The Mathews Family by Trana Mathews
Their lives have been intertwined with American history since their beginnings in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. As a young child, Increase witnessed the birth of the United States.
Along with his mother and siblings, he remains on the farm while their older male relatives join the ranks of the Continental Army. After the Revolutionary War ended, social and political unrest continued throughout central Massachusetts during Shays’s Rebellion.
With the opening of the Northwest Territory, his uncle Brigadier-General Rufus Putnam, brother-in-law Captain Jonathan Stone, and older brother John Mathews are among the first 48 men to settle in Ohio in 1788.
This early American historical novel includes transcripts of actual letters written between family members and Mathews/Matthews genealogical records.
The Mathews Family by Trana Mathews
Witnessing America’s Birth Through a Family’s Eyes: ‘The Mathews Family’ Review
History comes alive through the intimate lens of one extraordinary family in Trana Mathews’ captivating historical novel, “The Mathews Family.” As a passionate advocate for indie historical fiction, I was immediately drawn into this rich tapestry of early American life.
What sets this book apart is its masterful blend of personal narrative and historical authenticity. Through young Increase’s eyes, we experience the tumultuous birth of a nation not as distant historical events, but as lived reality. The novel’s use of actual family letters and genealogical records adds a layer of authenticity that makes the story feel remarkably immediate and real.
The author’s decision to focus on those who remained behind while others fought in the Continental Army offers a fresh perspective on the Revolutionary period. Through the experiences of Increase, his mother, and siblings, we gain insight into the domestic front of the revolution – a viewpoint often overlooked in historical narratives.
Particularly fascinating is the novel’s exploration of Shays’s Rebellion, a crucial yet frequently understudied period of early American history. This post-Revolutionary unrest in Massachusetts adds complexity to the traditional narrative of America’s founding, showing how the new nation continued to struggle with questions of governance and justice.
The pioneer spirit comes alive in the latter portion of the book, as we follow family members who venture into the Northwest Territory. The inclusion of real historical figures like Brigadier-General Rufus Putnam adds historical weight to this family saga, grounding personal stories in the broader context of American expansion.
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The novel’s use of actual family correspondence creates an unparalleled sense of authenticity that bridges the gap between past and present. The voices of these early Americans reach across centuries to remind us that history is made of individual lives, hopes, and dreams.
