Lavinia

by Jeanne Wilkins Wilde

Intelligent, educated, and religious, Lavinia Jefferson approaches her thirtieth birthday feeling unfulfilled and frustrated. When her pastor encourages her to put her feelings on paper, the result of her writing finds its way into the hands of a twice-widowed rancher, John Barkley Dawson, in a far-off and unsettled part of the country.

Lavinia leaves her secure and civilized life to experience love and adventure with J. B. in the daily challenges of marriage and motherhood. She learns firsthand about the vagaries of weather, hard work, outlaws (and in-laws), Indians, good friends, and bad enemies. She watches the West grow, enjoys innovative inventions, and experiences the joys and sorrows that go hand in hand with births and deaths. Whether it's a sheep drive to Alaska, a land dispute that ends in the Supreme Court, or big business generated by the discovery of extensive coal deposits, Lavinia and J. B. create many happy memories together.

Her life touches upon many events and people whose names are well-known today, but Lavinia's focus throughout her life is on family, education, and faith. Most importantly, she's content knowing that she made the right decision in joining that man who whisked her away to a new, exciting life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595355870
• ISBN13: 9780595355877
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Lavinia

Number one reason for buying this book, was because of the genealogy of the Dawson family. I just love the story, from the eyes of the 3rd wife of John B. Dawson and their life. How she was there by his side, in the birth, death and their children, also there for his other children, by his first two marriages. Running the ranch, moving, building homes and the garden and fruit business. I have read a few books and stories of his life, as a great cattle trail pioneer, along with Charles Goodnight and others. Now to read the events in her life along with his love for family and the ranching, is a great read. Then to take your mind and look in on them in their later years, living in L. A,., CA and driving a car. Makes the trail drive of the Dawson Trail, come into a passing of time, into a modern change, we all move into as time changes our lives.