The cocks had just heralded the break of day when the first clap of thunder burst above the Black Valley. It's echoes rolled along the steep, cavernous, mountain slopes for fully half a minute.

I sat up between Frank and Brian wishing I could rest just for a little but I had to get up to take care of baby John and Sheila as ma was still ill and unable to work. Pa was out in the garden examining the crops, he knew this was going to be a good season.

May 18, 1842

Ma passed away today. How will I cope? I will have to be in charge of the household and the children. I awoke earlier and found ma in her bed holding a cross in her right hand. Pa peered at her through the rheum of death that webbed her eyelids. She was pale, her skin...