Cathy Slusser

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What’s Truth and What’s Fiction?-Spoiler Alert

Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.  Proverbs 12:19 (The Message)

I am thrilled to have picked up some new readers of Eliza’s Story this week, and some of you were also kind enough to read the preview copies.  While I mention at the beginning of the story that it was built upon the facts that I uncovered about Eliza’s life and the history of the Manatee River area, writing historical fiction can be tricky.  Unless a person leaves a journal or letters that tell why they made their decisions or what they were thinking or feeling, even the most well researched novel requires imagination. While the “bones” of Eliza’s Story, the events and circumstances of her life, are true, I superimposed my ideas of what she felt about her experiences.  Some of Eliza is me, but I will never know, at least hopefully, what I might have done had I lived in her times.  For those of you who want to separate fact from fiction, here is the truth about Eliza’s Story. 

SPOILER ALERT:  I am adding a spoiler alert based on a comment by my blogger friend, Sayre.  If you haven’t finished the book don’t read any farther than the chapter you have finished! 

Beginnings

·         Joseph did travel through a hurricane to bring Mary Nichols and her parents to Terra Ceia from New York.

·         The hurricane of 1848 wiped out their home and they were forced to live in a chicken coop until it could be rebuilt  

 

Chapter 1

 

·         There was a spring on the bank of Terra Ceia Bay.  It was one of the reasons that the Atzeroths settled where they did.

·         The Atzeroths did live in Fort Brooke (Tampa) for a time.  Julia worked for Colonel Belknap and they met Billy Bowlegs there.  She often cooked for him, and it was said he enjoyed her meals.  He wore silver coins around his neck which he obtained in Washington, DC.

·         Joseph grew tobacco on Terra Ceia, and the area became known as Tobacco Bluffs

·         The Atzeroths moved to the North side of the Manatee River (present day Palmetto) and Julia operated a store there.  They kept the Terra Ceia property for a farm.

·         They did have a slave named Henry who was a runaway from North Florida and owned by George T. Ward, but the circumstances of his arrival and eventual purchase are not clear.

·         Descriptions of the settler’s attitudes towards the Seminoles and the slave auction in Tampa are taken from the newspapers of the time.

 

Chapter 2

 

·         Swamp Fever also known as Yellow Fever was a real threat to the settler’s.  Its cause was unknown as this time, but it was spread by mosquitoes.

·         Eliza did have a horse and was known for her riding skill.  However, I do not know what kind of what its name was.

·         Niihaasi is a Seminole word for moon.

·         When caught, only in nets because mullet will not take a hook, they are vegetarians, they are bled to keep the meat from being too strong.

 

Chapter 3

 

·         There was conflict between the Atzeroths and the other settlers because of their religion and beliefs. 

·         Eliza’s best friend was Nannie Hunter.  She was related to Robert Gamble and the girls often road horses to Gamble Plantation.   Her mother was Charlotte and her sister, Susan.

·         Gamble Plantation is preserved and a state historic site.  The description of the house is true and can still be visited today.

·         All of the people mentioned at the party were real and much of what they say comes from historical documents such as newspapers or letters.

·         The description of Eliza’s dress is of an actual dress from that time that is housed in a museum. 

·         The story of Edward Gates is true.

·         Quote about the waltz is from the newspapers

 

Chapter 4

 

·         The character of John Boyle is based on one of the settlers that the Atzeroths had conflict with though his name has been changed here.  He did sell the cattle to them just as described here and the bill of sale is located in the Manatee County Historical Records Library.   

·         Joseph did not know how to read or write.  He signed documents with an X.

 

Chapter 5

 

·         Horses love to eat Spanish moss.

·         The information about the migration of red shouldered hawks was told to me by my friend and naturalist, Vicki. 

·         Robert Gamble’s cattle driver was named Jim and is referenced in testimony found at the Manatee County Historical Records Library.

·         Henry’s song is a slave song from that period of time.

