Here is a preview of my latest e-book-The Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead
In Chapter Three- My Brother Sam is Dead Maps of Redding, Connecticut
You will find maps of Redding, Connecticut which help provide a visual of the locations in the novel.
You will see:
- Where Redding, Connecticut is located.
- Map of Redding that relates to My Brother Sam is Dead.
- Map of Westchester & Fairfield County that relates to My Brother Sam is Dead.
- Modern map of people and places related to My Brother Sam is Dead in Redding.
- Map of Westchester & Fairfield County with stars showing Tim and Life's cattle drive route to Verplancks Point.
- Map of Lower Fairfield County showing the route the British Troops took in April of 1777.
- Link to an Interactive Google Map of all the locations that relate to the novel.
My latest e-book-The Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead is available at Amazon.com. Kindle prime members can download it for free.
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
My Brother Sam is Dead E-book Preview
Here is a preview of my latest e-book-The Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead
From the Chapter-
Real Life vs. Events Fictionalized in My Brother Sam is Dead
This chapter points out real life people and events vs. My Brother Sam is Dead people and events. I do this using quotes that come directly from the novel; below the quotes are the historical facts these quotes are based on.
My Brother Sam is Dead Chapter Two:
Tim: "Redding was divided into two-parts: Redding Center and Redding Ridge"
In Real Life:
Redding was divided and the Ridge is as Tim describes it. The "empty field" he mentions still exists today, as does the Christ Church Episcopal. As described in length in the Chapters of this book, Redding had Presbyterians (Congregationalists) and Anglicans (Episcopalians). The Anglicans did settle heavily on Redding Ridge, but there were also Congregationalists among them.
In 1771 the Rev. John Beach writes:
"In Reading (Redding), my hearers are about 300. There is a meeting of Presbyterians about two and a half miles from our Church, in which the congregation is not so large as ours. In a manner, all…who live near the Church join with us."
In the present day, there are four sections that make up Redding: Georgetown, Redding Center, Redding Ridge, West Redding.
Tim: "Redding Ridge being a small place I knew everybody there - all the kids, and Tom Warrups and Ned, the Starr's black man."
In Real Life:
I'd call it a stretch to see Tom Warrup in church but it plays well in the story. Charles Burr Todd, author of Redding's only published history, described Tom as "a worthless, shiftless fellow, who lived chiefly by begging" Kind of rough but he did preface it with "except in war".
The Rev. John Beach does write that he has converted a good number of slaves in Newtown and Redding so it is plausible that Ned would attend church. Ned was the property of Redding Ridge resident, Seth Samuel Smith, and was killed by British soldiers during the 1777 raid of Danbury. Apparently, Ned was among a group of patriot defenders who stayed behind and opened fire on British troops from a house in Danbury owned by Major Daniel Starr. Starr’s house was set ablaze and all inside were killed.
There are no official accounts of Ned being beheaded before the house was put to flame. That resulted from an investigation after the raid had taken place, at the request of S. Samuel Smith. Mr. Smith was required to provide a report of Ned's death with witnesses in order to be compensated for his lost "property". It is in this petition that the accounts of Ned's decapitation surface and provide the view point and events that Tim witnesses in my brother Sam is dead.
Tim: "Church was practically the only time we ever saw some of the farmers from farther out in the parish - places like Umpawaug. They wanted to keep up with the news…"
In Real Life:
The colonists in rural locations, like Redding, Connecticut, relied heavily on "hear-say" for general topics, and when it came to issues of importance in most cases it was the opinions of their preachers and ministers that held the most weight.
Umpawaug still exists in present day Redding. It is said to have Native American origins and mean: "Land above the river." The Saugatuck River runs along the eastern border of the Umpawaug district.
Tim: "Her grandfather was Colonel Read, Her father was Colonel Read's son, Zalmon Read."
