“Defiance on Indian Creek transports readers to the days of the American Revolution to follow the heart-stirring story of young Mary Shirley, who struggles to find her place in a turbulent world.” —Charlene Whitman, author of The Front Range series “...Mary is a fun protagonist to follow as the story progresses, because Still is able …
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 …
Continue reading "The Real Location of Michael Shirley’s Land"
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 she turned thirteen in 1775. This eureka moment led to the question, how would a young teen girl cope with the upheaval of more Shawnee raids and the rising tensions …
Continue reading "Mary Shirley Turned Thirteen in 1775–In Western Virginia"
