Rosemary for Remembrance

About the Book

People coming to the New World in the 1700s were of diverse cultures. Some came for adventure, others for fortunes, and many for needs. The Moravians were among the latter. They sought land that offered religious freedom. They established themselves in Pennsylvania and North Carolina and soon became recognized as peaceful, hardworking and well-organized people. This historical fiction focuses on Salem, the trade center of their settlements in a 100,000-acre tract of land in North Carolina during the years of the Revolutionary War through the War of 1812, till 1817. Moravians, officially organized as the Unity of the Brethren, kept their peaceful practices and refused to bear arms on any side during wars. Thus, their loyalty was often tested. The regional government required raw materials to be delivered miles away. Both Continental and English armies marched through and confiscated livestock and foods, and camped in and around the settlements. Salem was required to build a factory for making munitions and to store ammunitions. Its doctor was forced to immediately accompany a soldier to treat an officer some miles away, or the town would be burned. Wounded soldiers were treated, housed and fed by the residents. The Moravians always obliged the officials. The fact that so few people could turn out so much work in a short time frame amazed others. These years of struggle are woven into the daily lives of the Miksch family: Matthew- father, tobacconist, bookbinder, storekeeper, nurseryman; Maria-teacher, mother, helpmate, baker of gingerbread; Martha-daughter, schoolteacher, wife. Matthew had built the first family residence in Salem, where he manufactured tobacco and sold the products. He and Maria, natives of Germany, married in Pennsylvania then came to Bethabara, the first settlement in the piedmont where Martha was born. Martha was one of the first pupils in the school for little girls. Moravians valued education and had separate schools for boys and girls. In their unique choir system, the sexes were often separated: in schools, houses beginning in their teens till they married, and in church. Single sisters and brothers did not speak to each other. Marriage was arranged by the elders and submitted to a drawing from lots: yes, no, or blank. The saying was that “courtship comes after marriage.” Men and women were buried on different sides of the graveyard. The novel opens with Martha at age eleven and with her observations and reactions to daily life, a special time in her church with a bishop present to ordain some brothers, and disturbances of soldiers. She thinks about the differences between her family and the Bagges’. Throughout her life a Bagge plays a significant role. Traugott Bagge is a successful merchant, who operates the community store for the Unity. He is highly regarded by the Moravian congregations and state leaders. He pays for Martha’s education at the girls school. His daughter Anna and Martha are friends. Traugott and Matthew differ on the handling of several matters throughout the years. Martha promised her parents she would not make any contacts with single brothers and would leave the selection of a husband to them and to the elders. However, Martha is aware of the eligible men and is not eager to marry any of them. She desires to be the wife of an important man and to be a good helpmate to him. Many of her friends marry. Although Martha is an attractive, healthy, energetic young woman, no brother asks the elders for approval to marry her. Martha is not upset by this lack of requests. She continues to nurture privately her longing to be a helpmate. She does come to know heart-breaking disappointment. To ease her heart, she must find other outlets for her natural talents. Throughout the years she experiences a dramatic episode during a storm and later with accidents to members of her family. She has to grow and adapt to changes with the new country – now the Uni

About the Author

Peggy Reid Rhodes has three previous novels: Rosemary for Remembrance An Historical Fiction and two of fiction in contemporary times, Charlotte Greystone and The Property of Joseph McBaden Attorney-At-Law. All are set in Piedmont North Carolina. The author was awarded The Distinguished Alumni Award 2003 by the Alumni Association of Greensboro College. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC.