My Journey to Fitzgibbon

     Today, I am back home from my journey, and I have lots to talk about! I first set off on a cowpath that led to St. David’s, and then I would go through the Black Swamp from there. I knew I had to avoid main roads, so I wouldn't be caught by officers. I remember getting stopped once by an American officer, asking me where I was going. I told him I was going to visit my brother Charles wounded at the home of Mrs. Stephen Ingersoll in St. David’s. After hearing that, he let me pass, and I hurried to Charles’s home, and told everyone there about my mission.

      My brother’s fiancée Elizabeth volunteered to go with me to Shipman’s corner, and we set off towards the swamp. After arriving at the swamp, I armed myself with a branch to help fight off wild animals, and we walked through mud, bushes, and trees, until we reached the main road that lead to Shipman’s corner. Next, Elizabeth left, and I started down Twelve Mile Creek. Halfway across I lost my shoe in the rushing water, but I went on, remembering the words of the men at my house. 

Black Swamp

     After crossing the creek, I went up a hill, and was surprised of the clusters of tents and groups of men there. At least a dozen men came towards me, and I recognized them as the First Nations Peoples. Although I was so scared, I told them in a firm voice to bring me to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon. And that was exactly what they did. The chief sent one of his men to escort me to the stone house where the Lieutenant was stationed. Once we arrived, he brought me to the Lieutenant, and I remember exactly everything I said:

“I am the wife of Sergeant James Secord, who was wounded in active duty at the Battle of Queenston Heights. Since my husband is not able to travel, I have brought this message. The enemy under Colonel Boerstler and directed by Chapin’s guerrillas plan a surprise attack tomorrow. They have a much larger force than you.” 

James FitzGibbon
(Red)

     After the Lieutenant looked at me for a while, he suddenly blurted out my name, and that was when I realized that Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon was Red! He then sent me to a lady upstairs to Mrs. De Cew, who sent me with a man who brought me in a farmhouse a few fields away from the stone house, in a small clean room. Mrs. De Cew helped me wash my bleeding feet and give me soft shoes to wear. After resting for a bit, I was told that the Americans had surrendered without a battle, and that Red wanted to talk to me. 

     So, the following afternoon, I was at the De Cew house talking with Red about how he came to the British army. He told me that after the sailed to Ireland, the French fleet invaded his area, and troops from England were sent to protect the area. That was when he wanted to join the army. After our little chat, Mr. Turney, the owner of the farmhouse I stayed in let me ride in his wagon to bring me back home. Once I arrived home, James gave me a warm welcome, and now, I am feeling so proud of myself for my contribution to the war. 

A map of my journey

Overhearing Battle Plans

     This evening, something quite scary happened. But before I go on, I would like to provide you with some background knowledge on the war. The Americans now control a large part of the Niagara Peninsula. But, in the lower region of the peninsula, an Irishman named James Fitzgibbon still inhabits it. The war seems to be in favor of the Americans, with three thousand Americans against only seven hundred Canadians. 

     Anyways, today (June 21, 1813), some American soldiers came knocking on our door, and they tried to search our house. But, I quickly offered to show them around the house and I lead them upstairs, then back down to the main floor. I then offered them a meal, which they immediately agreed to. In about twenty minutes, I had finished preparing the meal, and I served the food to them. They ate like pigs, eating large portions of the food. 

     I recognized that the leader of the group was Dr. Cyrenius Chapin and I walked out the back door, and heard the conversation of the men inside through the kitchen window, and the most frightening news came about. This is what I heard:

“So, Captain, we attack the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes, we’ll combine forces with all Boerstler’s troops at Fort George and march down on the last foothold in the Niagara Peninsula. When he’s wiped out, Upper Canada is ours!”

     I was so scared to hear that. What if they did decide to attack? The entire Upper Canada may become American territory if nobody warned Fitzgibbon of the attack! So after the men left, I told James what I had heard. We discussed how if he does attack, all of Upper Canada will be in danger, and that if Fitzgibbon is not warned, they might gain the Peninsula, and soon Upper Canada as well! 

