Hiram Black
Hiram was the only child of a poor, single, immigrant mother. He joined the army as a young man and showed an aptitude for learning, getting assigned to the newly established medical corps. He kept himself fit by working as a Medic and keeping up with soldiers who were rather physically competitive farm-boys. He commanded respect from them through his strength, toughness, and intimidating presence. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Hiram was also witty and charming. He quickly became the man in uniform that the girls of the time swooned over.
But to him only one girl mattered. Emily Masterson, a young woman touched by tragedy who worked with his mother down at the dockyard. Emily had been orphaned but was already an adult and made a living working as the quartermaster's assistant in the warehouses near the docks. Hiram and Emily talked and began a whirlwind romance that led to their marriage just two years later. Hiram became a doctor and Emily became pregnant with their first. For the next two years, life was swell. But nothing stays perfect long.
One cool night in 1818 while meandering through the streets outside the Narrows Fort, he saw an old homeless man getting beaten and intervened. He shouldn't have. The aggressors turned their fists and weapons on him and, while he fought back, he lost. They nevertheless ran off, to avoid more trouble. That night, in a filthy gutter of New York, Hiram Black lost his life. No one found the body, and the rumor swirled that he ran away, fleeing his responsibilities.
Relationships
History
Hiram and Emily began their relationship as a flirtatious dance in 1814 when Hiram was in the Army. Anytime he'd visit his mother, half the reason was to see Emily. Not that Emily minded, though she pretended to. Emily only had eyes for Hiram as well, spurning several suitors while waiting for the young man to make a move. As soon as he was sure of his posting, he did - much to his mother's joy.
Their courtship lasted two years and Hiram began practice as a doctor and was able to give Emily the wedding she had never let herself dream of. Their first child came quickly and they didn't rush to have another. They thought they had all the time in the world.
They didn't.
Legal Status
Married
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