The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was a large part of our nineteenth century history. Many slaves were freed thanks to the "conductors" of the "railroad". This actually had nothing to do with a railroad, but a code of the terms used at a train station were used. This "railroad" started in the south but stretched all the way north to Canada. It even went through western Virginia. Blacks and whites worked together to free the slaves. The homes where the fugitives stayed had clothes, food, and a place to stay. Harriet Tubman or "Moses" was a major part of the Underground Railroad. Most fugitives and their conductor would travel at night by foot, but some would travel by boat or train. Others helping with the fugitives would help raise money or donate some of their own to help them. Each and every person risked their life to help the runaways.

Abolitionists also helped by making quilts. These quilts had the path to freedom on them. Each block on the quilt meant something different. There was one that represented the North Star. Another meant a wagon wheel. Some even meant a safe house. All this helped the fugitives and their conductors follow the Underground Railroad.

American Revolution Heroine

There were many heroes of the American Revolution, but there is one heroine that I am very proud of. Elizabeth Zane risked her life when she did not have to. The fort where she stayed was under siege. The colonists were running out of gunpowder, and they had to find a way to fight back. Ebenezer Zane, Elizabeth's brother, lived just sixty yards away from Fort Henry and had plenty of gunpowder. Colonel Shepherd needed a volunteer to run to his house and back. Three men offered to go, but Elizabeth refused to let anyone but herself go. This was probably the best idea because when she started off, the Indians just watched, not realizing what she was doing. No one fired a shot toward her. However, on her return, the Indians realized what she was running for and began shooting at her. Once back inside closed doors, she realized that there was only one bullet hole in her skirt. She was very lucky that she was not shot, or worse, the gunpowder powder was not shot. For if this would have happened, the gunpowder would have exploded, killing her. Elizabeth Zane was very courageous and brave. I chose her to blog about because she showed that women did their part in the American Revolution.

Modern Day Heroes

My mother, Vicki, is my modern day heroine. First of all, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here. She has told me about her life growing up, and I realize how lucky I am to have what I do. She has done many things that she may not had wanted to do, but she did them anyway. My mom usually puts others before herself. With many stories of her years growing up, she is the one who got me interested on sports. I have truly learned the meaning of hard work and discipline because of my mother. She taught me to treat people with respect. I wouldn't be the person I am if it weren't for my heroine.

Sam Pringle

Sam and John Pringle had escaped the war, but were running low on supplies. John decided to return to Virginia and bring back what they would need. Sam decided to stay at their tree home. Sam had to stay busy because John would be gone for a few months.
After John left, Sam was very lonely. He started taking walks, going further every time. After he walked many miles one day, he came across a small Indian village. A young girl about his age was tending to a small garden. He was very interested in how she pulled stray weeds from the ground and how she watered the small plants. He wanted to talk to her, but was afraid of startling her. He just hid behind the trees.
Sam came back to watch the girl everyday without fail. Then one time he accidentally stepped on a twig and it snapped, grabbing the girl's attention. He stepped out from behind the woods. The girl was not frightened at all. He asked her if she knew English. She nodded her head. He asked her about the garden. She took him over to her workplace and showed him what to do. He explained to her about his brother and their tree. She told him about her family as well. Later that day she took him to meet her family and show him around her village. For about two weeks he came back without fail. Then one day she asked him if he would like a garden to surprise his brother when he made his way back. He eagerly said yes. She found some spare seeds and they walked back to the Pringles' tree. Sam cleared a space large enough for a small garden. Together they plowed a small patch of earth for the seeds. They tended to the garden everyday, watering and weeding it.
By the time John returned, Sam and the woman had tall cornstalks, hills of potatoes, and green beans for them to eat during the winter. John brought back good news of the war ending. Sam had good news for John. He and the young woman wanted to be married.

Proclamation of 1763

King George III of Great Britain,

The Proclamation of 1763 states that no one is allowed to settle west of the Allegheny Mountains. I understand that you do not want to anger the Indians, but we veterans need a place to settle. The east coast is getting crowded as more people come in high hopes for land. If we could move further west then there would be more room for people to live. Many of the veterans of the French and Indian War have talked and decided that we fought for our country for seven years and deserve to stay where we please. Even though the majority of the Indians were against us, the Iroquois were on our side. Maybe if you talked to them, they would help us move westward. They probably would talk to other Indians and let us have part of the land. I am sure you could strike up a deal with them. This would make all our veterans very pleased. We went to war, we deserve something out of this.

Sincerely,
Don Garden, veteran of the French and Indian War

I am a French soldier in the French and Indian War

October 6, 1756


Dear Mom,
The war has really taken its toll on me, but I know it will be worth it when we win this war. We wouldn't even be fighting if it wasn't for George Washington. With them as their leader, the British have no chance to win. Hunting food in the Ohio River Valley is fairly easy because we soldiers are used to hunting. We have been using the furs from the animals to stay warm. Now that we are this far in the war though, wild game has been harder to find. There are rats in the fort as big as muskrats. We have to sleep in shifts so someone is ready and armed to shoot if a rat comes close. We have been eating rats for about two weeks now. How do you think boiled show level would taste? Honestly, it would taste better than it sounds. There have been many skirmishes with the enemy. We are running out of ammunition because the British have control of the oceans. They cannot send supplies ships to us. I can't wait until this war is over and i can come back to France. I have no interest in this land. I came here in the first place for the furs. I have done that, and now i want to come home. I know Father will want to know about the weather so:it is rainy all the time. Even though we have trees as cover, the rain still finds its way to us. The roof of the fort is leaking as I write this. The Indians have helped us so much. They thought of hiding in the trees when we are shooting. They have showed us new ways to cook our food and grow our own. We must trust them completely because they are our allies. By the way, I am writing in berry juice because we can only use black ink for special papers to the king and other war business. I cannot wait to see you again. Tell my sisters I love them and you and Father too.

Your son,
Don

George Washington

George Washington was the United States of America's first president. I know that he played a part in a war. He lived at Mt. Vernon. His wife's name was Martha. I don't know if he had wooden teeth or not, but that would be neat if he did. I think that he wore a powdered wig. When he was young, due to an experience dealing with a cherry tree, he declared that he could not tell a lie.

Some things I want to learn about George Washington are:

Did he really have wooden teeth?

Did he ever have six horses shot out from under him?

Which war did he contribute to?

What was the entire story with the cherry tree?

How long did he and his wife live at Mt. Vernon?

Did he ever meet Betsy Ross?

Did he have children?

What other "American heroes" did he work with?

Where were his ancestors from?

Did his parents influence him on becoming a leader?

What did Martha think about being the First Lady?

This is what I know about George Washington and what I would like to learn about him.