Saga of the Ages

By Dr. Anne R. Murray

Saga of the Ages is a fictional novel focused on the life of those before and during the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. It represents the birth of a new nation for the American people.

The setting is in Albany, New York, as characters are integrating into the original thirteen colonies. Life is not easy as the main characters seek to find comfort in their surroundings.

This book is set apart from other novels in that it depicts colonial life before and during the era. Some of the events and dates are true while the names of characters are fictitious.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524696740

Dr. Anne R. Murray

Anne R. Murray first became a writer in the summer of 2013. She began with two nonfictional books, written about her circumstances with major chronic illnesses. Since then, she has gone on to write and publish five novels and one book of poetry. This is her ninth book and sixth novel written within four years. Anne spent some years teaching children with specific learning disabilities and problems at a local high school. While teaching full-time, she earned a doctorate in educational leadership, which paved her career in education. Anne has a positive outlook on life, despite physical and medical challenges in her later adult years. Her motivation to help others and be an inspiration to those physically and medically challenged is her primary goal in life. Dr. Murray’s other publications are: As The Scarlet Sings, As The Sweet Honey Runs, The Jagged Edge, Wounded Heart in Flight, Gentle Rain of Thoughts, Shattered Dreams, Glimpses of the Past; Heritage of the Old South and Lingering Shadows.

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© 2017 Dr. Anne R. Murray, Ed.D. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/20/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9676-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9675-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9674-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017909283

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Epilogue

References

About The Author

Acknowledgments

I never want to fail to acknowledge friends and family for their support in my writing this book. This has been an experience and I enjoyed the writing process. There have been ups and downs throughout the creative process. There have also been physical and medical challenges along the way. One remarkable thing is the finished product – the creation of a new book and the reward of seeing it completed. It is the creation of a new birth - one of the reasons I entitled the book, Saga of the Ages.

First and foremost, I want to thank my niece Dannie for her artistic ability and talent in creating the front cover and sketches for the book. Without her enormous artwork, it could be less interesting to read.

In addition, I want to thank my niece Ashley for her blurb on the back cover. Her time and energy are appreciated.

I want to thank Glamour Shots for their profession headshot and photo. It is a perfect addition that adds to the book.

I also am appreciative to the staff at AuthorHouse Publishers that work tirelessly with me completing deadlines, publications and marketing strategies.

Introduction

The American Revolutionary War happened at a time when optimist was high among the American people and much patriotism. The colonies had shifted into a law-abiding state and relied more on American employment than help from the British government. Americans were proud of their new land and the discovery of liberty and freedom. Many of the first settlers’ descendants came to America to escape political and religious persecution. Others came to discover a new world, one free of Britain’s government and taxation.

During this era, the society trends were changing. The women were wearing dresses with strapped-in girdles and pads underneath, while the men experienced a change in suits and daily wear. Men usually wore knickers to just below their knees, while women wore elaborate designs and hooped skirts.

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also referred to as the American War of Independence and as the Revolutionary War in the United States, was an armed conflict between Great Britain and thirteen of its North American colonies which after the onset of the war declared independence as the United States of America.¹

The thirteen American colonies had settled on the Eastern and Northeastern regions. The colonies were split up into three different sections: the New England colonies which included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, the middle colonies which included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware and the Southern colonies which included Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.²

The colonists entered the country through Plymouth Colony (sometimes New Plymouth or Plymouth Bay Colony) in Massachusetts, an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith.³

The Pilgrims⁴ sailed the Mayflower from England in September 1620. The Mayflower Compact,⁵ was marked by a gathering of 41 men on the ship. The settlement’s initially fortification and watchtower was based on what is presently known as Burial Hill.⁶

The brutality of the icy winter months brought on numerous deaths among the Pilgrims. The greater part of the 102 Pilgrims died because of poor sustenance or lodging. In 1621, the Pilgrims imparted a Thanksgiving supper to the Pokanoket,⁷ a Native American Indian tribe.

It is my intention for readers to enjoy the historical value of this book and to be informed of the hardship the first settlers endured. It is my hope that you sit back and relax while reading this book. The book takes you to another height of mystery, suspense and action. More importantly, it keeps your attention as you solve the crimes of espionage, treason and murder!

Prologue

The click-clock of the horse’s hooves surfaced the ground as his legs marched in rhythm. The horse was circling an area that held many secrets. Riding on the back of his grayish-white horse, the man approached a small building on his right. The building was not often visited by civilians, but by Secret Service government officials. The building was a distance from the main part of the city. Few people knew its whereabouts or location.

