in Uncategorized 448 Words

“Making the Best of a Tragedy” – historical short story

The fourth story in my new book, Traveling Through History: A Collection of Historical Short Stories, is “Making the Best of a Tragedy: Elizabeth Steele’s Story.”

I learned of Elizabeth Steele (sometimes spelled Steel) a few years ago while doing research for the writing of my historical novels. What a fascinating woman!

I must choose my words carefully, because I don’t want to ruin the short story for you.

She was a Patriot during the American Revolution. In fact, she met General Nathanael Greene and the generous gesture she made for the American cause in the dining room of her tavern in Salisbury, North Carolina, as he was on his way to the Battle of Guilford Courthouse just might have made a difference in the ultimate outcome of the Revolutionary War.

The story tells of a tragedy that befell her husband at Fort Dobbs. A lesser woman would have been crushed by the trauma, but not Elizabeth Maxwell Gillespie Steele!

I can’t wait for you to read her story and become as enthralled with her as I am! She plays an important role in my first historical novel (tentatively titled The Heirloom) and she will have a part in the subsequent novels I have drafted and planned.

Grave marker for Elizabeth Steele at Thyatira Presbyterian Church in Rowan County, NC

It was an emotional experience for me when I visited her grave at Thyatira Presbyterian Church in Rowan County, North Carolina. I have spent so much time with her in my imagination and writing that I feel as though I know her and she is my friend and mentor. She, no doubt, has influenced some of my political rants on my blog!

If a woman on the frontier in the backcountry of North Carolina could do what she did in the 1700s, why should I do less for my country in the 2020s?

In case you missed them here are the links to my blog posts about the first three stories in my book: “The Tailor’s Shears” – Historical Short Story; “You Couldn’t Help But Like Bob” — historical short story; and “To Run or Not to Run” – historical short story.

Where to purchase Traveling Through History: A Collection of Historical Short Stories

You can find my new short story collection on Amazon in e-book (https://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Through-History-Collection-Historical-ebook/dp/B0FZQBMC2Q and paperback (https://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Through-History-Collection-Historical/dp/B0FZSR6FPX.)

Traveling Through History: A Collection of Historical Short Stories, by Janet Morrison

You can find the paperback at Second Look Books in Harrisburg, NC, or ask for it at your local independent bookstore. Bookstores can order it from IngramSpark.

Janet

12 thoughts on ““Making the Best of a Tragedy” – historical short story”

  2. “If a woman on the frontier in the backcountry of North Carolina could do what she did in the 1700s, why should I do less for my country in the 2020s?” Indeed! Inspiration for us all. Thank you for sharing.

    Like

  6. Thank you so much, Norah! Elizabeth Steele is truly an inspiring person from our colonial and revolutionary times. What I did not spell out in my blog post, but I’ll share with you is that her husband was scalped by Cherokee Indians and lived an excruciating 29 days after. I cannot imagine the pain, nor can I imagine the bravery and fortitude it took Elizabeth to care for him throughout such a horrible ordeal.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.