A Headstone for Nellie

Nellie Stonebridge has been a sickly child most of her young life. Her mother's troubled personal life and questionalble past has left most of her personal relationships full of doubt. Nellie loves to write and her passion is poetry. In her writing she immortalizes the world around her and opens her heart as to how she feels about her life and the many things that are happening as the Civil War rages miles from their home. Home is a secluded farm in a very remote area along the James River. It is perceived as more of a prison by her mother. Nellie eventually manages to leave home with her friend Carrie. They go in search of her brother, Daniel, who is rumored to be in a Richmond hospital. It seems Nellie's mother is not the person her father married so long ago. William, Nellie's father can never seem to pinpoint exactly what causes Eleanor's strange behavior. Eventually he decides it best to leave home again, blindly hoping that when he returns all will be well with the farm. Historically accurate events are related throughout the manuscript. A local flavor has been included which hopefully will add an extra element of excitement to all who share Nellie's experiences. Nellie's poetry, her thoughts on life and love will cause readers to exalt in the unbelievable endurance and glory to be found in a single human spirit. Finally, one hundred years into the future Nellie's journal is found along with her remains. It seems Nellie will be remembered after all.