode Island during the Revolution—a state I knew little about before researching this current manuscript I’m writing—I am once again awed by the people who fought to free this country from England. Some were wealthy, some simple farmers or tradesman. Some were even slaves fighting for their freedom.

But the women left at home with children and farms to tend carried their own burdens. Imagine not knowing for months or years if your son or husband was safe. Communication was so difficult. People wrote letters but they could be intercepted. And after battles, mass graves were dug to inter the bodies. Often there were no family graves for the widows and mothers to set flowers upon.

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Even the signers of the Declaration of Independence did so at the risk of their lives and their fortunes. Many lost both.

So I pray you enjoy this holiday. But I ask that you take a moment to pray for the Americans who serve our country today.

And take another moment to get a book about the American Revolution. There are a trove of them at your library or in bookstores. You will likely come away more grateful than ever for the 4th of July holiday. It was a day to remember, indeed.

 

 

Wedding of Another Prince

May 17, 2018 by emcoop 4 Comments

 

In celebration of Prince Harry’s wedding to an American, it seems an appropriate time to remember another British Prince who married an American—in 1779.

This wedding was far less well known, far less exotic, and, while this Prince was not in fact British royalty, his name was Prince. Daniel Prince.

Both men were veterans of war. Prince Harry served two deployments in Afghanistan. Daniel Prince sailed across the Atlantic to serve in the King’s Army and fought at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Sadly, for Daniel Prince, he was on the losing side and became a prisoner of war. Taking matters into his own hands, he slipped out of the line of prisoners leaving for POW camp and escaped into the Massachusetts wilderness.

The details lie hidden in history concerning the circumstances of their first meeting. But somewhere in western Massachusetts, Daniel Prince met Mary Packard. And somewhere amidst the beautiful woods of that romantic countryside, love blossomed.

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Daniel and Mary married in far humbler circumstances and perhaps shrouded in fear, as the Revolutionary War raged on. Was the wedding held in secret? The King’s Army would have considered him a deserter. Did he try to hide his identity from some? Again, these details are hidden in history.

What is known is that Daniel and Mary remained married until death parted them. While they lived and loved, Mary birthed eight children. Her third pregnancy birthed twin sons, Daniel Jr. and James.

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While this marriage went unnoticed by most, in some ways it seems far more romantic to me. Perhaps because Daniel Prince was my 4th Great-Grandfather. I am descended from Daniel, Jr.

Although Mary passed away in 1816 and Daniel in 1828, there is an actual monument to them in Williamsburg, MA. I had the joy of visiting this monument in 2009.

It’s difficult to express the emotions I experienced when standing on the same ground trod by my ancestors. I suppose I can sum it up by saying, I felt like I’d come home.

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While I am happy for the upcoming nuptials of veteran Prince Harry, the wedding of the veteran Daniel Prince holds far more meaning to me. My Prince is also my Grandfather.

My first novel, Road to Deer Run, is loosely based on my ancestors, Daniel and Mary. It was a joy to write and, I hope, a joy for you to read.

Road to Deer Run - CoverTo read more about this book you can read the description at Amazon and purchase if you like. Click here.

Patriot’s Day — April 19

April 19, 2018 by emcoop 2 Comments

 

For many in the United States, the holiday known as Patriot’s Day does not exist. But for those of us from the Northeast, the date commemorates an event of such significance, we are still impacted by the occurrences of April 19, 1775. It was the first date of the American Revolution. Five years ago I wrote a blog about this event for Colonial Quills and I am running it again here today as a reminder to us all that Freedom is not Free.

 

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmer’s stood,

And fired the shot heard round the world.

—  from “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

I remember a dawn drive to the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts many years ago with my older sister, Christine. I was too young to drive, but she was not. Confiscating the family car keys, we stole away through the early morning, giggling at our historical adventure.