     Since James was wounded, I decided to bring the message to Fitzgibbon, and I will be leaving first thing in the morning tomorrow. So, forgive me for not posting anything for the next week or so, because I am to go on a mission! 

Meeting Red      

     Today, the most amazing thing happened. It started when a large old woman came to the front of my kitchen door, asking for some of my baking. I welcomed her into the house, and she asked me for some butter for her to purchase. Before I went to get the butter, I served her a meal of hot potatoes and eggs. But what had really confused me was why this old lady had worn military boots. 

     I was about to leave to get the butter, when the lady told me in a low smooth voice to not be afraid. She also called me “Laura Ingersoll”, which meant she had known me before I was married. Then, the lady took off the heavy grey wig, and it was a man. He explained that he was Red! I can't believe it! I have seen Red again! So, I told him about my moving to Queenston, and how my family is now. 

     Then, after giving him his butter, he left, and I am quite sure I will never see him again. But, meeting Red was such a great surprise for me, because I have forgotten about him for a long time, and I was pretty sure I would never encounter him again. 

All because of some butter, I get to meet Red again!

After the Battle of Queenston Heights    

     I am glad I finally have the time to post again, because for the past months, I have been so busy with helping James with his wounds, and caring for the children. The family is well, and James’s shoulder wound has healed. But he still can't put full weight on his leg with the wounded knee. 

     The war however, has not been going too well for us. York has been invaded and captured by the Americans, and the Canadian frigate Isaac Brock was burned. Now, James is fuming over this loss. I just hope things go back to normal soon! But now, I will just have do the most I can to take of the family.

York is captured by the Americans

Finding James in the Battlefield     

     So much has happened today, so I will start from the beginning. The day started off normally, as Mrs. Law and her son John came to the farm to get away from the battle. Her older son and husband had been killed in the war. But shortly after their arrival, we realized John had disappeared. We looked everywhere in the farm, but only found that Mr. Clement’s musket and cartridge pouch had disappeared as well! 

     So, I went with Mrs. Law to the battlefield in Queenston, which we all guessed John would be trying to get revenge for his brother’s and father’s deaths. Once we got to the battlefield, we found John, and dragged him to my house, although Mrs. Law had gotten shot on the ankle. Then, several men defending the Heights came in the report news of the war, and after I asked them if they had seem James, they told me he was wounded on the battlefield! 

     Without hesitating, I rushed out to the battlefield in search of James, and towards the enemy line. I was so scared then, until I saw James lying still on the ground between two American soldiers who wanted to kill him! I ran in front of James to stop them from firing, and before they could do anything more, an American officer named Captain Wool stopped them, and allowed me to take James home, which I did right away. 

     After arriving home, a doctor named Dr. Greenfield came to see James. It turns out that he could not get the ball on his knee and that his leg may need to be amputated if it got infected. Oh, poor James! But I could not grieve for his injuries then, because I had to tend to him. A moment later, I heard men shouting the good news, that we have taken the Heights, and had won! When James heard of that, he seemed to relax more. Speaking of James, I think that I better go give him some clean clothes and water now! 

Journey to Clement's Farm     

     As I write this, I am not in my own home, but in Clements’ farm. But before I go on, I shall explain to you what has happened. Once I had woken up, I heard a cannon firing, and I knew right away that the war had come to Queenston. 

     Just when I was starting to worry about James, he came to the house with a team of four men carrying the great General Isaac Brock. They placed the dead general onto my bed, and James told me to bring the children to the countryside, where it will be safe from the war. 

     So, after speaking with him, I gathered the children and hurried away from the Heights, where the battle was fought. We went towards the Clement farm, because even though it was farther away, it would also be farther from Queenston and the war. After a long walk on muddy paths and forests, we arrived at the farm, where Mrs. Clement greeted us warmly and welcomed us in. Well, it is about time I checked on my children. I will go on about what happened tomorrow! 

