Showing results by author "Bonnie S. Johnston" in All Categories

Mary: A Tale of Captivity is a short story about Mary Mallow Heavener who was taken captive by an Indian war party in 1758. A blend of fact and fiction, the story describes the massacre at Fort Seybert, Mary's life in an Indian village, and her eventual escape and return home. Mary lived from 1749 to about 1804, married and left numerous descendants. Her mother and four siblings were also captured but only one returned home. The historical fiction novel The Dark Side of the Mountain describes the massacre and the journey of her captured mother Anna Margaretha Mallow, who lost three children during that time.

Maggie is the remarkable story of Margaret Swisic Ward Riffle Wintermute, a frontierswoman who outlived three husbands, moved from Virginia to Ohio, and endured an Indian attack that took the life of her daughter. She eventually settled in Darke County, Ohio, and left numerous descendants. Her grandson, Aaron Riffle, was one of the first Civil War soldiers to be buried in Arlington Cemetery.

The Quest is a story of the Delaware war chief Killbuck who led raids against the settlers during the French and Indian War. He was a remarkable man who spoke several languages and fought long and hard for his people and his ancestral lands. He eventually aligned himself with the Americans and lost his life while under their protection at Fort Henry. Descendants of this determined chief live today.

Moved by her husband to the frontier of Virginia at the beginning of the French and Indian War, Anna Margaretha Mallow and her five children are forced to seek safety at Fort Seybert from the notorious Chief Killbuck, who's on a death march to save his people and culture. Surviving what becomes a deadly massacre, Anna and her children are taken captive and marched to the Ohio River Valley where she endures indescribable losses and change. Only courage and perseverance sustain her during his dark period in American history.