Singing In The Chapel
My Name is Margaret Harman
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 Books By George McNeish. |
|  Singing in the ChapelAlthough the memory brought back the horror of how that happiness had been torn away, the sound of a man singing drew her towards the door. Timidly she pushed it open. The Book, "Singing in the Chapel / My Name is Margaret Harman" is now available. It contains the short story, "Singing in the Chapel" by George McNeish and the play, "My Name is Margaret Harman" by Jason Rip. Also included is an introduction and some background information. Early in 2016, George had completed the first draft of the story. It was sent to Jason Rip who wrote an adaption of it. The Play was presented at "THE ARTS PROJECT" in London, Ontario February 8 - 11, 2017. About 39 copies of the book sold at that time. The play was either sold out or near sold out for each performance. Available at 262 Piccadilly St. London, Ontario N6A 1S4 519-438-8336 or world wide on |
I would like to thank Jason Rip for the play version of my short story.
Jason is a prolific playwright with an ever growing number of plays to his credit. He is well known in London, Ontario. His plays have been well received and presented at many locations in London.
Singing in the Chapel / My Name is Margaret Harman is available in Print and Kindle versions on Amazon.
It follows the story of a slave family from slavery, through seperation, and eventually reunion in London, Ontario as free, but damaged individuals.
The following quote was the inspiration for both the story and the play.
From the writings of Fred Landon, we find the following as recorded in "ONTARIO'S AFRICAN-CANADIAN HERITAGE: Collected Writings by Fred Landon, 1918-1967" the quote is taken from chapter 3 "Amerstburg, Terminus of the Underground Railroad." First published in "journal of Negro History, vol. 10 no, 1 (January 1925)"
There are many romantic tales that have come down of the reunion at Amherstburg of families separated in the South. Miss Marteneau says she was told by a gentleman that the sublimest sight in America was not Niagara or Quebec, or the Great lakes, but the leap of a slave from a boat to the freedom of the Canadian shore. Fort Malden must have seen many touching incidents of this character. Reverend William M. Mitchell, in his book on the Underground Railroad, tells of a Negro named Hedgman who had been sold south from Kentucky but escaped and made his way to Canada, locating in Amherstburg. His wife had been separated from him, and of her and his family he had lost all trace. Twelve years after he had arrived in Canada, the wife also escaped from her owner and eventually arrived a the very town where her husband was located. Friendless and alone, she wandered about the streets seeking shelter, and was attracted by the singing in a little chapel. Opening the door timidly, the first person she saw was the husband from whom she had been so long separated, and of whose whereabouts she had had no knowledge.