Researching Patriot Spy

When it comes to the writing of books – as opposed to the business of books – everything is fun for me. But I take special pleasure in research, especially when it involves history.

Usually, that means a lot of documents and books, archives and dust, dust, dust. But researching Jake Gibbs: Patriot Spy was a real boots-on-the-ground undertaking. I tromped through the Hudson Valley, visiting the sites where the action takes place. From Ticonderoga (not really a setting in these three books, unfortunately), to Fraunces Tavern in New York, I felt like I was walking with ghosts at every step.

Visitors Center at Fort Montgomery

Much has changed in the nearly 250 years since George Washington sent people like my hero out to harry the Brits; linger too long on Jake’s route in old New York and you’ll be run over by a bus. But what’s surprising are how many things remain the same. The Hudson River is an obvious example. And the valley surrounding it is studded with houses and buildings, restored and otherwise, that date either from that time or soon afterward.

Major displays of Revolutionary history can be seen at places like The New Windsor Cantonment, where Washington’s army spent much of the war. These places are always inspiring. But I was helped just as much if not more by the numerous small, local museums and displays that are scattered through Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Orange, Greene, Saratoga and Ulster Counties.

One of my favorite trips involved researching the site of the Iron Chain. At the time, the local forts had not been restored or even reliably mapped, and finding the old earthworks on the western bank of the river involved a good bit of guesswork and brush hacking. Exploring the other side was even more of an adventure in estimation, as the east shoreline had been significantly altered in the interim.

Fort Montgomery and the related sub-forts can now be accessed without having to do strenuous hiking, let alone weed whacking. This web site lists some of the area’s many attractions on an interactive map; Revolutionary highlights are primarily listed under “Highly recommended” and “Special Interest.” Whole guidebooks have been devoted to New York City and the Revolution without completely exhausting the subject, but here’s a link to Fraunces Tavern Museum to get you started.

( The Patriot Spy series is now available on Kindle. More information and links here.)