In Real Life:
Colonel Read was John Read #2. Captain of Redding's first militia organized in 1739, he was Major of the 4th Connecticut Regiment in 1753, Lieutenant Colonial of the 13th Connecticut Regiment in 1757 and in the same year appointed Colonel of the 4th Connecticut Regiment. He resigned his militia commission in the Revolution due to advanced age, but served as Justice of the Peace in cases of confiscated loyalist properties.
Zalmon Read was Captain of the 10th Company, 5th Connecticut Regiment in 1757, which marched to Canada and engaged in battles at St. Johns and Montreal during the French and Indian War. Capt. Zalmon also assembled and led Redding's militia to Weston to unsuccessfully challenge Tryon's British troops as they marched toward Danbury on April 26, 1777. Zalmon and his brother Hezekiah later converted to the Anglican faith; Zalmon moved to Bedford, New York after the Revolution, Hezekiah remained in Redding and was a major landholder.
Sam: "This is Tory Country. Father, Mr. Beach, the Lyons, the Couches - most of them in our church are Tories. And they think it's the same everywhere, but it isn't."
In Real Life:
Tories or loyalists did live in Redding and Southwestern Connecticut was considered Tory Country. However, if you review town records during the war they are filled with entries in support of the war not against the war and for this reason I'd consider Redding to be Patriot Country.
Several members of both Redding's militia's (East & West) comprised The 10th Company, 5th Connecticut Regiment, which joined other colonial militias for the Invasion of Canada in June/July 1775.
Redding's West Company militia assembled, marched and fought in the Battle of Long Island, the Battle of White Plains and the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776.
The first action of the town officials in regard to the war is found in the records of a town meeting held on April 2, 1777, when a committee was appointed "to hire a number of soldiers to serve in the Continental Army." It was also voted that the "sum or sums said committee promise to or do pay to those soldiers…be paid by town rates, and the Selectmen are ordered to and desired to make a rate to collect the money." In the same meeting a committee was also appointed "to take care of the families of those soldiers that are in service of their country."
For more examples of the real life people and historic events used in the historical fiction novel- My Brother Sam is Dead, download my e-book The Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead at Amazon.com
From the Chapter-
Real Life vs. Events Fictionalized in My Brother Sam is Dead
This chapter points out real life people and events vs. My Brother Sam is Dead people and events. I do this using quotes that come directly from the novel; below the quotes are the historical facts these quotes are based on.
My Brother Sam is Dead Chapter Two:
Tim: "Redding was divided into two-parts: Redding Center and Redding Ridge"
In Real Life:
Redding was divided and the Ridge is as Tim describes it. The "empty field" he mentions still exists today, as does the Christ Church Episcopal. As described in length in the Chapters of this book, Redding had Presbyterians (Congregationalists) and Anglicans (Episcopalians). The Anglicans did settle heavily on Redding Ridge, but there were also Congregationalists among them.
In 1771 the Rev. John Beach writes:
"In Reading (Redding), my hearers are about 300. There is a meeting of Presbyterians about two and a half miles from our Church, in which the congregation is not so large as ours. In a manner, all…who live near the Church join with us."
In the present day, there are four sections that make up Redding: Georgetown, Redding Center, Redding Ridge, West Redding.
Tim: "Redding Ridge being a small place I knew everybody there - all the kids, and Tom Warrups and Ned, the Starr's black man."
In Real Life:
I'd call it a stretch to see Tom Warrup in church but it plays well in the story. Charles Burr Todd, author of Redding's only published history, described Tom as "a worthless, shiftless fellow, who lived chiefly by begging" Kind of rough but he did preface it with "except in war".
The Rev. John Beach does write that he has converted a good number of slaves in Newtown and Redding so it is plausible that Ned would attend church. Ned was the property of Redding Ridge resident, Seth Samuel Smith, and was killed by British soldiers during the 1777 raid of Danbury. Apparently, Ned was among a group of patriot defenders who stayed behind and opened fire on British troops from a house in Danbury owned by Major Daniel Starr. Starr’s house was set ablaze and all inside were killed.
