“The sisters were surrounded by a gaggle of doting admirers. Winnie Lee, the fiery, red-haired, hazel eyed beauty, was directly behind Fanny, sitting in an oversized chair between the fair-haired Betsy and the dark-haired Molly. There were nearly half a dozen men at their feet.” –Masque of Honor There are various accounts of just how […]
Category Archives: Southern Charm
American Romanticism: 19th Century Literature & Ideology
The 19th Century was an incredibly rich time in American history. In the wake of the American Revolution and the War of 1812, the United States was still at the early stages of forming its own identity and a culture of its own. This time period, historically remembered as the Romantic Era, greatly affected American […]
Living History: Coton Farm
When Thomas Lee (1690-1750) of Stratford Hall, first saw the land where the Potomac River and Goose Creek met, he made arrangements to have 800 acres of that land set aside for himself. Thomas Lee and his wife, Hannah Harrison Ludwell (1701-1750) had eleven children. Two of their sons, Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard Henry […]
Influenza Pandemics in the 19th Century
Throughout human history, epidemics have had enormous impact on the civilizations of the world. From great plaques to disfiguring disease, mankind has been at constant war with these invisible enemies. During the 18th century, there were thirteen severe epidemics throughout the world. In the 19th century, there were twelve. Historians and virologists estimate that eight […]
The Rise of Mass Entertainment: Leisure Time and Fun in Pre-Civil War America
In a time of growth and territorial expansion, early 19th Century America saw many changes occur in day-to-day life. Advancements in technology brought a new wave of industrialization, and the population grew exponentially. Due to an economic boom, the American people were living more comfortably and in better conditions. Whereas before only the wealthy could […]
19th Century Culture: The Irish in the Antebellum & Their Impact on American Culture
Our country has persistently been a symbol of freedom and hope for those seeking refuge—from its birth, to the present day, and especially so in the 1800s. The newly prosperous America was seen as the land of opportunity, attracting immigrants from around the world. From the beginning of the century, an overwhelming majority of these […]
The Charm of Loudoun County Virginia and Belmont Manor
Like most grand houses with a past, Belmont Manor had a long trajectory as the place to see and be seen. Built by Ludwell Lee between the years of 1799 and 1802 on land he acquired through marriage to his first cousin Flora Lee, Belmont saw its fair share of luminaries brighten its imposing doorstep. […]
Belmont Manor House, Lee Family Seat in Loudoun County Virginia [Part One of a five-part series.]
Loudoun County Virginia’s countryside was once dotted with the plantation homes of some of the most influential families in American history. If the house had a proper name attached, you could bet it belonged to someone of note, or a direct descendant. An example is the first house on our Masque of Honor historical home […]
Why My Books are Set in 19th Century America
When I first began this journey as an author, I was single-minded, focused solely on writing Selma’s stories and specifically, Masque of Honor. But, my research on that book introduced me to a number of other historical events that intrigued me. Now it seems wherever I go, I am always on the hunt for a […]
The Spirits of New Orleans
Have you ever taken a walk down Chartres at the rear of the French Quarter? It is one of the oldest parts of the city. The street, narrow and cobblestoned, gives away its age. With buildings constructed in the eighteenth century, there are fanlights above nearly every door with carriageways between and courtyards behind nearly […]