·          Senator Snell was a real character and often intervened for the settlers with governmental matters in Tallahassee.  The requirements for Henry’s purchase are found in the Bill of Sale purchasing him at the Manatee County Historical Record Library.    

·         Dr. Branch was the postmaster for the community at this time.

·         The conflict over whether to separate from Hillsborough County is true as are the names of people running for office

 

Chapter 6

 

·         Sam Bishop and the Mary Nevis are real.

·         The Thanksgiving menu would have been typical for that time.

·         The settlers’ feelings about the Indians and desire for war are true as is the story of how the war started.  The headlines from the newspaper are quotes and the description of the Indian attack on Dr. Braden’s plantation come from a letter written after the attack by Sarah Gates.  The display of the Indian scalps is also true.

 

Chapter 7

·         Descriptions of Indian attacks are true and taken from newspapers. 

·         Joseph joins John Addison’s company and his description of the conditions in the Everglades come from letters written by soldiers who he probably served with.

·         Julia was told Joseph was dead, but refused to believe it.

·         Mary Catherine Wyatt’s story is true 

·         A letter from O.J. Hart to Col. Monroe tells of cow and horse being shot as well as problems with the church and their many enemies

·         Joseph brings Eliza Billy Bowlegs cup and spoon as a gift.

 

Chapter 8

·         Julia buys the Mary Nevis and Joseph begins the mail and freight service

·         Joseph’s difficulties with his claim are true

·          The conflict over the cow which was reported stolen comes from testimony in a court case recorded at the Manatee County Historical Records Library.

·         The story of the Seminoles departure from Florida is true as is the quote by Captain Frederick Tresca

·         The Petersen brothers were the Atzeroths nearest neighbors on Terra Ceia and did help them when they were accused of stealing the cow

·         Charges were also brought against Joseph for harboring a runaway slave. 

·         Julia borrows money from Joab Griffin to pay Joseph’s bond.

 

Chapter 9

·         All the court testimony is true and taken from records at the Manatee County Historical Records Library.

·         The description of the courthouse is correct as this courthouse still stands in the Manatee Village Historical Park in Bradenton, Florida. However, the courthouse may not have been the one where the trial took place as local history states the courthouse was not completed until spring term of 1860.

 

Chapter 10

·         The case of harboring a runaway slave is dismissed.

·         William O’Neil worked for Captain Curry on the Ariel. 

·         Henry Petersen loans Joseph money to pay his fines and bond.  The court case goes to the Supreme Court of Florida but is upheld. 

·         Flora McLeod and Ellen McNeill lived at Gamble Plantation.

·         Circumstances of war’s beginning are accurate.

·         Julia buries a keg of gold on Terra Ceia. 

·         Michael Dickens was reported to be the cousin of Charles Dickens. 

 

Chapter 12

·         Michael Dickens and Eliza are married in a double wedding ceremony with Mary Nichols and William O’Neil on July 4, 1861.

·         Settlers speculated that Michael married Eliza to gain her father’s land.

 

·         Ezekiel Glazier, justice of the peace was the officiant.

·         Vows and cake pulling are taken from Victorian era traditions as are wedding dress colors.

·         Afternoon thunderstorms used to be a daily occurrence in the summer on the west coast of Florida.

·         William and Mary Catherine did live in William’s house on the north side of the river while Eliza and Michael stayed on Terra Ceia.

·         As for Michael’s brutality, his treatment of Eliza is hinted in Manatee County court records.

Chapter 13

·         A yawl is a small sailboat. Joseph had one in addition to the Mary Nevis.

·         On July 10, 1861, a spectacular comet lit up the northwestern sky of the west coast of Florida. It appeared every night for two weeks.

 

Chapter 14

·         Eliza and Mary Catherine get pregnant almost immediately after their weddings.

·         Henry’s song was a traditional slave song.

 

Chapter 15

·         Dr Branch had moved from Manatee to Tampa.

·         The treatment he prescribed is from a book published in 1857 called “The Illustrated Silent Friend” by William Earl, MD .