There are no official accounts of Ned being beheaded before the house was put to flame. That resulted from an investigation after the raid had taken place, at the request of S. Samuel Smith. Mr. Smith was required to provide a report of Ned's death with witnesses in order to be compensated for his lost "property". It is in this petition that the accounts of Ned's decapitation surface and provide the view point and events that Tim witnesses in my brother Sam is dead.
Tim: "Church was practically the only time we ever saw some of the farmers from farther out in the parish - places like Umpawaug. They wanted to keep up with the news…"
In Real Life:
The colonists in rural locations, like Redding, Connecticut, relied heavily on "hear-say" for general topics, and when it came to issues of importance in most cases it was the opinions of their preachers and ministers that held the most weight.
Umpawaug still exists in present day Redding. It is said to have Native American origins and mean: "Land above the river." The Saugatuck River runs along the eastern border of the Umpawaug district.
Tim: "Her grandfather was Colonel Read, Her father was Colonel Read's son, Zalmon Read."
In Real Life:
Colonel Read was John Read #2. Captain of Redding's first militia organized in 1739, he was Major of the 4th Connecticut Regiment in 1753, Lieutenant Colonial of the 13th Connecticut Regiment in 1757 and in the same year appointed Colonel of the 4th Connecticut Regiment. He resigned his militia commission in the Revolution due to advanced age, but served as Justice of the Peace in cases of confiscated loyalist properties.
Zalmon Read was Captain of the 10th Company, 5th Connecticut Regiment in 1757, which marched to Canada and engaged in battles at St. Johns and Montreal during the French and Indian War. Capt. Zalmon also assembled and led Redding's militia to Weston to unsuccessfully challenge Tryon's British troops as they marched toward Danbury on April 26, 1777. Zalmon and his brother Hezekiah later converted to the Anglican faith; Zalmon moved to Bedford, New York after the Revolution, Hezekiah remained in Redding and was a major landholder.
Sam: "This is Tory Country. Father, Mr. Beach, the Lyons, the Couches - most of them in our church are Tories. And they think it's the same everywhere, but it isn't."
In Real Life:
Tories or loyalists did live in Redding and Southwestern Connecticut was considered Tory Country. However, if you review town records during the war they are filled with entries in support of the war not against the war and for this reason I'd consider Redding to be Patriot Country.
Several members of both Redding's militia's (East & West) comprised The 10th Company, 5th Connecticut Regiment, which joined other colonial militias for the Invasion of Canada in June/July 1775.
Redding's West Company militia assembled, marched and fought in the Battle of Long Island, the Battle of White Plains and the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776.
The first action of the town officials in regard to the war is found in the records of a town meeting held on April 2, 1777, when a committee was appointed "to hire a number of soldiers to serve in the Continental Army." It was also voted that the "sum or sums said committee promise to or do pay to those soldiers…be paid by town rates, and the Selectmen are ordered to and desired to make a rate to collect the money." In the same meeting a committee was also appointed "to take care of the families of those soldiers that are in service of their country."
For more examples of the real life people and historic events used in the historical fiction novel- My Brother Sam is Dead, download my e-book The Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead at Amazon.com
Friday, April 13, 2012
Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book
Last night I posted my latest e-book in the Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead series.
Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book
This e-book was created to help parents and teachers better understand the topics woven into each chapter of the fictional history novel, My Brother Sam is Dead, and provide them with the resources needed to effectively teach it in their classrooms.
I have broken out this e-book into two sections: Guide to MBSD and Teaching Resources.
