Who is Margaret Cramichael Howland from The Keepers of the House and what is their importance? The_Keepers_of_the_House English & Literature Margaret Cramichael Howland | The Keepers of the House

Margaret Carmichael Howland was descended from a family of freejacks in New Church County. "Freejack" was the term given to black men who were granted their freedom upon discharge from the the 1812 War against the British. Their freedom was given as compensation for serving the United States under the command of Andrew Jackson. Large groups of freejacks tended to keep to themselves, resulting in the founding of the area known as New Church. From this historical area arose Margaret's family. Her mother conceived her out of wedlock, with a white surveyor temporarily in the area on business. When the man never returned for her, and she tired of being a single mother, Margaret's mother left town. Margaret never met her father, nor even knew his identity. She was raised by her great grandmother and extended family. Theirs was not a close bond, and Margaret often wondered what set of circumstances would pull her away from Abner's farm. She viewed her meeting with William Howland as fate fulfilling her desire to leave.