Julia+H.+-+Historical+Fiction+Character

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Colonial Life
Victoria Smith Today is September 4th, 1656. Today is also the day I arrive in the New World. The colony I am soon to live in is referred to as “Rogue Island” by the Puritan people on this ship. Hopefully, there won’t be as many dangers as they say. My aunt and uncle—the people that would own my new house—wrote in their letters that this place was amazing, perhaps better than mother England. But I guess I would have to find out for myself. My name is Victoria Isabelle Smith, I am 17 years old, and I have just arrived in Rhode Island.

I have come to the colonies for a few reasons, but I am mostly here because I have nowhere else to go. My parents have died of pneumonia, so I have to come here and live with the rest of my family. Here in the colonies, I have cousins, step-cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents; whereas, in England I only have—or had—my parents. My whole family traveled to the colonies because they were offered huge chunks of land in South Caroline and Virginia. My uncle Henry has made large plantations of this land, and he has his 34-year-old son in charge of them. Henry owns a large estate only a half-mile from town. Living there will be a huge change compared to my old tiny house.

As I mentioned before, my aunt—Linda—and Henry wrote letters about how life has been since they moved here. They’ve told me house everything is better here. The distance from England makes everyone seem more relaxed. He spoke of how almost everyone who came to the colonies partly because they were seeking religious freedom. Newport, the city in which they live near, is full of pirates and slave trade.

“it is time to get off the wagon, miss,” said the man who was pulling me into Newport, where I would seek out my family. I stepped off the wagon and thanked him as he set down my luggage. I took a moment to breathe in the New England air. It was intoxicating. This city was filthy; people were going in all directions and animals were running loose on the street. I looked around for my aunt and uncle, but found a crowd of about 10 people observing me. I walked up to them curiously. “Excuse me, I am looking for the Smith family, could you direct me to where they might be?” “Welcome home!” said one of the women who was giving me and embrace. It took me awhile to comprehend what she had just exclaimed. I was finally here, after being on an overcrowded ship for 8 weeks. I was finally "home".

Word count: 454

Revolution
HFC – Research – American Revolution **Topic**: America’s Defeat in New York (August 27, 1776) **Source**: Hart, Diane, and Bert Bower. //History alive!: the United States through industrialism.// Palo Alto, Calif.: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, 2011. Print.

“…The American and British armies met in Brooklyn, New York…The Americans began their defense of the city ‘in high spirits.’ But the inexperienced Americans were no match for the British…the British lost only 377 men, while the Americans lost 1,407” (Hart 91). “Washington, [Howe] assumed, would…surrender honorably. And so Howe waited. Washington had no intention on giving up. But for his army to survive, he would have to retreat,” (Hart 91). “The battle for New York City was the first of many defeats for the Americans…British forces chased the Americans out of New York, through New Jersey, and finally across Delaware River into Pennsylvania,” (Hart 91). “There was little food to eat, and the soldiers grew weak from hunger…muddy roads and icy streams added to their misery. With their terms of enlistment nearly up, many soldiers headed for home…they spread the word that anyone who volunteered to risk his life in the Continental Army had to be crazy” (Hart 91). “By the time Washington reached Pennsylvania, he had only a few thousand men. Many of his remaining troops, he reported, were ‘entirely naked and most so thinly clad [clothed] as to be unfit for service,” (Hart 91).

**Source**: Anon. “The Battle of Long Island”. November 10, 2010. November 10, 2010. < []>.

“At the time, New York was the largest city in the colonies…Howe came and brought with him additional British troops and 150 more ships…Henry Clinton brought even more troops and ships. This brought a British force of nearly 40,000 troops and several hundred warships,” (para. 2). “The main line contained about 6,500 troops and were deployed around Brooklyn…” (para. 6). “The British…sustained a total loss of 377…” (para. 34). “After sweeping Putnam's troops off the Brooklyn Heights high ground, Howe's senior commanders wanted to continue their advance and attack the last line of Patriot defenses. Instead, Howe halted his troops, reorganized his command, and ordered entrenchments dug facing the Patriot defensive works. With control of the East River, he believed that Washington was trapped and had nowhere to go” (para. 17). “On August 28, severe rain storms prevented any fighting between Washington and Howe. Both sides stayed in place. Also, because of the high winds, Howe was unable to move his warships behind Washington's position” (para. 18). “…Washington retreated across the Hudson to New Jersey” (para. 25).

Story Plot I. Exposition A. Opens in Victoria listening to her Mom and Dad fight about whether her dad should go to war or not 1. Men are begging him to join the army because they need men B. 1776 C. Manhattan (around Brooklyn) D. Explain how the Battle at Long Island is approaching II. Rising Action A. Main Plot 1. Father goes to war to help defeat the British in the Long Island Battle 2. Uncle (father’s brother) comes to talk about what has been going on in the war 3. Receives new of father’s intense injury 4. He comes home a. Cuts and bruises lead to infection B. Side plot 1. Creencia—childhood friend—and Victoria start growing apart because of her loyalist roots 2. Victoria doesn’t stick up for Creencia when rebels make fun of the loyalist a. Creencia feels betrayed 3. The two stop talking III. Climax A. Dad dies B. Victoria feels even more alone and depressed because now her friend isn’t talking to her //and// her father is gone IV. Falling Action A. Creencia comes to funeral in support of her friend B. Victoria apologizes for past events 1. Apology is accepted V. Dénouement A. Victoria talks about how she feels that there is still hope, even though the battle was lost

My story will help the reader to understand the social/cultural impact because it shows the tension between loyalists and patriots and how the war damaged many families.