In the Guide to MBSD section you will find:
Chapter One- Chapter by Chapter Summary & Analysis of My Brother Sam is Dead
Chapter Two- Real Life vs. Events Fictionalized in My Brother Sam is Dead
Chapter Three- My Brother Sam is Dead Maps of Redding, Connecticut
Chapter Four- Short Summary of My Brother Sam is Dead & the Topics it covers
Chapter Five- Places you can Visit Related to My Brother Sam is Dead
Chapter Six- The Setting of the Novel- Redding, Connecticut
Chapter Seven- The Real People Fictionalized in the Novel
Chapter Eight- Why is My Brother Sam is Dead Censored by Some Watch Groups?
In the Teaching Resources section you will find:
Chapter One- Lesson Plans & Ideas
Lesson plans and examples of how others are using historical fiction novels in their classrooms.
Chapter Two- My Brother Sam is Dead Teaching Resources
Suggested reading materials, online resources and links to online, self-grading tests for each chapter of the book (test results can be emailed directly to you).
Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book
Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book
This e-book was created to help parents and teachers better understand the topics woven into each chapter of the fictional history novel, My Brother Sam is Dead, and provide them with the resources needed to effectively teach it in their classrooms.
I have broken out this e-book into two sections: Guide to MBSD and Teaching Resources.
In the Guide to MBSD section you will find:
Chapter One- Chapter by Chapter Summary & Analysis of My Brother Sam is Dead
Chapter Two- Real Life vs. Events Fictionalized in My Brother Sam is Dead
Chapter Three- My Brother Sam is Dead Maps of Redding, Connecticut
Chapter Four- Short Summary of My Brother Sam is Dead & the Topics it covers
Chapter Five- Places you can Visit Related to My Brother Sam is Dead
Chapter Six- The Setting of the Novel- Redding, Connecticut
Chapter Seven- The Real People Fictionalized in the Novel
Chapter Eight- Why is My Brother Sam is Dead Censored by Some Watch Groups?
In the Teaching Resources section you will find:
Chapter One- Lesson Plans & Ideas
Lesson plans and examples of how others are using historical fiction novels in their classrooms.
Chapter Two- My Brother Sam is Dead Teaching Resources
Suggested reading materials, online resources and links to online, self-grading tests for each chapter of the book (test results can be emailed directly to you).
Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Learn About Sam's Encampment!
Redding Archaeology; Open Spaces and University Excavations
Over the last few years, Redding's open space and planning policies have led to the preservation and study of important archaeological sites. Several college and university archaeological field schools have brought hundreds of students from around the world to unearth Redding's illustrious past.
This Saturday, you are invited to attend a lecture describing Western Connecticut State University's work at the 1778-79 Revolutionary War Middle Encampment. The same encampment "Sam" of My Brother Sam is Dead wintered at prior to his unfortunate execution.
This Lecture will be presented at 3pm on Saturday at the Redding Community Center. Under the leadership of Dr. Laurie Weinstein, Bethany Morrison, and Dr. Cosimo Sgarlata, the Limeklin/Wortleberry Road 1778-79 encampments have been surveyed, mapped and excavated over that past several years. This historic site was part of General Israel Putnam's army that camped here to protect Danbury, Long Island Sound and the Hudson River Valley from British invasion.
Students from WCSU have summered here since 2007 and this talk will discuss the background of the site's history, their research and methodological strategies, highlighted by slides from their field studies.
View the lecture schedule:
Redding Archaeology; Open Spaces and University Excavations
Over the last few years, Redding's open space and planning policies have led to the preservation and study of important archaeological sites. Several college and university archaeological field schools have brought hundreds of students from around the world to unearth Redding's illustrious past.
This Saturday, you are invited to attend a lecture describing Western Connecticut State University's work at the 1778-79 Revolutionary War Middle Encampment. The same encampment "Sam" of My Brother Sam is Dead wintered at prior to his unfortunate execution.
This Lecture will be presented at 3pm on Saturday at the Redding Community Center. Under the leadership of Dr. Laurie Weinstein, Bethany Morrison, and Dr. Cosimo Sgarlata, the Limeklin/Wortleberry Road 1778-79 encampments have been surveyed, mapped and excavated over that past several years. This historic site was part of General Israel Putnam's army that camped here to protect Danbury, Long Island Sound and the Hudson River Valley from British invasion.
