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As an author it's truly an honor when someone favorably acknowledges a book that was written. During the research for my book, Stories Beneath the Stones: Richmond National Cemetery, I had the privilege to meet Ryan K. Smith, a professor of history at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Over the course of months before, during and after my book was published, we met to share ideas and research. He was writing his own book at the same time. My book was published in 2017 after three years of intense research and hard work.
Fast forward to this month. I heard from Ryan again... his book is now published and I received a copy in the mail.
Well, to my amazement, he used the research I did on Addison Beardsley (one of my husband's relatives and the key reason I wrote my first historic fiction book, My Dear Emma) and wove Addison's story throughout one of his chapters.
He uses my book as source material and I appear in the index and the list of citations. He even included a lengthy paragraph about me and the writing of Stories...
Words cannot express how thrilled and honored I feel. Both of our books can be found on Amazon!!!
Here's the LINK to the article that appeared in the
Richmond Times Dispatch on Sunday, April 22, 2018.
Here's the LINK to the Mission Matters radio interview I had with Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America.
Fast forward to this month. I heard from Ryan again... his book is now published and I received a copy in the mail.
Well, to my amazement, he used the research I did on Addison Beardsley (one of my husband's relatives and the key reason I wrote my first historic fiction book, My Dear Emma) and wove Addison's story throughout one of his chapters.
He uses my book as source material and I appear in the index and the list of citations. He even included a lengthy paragraph about me and the writing of Stories...
Words cannot express how thrilled and honored I feel. Both of our books can be found on Amazon!!!
Here's the LINK to the article that appeared in the
Richmond Times Dispatch on Sunday, April 22, 2018.
Here's the LINK to the Mission Matters radio interview I had with Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America.
NEW INFORMATION ABOUT ADDISON BEARDSLEY:
I heard from Ryan Smith (professor of History at VCU) who is doing research for his book on cemeteries in the Richmond area. He's including some data from my book, Stories Beneath the Stones: Richmond National Cemetery, especially on Addison Beardsley (grave 981). He shared with me an obituary from the Oxford Times, November 1863, he found which says:
"Death of Addison Beardsley. With regret we record the death of Addison Beardsley. He was one of that noble few who was willing to endure the perils and hardships of war, and if necessary to die for his country. At home he was always a dutiful son, an affectionate brother and was much esteemed and respected by all. When about to enlist, he was reasoned with and the gloomy picture of a soldier's life set before him to dissuade him from his purpose. But his reply was that somebody would have to die, and it might as well be him as any one. His object was to service his country, and well and faithfully he performed his duty. All the information received from his officers, friends and fellow soldiers adds lustre to his character. In camp life he was ever laboring for the comfort of his associates, and on the battle field his powerful arm and determined spirit dealt horror to the foe.
While in engagement at Shepherdstown (while bearing dispatches) in July last, he was captured and taken a prisoner to Richmond. He sleeps on Belle Island, where he died, and was respectfully buried. Entombed in the sacred soil he gave his life to defend, no monument marks his resting place. But when treason is banished from the land and Patriotism shall rear a monument worthy of her noble sons his Epitaph will be written.
His Funeral will be attended at the Universalist Church in Oxford, next Sunday, November 29th, at one o'clock. The Rev. C. E. Hewes of Hamilton will officiate."
Yes, post war, Addison Beardsley was removed from Belle Isle and now rests at the Richmond National Cemetery, along with the other soldiers originally buried at the prisoner of war camp on Belle Isle. Addison Beardsley is my husband, Norm's distant cousin.
I heard from Ryan Smith (professor of History at VCU) who is doing research for his book on cemeteries in the Richmond area. He's including some data from my book, Stories Beneath the Stones: Richmond National Cemetery, especially on Addison Beardsley (grave 981). He shared with me an obituary from the Oxford Times, November 1863, he found which says:
"Death of Addison Beardsley. With regret we record the death of Addison Beardsley. He was one of that noble few who was willing to endure the perils and hardships of war, and if necessary to die for his country. At home he was always a dutiful son, an affectionate brother and was much esteemed and respected by all. When about to enlist, he was reasoned with and the gloomy picture of a soldier's life set before him to dissuade him from his purpose. But his reply was that somebody would have to die, and it might as well be him as any one. His object was to service his country, and well and faithfully he performed his duty. All the information received from his officers, friends and fellow soldiers adds lustre to his character. In camp life he was ever laboring for the comfort of his associates, and on the battle field his powerful arm and determined spirit dealt horror to the foe.