·         Eliza’s disease and the physical and mental pain it caused her as well as her employment of a physician to treat it are described in her divorce petition filed in Manatee County

·         Mr. Gettis and Henry Mitchell served as Eliza’s attorneys and filed her divorce papers.

·         Judge King sent a subpoena to bring Michael into court to answer the charges.

·         The divorce case was never resolved in Manatee County

·         A company under the command of John T. Lesley arrived in Manatee

·         Governor Milton opposed blockade running

·         Court cases for fall term of 1861 cancelled due to war

·         On January 1, 1862, Michael Dickens enlisted in the 1st Florida Cavalry

 

Chapter 16

·         The Mary Nevis is captured and destroyed

·         Description of the Federal troops to the store is true, and the quote about poverty stricken wretched women was recorded in a report sent to Washington, DC.

·         Robert Watson’s visit to the Atzeroths and their supply of meat to the sixty men stationed at Shaw’s Point is recorded in his diary.  Watson called Madam Joe, Mother Jose.  He returned the next day with his commander Capt. Mulrennan and Madam Joe gave them some whiskey.  That evening, they left for Tampa.

·         William enlists on March 5.  The company commander is Robert Smith.

·         The story about Mary Nichol’s mothers’ death and that of her child is true.

·         William and Michael’s military service is also true.

·         Granny Tinsley was Nancy Tinsley, mother in law of Asa Bishop.  She came to Shaw’s Point with her daughter, Nancy Bishop’s family and served as a midwife for the community along with Abigail Glazier, Ezekiel Glazier’s wife.

·         Eliza’s first baby was a girl, Josephine Louise, and Mary Catherine’s first baby, was also a girl, named Louisa.

 

Chapter 17

·         The men went to Tampa to join the war effort on April 24.

·         Union blockade of the river cripples the river settlement.

·         Union soldiers came to the house in the night, demanded lodging and a meal and left a gold coin in Josephine’s cradle.

·         A Union soldier gave Eliza the silk.

·         Papa becomes ill in Knoxville and is discharged. Information comes through a letter to Electa Lee from Edmund Lee.

·         William is promoted.

·         Eliza becomes pregnant again with Michael’s child in December of 1862.

 

Chapter 18

·         Movement of cattle to the south by Captain McKay.  Florida kept south supplied with beef.

·         Board of County Commission passes a tax to provide for soldiers’ families.

·         Captain brings Mama a gift on his wife’s birthday.  She gives him chicken and potatoes in return.

·         Julia Ellen born September 1863.

·         Battle of Missionary Ridge.  William was there, and Michael may have been there.

·         William transfers from Army to Navy and serves with the Savannah Squadron

·         Rev. Lee writes about William in his letters and calls him Billy.

·         Union forces take Fort Myers, Egmont Key and Tampa.

·         Rebel troops hide Egmont Key lighthouse lens.

·         Manatee grist mill blown up even though women beg the captain not to do so.

·         Black soldiers stationed at Manatee and live in one of the Curry houses.

·         James Green serves in Union army and trains black troops in Fort Myers.

 

Chapter 19

·         Mary Catherine goes back to Savannah with William and takes Louisa with her.

·         She gets sick in Savannah in November, but Rev. Lee reports she gets better.

·         General Sherman marches through Georgia destroying everything in his “March to the Sea”, but though he captures Savannah, he does not burn the city as a Christmas gift to President Lincoln.  

·         The siege of Savannah lasted from December 10 to December 21.

·         Details of Lee’s retreat and surrender are true.

·         At the end of war, Union army and navy still control of Manatee River area.

·         Joseph still does not have a deed to the Terra Ceia homestead.

·         Madam Joe was mistaken for Judah P. Benjamin as he escaped through Florida to the Bahamas and eventually to England.  He was housed at Gamble Plantation for a short period of time and local residents and ship captains helped him escape.

·         Mary Catherine and William come back from war.

