Dear reader,

The following are author’s notes on Fixing History, chapter 3.

1.  Jefferson’s 1774 treatise on the Rights of British America is just as important as presented in Chapter 3.  You can see images of it from the Library of Congress, or download a pdf from the World Digital Library.  I found it while researching Jefferson on Wikipedia and researched further.  Imagine my delight to hear it referenced in my son’s online American Government class as well.  (If you’re interested, Hillsdale College has several Constitution and American History classes available free to the public.  Both of my kids have benefitted from these.)

2.  Perhaps because of her role in printing Jefferson’s pamphlet, Clementina Rind has been immortalized as Virginia’s first female printer. 

3.  For the record, Wikipedia really does have a 1782 map of Williamsburg, VA, which was made only 8 years after our target date. 

4.  I have to confess, it made me squeamish to have our three travelers assent to murder in Chapter 2, and to theft in Chapter 3.  I had to remind myself that these individuals had rejected religion (as evidenced in Chapter 1).  Therefore, their morality at this point in the narrative is defined by what’s expedient for them.  All well-rounded fictional characters undergo a growth in their character through the events of the story.  That will be true for my viewpoint character as well. 

5.  The Society of Friends is the name by which most colonials would recognize the Quakers.  Their efforts to abolish slavery – in America and in the United Kingdom – were foundational to the abolition movement.  The debate began in 1688 with a protest in Pennsylvania.  Over the course of decades, prominent Quakers worked to abolish slavery in the British Empire by 1838.  In America, many Quakers were involved with the abolition effort and the Underground Railroad in the run-up to the Civil War.

6.  This perspective on Jefferson’s slaves (and Washington’s as well – they were both from Virginia) is not one you’ll find on Wikipedia.  David Barton from Wallbuilders gives an in-depth look at the laws governing slaves in Virginia in his book, The Jefferson Lies.  (See pages XL and XLI of the preface.)  He documents the relevant portions in the footnotes, including a 1792 law that attempted to compile the others into a single statute.  (Footnote 116 on page 278.)  His book is available for purchase on Amazon.  (Here is my affiliate link in case you would like a shortcut – see disclaimer.)

7.  Sean’s unfortunate choice of an alias led to a couple of funny moments at my house.  When I read about “Mac Corona” to my husband, we both thought of that funky 90s dance, and we commenced to sing a few bars.  My kids, on the other hand, thought it went better with cheese, so that’s what I wrote in the final edition.  They’re my target audience, after all.  Either way, I hope it leaves you with a smile.  “Hey, Mac Corona!”  (And cheese!)