Delving into the stories and lives of those who lived more than 200 years ago presents tremendous challenges. “Thank you” doesn’t express the depth of my appreciation for the efforts of those who provided information and insights, suggested changes, and reviewed chapters.
I owe much to so many for their comments and contributions including Daniel E. Krieger, Professor of History, Cal Poly State University, and Liz Krieger; Michael Scoggins, historian, Culture & Heritage Museums, Historic Brattonsville; Vincent Dacquino; Marnie Pehrson; Marsha Mullin, Chief Curator, The Hermitage; Greg Nathan and Jessica Ebeling-Gulley of the Edenton Historical Commission; Dennis O’Neill, President, Cupola House Association; Diane Cronin and members of the Pepperell Historical Commission; Ansley Herring Wegner, Research Historian, North Carolina Office of Archives and History; Nancy A. Pope, Curator/Historian, National Postal Museum; Harlan Green, Head of Special Collections, Addlestone Library, College of Charleston; Nic Butler, Historian, Charleston County Public Library; Douglas Wayne Harvey, West Virginia SAR; Shirley Schofield, Sharon Historical Society, Inc.; Steve Connolly; Erica Lindamood and Emily Curran, Old South Meeting House; Vivian Bruce Conger, Department of History, Ithaca College; Alexander Rose; Ray Raphael; Vincent Carretta, University of Maryland; Sarah Cunningham, Ninety Six National Historic Site; Patricia Bonomi, Historian Emerita, New York University; Susan Branson, Syracuse University; Wayne K. Bodle, Department of History, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Edwin Burrows, Distinguished Professor of History at Brooklyn College, and Dr. Owen S. Ireland, Distinguished Teaching Professor, SUNY Brockport. Thanks as well to Eric Blevins, Photographer, North Carolina Museum of History; John Minichiello, imaging specialist at John Carter Brown Library; and Sidney Thompson of the Greenville County Historical Society. Heartfelt thanks to my history professor at Santa Clara University, George Giacomini, who spurred my interest in history, and to my classmate, Thomas Bender, NYU, who was instrumental in connecting me with historians who provided comments and insights. A special thank you to Steven Brown, Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Lee Ann Caldwell, director of the Center for the Study of Georgia History at Georgia Regents University, and Peggy Galis for their joint efforts in uncovering details about Mammy Kate.
Thanks to the team at Chicago Review Press. My editor, Lisa Reardon, a wonderfully measured person, inspired me to bring life to the stories of the women of the revolution. I also thank publisher Cynthia Sherry for her continuing support, Sarah Olson for her stunning design, Amelia Estrich, and the rest of the team. Thanks as well to my agency Sheree Bykofsky Associates and to my agent, Janet Rosen, who always goes out of her way for me.
Thanks to Alan Kaplan and his students of Hamilton High School, Los Angeles, for their review of chapters and astute comments, and to the many other students who provided comments, especially Francesca Reale, for her review of the first chapter.
I am indebted to my friends Michelle Markel, Cyndy Turnage and Peter Kors, Mary Rose O’Leary and Rachel Clark, Judy Hammond and Bill Megalos, Jose Ramos, Hugo Garcia and Sue Mattor for their constant support. I am especially appreciative of the help with images from Val Riordan, Carolyn Brown, and Scott Schneider; to Scotty Embree and Joanna Exacoustos, who pitched in by reading drafts of chapters; Jane Stubbs, who helped in so many ways; and Charles Dixson for his encouragement. Thanks to the folks at Joni’s Coffee Roasting Cafe, where much of the book was written, especially Richard Block and to members of the book club. Hats off to Carlos Casey for his research help, and to Lana Cohen and Alice Kors for their careful attention to detail and help with notes and the bibliography.
As always, thanks to my brothers and sisters: Pat, Mike, Kevin, Jim, Katie, and to all the other Caseys, Weltes, and Andersons, and to my irrepressible nieces and nephews.