Spring House: Book 1 in the Westward Sagas

David Bowles
Plum Creek Press, Inc. (2006)
ISBN 0977748405
Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (6/06)

“Spring House” is the story of the Mitchell family who traveled from Pennsylvania to North Carolina before the Revolutionary War. One night they made a stop in Frederick County and met a man named John McMachen. He invited them to his home for dinner that night. The Mitchell family were looking forward  to a good home cooked meal. When they arrived, John McMachen introduced the Mitchells to his family. Adam Mitchell took a shine to Elizabeth McMachen. So, their fathers decided that they should wed, without consulting Adam or Elizabeth. 

The next morning the Mitchell family continued on their way to their new home. Robert Mitchell was buying land sight unseen on the word of his brother Adam. They arrived at Adam's home and were welcomed by his family. Young Adam was reacquainted with his cousin Jennetta.  

Robert purchased the land and he and his son Adam began to work it. They also added on to the house that was there, so the family would have more room. During this time Adam and Jennetta could not hide the feelings they had for each other. Robert wrote his good friend John and told him that Adam was going to marry another. John understood as his wife was gravely ill and Elizabeth had to stay and nurse her. But sadness was just around the corner because Jennetta died three days after delivering the couples first child.  

John McMachen, along with Robert Mitchell, shared the view that the colonies needed to break away from their mother country. After becoming more and more difficult to live in Virginia, John decided to move his family close to his friend Robert. Finally young Adam and Elizabeth were wed and she became mother to his son Robert. Their family was growing by leaps and bounds, and after the passing of his father, Adam worked hard to keep everyone fed and happy. However, the time had come to fight the British and Adam had to go to war. He was captured by General Cornwallis, and through the shear determination of his mother, Adam was released.  

This was a very interesting book, I didn't want it to end. Although I am not a huge fan of historical writing, I enjoyed this book. The writer made the meshing of story and history very entertaining.

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