ABRAHAM CLARK, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
INFORMATION ABOUT NOVEL: A FOUNDER FOR ALL, ABRAHAM CLARK, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Abraham Clark, a most unlikely delegate to the Continental Congress, enters the political arena and becomes a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Forced to choose between family or country, Abra stands up against the wealthy delegates and demands the new government protect the common man. Abra insists on amendments to the Constitution to protect Americans against elitism, much to the anger of his colleagues. His unflinching service to this country endured despite his constant fear of retaliation on his family sets him as an American founder we can all respect.
Synopsis: Abraham Clark should be a farmer, but he doesn’t have the stamina for farm life. Instead he starts his adult life as a land surveyor, then follows his passion of being a “poor man’s counselor.” Eventually his reputation as a fair and honest man who vocally supports Patriotism, leads him to an opportunity in Philadelphia where he signs the Declaration of Independence which immediately labels him a traitor against Britain and many of his neighbors. This biographical story follows Abraham, and his home state of New Jersey, throughout the Revolutionary War and and the early formation of the new government. Abra, as he was called by family and friends, helped to shape our country’s history while never losing his status as a common man and protecting the rights of those who most needed protection from potential political corruption. His unending role in public service guaranteed the common man would receive fair treatment from his government. The novel includes insights into the war, interaction with all the well known heroes of the Revolutionary War, the running of Congress, the stresses of Abra’s wife and children and friends as they stand on the front lines against the British, and Abra’s constant struggle to place country before family during the most critical time of our early history.
About the Author: Barb Baltrinic, is a graduate of Cleveland South High, and Kent State B.A; M.Ed. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. Barb was a member of the National Writing Project through Kent State. She taught Public Speaking and English in the Akron Public Schools for 35 years, and presently serves as a full time liaison for the College of Education at The University of Akron. She has published articles in educational magazines, and received many local, state and national awards in education. She enjoys genealogy, writing, and decorating. She is married to Michael Baltrinic, a former teacher, and has two grown sons, Mike and Mark.
Why Did I Write This Novel? My fascination of family stories about Abraham Clark being my ancestor prompted my research. A series of newspaper articles titled: The Fighting Clarks, was written about our family during World War II, chronicling the Clark family’s proud history of fighting in the Revolution, War of 1812, Spanish American War, Civil War, World War I, and World War II. My research allowed me to make Abraham Clark more than a signature on one of the most recognized documents in the world…he is now a person I have come to know. The novel will now provide other Americans the opportunity to recognize this little known, but inspirational hero and founding father.
Please contact me for more information. If you read the novel, please post a review in the createspace.com site or Amazon.com site.