Students from WCSU have summered here since 2007 and this talk will discuss the background of the site's history, their research and methodological strategies, highlighted by slides from their field studies.
View the lecture schedule:
Redding Archaeology; Open Spaces and University Excavations
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Redding's Open Space and Archaeology
March 24, 2012 at 3pm
Redding, Connecticut's Community Center
Lonetown Road, Reddding CT
Redding Archaeology; Open Spaces and University Excavations
Over the last few years, Redding's open space and planning policies have led to the preservation and study of important archaeological sites. Several college and university archaeological field schools have brought hundreds of students from around the world to unearth Redding's illustrious past.
You are invited to attend a lecture series describing Yale University's excavations in the 1800s industrial community of Poverty Hollow, Western Connecticut State University's work at the 1778-79 Revolutionary War Middle Encampment, and Norwalk Community College's research at the 4,000 years of Native American occupations at Gallows Hill.
Lectures will be presented on Saturday afternoons at the Redding Community Center.
View the lecture schedule:
Redding Archaeology; Open Spaces and University Excavations
Redding, Connecticut's Community Center
Lonetown Road, Reddding CT
Redding Archaeology; Open Spaces and University Excavations
Over the last few years, Redding's open space and planning policies have led to the preservation and study of important archaeological sites. Several college and university archaeological field schools have brought hundreds of students from around the world to unearth Redding's illustrious past.
You are invited to attend a lecture series describing Yale University's excavations in the 1800s industrial community of Poverty Hollow, Western Connecticut State University's work at the 1778-79 Revolutionary War Middle Encampment, and Norwalk Community College's research at the 4,000 years of Native American occupations at Gallows Hill.
Lectures will be presented on Saturday afternoons at the Redding Community Center.
View the lecture schedule:
Redding Archaeology; Open Spaces and University Excavations
Thursday, March 1, 2012
My Brother Sam is Dead Topics
My Brother Sam is Dead is told in the first person by Tim Meeker. It recounts the hardships endured by Tim and his family during the Revolutionary War. When Tim's older brother Sam joins the rebel forces, it impacts the rest of his family who wish to remain neutral and/or avoid war with England. Tim's family is Anglican and thus loyal to the Church of England; a split with England would greatly affect them.
Tim Meeker is a metaphoric symbol of one third of the American population during the war. He portrays the American that is uncertain which side is right and does not wish to choose a side until forced to, sometimes referred to as a "fence-sitter". Sam and Life are examples of the other two thirds: the Rebel/Patriot and the Tory/Loyalist.
Through Tim Meeker we learn of the issues, the concerns and the conflicts of the rebellion on a personal level. Each chapter touches on a number of topics and issues that provide readers with a better understanding of the affects the American Revolution had on individuals, their families, their churches, their towns, their neighbors...in short, it allows readers to see the war from the position of those that lived through it. This is one of the greatest strengths of the novel; it quietly weaves all of the topics and issues of the early years of the American Revolution into a tragic story of a 10 year old boy’s role in a war he doesn't understand.
My Brother Sam is Dead begins in April 1775 and ends in February 1779...a very volatile period of the American Revolution as it was not clear which side would win the war. Many were either still confused about the issues or unwilling to solidify a position on the issues. As the story unfolds the consequences of the war prove devastating to the Meeker family as the rebelliousness of Tim’s brother, Sam, and the pacifist position taken by Tim’s father, Life, result in the ironic deaths of both, symbolizing the atrocities and unfairness of war.
The novel highlights many of the problems and events that impacted towns like Redding, CT. Several of these topics are:
Trying to stay neutral while living in a town that everyone assumes is a loyalist settlement. Redding's Anglican church leader and its members preferred not to rebel from England. This was well known across the State and resulted in Redding Ridge being labeled as an area heavily settled with loyalists/tories.
