the mansion on the hill

1. The Trip To Canada : How it all began

2. The Plot The characters are purely fictional. The names of the characters were in a baby name book under their type of nationality be it French, English or otherwise. The story is about several families travelling to Canada from England in the early 1900’s and how they plan to settle into a new life there. They all meet aboard the SS America and form friendships and alliances. The story reveals how the characters are affected by the theory of “Six degrees of separation.” When something affects one character, it creates a ripple effect to the others in some way, shape or form.

3. The Ship I used the name of an actual Ocean Liner, but all details about the ship and it’s characters are pure fiction. I picked SS America, because it reminded me of two things. Gilligan’s Island and the movie “Coming to America.” In both cases the characters travel to a far distant land and have to deal with the effects of culture shock and changing their lives for the better. In Gilligan’s Island they had to learn to survive. In coming to America, the king is searching for a wife to call his Queen. In part one “The Trip to Canada : How it all began,” A list of fictional characters meet on the SS America and friendships and alliances begin.

4. The Mansion on the Hill The Mansion is high up on a hill, out in the country, and located near Place Royale, Canada. It overlooks a lake and waterfall and has a dock for boating. The Mansion was built in 1773 by the Munroe Family. The Story begins in 1893 with Joseph and Ophirah Munroe. A large grey stone Mansion with marble floors and intricate Wood carvings throughout the place. Long English garden stone pathways and animal topicary surrounds the grounds.

6. Ophirah Ramsbottom Munroe The Beautiful young wife of Joseph Munroe. Lives in Munroe Mansion near Place Royale, Canada in the 1800’s. The Mother of Jake Munroe. The Grandmother of Themus Munroe. Loves to ride horseback through the paths on her Estate.

7. Joseph Munroe In the year of 1893 He is living in the Mansion on the hill, in Place Royale, Canada with his wife Ophirah and son Jake. Tragedy strikes and the family moves away to England. He is a wealthy man and lives the life of a gentleman on His huge estate in London, England. His wealth comes from the many generations of the Munroe’s who are successful in business ventures and investments.

8. Jake Munroe Lives in the Mansion on the Hill, in Place Royale, until he is fourteen years old. After the tragedy they go to live in London, England on a large country Estate. Fifteen years later Jake’s wife Jesseline Thirkill leaves him, after giving birth to their son Themus, to become a stage actress. He becomes a bitter man but raises his son with his Father Joseph’s help.

9. Jesseline Thirkill Munroe Meets Jake Munroe at a ball in London, England. She is given an offer she cannot refuse by Joseph Munroe. She is married for a year to Jake and gives birth to a baby boy and They name him Themus. A few months later, Jesseline decides to leave and become a stage actress in New York City. Jesseline wants to be as famous as Florence Lawrence was in 1905.

10. Goderich Lafleur A Gentleman who loves his luxuries but still lives a simple life. A Man of mystery to those who first meet him. His friends are loyal, kind and funny. Goderich has a dry sense of humour and loves to make his own jokes. Unfortunately, not many people share in his humour. Being a bachelor, he is tired of London, England and it’s many society Balls. The tiresome task of meeting young women and having them chasing Him at any given moment so he decides to leave England behind and go live in Canada with his friend Brandon Deere. He has been offered a position as foreman at the Deere Lumber Yard and plans to build himself a hunting lodge as well.

11. Brandon Deere A friend who sticks closer then a brother to Goderich Lafleur. Brandon is building a Lumber Yard, an Inn and a cabin in Canada. He has asked his friend Goderich Lafleur to come and start a new life with him. Fresh out of University, he is a hopeful business man who looks forward to the beginning of a prosperous life. However, Brandon is an alcoholic and this proves to be his biggest downfall.

12. Themus Munroe A close friend for many years to Brandon Deere and Goderich Lafleur. He is engaged to the lovely and rich Alchetta Bailey. He has decided he must stay in England for Alchetta loves To attend the high society functions there. Themus is sad to see his friends leaving for Canada and does not know How he will survive without their constant companionship. He is emotional and has a sweet disposition. Themus also attended University with Brandon and Goderich.

13. Alchetta Bailey A beautiful, rich young girl who is engaged to Themus Munroe. She’s lived at Millennium Bailey’s Hotel London, all of her life. Her parents, Melville and Retta Bailey, own the Hotel. She is sad to see Goderich Lafleur leaving for Canada. She has always admired and had a bit of a crush on Goderich Lafleur but is engaged to Themus Munroe who is a dashing, handsome and rich gentleman.

