In old Narragansett; romances and realities

"In Old Narragansett; Romances and Realities" by Alice Morse Earle is a snapshot of colonial Rhode Island where the lives of wealthy planters, Narragansett Indians, African slaves, and traditional English culture are stitched together into the very fabric of society. The book opens with a foreword establishing Old Narragansett's background, its government, the immense fortunes of its planter families, and the blend of cultures that defined it. The reader is introduced to Rowland Robinson, a prosperous planter whose sternness is balanced by his generosity and benevolence. The story of Robinson sets the tone for the romances, struggles, and even tragedies that permeate the lives of those who call this land home, including his daughter Hannah, whose early romance illuminates the social constraints and hurdles individuals faced in this young colonial society.