Peter York, newly orphaned, is adopted by a strict Quaker family in 1768 Pennsylvania. He chafes under their religious rules and sees an opportunity for freedom when two runaway indentured servants are reported. If Peter catches them, he will receive a reward. However, capturing the runaways leads to unforeseen consequences and difficult choices for Peter. The author provides historical context about living in colonial Pennsylvania and details about Quaker beliefs, indentured servitude, farms, and transportation to set the scene for Peter's story.
1. Night Journeys
by Avi
From Avi’s Website:
Night Journeys
The year is 1768. In eight years, the American Revolution will begin. Newly
orphaned, Peter York has been adopted by a deeply religious Quaker family.
Peter chafes under his new guardian’s strict and unyielding views and vows to
break away. He sees his chance when two runaway indentured servants are
reported to be fleeing through his community. If he catches one, there will be a
reward—and freedom. But capturing the runaways leads to consequences—and
choices—Peter cannot foresee.
Behind the Book
I had been living in Pennsylvania in a town called New Hope, situated on the
banks of the Delaware River. My two boys were attending a school run by The
Society of Friends, better known as Quakers. Indeed there was much Quaker
history in the area. After all, Pennsylvania was founded by (and named after) the
Quaker leader William Penn. Learning and reading about the historical Quakers
provided fascinating details about the regional colonial life and indentured
servants. The descriptions of the Delaware River and what it was like are all
based on my own observations. I remembering measuring the width of the river
by driving across one of the many bridges there and watching my car’s
odometer.
4. Location of the Shinn’s Farm
The fictional Shinn’s farm was located 60 miles above Philadelphia in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. The closest community to the Shinn’s farm was Coryell’s Ferry, which was on the
other side of the river, near Lambertville, which is 16 miles north of Trenton in New Jersey
Colony.
5. Falls on the
Delaware River Near
the Shinn’s Farm
The Shinn’s farm was located near
Coryell’s Ferry and “close to the
Delaware River between Well’s Falls and
the smaller falls, Galloper’s Rift.” (p.5)
These are not sharp drops, but long areas
of gradual descent.
Well’s Falls: 35 ½ miles below the mouth
of the Lehigh River, 4,780 feet long, 12
feet 1 inch drop
Galloper’s Rift: 31 miles below the
mouth of the Lehigh River, 1,500 feet
long, 7 ½ feet drop
6. Coryell's Ferry
This is the marker for Coryell's Ferry is on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River in New
Hope. Coryell's Ferry, which operated on the Delaware River between Lambertville, NJ and New
Hope, PA was an important crossing during the Revolutionary War. In 1812, the name of the
town that had grown up around Corryell’s Ferry was changed to Lambertville by U.S. Senator
Lambert of New Jersey. Although this annoyed the Coryells, there was nothing they could do.
7. The Coryell Family
The Coryell family operated a ferry across the Delaware River near Lambertville, New Jersey
Colony since the early 18th century. In 1732, Emanual Coryell petitioned George II for exclusive
rights to operate a ferry there. His family operated that busy ferry during the Revolution.
Today, there is an obelisk monument in Lambertville, New Jersey, to mark the grave of George
Coryell, a grandson of Emanuel, who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, was acquainted
with General Washington, and later served as a pallbearer at his funeral. Coryell was also
a member of Washington's Masonic Lodge. When Coryell died on February 18, 1850 at the age
of 91, he was the last survivor of the six pallbearers at Washington's funeral.