While in engagement at Shepherdstown (while bearing dispatches) in July last, he was captured and taken a prisoner to Richmond. He sleeps on Belle Island, where he died, and was respectfully buried. Entombed in the sacred soil he gave his life to defend, no monument marks his resting place. But when treason is banished from the land and Patriotism shall rear a monument worthy of her noble sons his Epitaph will be written.
His Funeral will be attended at the Universalist Church in Oxford, next Sunday, November 29th, at one o'clock. The Rev. C. E. Hewes of Hamilton will officiate."
Yes, post war, Addison Beardsley was removed from Belle Isle and now rests at the Richmond National Cemetery, along with the other soldiers originally buried at the prisoner of war camp on Belle Isle. Addison Beardsley is my husband, Norm's distant cousin.
Do you ever wonder about the soldiers whose names are engraved on these identical headstones? Well I did, and after two and a half years of extensive research I have compiled the information I collected into this book. The focus is on the over 850 Civil War soldiers interred here when the cemetery opened 150 years ago. So many stories lie beneath the stones...
You can get an autographed copy from me, for just $33.00 (includes tax, shipping). Contact me at jomeaker51@gmail.com
Books are also available on Amazon ...
Welcome! I'm glad you found me...
I'm JoAnn Meaker, born in Brooklyn, and raised on Long Island, New York. I lived in Ontario, an eastern suburb of Rochester, NY, for almost 30 years, where I taught gifted and talented students. After retiring, my husband and I moved to the Richmond, Virginia area to get away from all the lake-effect snow and be closer to my grandchildren (and their parents).
I developed a love of history later in life and have become completely enamored with learning about the Civil War era in particular. I volunteered for many years with the town of Ontario's Historical and Landmark Preservation Society and was the organization's president for six years. During that time I was instrumental in organizing several Civil War re-enactments at the Society-owned Heritage Square Museum.
When the town of Ontario celebrated its bicentennial, I worked hand in hand with the town's historian and wrote Images of America: Ontario published by Arcadia Publishing in 2007. This book features over 200 pages of images from the history of the town of Ontario, New York in Wayne County.
While researching for my books, I've traveled to many of the Civil War sites mentioned in the books, searched museums, libraries, spoke with town historians, and spent hours on the Internet.
I love to read, research the family history, and do needle craft. Spending time with the grandchildren is a joy, and teaching them to love history is a goal.
Interested in learning more... check out the other links on the site, and sign up for email notifications.
I'm JoAnn Meaker, born in Brooklyn, and raised on Long Island, New York. I lived in Ontario, an eastern suburb of Rochester, NY, for almost 30 years, where I taught gifted and talented students. After retiring, my husband and I moved to the Richmond, Virginia area to get away from all the lake-effect snow and be closer to my grandchildren (and their parents).
I developed a love of history later in life and have become completely enamored with learning about the Civil War era in particular. I volunteered for many years with the town of Ontario's Historical and Landmark Preservation Society and was the organization's president for six years. During that time I was instrumental in organizing several Civil War re-enactments at the Society-owned Heritage Square Museum.
When the town of Ontario celebrated its bicentennial, I worked hand in hand with the town's historian and wrote Images of America: Ontario published by Arcadia Publishing in 2007. This book features over 200 pages of images from the history of the town of Ontario, New York in Wayne County.
While researching for my books, I've traveled to many of the Civil War sites mentioned in the books, searched museums, libraries, spoke with town historians, and spent hours on the Internet.
I love to read, research the family history, and do needle craft. Spending time with the grandchildren is a joy, and teaching them to love history is a goal.
Interested in learning more... check out the other links on the site, and sign up for email notifications.
FTC Disclosure
Some of the links on my pages are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link/image and purchase the item, I’ll receive a small affiliate commission. You do not pay more for these items because of the commission. FTC: 16 CFR, Part 255
Some of the links on my pages are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link/image and purchase the item, I’ll receive a small affiliate commission. You do not pay more for these items because of the commission. FTC: 16 CFR, Part 255