14. Marion White A beautiful young girl who has a mishap while dismounting from Her stagecoach. Brandon Deere rescues her and plans to see more of her. Marion who is a poor girl, has a haughty attitude towards the Dirty and unkempt looking Brandon Deere. She introduces her companion who is her Mother Demora White. Her Father Stacy White is ill and sitting inside the Stagecoach when they arrive.

15. Demora White Lived in London, England on an Estate with Stacy’s(her husband) Grandfather and young 18 year old daughter Marion. William White, who is a cousin, inherits the Estate and they are forced to move out. Count Frederick Fontaine has asked to court and marry the lovely Marion and invites the Whites to come stay with him at Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, Canada. While on the SS America Demora meets and befriends Patricia Totenmyer Rosewood and with her help; she hopes to create an alliance between Marion and Goderich Lafleur before they reach Canada.

16. Stacy White Stacy ‘s Grandfather Wilbur White needs someone to care for him so he invites his grandson’s family to live with him. Stacy’s wife Demora and daughter Marion, helped to care for Wilbur. Stacy has inherited the same illness as his mother and becomes an invalid. Wilber White passes away and has left his Estate to his favourite Grandson, William White, who is Stacy’s cousin. William orders the family to leave the estate and his friend Count Frederick Fontaine has expressed an interest in an arranged marriage with Marion White. Stacy decides that Marion must sacrifice herself and marry The Count to supply her family with some financial security. Marion does not want to marry the old Count, and hopes to find a younger suitor to marry when she reaches Canada.

17. Patricia Totenmyer Rosewood The widower of Barney Rosewood. She leaves England and travels as a Chaperone for Louise Picard. She plans to go live in her Villa in Place Royale. Patricia is the daughter of Lenno and Heta Totenmyer and her sister’s name is Sasha Totenmyer. On the SS America, she befriends Demora White and Luvena Carrington. Patricia becomes the mastermind behind every plot formed. Her meddling ways affect the future of everyone she meets.

18. Louise Picard She is a wild, young, penniless girl who has suffered the recent loss of her Mother Elsa Picard. She is travelling from Paris to Canada on the SS America with her Chaperone Patricia Totenmyer Rosewood. She is going to live with her Godmother (Aunt Lorraine Atkins) in Place Royale. Louise is a gold digger, and has plans to marry her way into high society. She befriends Marion White and the two of them compete for the attentions of Goderich Lafleur.

19. Madame Luvena Carrington She owns a Ladies Finishing School in Paris, France. The School has been running for many years. Patricia Totenmyer was one of her first pupils many years ago. Louise Picard has been taking Dance classes in Paris and continues her studies while on the SS America. Madame Luvena is hired to prepare the debutantes for the Ball on the SS America and the “Coming out Debutante Ball to be held at Chateau Frontenac, in Quebec, Canada.” Thanks to Lorraine Atkins social connections.

20. Merry White She is William White’s daughter and lives with him in London, England. Merry is secretly came on the voyage to keep an eye on Marion and her family. Patricia Totenmyer Rosewood befriends Merry, but fails to mention That she knows the White’s quite well, including William White. Merry White met Count Frederick Fontaine at Wilbur White’s funeral and took a fancy to him. She learns that a Chaperone is required to attend the ball at Chateau Frontenac and enlists the services of Patricia Totenmyer Rosewood to do just that! Patricia not only plans to be a Chaperone, but also intends to find a suitable marriage for her charge Merry who is past her prime and too old to “Come out” at a debutante ball.

21. Lady Genevieve Doucette She lived in Paris, France and has come to Quebec, Canada. She met Viscount Louis Frontenac at her Debutante Ball in Paris. Is a young beautiful woman who is a party to high society. She is currently being courted by Viscount Louis Frontenac. She hopes to be soon engaged and married so that they can start a family.

22. Viscount Louis Frontenac A Rich and very powerful man from Quebec, Canada. Owns Chateau Frontenac in Quebec and Paris. Is currently courting Lady Genevieve Doucette and plans to propose soon. Wants to have a large brood of children. Attends many high society balls and parties around the world.

23. Count Frederick Fontaine A wealthy gentleman who travels the world . His cousin is Viscount Louis Frontenac of Quebec, Canada. He prefers to be a bachelor but loves to flirt with the new debutantes at the balls he attends. Is constantly inviting young women to his parties and has fun setting them up with other people. His Mother Ami Fontaine insists that he get married and produce and heir. He has invited Marion White and her family to come to Quebec, Canada and is planning to have an arranged marriage with her.