An Abolitionist Family; A Novel of the Civil War Era

An Abolitionist Family; a novel of the Civil War Era covers the years1854-1866. It is divided into three sections: Antebellum, Civil War (1861-1865), and Postbellum. Each year represents a chapter in the Spencer family’s life and the concurrent events happening in the country.

The Spencer family engage in abolitionist activities; their home becomes a stop on the Underground Railroad. The story is told in third person but focuses on the thoughts and actions of Marty Spencer, the youngest son who is 10 years old at the beginning of the story. The Spencers live near Worthington, Ohio, but.after the oldest son becomes an apprentice to his uncle, a furniture maker in Ripley, Ohio, they move to that town. Ripley is located on the Ohio River, which runaway slaves often cross to seek their freedom.

Although the novel is a work of fiction, it attempts to give an accurate account of historical events before and during the war.

Actual historical figures, such as abolitionists Ozem Gardner, WilliamHanby, John Rankin, Levi Coffin, and John Parker, figure in the story and are sometimes portrayed in fictional situations in which they interact with imagined characters.

The music and literature of the age (e.g. the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Reverend John Rankin’s letters on the evils of slavery, Benjamin Hanby’s song, ＂Darling Nellie Gray,＂ and John Greenleaf Whittier’s poetry) are used to enhance the abolitionist theme and show the temper of the times.

Photographs of the present-day John Rankin House, John Parker house, the Hanby House, and Ozem Gardner House are included at the end of the story