Clement's Farm

Return to Queenston     

     I have come back to Queenston, and now, I shall update you with the recent news of the war. Unbelievable news of an American brigadier-general William Hull arrived recently. What happened was that Hull had lead troops across the Detroit River to Upper Canada, and sent men to plunder the countryside. But, he did not attack Amherstburg’s Fort Maiden, and even retreated across the Detroit River in mid-August! But, this news to me is not that good, because the next attack would obviously be farther east. What if their next target was Queenston? James would be in danger of going to defend Queenston, and the entire family had the danger of getting hurt. I pray that they won't strike Queenston, and that we will all be safe for whatever's coming.

A map of Queenston, one of the possible targets of the next American attack

 Father's Death    

     A very bad thing has happened today. When I woke up, Sally and I were very worried about how we would tell father of the war, and how he might react. Well, we worried for nothing, because when I went to look on him after our conversation, his face was very, very pale, he did not answer me when I called him. That was when I knew father had died. Although I do grieve for this death, I am also quite thankful that father would never have to face the news of war.

At Father's Inn     

     Today, I went to see father. Once I arrived at the inn, Sally greeted me warmly, and I went to father’s room to see him. He was so thin, pale and weak, and I really couldn't believe how much he had changed from the last time I saw him! 

     We talked for a while, asking about how we were doing, and soon, he told me that Sam was now living alone since Bett had died a few years ago, and he had the smallpox. Poor Sam! But we moved on to other topics like how the inn was doing, and soon, father seemed out of breath and tired, so I left him to sleep. 

     But I really wondered how I was to tell him that the Americans had declared war on us. The news would certainly worry him, affecting his ill condition. I am also worrying about my children, because nobody knows where the Americans would strike. James told me that four main areas were possible targets: Amherstburg on the Southern tip of Lake Erie, Kingston, Montreal, and Queenston, which worries me because we live in Queenston! 

     So I pray that father will face the news of war, and that James and the children would be safe. It is getting late now, so I better go to sleep! I will update you tomorrow! Good night!

War is Coming!     

     Wow, I haven't realized that I haven't been blogging for so long! I guess it’s just because I got tired of it for a while. Anyways, it is the year 1812 now, and James and I are married, and have built a house in Queenston on the site of my family’s first tent. His store is only making slim profits, but after convincing him to open another store in Queenston, business increased, and James could support me, my two daughters Charlotte and Harriet, and a son Charles. 

     I am glad to have such healthy children. Elizabeth married a man named Daniel Pickett at twenty-seven years old, even though men had been continually asking her out. Now, she finally has a baby boy! Anyways, those were all old stories just to catch you up on my life. Now, the war with the Americans seemed to be coming, and I am very worried about James, because he is going to join the military.  In fact, he is a sergeant in the first militia regiment of Lincoln Country, and he has to train local men for service in case of war.

      But luckily, he is only going to work there temporarily, and I really hope that he does not have to fight. Although I think that the Americans most likely won't attack us because it isn't our fault that the British had taken sailors off their sailing vessels and bringing them to the British navy to help fight the Napoleons, James told me that the Americans are pressing their new government to take action. But I really don't think they would take their anger out on Upper Canada, because half of us were Americans who came here to settle, and their quarrel is really with Britain, not us. 

     Anyways, tonight, when we were eating dinner, James was having dinner with the soldiers at Fort George, and my brother Charles came by to inform me that father was sick, and that he was asking for me. Just then, James had come back from his dinner to tell me that war had been declared. I can't believe the news! James would be in such danger! I really hope doesn't fight, because I don't want him to get hurt! But, I had to go see father, so I couldn't stay. Well, Charles is calling me now! I better go travel to father's inn!

Our house we built after getting married.

