◼︎ Chapter 26 / Chapter XXVI

A storm really did hit New York city on August 21, 1776.
- How do we know it’s a powerful storm?
- If you want to add more details, read the descriptions of the storm below!
Madam needs a carpenter to fix window panes.
- Madam can’t find any carpenters.
- Why not?
In 1776, Lord Dunmore was Governor of the Virginia colony.
- Look at his portrait below. Describe him and what he is wearing.
Dunmore offered freedom to enslaved persons. You will find his proclamation below.
- Why do you think he made this offer?
- Hint: Lord Dunmore supported the King against the American rebels.
Some of the enslaved persons talking at the water pump believe the British will set them free.
- Others disagree saying the British will do anything to win, then not keep their promises.
- What do you think?
The old man says to the enslaved people around him that, “This is not our fight.”
- What does he mean?
The old man says, “Find your road through the valley of darkness that will lead you to the river Jordan.”
- The river Jordan is not in the American colonies.
- Where is it and why is the old man talking about it?
- Hint: Look at the map below. Look at the names of the towns and seas.

A+ BONUS: At the beginning of the chapter, Isabel says “a few bees flew out of my head.”

At the pump she says, “The bees in my head fell silent and hugged their wings tight to their bodies.”
What are these “bees”?
What does it mean that they are now silent?

August 21, 1776 • NEW YORK CITY

“On the night of August 21, 1776, a terrifying storm broke over New York, a storm as vicious as any in living memory, and for those who saw omens in such unleashed fury from the elements—those familiar with the writings of the Roman historian Livy, say, or the plays of Shakespeare, of whom there were many—a night so violent seemed filled with portent.”

Chroniclers Philip Fithian, Ambrose Serle, and Pastor Ewald Shewkirk called it ‘a storm like a hurricane,’ ‘a most terrible storm,’ ‘the most vehement I ever saw,’ ‘an uncommon … awful scene.’ …

The storm raged for three hours, yet strangely the cloud appeared to stand still, ‘and swing round and round,’ all over the city. ‘The lightning fell in masses and sheets of fire to the earth, and seemed to strike incessantly, and on every side.'”