James R. Law

A Story of America

This book started with a simple question, “Do you know enough about your ancestors to write a book?” As a result of that question, I began to pull together the information I knew about my family. This historical fiction story is the result of that labor. Although James is an actual person, his early life is in doubt. There is even doubt about his birthplace. In 1880 when his children listed their father’s birthplace: James Alexander wrote Massachusetts; America Frances wrote New York; Charles William wrote Maine; John Samuel wrote New York. He traveled to Alabama and partner with Alexander McDonald, who became his father-in-law when James married Mary. With John Hurst and Asa Cox, they set up a trading post in Fredonia, Alabama. The building still stands today. They also had a tanning business in Troup County, Georgia, and Fredonia. Later they moved several times, ending up around Wetumpka, Alabama. The names and dates, for the most part, are all authentic.