The Old Dominion

"The Old Dominion" by Mary Johnston is a historical novel that transports readers to 17th-century Virginia, where the lives of Colonel Verney and his daughter, Patricia, are the primary focus. They navigate the complexities and tribulations of colonial life during a period marked by social upheaval and evolving relationships within the colony. The story begins with Patricia's anticipation of her father's return from Jamestown, along with her cousin, Sir Charles Carew. Their playful conversations reveal both the privileges and the underlying tensions inherent in their colonial world, as they discuss her new dress for an upcoming party and what her father will bring home. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant Virginia plantation, the novel quickly exposes the stark contrast between the refined lifestyle of the elite and the troubling realities of slavery and convict labor simmering beneath the surface of colonial society.