Congress had created a Secret Committee for domestic intelligence, a Committee of Secret Correspondence for foreign intelligence, and a committee on spies, for tracking spies within the Patriot movement.⁸

It was approaching the spring of 1775 in upper state New York. Winter was ending in the next month. There was a cold chill in the air, combined with the windy breeze. It had been a cold harsh wintertime. Snow and ice were frequent during the winter months. The children stayed at home only during the most severe storms.

Spring would bring the smell of freshly bloomed flowers in the air. The grass would start to turn green as the bees buzzed steadily around the flowers. Buds on trees would start to appear as the trees blossomed. The sweet smell of honeysuckles and daffodils would fill the air. The man riding the horse was Charles Frederick Dunn, a first-generation American. His father came from Ireland as a youth. His family arrived in Rhode Island and settled in Pennsylvania and then through some odd chain of events, his father moved his family to upper state New York.

Charles’ mother was from Scotland and came to America with her family as a young child. At eight years old, Josephine barely knew English. She learned some of the language by picking it up from natives who lived in the colonies. Josephine and Everett Sr. had met at a local colonists’ meeting. They were sixteen years old then. Josephine was impressed with the good-looking young man as Everett Sr. was embraced by the charm of the tall and skinny young lady.

Charles was often teased as a child in school as the pretty little boy with long curly brown locks. People often thought of him as a girl as an infant. Wanting a daughter, his mother would dress her young son in dress clothes that looked sort of girlish. He was embarrassed as he reached school age. He refused to go to school unless his mother dressed him more as a boy. Reluctantly, she did and he had his locks chopped off to his mother’s demise.

Charles rode proudly on his horse. He had traveled from Albany to New York City that morning. It was a half-day’s ride by horseback. He was coming to see his boss - a man who served under the Commander-in-Chief General George Washington and the American militia.

Charles, born on April 15th, 1743, was the youngest son of his parents, Everett Sr. and Josephine. He had two older brothers, Everett Jr. and Jack and one younger sister, Mary. Everett Jr. was ten years older than Charles. Jack was seven years older. Charles and Mary were closer in age, Mary being only a few years younger than him. Charles’ oldest brother had died as a military general four years ago with honors. He was survived by his wife and three children, two sons and a daughter. Jack was a farmer with a wife and a son. He disliked the military regimen and preferred farming the land. Mary was a housewife with two young children. Charles was married with three young sons. His wife’s name was Beth and was around Charles’ age. His children were Timothy, who was nine, Lawrence, seven and Stephen, three years old. His wife claimed that she wanted to try for a daughter; however, Charles protested. After all, he was happy and a proud father of three sons.

Charles was in charge of the division that investigated spies. He knew that spies were rampant in the colonies, especially with British control. His interest in searching for spies started in his childhood, when many colonists were rumored to be British spies.

Charles approached the small building. Built to house government plans and secrets, it was heavily monitored. Charles secured his horse out front. He walked into the building. A government representative stood before him. Charles repeated the password that no one else would know but himself and government officials. The representative nodded at Charles and knocked on the locked door before him. Another representative opened the door and Charles was allowed to enter into a room that only Secret Service officials entered.

A middle-aged man was sitting behind a long elaborate desk. He looked agitated and was frowning. His ancestry included British heritage. Yet, his forefathers fought to keep their independence from British control. William Fortson was born in America in 1734. His family had settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife raised three children. As he saw Charles enter the room, he stood up. He motioned for Charles to have a seat. Thank you for coming, Charles. I have just gotten word this evening from General George Washington.⁹ We have trouble in our military defenses. Someone is leaking information to the British government. They are striking where we have forces laid out. No one knows about these forces except the top government officials. I’m afraid there is a spy among us, Mr. Fortson said.

How do you know it is a spy? Charles asked, taking a seat in front of the long desk.

Because it is too neat a job. They are striking where we lay out military regime. No one should know about these and their locations, except for us, Mr. Fortson replied.

Sounds like the British government is gaining control of American military strategies, Charles replied.

It is more than that. They are striking at the exact moment American forces enter an area. I’m afraid there will be an uprising, particularly if Americans are threatened by British tactics. We may be facing an international war very soon, Mr. Fortson responded.

I hope not, but it may become sooner than the American people know though. Great Britain continues on taxing the colonies and Americans are starting to back down on British demands. King George III¹⁰ expects it from his people, even the colonists, Charles stated.

My people came from Great Britain during the early 1620’s, as many Americans did. We have fought very hard not to maintain British control over the new land and government. I hate to see it all in defeat. King George III has ruled a long time and will go on ruling Great Britain and Ireland,¹¹ Mr. Fortson stated.

That is where my family is from – Ireland, Charles replied.

I thought I dictated a slight Irish dialect, Mr. Fortson said, chuckling.

I was born here, not Ireland. I’m first-generation American and proud of it. My parents knew very little English coming to the colonies over forty years ago. They instilled in their children to learn English in school where we would not be illiterate, Charles replied.

