Mary Shirley McGuire: Finding Her True Story
The Swiss Challies Become German Shallys
Shaking the Family Tree
Video Interview by Book Word: The Great Escape
Developing the Fictional Mary Shirley
The real Mary Shirley turned thirteen in 1775. Her birth date is recorded in family records as February 17, 1762. Although birth years for Mary’s younger siblings vary across websites, Mary’s date remains consistent and undisputed. She was the firstborn child of Michael and Catherine Shirley. I chose the most reliable birth dates for the …
Who is Mary Shirley McGuire?
Discovering Michael Shirley’s Land
When I began writing Defiance on Indian Creek, in 2008, all I found on Michael Shirley’s land came from a Google Book copy of Oren Morton’s book, A History of Monroe County West Virginia. Listed on page 82 under Surveys under Botetourt County in 1774, in the following format: Shirley, Michael–527–Indian—L—Mar 24. However, I didn’t …
A Whole New Side of the American Revolution
I’m pleased book one in the Dangerous Loyalties series, Defiance on Indian Creek, is being used by educators for use in Literary Arts and Social Studies curriculums. As I researched Daughters of the American Revolution Patriots, Mary Shirley McGuire and her papa Michael Shirley, a whole new side of the American Revolution unfolded and begged …
Continue reading "A Whole New Side of the American Revolution"
Upheaval and Turmoil
Shirley descendants recorded Mary's date of birth as 17 February 1762. As I contemplated writing a fictional novel about her life, it occurred to me that she turned thirteen in 1775. That eureka moment led to the question, how would a young teen girl cope with the upheaval of her papa being away, fighting Indians? …
THE TRUTH BE TOLD…
My Dangerous Loyalties Series, is a fictional account of Mary Shirley and her family's lives during the American Revolution. It’s set in Western Virginia shortly before Mary’s real life 13th birthday on February 17, 1775. The Shirley family really did live on 527 acres of Indian Creek land. These posts will reveal their non-fiction story, …
phyllisastill.com 