Note to the Reader: The links within this chapter all worked properly as of 1/11/05, but as you know the Internet is always changing, and so of course I cannot guarantee the links at a later date. Cruise at your own discretion. 

Chapter 1:
Ferdi acquires the grey stallion, "fastest pony in the Shire", in the story "StarFire", which also tells the story of the Thain's treasure-hoard.

Ferdi's experience with ruffians, hanging, and being "The Fox" is detailed in "Flames". 

The disastrous flooding of the Greentuck Valley is told in "In the Greening of the Year". 

Chapter 2:
Much of the material in this chapter was taken from "Flames".

Chapter 3:
The dates for the arrival of Elessar's letter and the Bridge meeting were taken from an early version of JRRT's "Epilogue". This story may be re-written, eventually, to bring it in line with the dates in his later version. 

Chapter 4:
Ferdi's early days as Pippin's escort/special assistant: "Flames", "FireStorm", and "StarFire"
Ferdi's useless arm: "Flames"
Merry's wound: "Ruffians"

Chapter 42: On Pippin and pneumonia:
Pippin's near-fatal bout with pneumonia is detailed in "Jewels", which exists in draft form on fanfiction.net under authorname "Lindelea1". He will have recurrence of pneumonia in "Down and Out" which can be found here at SoA, though please note that "Down and Out" takes place later on the time line than "All that Glisters". His breathing problems also trouble him in "FirstBorn" and "Runaway". And of course, his damaged lungs nearly put an end to him in "At the End of His Rope".

Chapters 49-51:
You wouldn't believe the number of people who drown in rivers every year, some who were just wading, and stepped into a hole, some who jumped in to save someone else... The following websites, in no particular order, are of interest:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/safety/safety.html
http://www.whitewatervoyages.com/reference/glossary.html
http://www.whitewatervoyages.com/reference/detailedglossary.html
http://www.e-raft.com/reference.asp
www.rowinc.com/glossary.htm
http://www.highdesertriver.com/terms.htm
www.highdesertriver.com/terms2.htm
www.adventuresportsonline.com/asp/ASOmain.asp?Option=Expert&Section=gloss
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/resources/journal/issues/1983_2.pdf
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/safety/

A real-life account and article on safety:
http://www.sowrey.org/journals/20000626.shtml

Also I found these books to be of great value:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1878239554/102-5371503-3408928?v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0070677905/qid=1105638081/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7999912-2683927?v=glance&s=books

Chapter 63:
Thanks to Lyllyn and FantasyFan for their patient answers to my questions, once I decided the draft would have to be rewritten. (In the original version, Denny died of his wounds.)
One thing that struck me, and shaped the re-write on this chapter, was Lyllyn's comment that people retain consciousness with the most horrendous injuries. Thus Denethor does not remain "out" for long, but is talking quite rationally in this chapter, even though he's millimetres away from bleeding to death.

Shire justice: For some reason I cannot imagine the hobbits physcially locking people up. I see them as such a socially-oriented people that punishments would be in terms of increasing isolation--sitting in the corner, for a young one; the Ban which is based on what I've read of shunning in Amish society; all the way to banishment which, considering the attitude of Shire-folk to the Outside, would be equivalent to death in the minds of Shire-folk I think. Lesser offences would be punished by fasting, such as missing a meal, or going without dessert, or more formally "water rations" for part of a day up to three days at the most. Imposing "water rations" is supposed to give a hobbit pause for consideration, to think over his actions and the consequences, and to change his ways. The same with social isolation--it gives one time to think, as well as acts as a deterrent to other hobbits, hopefully. In any event there would be no such thing as a death penalty in the Shire! ("No hobbit has ever killed another on purpose in the Shire", in Frodo's own words.)  More on crime and punishment in the Shire can be found in the following stories, all found on SoA (click on story name to see chapter list):
"Truth"
"Flames" (especially chapter 5 "Guilty")
"Runaway" (co-author JoDancingtree)

In addition, Marigold commented to me on the hobbits' rather blase attitude towards Merry's restoration. It struck me as true--I hadn't clarified their attitude, being more focused on other things! So I tried to show that attitude in this chapter (Pippin's private joy at a mundane gesture)--for it's not that the hobbits are nonchalant, just that they are understated in their attitude. Privately they rejoice over Merry's healing, but aloud they "use light words and say less than they mean".

Chapter 68:
Intent and motivation are almost more important in the hobbit mind than actual actions. Or so I have gathered from research and reading of JRRT's writings. See especially the Tolkien quote supplied by FantasyFan in the reviews for this chapter, which sums things up rather well, I think.

I imagine that Master and Thain would be the only hobbits in the Shire with the authority to banish someone, though perhaps not. It might be the right of any head of a family. (I am thinking of Gollum's grandmother. I don't remember if Gollum left of his own accord or was banished, but I imagine his grandmother had the power to banish one who posed a threat to others in the family.)

Chapter 70:
Some parts of the ruffian's trial were modelled after the account of Ulrich's first trial in "As the Gentle Rain".

Final note: Of course, Pippin does get his healing, eventually, in "At the End of His Rope".