To the editor:
How much do you know about the American Revolutionary War – the 1776 war which covered more than one year? If you’re like most of us the answer is, “not much!” The U.S. History books devote a few pages to it. David McCulloch has written the definitive historical account in (of) “1776.”
Then there’s the question, “Who wants to know more, after 230 years, and why?” Maybe some Americans, some Canadians. It wasn’t just an American’s war, you know. The Canadians’ great King George III, after all, had a lot at stake in this war; so why get involved?
Some did – the Loyalists – a word we don’t use so often these days. These people were loyal to the king. Well, most of them. And some who became “unloyal” later returned to the fold.
Thus, we have the story of Jonas Culver, by Philip B. Turner. When you read it, you will understand why. Turner titled this story, “A Rebel Redeemed.” The subtitle, “from George W. to George III,” should also be on the front cover. And, no, the George W. isn’t “Dubyah.” This is the earlier George W., you know, the one reported to have had wooden false teeth!
The tale of Jonas Culver begins in New Jersey and Connecticut. He may or may not have been very directly related to Turner; you can decide! With his father dead before he was born, he grew up with his grandparents on a farm (same as Turner!). He learned from grandfather to hate the British redcoats and apparently was encouraged by Gramp to sign up to fight as a rebel (Gramp was too old to go to war!).
So off Jonas went, with a bunch of like-minded young men, to join the rebels. But he soon learned that the rebels were losing. Very early on, he learned the agony of defeat and became a redeemed rebel, hardly even having had time to become a rebel – thanks, I believe, to his new acquaintance, H’an, who happened to be black.
These two got lucky and became what we might call the CIA, scouting the countryside to gain intelligence. It’s a lot better than being in the infantry, the cavalry!
As the two go through sections of the Northeast, down to Georgia, we learn more and more about the Revolutionary War.
With Turner’s storytelling technique, we also learn more about the Culvers and find that there are two storytellers in the story: Jonas, whose story you will read in bold print; and Charlotte Finnemore Culver, his wife, whose point-of-view is in italics. Somehow, Charlotte set down and saved all these vignettes, and that’s what they are, which collectively, recount quite a tale!
The genealogy is intricate and detailed, part of Turner’s style. Just take his word for it! Historically, I believe he facts are within the realm of possibility. I’m not in total agreement with what the author does with H’an near the end, and too quickly for me. But you decide; after all, this book couldn’t go on forever!
So Jonas and thousands of other Loyalists found their way to Parrtown. We call it Saint John, New Brunswick. And later some came into northern Maine, where Philip Turner enters the scene as storyteller.
This is not the story of Phil Turner. Yet, in some ways it could be – a redeemed rebel.
Dr. Ron Dow
Easton
