I'm an author who likes to use my genealogy as a basis for my fiction writing. In 2002, I wrote "From the Mountains" and it is published by Publish America. It is the story of the 115th Regiment that was recruited from Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery and Saratoga counties of New York State.
The inspiration for the story was Dwella Groff (in the book he is Isaac Graff). I stood by his grave in Northville, New York and remembered that my grandmother had told me that he had served in the Civil War and that he was wounded and captured at Deep Bottom, Virgina. As I looked at his small tombstone, I just knew that this man's story should be told.
What is so fascinating about the whole situation is the fact that though I knew he was captured, I had no idea what prison he had been taken to. While I was writing the story, the name Salisbury just popped into my mind. So, I researched everything I could find out about the prison.
Yesterday, my friend and shirt-tail cousin Jamie Groff Dickinson, sent me Dwella's military file. There in black in white was the name of Salisbury prison. The hair just stood up on the back of my neck!
I have Dwella's linage back to Johannes Paulus Graff and Margaret Bauman/Bowman.
I also wrote a story entitled "The Lion's Share" a continuation of the Groff saga. It is available on Lulu.com.
I have my Robbins family back to the Revolutionary War. Thomas Robbins and Rosannah Woodworth lived in Berkshire Co., Mass. and are buried in Gloversville, Fulton co., NY in an old colonial burying ground. However, I can't find his father or where they lived before coming to Berkshire Co., Mass.
Thomas Robbins was the inspiration for "Near Midnight" published by Author House. It's one of my favorite stories.
Presently, I'm writing a story based on Margaret Kathan relative from Vermont. She was married to Benjamin Moore. He and his father were killed by Indians. She was captured and taken to Canada. I should finish the story by next fall.