The Return of James     

     It’s been a long time since James has left, and finally today, he has come back! Oh how I missed him, and he said he had missed me too! I was so worried about him because his letters had not made it here. 

     But the best part of today was when James told me his business was improving, and that he felt strongly about me. He said he would also like to ask for permission to call regularly! I can't believe it! So James really did like me, and I am very glad of that! Then, he kissed me on the lips, and I felt a strong feeling of care for him. Oh how I love James, I really do! I am so glad he came back safely today!

An Outing with James     

     The day started out normally with me just adding up this week’s receipts, until James came by to ask me to go on a ride. So, after permission from father, we went on his wagon to go to the bottom of the Heights. 

     The view on the wagon was certainly very nice, but when we arrived and sat on a stone, he explained some bad news to me. His business was not doing too well, and also, he is going to go on a trip to Kingston or farther on a business trip. I know the trip would be very important for him, but I know I will really miss him, and I know I will be waiting anxiously for him to come back.

The view we saw when we arrived at the stone.

Business Problems     

     It’s been a month since we have moved into the inn, and I have been sitting at the oak desk at the main entrance, totaling two columns for profits and expenditures. Unfortunately, the expenses were much higher, because father had been giving credit to a number of newcomers, which our business could not afford. 

     While I was telling father about the problem, James Secord walked in with the most beautiful woman, and instantly, I felt annoyance as I realized he had a wife. But, that quickly ended when he explained that the woman, who was named Phoebe, was his niece. After Phoebe left, I went on telling father about the problem and how we should only give credit at the inn during emergency situations. 

     But then, James interrupted, and said that it was fine and that my plans were unnecessary. But what really annoyed me was how father had taken my advice so lightly! He was never prepared for situations like this, and it was the family who suffered. I can't believe that James was giving him bad business advice to father, and now, I am starting to think that maybe James isn't that great after all.

Buying Fairbank's Tavern     

     Father had bought Fairbank’s Tavern the day we came back from our trip to the site, and now, we own Queenston’s one and only inn! Sally was so pleased with it, which may have been the reason why father had bought the inn in the first place. Unfortunately for me, James did not visit us, which disappointed me, but at least I could help with the books, as I have been quite bored ever since the return to Queenston.  

Return from the Trip     

     Finally, we are returning from our three week trip at the site, where father and Captain Brant, the Mohawk chief who agreed to help him choose land for settlement had built a large one-room log cabin. I have to say, the trip wasn't that bad. Well, at first, it was a bit lonely, with just the men working to build the cabin. Then, when Captain Brant’s sons Joseph and Jacob came to help, we became good friends, and I really enjoyed the next week with them. But the way back was much different, with the brothers chatting in their own language, and father and the captain discussing political matters. But, at least I know I will fit in when I get back “home”. 

A Trip to the Building Site     

     Today, father needed one of us girls to go with him to the site where our house will be built to cook meals to save time for building. Although I did want to see the site, I still wanted to wait for James to come calling again, since I was almost certain he likes me, since he was so kind to me. But, since nobody wanted to go, I finally agreed to go with father. Well, I guess I could wait for James after the trip.

Starting a New Life in Upper Canada     

     For the past three days, we have been organizing everything in our two canvas houses on a green stretch of land below the heights, while still returning to the inn for meals, since the inn is full.  Mr. Secord had provided us with supplies from his store in St. David’s, which father paid with some cash. 

     I secretly think that Mr. Secord is quite a handsome man, with deep blue eyes, and he is so kind also, helping us so much ever since our arrival at Queenston. Well, I don't think I should be focused on that sort of thing right now, for I should pay more attention to settling in the land. It is getting late now, so good night, and I shall provide more news some other day!

Meeting James Secord     

     Today, we have reached shore in Queenston after a long boat ride, and the place seemed not even big enough to be a small village. After we unloaded everything from the ship, father left to find a place to stay, and we headed to a nearby hill under an oak tree with all of our luggage except for the large truck that was too heavy to carry. So, Sam insisted on staying behind to guard the trunk. 

