Non-Fiction: Faith and Silk
"Faith and Silk" is the record of one MURCH lineage
through the years from 1687 to 1884.
Names, dates, and places are woven together to give the reader a
feeling for the times, inventions, and discoveries that this
family lived through, added to by the author's own love for
history and sense of humour.
The book begins with Robert in 1687 and the reigns of the different monarchs he lived through, while the chapter on his son, Gideon, details the advances in weaving which would have affected the family. The Industrial Revolution and local disasters are covered in the chapter on Samuel, while religious upheaval and Luddite riots occur in his son and grandson's chapters.
The book concludes with the tales of two sisters: Johanna and Emily and the different lives they led. One died a young mother (and the introduction of hospitals and hygiene is discussed), while the other became a Court dressmaker.