Moravian daily journals referenced for McKelvey's upcoming book

McKelvey's new book of historical fiction is written from the perspective of Teresa Hannah Gillam. Gillam and her family ran a hotel beginning in 1830 near the base of what is now Pilot Mountain State Park. In addition to gaining insight from the Moravian daily journals that were collected beginning in 1752, McKelvey also consulted members of the Cherokee Nation to gather oral histories. In the Moravian journals, there is significant record keeping of weather and agricultural conditions. There are also reports of Moravians communicating with different tribal Chiefs. There are also accounts of bear hunting near Pilot Mountain. The authors of the daily journals included stories of church members' encounters with wolves and snakes.

News item by WXII-TV on March 22, 2025 by reporter Michelle Kennedy