Thank God they did that! exclaimed Mr. Fortson. Anyway, we are getting off the subject. He cleared his throat then. I need you to go to Georgetown to investigate this.

That soon? Charles asked.

Yes, the sooner the better, Mr. Fortson replied. I have a stagecoach arranged to take you in the morning.

Why can’t I take my horse? Charles asked.

Because you will be disguised as a different identity. Your name will be different and I have papers for you to take with you. Be sure to destroy them once you read them, advised Mr. Fortson. Your traveling companion will be your coach driver. He is a Federal agent and will be alerted if there is any trouble. He will pick you up at 6:00 a.m., but a few blocks from your home at the train depot.

Why all this secrecy? Charles asked.

We don’t know who is leaking information. We only know it is at the top source. Until then, you must be secretive and above all, be careful. Here are your papers and new identity. Also, you will need to take this with you, Mr. Fortson said. Mr. Fortson opened the drawer in the center of his desk. There laid a shining new revolver. Mr. Fortson took hold of the revolver and handed it to Charles.

It is important that you and your traveling companion get out with your lives. If something doesn’t seem right or dangerous, get out of there, Mr. Fortson stated.

Don’t worry, I’ve been in compromising positions before, Charles answered, looking at the revolver placed in his hands.

Charles stood up and shook Mr. Fortson’s hand. He walked out of the room, which locked behind him. He walked past the representative at the front door and exited outside. He dreaded telling his wife when he got home. She had seen him gone for days at a time on a mission. This may take weeks, if not months. He hoped not. He had events coming up, including visiting his mother in Boston, Massachusetts in May. She had remarried a couple of years ago and moved with her second husband. Charles’ father had died a few years back with emphysema.

Charles missed his father, though was close to his mother. He favored his father in looks, but was different in ideology and philosophy. Charles didn’t enter the military as his oldest brother had, but rather served the government. He was a natural investigator. He loved working for the Secret Service and Intelligence. He had been employed there for ten years. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a detective and investigating crimes, particularly related to government crimes.

He rode back home to Albany, 150 miles from New York City. There, he had lived twelve years with his wife. The family loved it. The closeness of the community was different from the congested population of city life. New York City had grown significantly since the first of the century. However, it didn’t affect the rest of the state of New York.

Charles thought about his mission. It would be a difficult one, but he had had difficult ones before. If it were a spy, particularly international, there would be trouble. He prepared for it. Getting Beth to understand his absence this coming month would be even more difficult. Everything was secretive. He wasn’t allowed to even tell his wife his whereabouts. But he would get through it, one way or another. Getting through it alive was the question that remained on his mind all the way home.

Chapter One

Later that day…

Charles was tired when he arrived home early that evening. It was dinnertime, around 6:00 p.m. Beth tried to have dinner by then, but she never knew when her husband would arrive home. She knew his missions were top secret. Beth didn’t ask, but she was curious what he did during his absences. All she knew was that he worked for a branch of the government and everything was kept secretive.

Beth’s fear came from rumors she heard as a child. She had heard that her father had affairs on her mother. Back then, there was nothing much the wife could do for infidelity. She usually tolerated his disloyalty and kept her mouth shut. Still, Charles was a nice-looking young man with dark blonde hair and brown eyes. He was fairly tall and slim with a medium complexion. He could attract the attention of women if he wanted to. She had to trust her husband that he wasn’t having an affair. Trust was a strong part of their marriage. It was the foundation that held their family together.

Charles entered the house. He concealed the revolver in his coat pocket. The two older children, Timothy and Lawrence, were downstairs in the dining room doing their homework for the next school day. They attended a local school a few blocks away from their home. The youngest child Stephen was in the kitchen with Beth.

Beth eyed Charles in the hallway. I’ve wondered when you were coming, my husband, Beth said.

I have returned. Is dinner ready? he asked. Charles sounded sort of grumpy.

Tired? Was it a long trip? she asked.

You know I can not tell you any information, Charles replied. Just tired from riding today. I will be leaving in the early morning.

Leaving! exclaimed Beth. You just got home the other day from a mission.

This can’t wait. I am needed tomorrow evening somewhere, replied Charles.

Beth, we have been all through this many times before. The wages I make affords us this home and gives the boys luxuries they wouldn’t have otherwise. My father was quite poor when he came to America. He and my mother didn’t have two cents to rub together when they married. Appreciate what you have.

Beth looked at her husband with her baby blue eyes and smiled. I do appreciate all you have given me and the children. We are most comfortable, but I would rather see you more often, she said.

Charles took hold of Beth’s right hand. My love, there is no other woman, but you. You have to trust me on that. I am endeared to only you, my darling, he said.

