James M. (James Martin) Allerton

Born in 1822 and living until 1910, James M. Allerton wrote historical fiction and local-history pieces that were later preserved in public-domain archives and library catalogs.

His best-known work is Hawk's Nest; or, The Last of the Cahoonshees, a historical romance set in the Delaware Valley in 1690. He is also credited with Tom Quick.., a shorter work connected with regional legend and history.

Although not widely remembered today, Allerton's books have survived through projects such as Project Gutenberg, Archive.org, and library records. That makes him one of those authors whose work offers both a story and a small window into the literary tastes of the late 19th century.