All my main characters in Sown in Dark Soil are imaginary. The towns and some of the most minor characters are real, however. Reverend Pharr really served at the Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, and Dameron did build it and the town’s Episcopal Church. Faculty and students from the Valle Crucis Seminary also walked to Wilkesboro for its dedication. The Siamese twins, Eng and Chang Bunker, lived in Wilkes County, as well as Tom Dula (pronounced “Dooley”), whose hanging for murder after the Civil War became controversial. Sheriff Horton is mentioned and was the sheriff in Watauga County. I’ve researched as thoroughly as I could and have tried to make the novel as realistic as possible. I hope you enjoyed the effort.