Then why all this secrecy? Can’t you tell me anything? she asked.

Only that it is at top source. If I tell you anymore, your and the boys’ lives would be in danger, Charles replied.

Do you know how long you will be gone this time? Beth asked.

No, if it gets involved, it may take awhile, replied Charles.

Beth looked at her husband. She wondered how they ever had children. Charles was home only during short periods of time. She knew his work was important to him, but she missed him during his absences from home.

You used to love to write and publish. Couldn’t you get your editor’s job back? Beth asked.

Charles had worked as an editor for the town’s newspaper, The Patriot. It was a desk job with scheduled hours, five days a week, something Charles hated; he didn’t like structured hours and routine.

I haven’t had that job in over ten years. Besides, I only did it two years after we married. This job pays more, Charles said.

I know it does, but it allowed you to come home everyday. Beth responded.

That was before Timothy was born, Charles replied. Charles then changed the subject. I’m starving. What is for dinner?

Your favorite – roasted duck with carrots and potatoes. I have mincemeat pie for dessert, Beth said. Beth brought the roasted duck into the dinning room. She placed the meal on the table. She asked the boys to remove their books off the table and prepare for dinner. She placed the youngest child next to her seat to help him fix his plate.

Sounds delicious, I could eat a bear right now, Charles said. He then asked the family to bow their heads and pray. Charles was a religious man. He believed in God and faith. Even little Stephen bowed his head and folded his little hands in prayer. After the prayer, Charles stood up to cut the duck. Each person got a slice. Beth helped Stephen with his slice. She scooped him a spoonful of carrots and potatoes. There was buttered bread served, as well. Charles ate to his heart’s content. Beth was not only quite pretty, she was an excellent cook.

After dinner, Beth cleaned the dishes as Charles played with his son Stephen. Timothy and Lawrence finished their homework and went upstairs to prepare for bedtime. Usually they were in bed by 8:00 p.m. on a school night.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Beth took Stephen upstairs to change him for bedtime. She was tired and decided to change for bedtime and then go to bed. Sometimes, she joined Charles downstairs in front of the fireplace. They would hold hands or cuddle on the sofa. At other times, they would drink a glass of brandy together. Not tonight, Beth was tired and somewhat disturbed by Charles’ leaving again.

Charles remained downstairs. There, while everyone else was upstairs, he sat down in the living room chair near the fireplace. The lamp on the table allowed him to read the fine print. He then carefully unraveled the papers Mr. Fortson gave him earlier today. Charles’s identity was changed to Sir Albert Newburg, a descendant from the royal family of Great Britain. His home was a mansion in Virginia. Charles would have to practice a Virginia accent, different from his New York dialect. Charles would check into the inn downtown in Georgetown by evening. Once checked in, he would settle in for the night. The next morning, however, he would be going over to the State House (now known as Capitol Hill) to start his investigation. There would be other Federal agents there to assist him. His coach driver would check into another inn to not look conspicuous. They would meet up later on.

Charles read more information and the details known. He feared Beth would come downstairs any minute. He kept his eyes glued to the papers, yet looked up at the staircase every once in a while. Finally, he finished reading. He took the papers to the fireplace, where a fire was ignited. He placed the papers down on the burning logs. He watched the papers burn up in flames. He was not allowed to take notes from the information. Destroying the papers not only protected them from getting into the wrong hands, it kept his family safe. The less they knew, the better and safer they were.

It was already past 9:00 p.m. Charles went upstairs to the master bedroom. He lit the lamp by his bedside. Beth was already in bed asleep. How peaceful she looked. Being as quiet as he could, Charles got out his traveler’s bag and packed for his stay in Georgetown. He packed clothes for a week. He wasn’t sure how long he would be there. He hoped it wasn’t for long.

Charles changed into his nightclothes and slid into bed beside Beth. How pretty she looked. Beth was a living beauty in her time with a 23-inch waistline. She was still lovely - only the few pounds added to the waistline with the births of three babies. Her light brown hair extended down the length of her back and she had the softest blue eyes. They seemed to stare at you as if looking straight through you. She had fair skin that was radiant. Her children were good-looking too. Timothy and Stephen had the darker features, like Charles. Lawrence had the lighter features, like Beth.

Charles turned off the lamp beside his bed. He fell asleep once his head hit the pillow. He would get a good night’s sleep tonight. Morning would be here before he knew it. The thought of his trip to Georgetown tomorrow was the last thing on his mind just before he fell asleep.

The next morning came early. Even the rooster hadn’t crowed yet. Dawn would be arriving within the hour. Charles woke up suddenly. He had no idea what time it was, but he needed to get up. He turned on the lamp next to him. He reached for his pocket watch that he put on the table last night.