Upon This Rock

About the Book

The Roche family of Ireland were as numerous as the shamrock.  Jamie Roche claimed to be a descendent of Dermot and Dervorgelia in an illicit relationship as Dervorgelia was married to the Prince of Connaugt but abducted by Dermot.  Jamie Roche and his wife, Molly live in a broken down castle in County Cork where their daughter Isabella meets and marries Lord Cleary of Tipperary where she gives birth to Mary Cleary.

After the murder of William Roche, Isabella's brother, the two sons, Will and John sail for America.  They arrive in Boston in time to see the Boston Massacre.  At the home of their uncle, Thomas Roberts, they meet their cousin, Elisha who goes with them to the wilds of Pennsylvania to live off the land.

John disappears during the Battle of Bunker Hill and is never heard from again.

In Ireland, after her mother's death, Lord Cleary attempts to arrange a marriage between Mary and Lord Coffeiville.  Mary, with her servant Brigid, escape to America.  Lord Cleary tries to hire Will to find Mary and bring her back to Ireland.  Will does find her, but marries her instead.

There is a tender love story between Will and Mary before he and Elisha and two other neighbors enlist in the army to fight the British.  The story follows their exploits in the Battle of Bunker Hill, The Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown and the winter at Valley Forge with Washington.  There is a surprise ending with Will fighting for his life.

About the Author

Gladys Flick is the author of OVER YONDER HILL published in 1998. She has published many poems in Encore, Invictis, National Library of Poetry as well as other quarterlies, and several anthologies. She is featured in a book of poems for her poem, OLD WOMAN.