New Castle, Delaware: the original Colonial Williamsburg

All right, I know last month, I promised that I'd share a bit about the history of Mackinac Island. Since then, I realized it wouldn't make much sense, as the 2 books I'm offering as a giveaway along with this post are set in historical Delaware. Mackinac is the setting of the book I just contracted to write, but it won't release until August of 2014.

So, instead, let's chat a bit about Colonial history. How much do you know? Do you have a passion for that era, or is your interest more in the 1800's and early 1900's? Or perhaps you love the Medieval or Biblical time periods and areas before America was born. Regardless of your interest, it's always good to do the research yourself and delve into history on your own instead of leaving it to textbooks, documentaries, or teachers to give you the facts.

This was never more clear to me than when I went through school and learned a bit about Delaware history simply because I lived there at the time, and our history classes included a few units on local history as well as general American or world history. It wasn't until the time came to research the details in my first contracted novel that I discovered just how much had been left out of history books or the information the teachers presented.

For example, "The First State" is often overlooked in favor of cities like Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Boston, or New York City. But did you know about Caesar Rodney’s ride from Dover, Delaware, to Philadelphia on July 2nd to interrupt the gathering of the Continental Congress and cast his vote in favor of independence from England? The delegates were at a stalemate, and Rodney’s vote turned the tide, causing a domino effect with the delegates which led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Had it not been for Rodney’s ride, we might not celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, or even at all.

And think about the last time you received a credit card statement or even an offer to sign up for a credit card. Did you happen to look at the return address on the outside of the envelope? Ten-to-one says the city postmark is from Wilmington, Delaware.

Wilmington, Delaware, has been the focal point of industry for nearly 400 years. Everything from shipbuilding, gunpowder manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, carriages, and leather. By the end of the Civil War, Wilmington was producing more iron than the rest of the country combined and it rated first in the production of gunpowder. Pharmaceuticals followed a close second and still remain a significant source of production today.

And then there's the original capital city of New Castle, Delaware. Up until the Revolutionary War, it was the county seat for all government, and most of the prominent citizens resided within the town limits or somewhere nearby. Because of its position on the banks of the Delaware River (a river that connected Philadelphia with the Atlantic Ocean), New Castle also became a popular stopping point for supply ships on their way up the river to Wilmington and Philadelphia.

In fact, long after the Colonial era, the 1800's and a good bit of the 1900's had past, New Castle remained a fully-functioning Colonial town, complete with cobblestone streets, and even the occasional clip-clop of horses's hooves from a horse and buggy. Not many are aware that even today, New Castle remains a restored Colonial town, but I bet most have heard of Colonial Williamsburg.

When tourism and travel industry developers were seeking out a location for a town to provide the flavor of Colonial times to tourists and be a destination for school field trips, New Castle was among the first to be considered. However, the residents declined the potential, preferring instead that their little town to remain quaint and private. As a result, Williamsburg became the international tourist site. Those who are aware of New Castle still visit for a less-crowded historical experience, and if you happen to be in the area, you should make time to pay a visit. You won't regret it.

Now, the two books I'm offering as giveaway opportunities aren't set in Colonial times. That honor belongs to my first series (Liberty's Promise), which includes Promises Promises, Quills & Promises, and Deceptive Promises. This current series remained in northern Delaware, but a little over 100 years into the future and a little further north into the Brandywine River Valley. Brandywine Brides includes Bound by Grace, Stealing Hearts, and Antique Dreams. The third book releases this month, and I've been told it's already been sighted in a few Wal-Marts across the country.

With that being said, since this series highlights some of the more prominent industries in Delaware, I have a question for you. Can you name at least one of the major companies or businesses that are incorporated in Delaware? Can be present or historical. Your choice. But it must be a proper name, not just the general industry. If you can Google, you can find at least one. What you find just might surprise you. :)

Leave your name and email address (name [at] domainname [dot] com/net), along with your answer, to be entered for a chance to win 1 of 2 FREE autographed books. Winner will be selected on Saturday, March 16th, and the name will be posted here in the comments. That gives you a full week to enter.

Here's a little more about each one:

STEALING HEARTS
When Grace Baxton comes face-to-face with the thief who broke into her uncle's home, she isn't prepared for meeting Andrew Bradenton—not a young boy out to cause trouble and no hardened criminal, either. The judge sentences Andrew Bradenton to work for the Baxton family, and being forced to see him almost daily, Grace struggles with forgiveness. Out of guilt, Andrew offers to help Grace search for an heirloom book. When a handsome stranger appears with the book in hand, warming Grace's heart and finding favor with her uncle, Grace is torn over her growing attraction for both men. Andrew tries to prove the stranger is up to no good, but after key documents and money go missing from her uncle's safe, Andrew is seen as the guilty party. Will Grace discover the truth in time?

ANTIQUE DREAMS
Lillian's brother has one last request. On a cold April night as the Titanic sinks to the ocean floor, Conrad Bradenton asks his new business partner, Aaron Stone, to fulfill a final wish: that Aaron return a well-worn book to his family and take care of his sister. Aaron seeks out Conrad's family, never imagining the depth of his commitment until he meets lovely Lillian Bradenton. Hit hard by the despair in her eyes, Aaron encourages Lillian to restore her hope by bringing a boarded-up bookstore back to life. Lillian is uncertain whether she can trust this stranger, the last link to her beloved brother. But she has faith in her brother's ability to read people. If Conrad saw something in Aaron, maybe she will in time. Then Aaron is summoned to London, and Lillian wonders if it is too late to turn hesitant friendship into undying love.

It's exciting to visit with you, the reader. Without you, we authors couldn't keep doing what we love. Thank you for joining us here at CFHS and coming along for the ride!

I'll see you  next month, where I'll share about the Nemours and DuPont families and their family dynasty in northern Delaware. In the meantime, if you'd like to know more, feel free to check me out on Twitter, Facebook, and my web site. Looking forward to sharing this journey with you. Good luck in the drawing!

And don't forget about the GRAND PRIZE drawing at the end of this month. We're giving away a Kindle to the grand prize winner and a $25 gift card to Amazon to 2nd place. For each day you comment on CFHS you receive one entry in the Kindle and $25 Amazon gift card giveaway. Comment on every post in the month of March and earn 31 entries! Good luck!

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BIO
Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author, speaker, and virtual assistant, who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. She has sold fourteen books so far and is represented by Sandra Bishop of MacGregor Literary Agency. Read more about her at her web site: http://www.amberstockton.com/.