The Quest to Unite Us is a novel, a work of historical fiction. I wrote it hoping to entertain. It is not a comprehensive history of the Constitutional Convention or a complete biography of any of the delegates. My aim was to write an engaging story that would invite you, the reader, to learn more about the history of the United States and some of the people and events that helped to make it what it is today. I thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.
Along the way, you may have wondered: what’s real and what’s not? What actually happened in history and what are figments of the author’s imagination?
Marcus Santana, his family, his home, and his travels through time are all fiction.
Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, James Wilson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and all the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 are historical figures. Relying on histories and biographies too numerous to list here, I tried to be as accurate as possible relating biographical details about the delegates. Concerning the convention itself, I relied on the contemporaneous notes taken by James Madison, and numerous other sources, in attempting to recreate actual sessions, speeches, and debates. While I took some liberties in order to modernize the language so as to enhance readability, my aim was to report the substance of what the delegates said.
All the scenes that do not take place on the floor of the convention are fictional, even though they may involve actual historical figures, organizations, or places; or be similar to events that happened at some other time. For example, the meetings of the Union Fire Company and the Free Africa Society and of delegates in Franklin’s garden and at the Indian Queen, the scenes on Market Street and on and around the Delaware River, the plot to destroy the Pennsylvania State House (now “Independence Hall”), and Franklin’s balloon ride are completely fictional; as are Elise, Katy Katz, Watchman Emery, Timothy Wimpole, Johnathon Swinbourne, Lucas Rush, Joseph Carver, Mrs. Carver, Jailer Kyle, Solomon Yates, and other minor characters.
With the exception of the hot water heater, all of Benjamin Franklin’s inventions, writings, drawings, and publications actually existed; as did the Franklin children and grandchildren appearing in the story, including Sally Bache, William Franklin, and Temple Franklin; as did Franklin’s friends Doctor Benjamin Rush (a fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence and abolitionist) and silversmith Phillip Syng (designer and crafter of the inkwell used to sign both the Declaration and the Constitution).
However, the Franklin home at Franklin Court was torn down in 1812 and our knowledge of what was actually there is incomplete. Therefore, much of what is described about the layout and interior is the product of my imagination, based on reading and a trip to Franklin Court and the Benjamin Franklin Museum located there. However, Franklin’s garden and mulberry tree were real. The white steel skeleton that stands there today, and the new mulberry tree, are real.
Reverend Absalom Jones and Reverend Richard Allen are historical figures. The story of their departure from St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church and subsequent formation of the Free African Society is true.
Balloonist Jean Pierre Blanchard is a historical figure. And he really did make an ascent from the yard of the Walnut Street Jail. But he didn’t do it until 1793, some three years after Franklin’s death. President George Washington and future presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe all witnessed America’s first manned flight. To the best of my knowledge, although Franklin did financially support the development of hot-air balloons while serving as our Minister to France during the Revolutionary War, he never actually flew in one.
My heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to the following who have supported me with their time, interest, effort, and encouragement.
To historian Keith Arbour for reading and commenting on the manuscript and for his insights into Franklin, the times in which he lived, and the publishing industry; and for his friendship and encouragement.
To his wife, Nancy Arbour, for reading and commenting on the manuscript.
To Anne A. Verplanck, Ph.D., Associate Professor of American Studies and Heritage Studies at Penn State, Harrisburg, for reading and commenting on the manuscript and for her insights into 18th Century Philadelphia.
To educator and author Nicholas Noble for his friendship over the years and for reading and commenting on the manuscript.
To Ursula G. Lowerre for reading and commenting on this manuscript (as well as others) and for her always on-point insights; and for her long-time, steadfast friendship.
To Paul C. Lowerre for keeping the financial ship afloat, allowing me to engage in this and other projects, and for his steadfast friendship for over 50 years.
To actress, director, musician and college pal Catherine Lyon, and to Karen Kleppe Lembo, for reading the manuscript and urging me to keep going with the publication process.
To Rachel Woods, for reading and commenting on the manuscript.
To bookseller Barbara J. Kelley for reading an early version and telling me I still had lots more work to do.
To editor Carrie Cantor for telling me where an early version of the manuscript made sense and where it didn’t.
And most important of all, to Eugenie, my wife of 35 years, and my best friend for 36, who read so many drafts, listened to ideas, found errors, suggested changes, and was oh-so kind and patient throughout. I could not have done this without you.
Of course, the responsibility for any error or omission found in The Quest to Unite Us: Book I of the Marcus Santana Time Travel Chronicles rests solely with me and not with any of the individuals named above.