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Upon our arrival at the wooden bridge that creaked beneath our sandals, a reverent stillness overtook us. We were the only ones there—save the spirits immortalized on this landmark. Through the morning mist, we envisioned lines of soldiers intent upon victory. And through the hushed stillness, we felt their pain and fear as those shots fired in bitter vitriol materialized in our minds and hearts.

 

We hushed at the hallowed ground beneath us—and silently walked back to our car.

 

April 19, 1775—the day the first shots of the American Revolution were heard throughout the world.

This date so tenderly described in Emerson’s poem, lives on in celebration of America’s freedom from England every year in both Massachusetts and Maine. It is memorialized as Patriot’s Day and is a state holiday on the third Monday of every April. (Not to be confused with Patriot Day, held every September 11)

In Wisconsin, April 19th is a special observance day for schools, when they are required to teach about the events of the birth of our country.

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In both Massachusetts and Maine, parades and reenactments abound, especially along the route between Boston and Concord. This was the 20-mile journey traveled by Paul Revere where on that fateful, moonlit night, the rider screamed the words of warning to the Colonists: “The regulars are coming! To arms!”

 

Through the years, I often heard the words quoted as, “The British are coming.” However, most Colonists thought of themselves as British—Englishmen—so the context and accuracy of those words are flawed.

 

Regardless of the words of warning, the entire countryside that had prepared for this attack was awakened, first by the riders and then by pealing church bells. Minutemen that had trained for months, grabbed their muskets and congregated on their local greens, then marched towards the scene of the action. By the time the 1,000 British regulars had reached Concord to confiscate weapons (that had already been hidden by the patriots), word had spread about the killings in Lexington, just to the east of Concord.

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The enraged patriot’s confronted the British in Concord and killed two enemy soldiers at the North Bridge. The American Revolution had begun. Fighting like the Native Americans, the Colonists hid behind stonewalls and trees, picking off one British soldier after another, while the formally-trained King’s Army marched in lines down the road.

 

This retreat of the British army back to Boston cost them 73 men killed and 174 wounded. The American militia had suffered 49 fatalities and 41 wounded.

 

The war that had been brewing for several years was now a reality.

When I was a child in Massachusetts, I remember going to parades on what is now called Massachusetts Avenue (the route of Paul Revere’s ride). Early on, I learned an appreciation for this history—the founding of our country that was won through the blood of those who came before me.

Since the time that I grew up in Arlington, both Colonial and British militia re-enactors have staged mock warfare for public education and amusement. These provide stirring portrayals of the battles that occurred that day, all the way from Concord to Lexington to Arlington (then known as Menotomy Village), my hometown. One of these Aprils, I will find my way back to my hometown to see these re-enactments myself.

In the meantime, I obtained permission from the Lexington Minutemen to use the wonderful photos from their website for this post.

http://www.battleroad.org

The events of April 19, 1775 that occurred in Menotomy Village (now Arlington, MA) are depicted in my YA novel, Fields of the Fatherless. The Jason Russell House was only a block from my family’s home and, as a young girl,  I often walked by that historical home. As an adult, I discovered the real history that unfolded there in 1775 and I felt compelled to write about it and the people who lived there. For although history books can seem old and unfeeling, filled with facts and dates, the truth is, history was lived by people like you and me with dreams and hopes for a blessed life. A life that can be shattered when war visits.

 

Spirit, that made those heroes dare,

To die, and leave their children free,

Bid Time and Nature gently spare,

The shaft we raise to them and thee.

 

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You can check out Fields of the Fatherless at Amazon by clicking here

 

New Contract — New Books Coming!

March 4, 2018 by emcoop 2 Comments

Hi Friends!

 

I’m so thrilled to announce a new upcoming historical fiction series for which I’ve recently signed a contract. My new publisher will be Burnett Young Books and I am Over-The-Moon excited! This series is set along the Long Island Sound coast of Connecticut in 1779-1780. There was a lot going on there during the American Revolution!

 

Book 1 is complete and should be released in 2018. More details to come.

 

Thanks for all your support of my books and I will keep you all updated on this new series. Be blessed!

