“A journey of personal sacrifice and commitment.”
Sixteen-year-old Abijah Virgil has always been content with his provincial life, concerning himself with little beyond the farm work that keeps his family afloat. But when the first shorts of the American Revolution are fired, he leaves the quiet fields of colonial New York to join the Continental Army. Anijah survives numerous battles only to be captured during a mission to destroy enemy supplies. As many of his fellow prisoners succumb to disease and harsh winters, he clings to the hope that he – and his fledgling country – will one day be free.
Evoking an idealism that survives the horror of war, Abijah and the American Revolution highlights the everyday struggles and quiet acts of courage that are often overshadowed by grand historical narratives.
About the author
Kenneth Wayne Virgil
Welcome to my website, where history and family stories come to life. If you’re passionate about uncovering your roots or curious about the lives of those who came before you, you’re in the right spot. My name is Ken, and I’ve spent a few years as an amateur genealogist, exploring my own family’s history.
Genealogy is about more than just tracking down names and dates. It’s about discovering our ancestors’ lives, obstacles, and impact on the world around them. Here, you’ll find stories from my research and straightforward tips and strategies I’ve used to piece together my family’s history. I am not a professional genealogist, and I am not for hire. I don’t have any tools to offer, but I hope the methods I share will give you a starting point and spark some ideas for your search.
One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been writing my first book, Abijah and the Revolutionary War. This project allowed me to bring my ancestor Abijah to life as a person, not just a historical figure. Abijah lived through extraordinary times, and his story reminds me of the importance of preserving the human side of history. That’s the perspective I aim to share here.
What readers said
★★★★★
Though there are many books recounting the history of the American Revolution, few if any offer a first-hand perspective on events leading up to and during the war. In his historical novel Abijah and the American Revolution, Kenneth Virgil takes readers on a journey through the eyes of a Revolutionary War hero, infusing dry facts and figures with a lively, personal narration. Virgil allows Abijah to tell his story, starting with how British measures impacted American colonists, including Abijah’s family farm. Eventually, Abijah joins the war as a soldier to fight for freedom, enduring the hardships of combat, enemy capture, and imprisonment over his years of service. Seeing the Revolution through Abijah’s eyes, readers will get a vivid sense of the personal toll and impact that the war had on ordinary Americans who struggled to defend their land, livelihood, and loved ones. Virgil has written fiction with a face toward facts, drawing a compelling portrait of a historical figure who fought for his convictions. It offers valuable insights for school-age readers and anyone interested in narratives that bring history to life.
Reviewer Bio: Vaneesa Cook, PhD earned her doctorate in US History at UW-Madison. She is a writer, professor, and editor.
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