Currency Issues-The Meeker's own a tavern/store, and keeping it running is hard work. Even prior to the Revolution, to make money, each year Tim's Father and brother Sam would travel to New York State to sell cattle they received from people who owed them money. During the war it becomes even more difficult as paper money and commissionary notes destroy local economies and businesses.
Sacrifices- Since Sam has sided with the rebels and wasn't there, Tim's responsibilities have increased ten-fold. Jobs Tim and Sam used to share all now fall on Tim's shoulders. Father (Life) takes Tim on his yearly cattle run to New York. They have to travel without a Brown Bess (musket/gun used for protection), which Sam had recently stolen. Life is captured on their return trip, leaving Tim to take care of his mother and himself for the rest of the novel. Tim is forced to grow up over night seeing he is now the man of the house, with his father in prison and Sam fighting with the patriots.
Committees of Safety- These committees were formed early in the war to disarm people who could potentially give aid to the British. Life is an Anglican and thus seen as a Loyalist/Tory, by the local Committee of Safety which comes to the Meeker Tavern to disarm him. When Life tells them his son has sided with the Patriots and taken his gun, they initially don't believe him and rough him up.
Cowboys and Skinners- Life is captured on their way back to Redding on their cattle run by cowboys. Cowboys and skinners were groups of raiders who harassed and plundered the rural districts of the boundary between American and British forces in Westchester County, New York. Westchester County, was the so-called "Neutral Ground" seeing the British were in the Bronx and the Americans in Peekskill, New York.
The British march though Redding and capture several Patriots there on their way to Danbury, CT to destroy the rebels/Patriot's provisions of war which were being stored there. The Patriot soldiers arrive in Redding in pursuit of the British and Sam is with them so he gets to see his mother and Tim again.
Winter Encampments- General Israel Putnam's division of the Continental Army encamped at Redding in the winter of 1778-1779 and Sam Meeker is a soldier in one of Putnam’s camps. One evening, Sam slips away from camp and returns home to spend time with his family. While they discuss the war and related topics, Sam hears commotion outside…Patriot soldiers are attempting to steal their cattle! When Sam intervenes he is out numbered and beaten. Back at camp he is falsely accused of and court-martialed for deserting camp and stealing cattle. General Putnam having long dealt with ill-equipped troops, deserters and traitors, feels he needs to set an example in order to maintain discipline amongst his army. Sam, unfortunately, becomes one of the two examples that winter, and is executed.
Hardships of War- Tim's Mother goes a little crazy due to the stress of losing her husband and son to a war she doesn't support. Tim lives to be very old. He had a wife, children, even grandchildren. But his mother never recovers from Life and Sam's deaths.
For more information, analysis and online quizzes:
The My Brother Sam is Dead Study Guide is available via Amazon.com's Kindle edition.
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
Or visit my website: http://mybrothersamisdead.historyofredding.com/
Tim Meeker is a metaphoric symbol of one third of the American population during the war. He portrays the American that is uncertain which side is right and does not wish to choose a side until forced to, sometimes referred to as a "fence-sitter". Sam and Life are examples of the other two thirds: the Rebel/Patriot and the Tory/Loyalist.
Through Tim Meeker we learn of the issues, the concerns and the conflicts of the rebellion on a personal level. Each chapter touches on a number of topics and issues that provide readers with a better understanding of the affects the American Revolution had on individuals, their families, their churches, their towns, their neighbors...in short, it allows readers to see the war from the position of those that lived through it. This is one of the greatest strengths of the novel; it quietly weaves all of the topics and issues of the early years of the American Revolution into a tragic story of a 10 year old boy’s role in a war he doesn't understand.
My Brother Sam is Dead begins in April 1775 and ends in February 1779...a very volatile period of the American Revolution as it was not clear which side would win the war. Many were either still confused about the issues or unwilling to solidify a position on the issues. As the story unfolds the consequences of the war prove devastating to the Meeker family as the rebelliousness of Tim’s brother, Sam, and the pacifist position taken by Tim’s father, Life, result in the ironic deaths of both, symbolizing the atrocities and unfairness of war.