     Shortly after that, a wagoner with neat and fresh clothes drew his horses to a stop in from of the oak tree, and offered to help us. His name was James Secord, and he had opened a general store five miles away from the area. After a short conversation with him about settling in Upper Canada, and that we could get supplies from his store, I asked him to help us carry the large trunk to the oak tree. 

     So, he and his friend Josh, which he had called from down the hill, and Sam carried the trunk up the hill and set it with the other trunks. Finally, he introduced us to stay at Fairbank’s Tavern, and to tell them James Secord sent us. And with that, he left. 

     After father came back, he told us that there was nowhere to stay, not even Fairbank’s Tavern. But after convincing him to try again, except this time, saying that James Secord had sent us, we went to the Tavern, and ran into Mr. Secord. He offered to ask for a room for us, and after a brief conversation with the man at the counter, we got two rooms for the family. Although he said it would only be for tonight, he assured that he would provide us with a tent the next day to set at the edge of town. What a kind and generous man he was, and he was also about my age as well. I am so thankful for the inn, and I think that although our journey seems so hard, it is slowly working out well. 

Going to Upper Canada     

     Wow, time has certainly passed very quickly, hasn't it? Well, it has for me. In fact, we have been preparing for the moving to Upper Canada this past month and finally today, we are moving to Upper Canada! Today, we will travel on a sloop upriver to Schenectady, and from there, we will travel from boat up the Mohawk River, and to Oswego River. Then, we will board a ship for Newark.  

     Anyways, while everyone was packing up our belongings for the trip, I was thinking about the time Red had told me he was leaving for Ireland, where he came from. We were standing under the apple tree, and although I reasoned with him to stay here, he said that it was settled, and I started crying. Yes, crying. I was so sad that he had to leave, and I still am! What if I never see him again? Then the most extraordinary thing happened to me. Right when I started crying, he leaned over and kissed me on the mouth, which no boy had done to me before. I would never forget that moment. And now, as I am writing this, I am sitting in the wagon that is bringing us to Upper Canada, and making our home grow smaller and smaller behind us.

A map of Upper Canada

Results of the Family Gathering     

     You would never believe what had happened at the family gathering. Father had announced that we would be moving to Upper Canada next month. I can't believe he just burst out sudden information like that, especially when he said he had been planning this for two years! He explained that he had went to Upper Canada two years ago, and made a petition to Lieutenant Governor Simcoe for a land grant there. Apparently, he had agreed to take forty settlers there over a seven period time, and each family would be granted two acres for a nominal fee. Also, he could not stand the court decisions on taking away farms of poor farmers who could not pay their debts. 

     Although everyone, including Sally, Mira and Elizabeth seemed to despise the idea of going to Upper Canada, I actually feel okay with it. Yes, it would not be an easy life to settle in the new land and start over, but I think that we will manage fine, as father had planned this for two years. Also, I might find a beau in Canada, as I will be twenty in just five months, and I still have no beau. So overall, I am not against the idea of moving to Upper Canada, although it had been very sudden and surprising news. I am looking forward to the future of this journey!

Summary of Recent Events     

     I am so sorry for not posting for such a long time. It’s just that a lot has happened lately. I will just give a quick summary because I have a load of chores to do after this! My stepmother Mercy died, and four months after that, father married Elizabeth’s mother, which took everyone to surprise. So now, Elizabeth and her mother have moved in with us. 

     Father has found work for Red with Judge Whiting, so I am glad I don’t have to worry about him that much any longer. I believe that that was probably the beginning of father’s courtship of Sally Whiting Bachus, because he had been visiting Judge Whiting quite often then. Anyways, Sally has added two healthy children to this family—Charles, who is currently four years old, and Appy, who is one year old. Well,  Sally is calling me for a family gathering, so I shall post the results of that later on!