 

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Mocha helps me with my historical research of New Haven, Connecticut. 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

On This Date: Shay’s Rebellion

January 25, 2018 by emcoop Leave a Comment

 

Lovers of history may view the end of the American Revolution in 1783 as a resolution to all the conflict in the new nation. Sadly, it did not lead to perfect peace in the American colonies.

The eight-years-long struggle for freedom from the Mother country left the new United States of America in desperate economic times. It was felt deeply in the state of Massachusetts and led to the uprising known as Shay’s Rebellion on January 25, 1787.

In the rural areas of western and central Massachusetts, soldiers returning home were faced with multiple financial stresses. Not only was the federal government unable to pay them what they were owed for their tenure in the army, but they had little in the way of assets. Most of the needs of their families were met through bartering for goods or services. Most were in debt and owed creditors for taxes.

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The European business partners of Massachusetts merchants refused to extend lines of credit, insisting on being paid hard currency for goods. Yet real money was in short supply. Governor John Hancock of Boston refused to collect on delinquent taxes from poor borrowers and did not prosecute. He resigned in 1785, citing health reasons.

 

Hancock’s replacement, Governor Bowdoin, was elected in his place and the situation soon changed. Bowdoin increased actions against those who owed taxes, and the legislature made the situation worse by levying an additional property tax to help pay back foreign debts. John Adams declared these taxes to be “heavier than the people could bear.”

 

Individuals began to lose their lands and other possessions when they could not pay their taxes. Many of these who lost their homes were veterans of the war. They’d sacrificed and fought for years for a nation now turning their backs on them.

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Daniel Shays was one of these soldiers and a farmhand by profession from Massachusetts. He had resigned from the army—unpaid—in 1780, only to go home and find himself in court for nonpayment of debts. When he realized he was not alone in this desperate financial situation, he began organizing protests against these conditions in order to fight for tax relief.

 

For several years, dissent grew to the point where Gov. Bowdoin issued a proclamation against the increasing protests. Unrest spread to several Massachusetts communities. James Warren wrote to John Adams in October of 1786 declaring, “We are now in a state of Anarchy and Confusion, bordering on Civil War.”

 

Several ringleaders were arrested in November and other protestors started to organize an overthrow of the state government of Massachusetts. On January 25, 1787, the rebels, with Daniel Shays at the helm, targeted the federal armory in Springfield in an attempt to seize weapons and overthrow the government. An intercepted message alerted the local militia to the planned attack, and the insurgents under Shays—some 1,500 men—faced the militia cannons. Grape-shot mortally felled 4 of the protesters while twenty were wounded.

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The rebel forces fled to other towns and occasional conflicts ensued. The bloodiest battle occurred at Sheffield in February, thus ending the insurgency.

Four thousand people signed confessions as participants in the events of the rebellion in exchange for amnesty. Several were indicted but most were pardoned. Two men were hung.

Daniel Shays was pardoned in 1788 and returned to Massachusetts. Vilified by the Boston press, he eventually moved to New York where he died poor and obscure in 1825.

Shay’s rebellion became the catalyst for the formation of the United States Constitutional Convention which drew the retired George Washington back into public life. This renewed involvement of Washington in government policy led to him to being elected first President of the United States.

 

Excerpt from Promise of Deer Run:

Promise of Deer Run - Cover

“Bloody war.” The voice came from the man sitting by himself at the bar.

 

Nathaniel glanced at the poorly shaven face almost resting on the tip of his tankard. “Yes. Yes, it was.” Nathaniel took a bite of the stew and closed his eyes and moaned in pleasure. “Fine stew, sir.”

 

The man at the bar was not finished with his sad laments.

 

“Fought eight years for this ungrateful country. Came home to my farm and lost it to bloody Bowdoin. Governor indeed. Calls out the militia to shoot at decent citizens trying to spare their farm.” The man’s voice grew louder the angrier he got.

 

 (Featured Image is the Springfield Armory as it looks today)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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