Edna M. Collins

Peter Lauck: Huguenot American Hero (1753-1839) Edna M. Collins

This book of historic fiction depicts a love story between Peter Lauck and Amelia Heiskell, ancestors of Collins. It covers life in Winchester, Virginia, from the mid-1700s until the end of the American Revolution. It displays quaint Virginia customs, beliefs, medical treatments, hex and witchcraft practices, as well as housekeeping and clothing traditions. Unique, long-forgotten mores yield fascinating details of life in the colonies before and during the American Revolution. This tale recounts early Virginia history and the Battle of Quebec in 1775 (Benedict Arnold's ill-fated attempt to take Quebec as the 14th American colony) where Peter Lauck served under the command of Captain Daniel Morgan. Morgan trained and took 96 riflemen from Winchester into the battle at Quebec. Peter, his brother, Simon, and four close friends from Winchester formed the historic "Dutch Mess." The book also traces some events in the military role of George Washington's second cousin, William Washington. The book describes the origin of Peter Lauck's Red Lion Inn (where George Washington stopped) and Lauck's mansion, Edgehill, in Winchester. Edna also wrote Dog Mysteries in 2006, Who Killed Who-the Little Dog Knew! in 2007. She wrote a novel, The Woman Was a Devil in 2008.