A young Quaker woman, Honor Bright, sails to America from England with her sister, Grace in 1850. Grace plans to marry in Ohio and Honor is fleeing after her intended leaves her for another woman. After a difficult voyage and Graces death in America, Honor has to depend on strangers in this foreign land. It is interesting to hear of her impressions of this new life, and after marrying a farmer, her views of farm life, the work, and the animals. Writing touching letters home of her life and difficulties adds to the story. Honor's abilities with quilting aid her in this new land.
Slaves are escaping and coming through this area to travel to freedom. Honor helps them even though the family she is living with disapproves and later forbids it completely with the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law. She is sympathetic to the slaves and does not understand how the Quaker people can turn them away. She clashes with, but also has an interest in a slave catcher, and is a friend of his sister. The author builds interesting characters and relates the personality and feelings of Honor well.
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