Red's Brave Act     

     Elizabeth is finally back from New York, so father told me to invite her to go on a picnic with me and Mira, my younger sister. So today, we three girls went to the meadow next to the Mayos’ (Thomas and Levi’s family) woodlot. Because of my appropriate clothing (Elizabeth was wearing a light mauve satin gown with lace trimmings. Why in the world would she wear that to a picnic?) I had the responsibility of carrying the picnic basket.

     As we walked, Thomas Mayo joined us, and he made me so embarrassed when he brought up that I was looking for Red. Naturally, Elizabeth got interested, and wondered if Red was my beau! I knew that Thomas had wanted to get me embarrassed because he seemed to be enjoying himself as he watched me scramble to change the topic. So, I just invited him to our picnic to get everyone’s mind off of Red. After playing around a bit with Mira, we lost our picnic basket, and got into an argument with Thomas, since he said we were stupid girls. That was so mean of him, so I was glad he left after that.

     But as we searched for the basket, I thought that maybe Red had taken the basket, as he would have been on the run on and hungry. So, I was especially pleased when Elizabeth left for home to avoid looking for the basket, since Red would never come out with Elizabeth around. But after she left, two shaggy men came out behind some trees with my food basket and muskets, with Red running up behind them. He explained that the two men were his friends and that they had not eaten in days. Although I only wanted to feed Red, and not two strange men, I allowed them to dig into Bett’s food basket, since they seemed pretty hungry and were friends of Red. Finally, he made me promise not to reveal their identities to anyone, and so I promised him, and allowed him to stay overnight at my barn.

     Now here’s the most adventurous part of the tale. When I asked Mira to retrieve Red’s blue handkerchief, she took it, and refused to give it unless I caught her. So I sprinted after her to the riverbank, only to find that she had lost her footing and rolled into the river. I was also very surprised when Red jumped into the water to save Mira, and after a long struggle in the water, he finally pulled her up to shore. But at that moment, father had come outside to see what had happened. Luckily, he was too busy carrying Mira to the house and seeing if she was alright to scold or interrogate anyone.

     Once we got to the house, father didn't seem too angry at me, and gave Red dry clothes. Then, he asked Red where he lived, and there was a moment of suspense as I remember that Red was in Shay’s rebellion, and did not want his identity to be known. Luckily, Red quickly saved himself by saying he lived with his uncle who had died in war, and was looking for a job. So father said that he would allow Red to help Sam and Bett with work for now.

     I think that although much has happened today, it didn't turn out that badly. I had managed to get rid of Elizabeth without even trying, and I have found Red again. So I guess today isn't half bad at all.

Father's Return     

     I couldn't take my mind off Red from the moment I woke up. I thought of him, and how I would visit him later on in the day. So, after making an excuse to leave the house, I had a twenty minute walk to Thomas and Levi’s house, only to find that Red was long gone. I was so disappointed, and I felt all the excitement from before drift out of me. So, I had to walk all the way back to the house with nothing but disappointment.

     Once I neared my house however, I realized that Bett, the housemaid had ringed the emergency bell because she had thought I had gone missing. So, I hurried home, and Bett told me that my father had come home, and wanted to speak to me.When I went to my father, he asked me where I had gone, but I couldn't tell him I was looking for Red! So, I decided not to answer his question, and instead, informed him of mother Mercy’s cold. He didn't seem to really want to care about that issue, but at least it was enough to get his mind off of where I had gone. My father never stayed home very long, so I wonder what he would be back for this time.

Finding a Safe Place for Red     

     When I went to school today, I was hurrying because I was late, only to find classes were cancelled for the rest of the week. So, I went back home, and later that afternoon, I found out that Elizabeth and her mother were going back to New York to escape the dangerous countryside. I am actually fine that she is leaving, because I don't really like her anyways. 

