Minorcan Series

A historical fiction based on real people and events...Just south of America’s oldest permanent city, St. Augustine, Florida, lie the ruins of the largest colony the English attempted to establish in the New World. New Smyrna was established in 1768 by 1,400 indentured servants; immigrating from the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Greece and the Balearic island of Minorca. Their nine turbulent year odyssey under English domination and servitude was a struggle to survive against tremendous odds. The Minorcan Yoke is the adventurous tale of a real life hero, Don Francisco Pellicer, and how he led the 600 survivors of the ill-fated endeavor to their freedom. Upon receiving a land grant in the newly acquired Florida territory, Scottish Doctor Andrew Turnbull, on behalf of his partners, one of which is George Grenville, Prime Minister of England, sets out to recruit indentured servants from hardy Mediterranean stock. With Greek and Italian laborers as a goal, because they are ideally suited for Florida’s humid climate, the doctor finds few takers and much resistance filling his quota of 500 immigrants. With Minorca set as the disembark point, Dr. Turnbull arrives disappointed in his efforts knowing he is far short of his desired number of bondsmen and expenses are mounting. Fortunately the doctor finds many of the local population willing to join his adventure and the Minorcans quickly swell the ranks. A young master carpenter, Don Francisco Pellicer is recruited and joins the journey to American. As the caravan of ships arrive in Gibraltar, problems begin. Discovering stowaways, the number of immigrants comes to a staggering 1,400 individuals. The doctor also learns that two of his hired vessels will not continue and he scrambles to find replacements. Upon arriving in New Smyrna, Florida, the immigrants find life not as it was promised. The Greek colonist, led by a few ruthless men, revolt and attempt to escape; endangering the lives of many. Our hero, Don Francisco Pellicer and his fellow colonist endure nine years of brutality, starvation, domination, love, marriage, rivalry, pirates, rebellion, hangings, murder, deadly weather, diseases and death. Through the hardships, more than half of the colonists perish. The 600 remaining soles would find their savior in Don Francisco Pellicer when he risks his life by escaping to seek help from the governor in St. Augustine. He then returns to the colony to lead his people to freedom. The Minorcan Yoke is a fascinating novel that allows the reader to behold the hardships and tragedies of our Minorcan ancestors while they pioneered the dawn of our nation.

In 1777, as war raged in the thirteen colonies of America, a destitute band of Mediterranean immigrants escaped slavery from one Florida colony to begin anew in another, St. Augustine. Desperate, six hundred survivors of the ill fated New Smyrna Colony took up arms and fled, escaping nine years of brutality, starvation, disease and death. They were met at the gates of an unwelcoming city by new challenges, sacrifices and disasters. The fourteenth colony of Florida is greatly overlooked in our nation's history. Yet from our nation's oldest city comes this tale of how the longest surviving inhabitants earned the right to call St. Augustine home. Their frontier existence was a day-to-day struggle to survive oppression, epidemics and wars. Follow this band of refugees as they scratch a new life from the hostile streets and set down deep roots. They started out fourteen hundred strong and after nine years held against their wills, over one thousand died. The governor intervened promising to end their plight and suffering. Governor Patrick Tonyn tells the band of refugees they can have land in the city of St. Augustine to start anew. The Minorcans risk their lives to escape indentureship in the brutal colony only to find things were not as promised by the governor. Many more would die on the streets as they waited for the promised land. The Minorcan Quarter is a story about life and raising a family in a wretched and unfriendly environment where little was gained without plenty of sacrifice. Often humorous, the author spins an engaging tale built around strong characters, both men and women, facing major events in our nation's history. Against all odds their spirit prevailed in the ghetto despite the ever changing English, Spanish, and American governments. Following in the path of the first novel, The Minorcan Yoke, the sequel, The Minorcan Quarter is an inspirational tale of struggling immigrants. They not only survive but thrive through extremely difficult times, as they are ravaged by catastrophes to build a proud community that has lasted for centuries.