Monday, November 26, 2012

Dicey Langston, American Patriot: American Heroine

Dicey Langston, American Patriot, Revolutionary War Heroine, Female Paul Revere.

Laodicea "Dicey" Langston was the daughter of Solomon Langston, of Laurens district, South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. She possessed an intrepid spirit, which is highly serviceable in times of emergency, and which, as she lived in the days of the Revolution, she had more than one opportunity to display. Living amidst the British sympathizers (aka Tories), and being an American patriot (AKA Whig), she often learned by accident, or discovered by strategy, the plots so common in those days, against her Whig family, friends and fellow supporters.  Such intelligence she was accustomed to communicate to the friends of freedom on the opposite side of the Ennoree river.

When she discovered that a band of loyalists—known in those parts as the "Bloody scout"—were about to fall upon the "Elder settlement," a place where one of her brothers  and other friends were residing, she resolved to warn them of their danger. To do this she risked her own life. Alone, in the darkness of the night; she traveled several miles through the woods, and over marshes and across creeks, through a country where foot-logs and bridges were then unknown. She came to the Tyger, a rapid and deep stream, plunged bravely in and waded till the water was up to her neck, and continued onward, reaching the settlement, and her brother, warning the community of the Torie plot and helping to ensure their safety!

Dicey was returning one day from another settlement of Whigs—in the Spartanburg district, when a company of Tories met her and questioned her in regard to the neighborhood she had just left; but she refused to communicate the desired information. The leader of the band then held a pistol to her breast, and threatened to shoot her if she did not make the wished for disclosure. "Shoot me if you dare! I will not tell you!" was her dauntless reply, as she opened a long handkerchief that covered her neck and bosom, thus manifesting a willingness to receive the contents of the pistol, if the officer insisted on disclosures or her life. The dastard, enraged at her defying movement, was in the act of firing, at which moment one of the soldiers threw up the hand holding the weapon, and the fearless heart of the girl was permitted to beat on.

Dicey's were no less patriotic than she; having, by their active services on the side of freedom, greatly displeased the loyalists,  these latter were determined to be revenged. A desperate band accordingly went to the house of their father, and finding the sons absent, were about to wreak their vengeance on the old man, whom they hated for the sons' sake. With this intent one of the party drew a pistol; but just as it was aimed at the breast of her aged and infirm father, Dicey rushed between the two, and though the ruffian bade her get out of his way or receive in her own breast the contents of the pistol, she regarded not his threats, but flung her arms around her father's neck and declared she would receive the ball first, if the weapon must be discharged. Such fearlessness and willingness to offer her own life for the sake of her parent, softened the heart of the "bloody scout," and Mr. Langston lived to see his noble daughter perform other heroic deeds.

One time her brother James, in his absence, sent to the house for a gun which he had left in her care, with orders for her to deliver it to no one except by his direction. On reaching the house one of the company who where directed to call for it, made known their errand, whereupon she brought and was about to deliver the weapon. At this moment it occurred to her that she had not demanded the countersign agreed on between herself and brother. With the gun still in her hand, she looked the company sternly in the face, and remarking that they wore a suspicious look, called for the countersign. Hereupon one of them, in jest, told her she was too tardy in her requirements; that both the gun and its holder were in their possession. "Do you think so," she boldly asked, as she cocked the disputed weapon and aimed it at the speaker. "If the gun is in your possession," she added, "take charge of it!" Her appearance indicated that she was in earnest, and the countersign was given without further delay. A hearty laugh on the part of the "liberty men," ended the ceremony.

After the war Dicey married and gave birth to 20+ children, and passed away at the age of 71.  There is a monument dedicated to Dicey in Greenville, South Carolina.

 Compiled From Sources In The Public Domain.


*****

My paranormal romance has scenes that take place in a variety of historical settings.  Although none of the historical or modern scenes occurred during the Revolutionary War, all of the Americans scenes did take place in the rural South.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

MyLadyWeb Presents the Gratitude Giveaways Hop 2012

Hello and Welcome! 
My Paranormal Romance

 Has Recently Been Released


Gratitude Giveaway Hop
November 15th - 13th 2012
And To Celebrate

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by... 
If you would like to say Thank You In Return... 
Please Like Shadows In A Timeless Myth On Amazon
Or
Our Book Trailer Video On You Tube


Gift Books In PDF format
 A Little Book Of Fairy Lore 
Athena Queen of Storm and Air 

Before There Were Ewoks, There Was: H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy 

 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children
Jane Austen's Emma (Takes A While To Load)
Georgette Heyer's The Black Moth 
Shadows In A Timeless Myth Complimentary Short Story 
 
Gift Musical Jigsaw Puzzles
 A Hand Shadows Musical Jigsaw Puzzle 
Fairy Flight Musical Jigsaw Puzzle 

 Happy In Fairyland Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
A Knight and His Lady Musical Jigsaw Puzzle 
Jane Austen Jigsaw Puzzle 
 Shadows In A Timeless Myth Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

The Gifts Are All Free

However, If you would like to enter to win
PDF copies of my old-fashioned Regency Romance
A Very Merry Chase

with a personalized inscription, 
please leave a comment below telling me what number you were when you
Liked  
Shadows In A Timeless Myth 

On Amazon 

Or your number when you liked our
 Video Trailer
or our  
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There are also lots of free gifts available at 
LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival 
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf
Or In The Photo Gallery On Our Facebook Page 
So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after
The Gratitude Giveaway Hop Is Over.


Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

MyLadyWeb Presents The Thankful For Books Giveaway Hop

Hello and Welcome! 
My Paranormal Romance

 Has Recently Been Released


Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop
November 8th - 13th 2012
And To Celebrate

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by... 
If you would like to say Thank You In Return... 
Please Like Shadows In A Timeless Myth On Amazon
Or
Our Book Trailer Video On You Tube


Gift Books In PDF format
 A Little Book Of Fairy Lore 
Athena Queen of Storm and Air 

Before There Were Ewoks, There Was: H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy 

 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children
Jane Austen's Emma (Takes A While To Load)
Georgette Heyer's The Black Moth 
Shadows In A Timeless Myth Complimentary Short Story 
 
Gift Musical Jigsaw Puzzles
 A Hand Shadows Musical Jigsaw Puzzle 
Fairy Flight Musical Jigsaw Puzzle 

 Happy In Fairyland Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
A Knight and His Lady Musical Jigsaw Puzzle 
Jane Austen Jigsaw Puzzle 
 Shadows In A Timeless Myth Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

The Gifts Are All Free

However, If you would like to enter to win
PDF copies of my old-fashioned Regency Romance
A Very Merry Chase

with a personalized inscription, 
please leave a comment below telling me what number you were when you
Liked  
Shadows In A Timeless Myth 

On Amazon 

Or your number when you liked our
 Video Trailer
or our  
Shadows In A Timeless Myth Facebook Page


There are also lots of free gifts available at 
LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival 
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf
Or In The Photo Gallery On Our Facebook Page 
So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after
The Thankful For Books Giveaway Hop Is Over.


Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Monday, November 5, 2012

Native American Woman and Their Captives

While researching a short story, I found these two tales of Native American women and their kindness to captives.  In a way they reminded me of one of the fantasy characters from Shadows In A Timeless Myth, who cared for the two female captives of the demon, and attempted to keep them safe.

A KIND-HEARTED WOMAN OF THE CHIPPEWA


Both men and women belie their nature
When they are not kind.

In the early settlement of Ohio, Daniel Convers was captured by the savages; but he had the good fortune to be purchased by a noble-hearted Indian whose wife possessed a kindred spirit. His condition, we are informed in the Pioneer History of Ohio, "was not that of a slave, but rather an adoption into the family as a son. The Indian's wife, whom he was directed to call mother, was a model of all that is excellent in woman, being patient, kind-hearted, humane and considerate to the wants and comfort of all around her, and especially so to their newly adopted son. To sum up all her excellences in a brief sentence of the captive's own language, she was 'as good a woman as ever lived.'"

A CHEROKEE WOMAN'S GENEROSITY

How poor an instrument May do a noble deed.
Shakspeare.
 
During the Revolution, a young Shawanese Indian was captured by the Cherokees and sentenced to die at the stake. He was tied, and the usual preparations were made for his execution, when a Cherokee woman went to the warrior to whom the prisoner belonged, and throwing a parcel of goods at his feet, said she was a widow and would adopt the captive as her son, and earnestly plead for his deliverance. Her prayer was granted, and the prisoner taken under her care. He rewarded her by his fidelity, for, in spite of the entreaties of his friends, whom he was allowed to visit, he never left her.

 Compiled From Sources In The Public Domain.



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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Mrs. John Merrill of Kentucky, A True American Amazon

A True American Amazon

Women of the American Frontier often lived lonely and isolated lives.... For many of them just getting up in the morning and facing the day's backbreaking chores required more courage than many modern woman ever dream of in the ordinary course of events. In my horror novel Shadows in a Timeless Myth, I explore a variety of different women from different backgrounds and the courage they show in paranormal, or otherwise extraordinary events.

Here is the story of a American frontierswoman Mrs. John Merrill, who faced real-life, extraordinary circumstances with fierce courage. Note that history does not even tell us her given name, but only that of her husband, and that the Indian warrior gave her the honorific title of Long Knife Squaw.

During the summer of 1787, writes Mr. McClung, in his Sketches of Western Adventure, "The house of Mr. John Merrill, of Nelson county, Kentucky, was attacked by the Indians, and defended with singular address and good fortune. Merrill was alarmed by the barking of a dog about midnight, and upon opening the door in order to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, he received the fire of six or seven Indians, by which one arm and one thigh were broken. He instantly sank upon the floor, and called upon his wife to close the door. This had scarcely been done when it was violently assailed by the tomahawks of the enemy, and a large breach soon effected. Mrs. Merrill, however, being a perfect amazon, both in strength and courage, guarded it with an axe, and successively killed or badly wounded four of the enemy as they attempted to force their way into the cabin.

"The Indians ascended the roof, and attempted to enter by way of the chimney; but here again they were met by the same determined enemy. Mrs. Merrill seized the only feather bed which the cabin afforded, and hastily ripping it open, poured its contents upon the fire. A furious blaze and stifling smoke instantly ascended the chimney, and brought down two of the enemy, who lay for a few moments at the mercy of the lady. Seizing the axe, she quickly dispatched them, and was instantly afterwards summoned to the door, where the only remaining savage now appeared, endeavoring to effect an entrance, while Mrs. Merrill was engaged at the chimney.

The sole surviving warrior, soon received a gash in the cheek, which compelled him, with a loud yell, to relinquish his purpose, and return hastily to Chillicothe, where, from the report of a prisoner, he gave an exaggerated account of the fierceness, strength, and courage of the 'long knife squaw!'"

 Compiled From Sources In The Public Domain.


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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915