     The most interesting part of my day was at night, when I looked out the window to see Red stumbling in between two soldiers. I had this feeling of fear and concern for him, as I snuck out of the house to see the boy. After going out, I hid behind some cedar bushes, and found out that Red had escaped. Suddenly, a hand clamped over my mouth, and a familiar voice told me not to yell. I knew it was him. Since I knew he was getting chased after, I suggested he stay at Thomas and Levi Mayo’s house, not far from my house. 

     He agreed, and as soon as we arrived, Thomas and Levi welcomed Red warmly, and allowed him to hide in their potato hole. Finally, Levi offered to escort me home after preparing for Red’s stay. I am so relieved that Red has a safe place to stay now, and hope that if the soldiers do happen to search Thomas and Levi’s house, they won’t find Red!

Encountering Red

     Alright, today, the strangest thing has happened. When I went out to go to school this morning, I saw a crowd of nearly a hundred men about 100 feet away from the house. Although I knew I should have went back to the house just to be safe and everything, I really wanted to see what was going on, so I hid behind this raspberries bushes. What was really scary was that most of the men were well armed with rifles and muskets. That was when I decided to leave for home, to avoid the danger and to warm up before I got frozen in the cold weather.

     But when I got up to leave, the redhead from yesterday stopped me from leaving by tripping me, then dragging me to a clump of cedar trees. I can't believe he was so rude, and even though he said he wouldn't hurt me, I still think he could have shown that in a much better way. His name is Red, which makes sense, because his hair is red. Red didn’t seem to really want to answer the questions I asked him about why the men were here and where he was from at first. But later on, after a conversation, he told me that he and the men would leave soon, and wouldn't hurt Great Barrington. He also told me the story of how the came here. He said that his father had shipped him off to America to his uncle, since his family was too small to support me. But once he went to America, his uncle couldn't pay the taxes, so his farm got taken away, and they both joined the rebellion. What a poor boy he was, with nowhere to stay, and having the only option of joining the rebellion!

     After his story, to my own surprise, I offered him a meal at my house, which he refused. Then, before he left, he made me promise I would not give them away, and that he would not give me away. Of course, I promised him, as I wouldn't want him in trouble. Then, the boy left to the group of men. I feel quite sorry for him, and I do wish him the best of luck and safety.

The Red-headed Boy 

      Today, during my day at school, the town watchman told us that all of our after-school lessons and practices are cancelled, and that we had to go straight home after his announcement. Apparently, the agitators were on the prowl again, so we had to keep to the main roads. But really, seeing soldiers on the roads are quite normal, considering the fact that Great Barrington was the center of traffic during the Revolutionary War that ended in 1783. 

     Anyways, after the town watchman’s announcement, we were dismissed from school right away, and I walked home with Elizabeth Bachus, the new girl who came from New York. While we were walking, we ran into three really creepy people. Two of them were middle-aged farmers, and the third was a boy about my age with red hair. I was so glad that I was with Elizabeth, because I really wouldn't have wanted to encounter the men alone. Of course, Elizabeth was even more scared than I was, shaking the entire time, but it was better than being alone. In fact, she was so scared that if I had not dragged her on, she would have just stood there frozen and shaking. Now I know this sounds really weird, but I actually sort of like that redhead. I think that he is sort of cute. 

     Shortly after the encounter, Elizabeth’s grandpa judge Whiting came riding on his sleigh, and offered a ride home. Although I told him that I could just walk, he insisted. He also insisted on getting me a ride to school tomorrow morning with Elizabeth. Once I arrived home, as usual, father was not there because of work, and mother Mercy was ill as usual. 

     Now here’s the best part. When I looked out the window, I saw the men Elizabeth and I ran into earlier, with that cute red-headed boy! But, when I went to open the door to welcome them, they had disappeared. I really wonder where they are, and I hope I can see that red-head soon!

Welcome to My Blog! 

Here, you will read about my everyday life! :D I am Laura Ingersoll, and I live just south of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. My father is the judge of Great Barrington, and is also the captain of the local militia. On my blog, you will see all my great adventures in my life! Please remember to follow my blog!