Lillian M. Henry

The Real Yankee Doodle: a Story of the Chapin Family Lillian M. Henry

If your name is Chapin you are related to the heroof this fictionalized narrative of the adult life of John Chapin, whoseprogenitor, like yours, was Deacon Samuel Chapin, "The Puritan". When thisyoung Connecticut farmer answers the "shot heard round the world" he faces, within just a few months, unimaginable events and marriage to his Captain'sdaughter. Also a decision is made to leave everything he has long held dear. Following his wife's family into the Vermont wilderness, he hews both home andlivelihood using only his two hands, strong arms, and sturdy back. Five yearslater the growing family starts yet again in another unsettled territory westof the New York border. After twenty years there, this "Yankee Doodle" sticks "a feather in his hat" and uproots everyone yet again. With six strong sons andfour capable daughters, the Chapin family begins anew with just love, wits, axes, rifles, and potash kettles. Upon the death of his beloved wife, the storyconcludes with his surprising marriage to a much younger woman.