The novel highlights many of the problems and events that impacted towns like Redding, CT. Several of these topics are:
Trying to stay neutral while living in a town that everyone assumes is a loyalist settlement. Redding's Anglican church leader and its members preferred not to rebel from England. This was well known across the State and resulted in Redding Ridge being labeled as an area heavily settled with loyalists/tories.
Currency Issues-The Meeker's own a tavern/store, and keeping it running is hard work. Even prior to the Revolution, to make money, each year Tim's Father and brother Sam would travel to New York State to sell cattle they received from people who owed them money. During the war it becomes even more difficult as paper money and commissionary notes destroy local economies and businesses.
Sacrifices- Since Sam has sided with the rebels and wasn't there, Tim's responsibilities have increased ten-fold. Jobs Tim and Sam used to share all now fall on Tim's shoulders. Father (Life) takes Tim on his yearly cattle run to New York. They have to travel without a Brown Bess (musket/gun used for protection), which Sam had recently stolen. Life is captured on their return trip, leaving Tim to take care of his mother and himself for the rest of the novel. Tim is forced to grow up over night seeing he is now the man of the house, with his father in prison and Sam fighting with the patriots.
Committees of Safety- These committees were formed early in the war to disarm people who could potentially give aid to the British. Life is an Anglican and thus seen as a Loyalist/Tory, by the local Committee of Safety which comes to the Meeker Tavern to disarm him. When Life tells them his son has sided with the Patriots and taken his gun, they initially don't believe him and rough him up.
Cowboys and Skinners- Life is captured on their way back to Redding on their cattle run by cowboys. Cowboys and skinners were groups of raiders who harassed and plundered the rural districts of the boundary between American and British forces in Westchester County, New York. Westchester County, was the so-called "Neutral Ground" seeing the British were in the Bronx and the Americans in Peekskill, New York.
The British march though Redding and capture several Patriots there on their way to Danbury, CT to destroy the rebels/Patriot's provisions of war which were being stored there. The Patriot soldiers arrive in Redding in pursuit of the British and Sam is with them so he gets to see his mother and Tim again.
Winter Encampments- General Israel Putnam's division of the Continental Army encamped at Redding in the winter of 1778-1779 and Sam Meeker is a soldier in one of Putnam’s camps. One evening, Sam slips away from camp and returns home to spend time with his family. While they discuss the war and related topics, Sam hears commotion outside…Patriot soldiers are attempting to steal their cattle! When Sam intervenes he is out numbered and beaten. Back at camp he is falsely accused of and court-martialed for deserting camp and stealing cattle. General Putnam having long dealt with ill-equipped troops, deserters and traitors, feels he needs to set an example in order to maintain discipline amongst his army. Sam, unfortunately, becomes one of the two examples that winter, and is executed.
Hardships of War- Tim's Mother goes a little crazy due to the stress of losing her husband and son to a war she doesn't support. Tim lives to be very old. He had a wife, children, even grandchildren. But his mother never recovers from Life and Sam's deaths.
For more information, analysis and online quizzes:
The My Brother Sam is Dead Study Guide is available via Amazon.com's Kindle edition.
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
Or visit my website: http://mybrothersamisdead.historyofredding.com/
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sleeping Lofts
Above is a sketch of a Sleeping Loft by Eric Sloane.
Tim and Sam sleep up in the loft of their parents home/tavern in the novel. Colonial homes did not have heating systems and there was very little insulation (if any). Because heat rises many homes used lofts as sleeping spaces during the Winter months.
For more information, analysis and online quizzes:
The My Brother Sam is Dead Study Guide is available via Amazon.com's Kindle edition.
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
Or visit my website: http://mybrothersamisdead.historyofredding.com/
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