Nancy: A Story of the Revolution

Chapter Four: The Winter's Ball (1780)

Abigail paid for Nancy to have a horse drawn carriage take her to New Jersey by the fastest route in order for her to make it to the Ball at a decent time. If Nancy had shown up earlier, perhaps she would have made it to the Ball at a better time, having lived in Virginia. Nonetheless, she travelled alone by carriage to Morristown, New Jersey.

In the carriage, she held her cross tightly in her fist. "Ancestors, hear my plea, help me not to make a fool of me," prayed Nancy, looking up at the roof of her carriage, then out the window at her mother and sister, who waved her farewell, "and to not uproot my family tree. Keep my father standing tall..."

For hours, Nancy sat in silence, until she began to see more people pull up in carriages, stepping out in fancy gowns and accessories.

"Scarier than the guns they carry," exclaimed all the girls, including Nancy, who walked into the ballroom, "we must find rebels to marry!" Nancy rushed out of her carriage, joining the crowd of girls who walked calmly in the direction of the ballroom. Nancy felt she was the only one overcome with anxiety.

"Saint Mary, guide our girls, and our future as it fast unfurls," declared all the carriage coachmen and the servants who worked at the Ball. "Please look kindly on these cultured pearls, each a perfect porcelain doll!"

A girl in front of Nancy declared, "Please, bring honor to us!"

A girl behind Nancy said, "Please, bring honor to us!"

Another girl beside Nancy said, "Please, bring honor to us!"

A different girl beside Nancy said, "Please, bring honor to us!"

All the girls, and Nancy, declared at once, "Please, bring honor to us all!"

Nancy made her way into the ballroom, which was crowded by various men and other girls her age. Some were older than her, and some were younger, but the majority were her age. It was a sight she had only dreamed of while on her humble farm in Virginia. Not once had she actually imagined herself in a fancy gown, like the one she wore then, or at a Ball as elegant as that.

The girls who walked in with her seemed to be as stunned as Nancy was, and they stopped in their tracks for a few moments to admire the beauty of the ballroom.

After a few moments of admiring the extravagance of the ballroom, a man came up to Nancy, admiring her beauty. She noticed him, and she looked at him in shock. "I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting such a beauty as you," said the man, who looked only a year, maybe two, older than her. He had golden blonde hair and light skin, and he wore his soldier uniform to the Ball. If wearing his uniform was his way of trying to impress her, it was not working for Nancy.

"As for me, I do not believe I have had the great misfortune of meeting you," said Nancy, crossing her arms. Realizing what she had said, she almost slapped herself in frustration. She was never the type to enjoy the company of a man, but she knew she had to find one if she wanted to honor her family.

"Hm, let's see," said the boy with a grin. "Dark hair, dark skin, sarcasm beyond your years... You must be a Virginian."

Nancy looked at the boy with disgust, then slapped him across the face.

He stumbled back a few steps, then put a hand to his face where she had slapped him. He looked at her. "Yep. Virginian."

Nancy scoffed, annoyed. "And, what makes Virginians so bad?"

"Oh, nothing," said the boy. "I can simply tell from your suntanned skin and sarcastic speech that you were undoubtedly born and raised on a Virginian farm. Does not take a lot to know this."