The Author
John M. Cahill was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the history-rich Berkshire Hills. He earned a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
After graduation, he moved to New York's Capital District where, for 34 years, he enjoyed a successful career in public relations and social marketing with New York State government. While living in New York's Mohawk Valley, he became fascinated with the Dutch and Iroquois history of the area.
Now retired, John lives with his wife in Vienna, Austria, where he continues to write historical fiction. He is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Historical Writers of America, the Society of Authors, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
"You, great man of Virginia, we tell you that the great Penn, through his agents, spoke to us here in Corlear's house. He desired to buy the Susquehanna River from us, but we would not sell it for we had given it to this government. Tell your friend, the great sachem who lives on the other side of the great lake that we are a free people, though joined to the English, and that we may give our lands, and be joined to the sachem we like best. We give this beaver to remember what we say."— Thanohjanihta, Onondaga sachem to Lord Howard of Effingham, governor of Virginia, in council at Albany, July 1684