·         A new Homestead Act is passed.

·         John and Tole Fogarty come to the Manatee River to start a shipbuilding industry and establish a port on the river

 

Chapter 20

·         Father Clavreul comes to visit and says mass, hears confession and conducts communion.  In his diary, he writes about Eliza’s marriage as well as the services he performs while at the Atzeroths.

·         Julia sells the river land to Sarah Campbell for $1,000 in gold

·         Joseph requests help of John Jackson and Jackson writes a letter to the land office.  He explains why the grant was not given earlier as well.

·         Women could claim land under the Homestead Act if it was determined that they were head of the household because they were single or through death, divorce or illness.  If a woman’s husband was unable to provide for the family she was declared head of household, but it had to be proven with legal papers or witnesses.

·         Eliza’s second divorce petition was filed in Hillsborough County. Many divorces took place just as described due to the war’s disruption of family life.

·         John Jackson writes a second letter and blames other settlers for trying to take Joseph’s land.

 

Chapter 21

·         Sarah Campbell’s husband dies less than a year after they purchase the property.  She sells it to S.S. Lamb and returns to Mississippi

·         Description of the first Fogarty House is accurate.  That house becomes John and Ann’s after a second house is built for Tole.  

·         Ann’s real name was Mary Ann Bethel, but I shortened it to Ann because I already had a character named Mary.  She and John Fogarty were married in December of 1877 and came to the Manatee River right after their honeymoon. 

·         Bill Fogarty came about the same time as well.

·         Tole and Mary Ellen (who I call Ellen) Fogarty were already living there.

·         The first boat the Fogarty brothers built was a smack.  A smack is a generic name for a small work boat that could be used to transport goods along the coastline or for fishing.

·         The nicknames used for wood, sticks and knees, are from Fogarty stories.

·         A boatshop used by the second generation of Fogartys has been restored and is in the Manatee Village Historical Park, Bradenton, Florida.

·         One of Mary Ann Fogarty’s specialties was turtle stew.  Turtle meat tastes a lot like beef.

·         Eliza filed a claim for Lots two and six on the shore of Terra Ceia Bay totaling sixty six and fourteen one hundreds of an acre.

 

Chapter 22                                                                                          

 

·         Bill and Eliza were married on March 26, 1870. 

·         Four days later, on March 30, Julia dies at age 6 1/2 after a blow to the chest while playing ball.

·         Joseph finally gets his land grant, April 14, 1870
Josephine dies, October 19, 1870 at age of 8 from rain fever, which is what we call today, croup or asthma.

 

Chapter 23

·         Eliza suffered three miscarriages after the deaths of Julia and Josephine. They may have been related to complications of her earlier affliction with venereal disease.

·         Mary Ann’s comments on Psalm 103 come from a book on how to pray by Eddie Rasnake.

·         John and Mary Ann faithfully attended the Manatee church though the rest of the Fogarty’s were Catholic.

·         Eliza became pregnant again in late summer of 1871.

·         Dr. Branch even though he was almost 70 still practiced medicine in Tampa.

·         The hymn is a traditional German Lutheran hymn.

Chapter 24

·         Joseph died October 30, 1871.

·         Josiah Gates’, Manatee’s first settler died October 3, 1871. Because he died in Jacksonville on his way to seek treatment for an illness, his body had to be transported back to Manatee by train in a large metal casket. His funeral was just days before Joseph died.

·         Bill and Eliza move to Fogartyville before the baby is born. The house that he built still stands in what is now called West Bradenton, Florida.

·         They found an old Irish woman to stay with Madam Joe on the island because she refused to leave and go with them.

·         John Fogarty tended the buoys and sometimes the lighthouse of Tampa Bay and the Manatee River.

·         William Joseph Fogarty was born June 27, 1872.

 

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Comments

  1. I don't want to read too far ahead in this post – I've gotten as far as Henry having been purchased and the first indian attack. I just wanted you to know that I'm really enjoying this book! Thank you!

    Reply

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