Author: Rebecca Royer
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Tobacco was everywhere in 1801 Virginia — I didn’t include this in the book
One of the unexpected facts I uncovered while writing Chasing Freedom was just how much tobacco Virginians chewed in 1801. Not just smoked and snuffed – but chewed and chewed… .
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The year was 1802. The gift was cheese. A lot of cheese.
In 1802, a group of proud Baptist farmers in Cheshire, Connecticut, crafted a 1,235‑pound wheel of cheese and carted it all the way to the President’s House in Washington City.… .
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Tavern Life in 1801
Sometimes, the most important insights for writing historical fiction come from immersing yourself in the places and spaces of the past. Last year, I visited the Rising Sun Tavern in… .
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Character Spotlight: Addie Myers
Today’s spotlight shines on Addie Myers, a young woman whose quiet strength and tender heart anchor some of the most emotional moments in Chasing Freedom. Addie’s story begins in loss.… .
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A Methodist Woman I Never Heard Of—But Who Made History
Dorothy Ripley’s journey from England to Washington reshaped my understanding of early American Methodism. Through her narratives, I discovered a movement that was far more radical, mobile, and socially disruptive… .
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Historical Fact: Elite Women in Late 18th Century London Used Anonymous Writing to Influence the Abolition Movement
In the late 1700s, London’s abolitionist movement wasn’t driven only by men. Elite women who were wealthy, educated, and socially connected played a quiet but powerful role, often behind the… .
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Introducing Jane Myers: The Heart of Chasing Freedom
Jane Myers is the anchor of my novel Chasing Freedom– a widowed tavern keeper and single mother whose life is reshaped by profound loss, resilience, and the quiet courage she… .
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What I’m Learning
Last night I attended a talk and book signing at the Birchtree Bookstore by Jeffrey Bennett, author of The Black Belt of Virginia. His discussion of Black history in the… .
