Introducing Tales of the Chesapeake

We’re happy to announce our first publication: Tales of the Chesapeake by George Alfred Townsend.

Step into the world of the Chesapeake Bay in the 1800's with a classic collection of short stories and poems by famous Civil War journalist George A. Townsend.

Follow a Methodist preacher's son who's kidnapped and sold into slavery further south. Sit with a sea captain who claims to have spent time as "King of the Fishes" - and has the blowhole to prove it. 

Ranging from the sentimental to the bizarre, Townsend's tales celebrate the beauty and strangeness of Delmarva in days gone by. 

Table of Contents

The book includes 13 short stories and 14 poems (the poems are listed here in italics):

• Mothernook: The Eastern Shore of Maryland

• Kidnapped

• The Judge's Last Tune

• Dominion Over The Fish

• The Circuit Preacher

• The Big Idiot

• A Bayside Idyl

• King of Chincoteague

• Haunted Pungy

• Ticking Stone

• The Imp in Nanjemoy

• The Fall of Utie

• Legend of Funkstown

• Judge Whaley's Demon

• A Convent Legend

• Crutch, The Page

• Herman of Bohemia Manor

• Sir William Johnson's Night

• The Phantom Architect

• The Lobby Brother

• Potomac River

• Tell-Tale Feet

• Upper Marlb'ro'

• Preachers' Sons in 1849

• Chester River

• Old Washington Almshouse

• Old St. Mary's

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Dedication

Townsend dedicates the book to his father:

To My Father, Rev. Stephen Townsend, M.D., Ph.D.,

Whose ancestors explored the Chesapeake Bay in 1623, and were settled on the Pocomoke River almost two hundred years, near his birthplace;

With the affection of his only surviving son.

Blurbs

The book was blurbed by no less than Mark Twain, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and the President at the time, which I believe was Rutherford B. Hayes:

“I read it more than half through the first evening, picking out the plums, such as “The Big Idiot,” and greatly enjoyed the entertainment.”

— S. L. Clemens (Mark Twain)

“If the book is an oyster-shell, as you are pleased to term it. it is one, I am sure, that has pearls in it. I have already found two, “Herman of Bohemia Manor,” and “Old St. Mary’s.”

— Prof. Henry W. Longfellow

“I have read three of the tales— a large slice for me — and find them entertaining and altogether Gath-like. All he writes that I can lay hands on is always read eagerly.”

— The President of the United States

About the Author

If you’re interested in learning more about ol’ Gath, you can read this brief biographical sketch, this annotated bibliography, or this book on his life and work from the Delaware Heritage Commission.

About the cover

The photo used in the cover design is an aerial image of Johnson Creek by the inimitable Jay Fleming.

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