Water To My Soul: The Story of Eliza Lucas Pinckney

by Pamela Bauer Mueller

Teen-aged Eliza Lucas, better suited for the drawing rooms at Drayton Hall than the sun-baked fields of Wappoo Plantation, fought and overcame grief, treachery and an impossible love.  Indefatigable in purpose and energy, she was able to provide the struggling new colonies in a critical time with a staple crop--indigo--saving the faltering economy and bracing it for the battle for sovereignty.  Her strong will and streak of independence extended beyond the business world and into her personal life.

With her successful cultivation of the indigo plant, Eliza Lucas Pinckney changed the economy of the colonies, making her mark on the agricultural industry, southern society and the Crown of England.  Based on her rich letters and eloquent journals, this true story reveals the perseverance, independence and true grit that sustained this colorful woman's journey to a better future for herself, her family, her society and our fledgling democracy.  
 
"Once again, with keenness of insight and perception previously unrevealed in historical novels of this period, Pamela Bauer Mueller provides us with an enlightening glimpse into the world of an exceptional woman in colonial America.  Eliza Lucas Pinckney's story offers an illuminating awareness of the unique culture of indigo planting, while also presenting an intimate perspective of everyday life in colonial Charles Town and its low country environs.  Not only is this an educational story of a remarkable 18th century woman with extraordinary courage, skill and grit, but it is also an absolute delight to read !"   Buddy Sullivan, Coastal Georgia Historian, Award Winning Author

Genres: Historical Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Pamela Bauer Mueller was raised in Oregon. She has worked as a flight attendant, commercial model and actress, English and Spanish teacher and a U.S. Customs Inspector. She now lives on Jekyll Island Georgia with her husband Michael and their cat Morgan Maurice.

Pamela's children and young adult books have awarded her numerous awards, including the 2006/2008 and the 2009 Georgia Author of the Year titles, three Mom's Choice and Children’s Choice gold medals, the Independent Publisher Gold Book awards and other national awards with Writer's Digest and ForeWord magazines. In her seventh historical novel, she recounts the life story of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, an unintended and inadvertent participant in the Lincoln assassination story.

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Delight!

The story of Eliza Lucas Pinckney is an incredible story of triumph. It brings to mind the true meaning of someone being “raised right,” along with a strong work ethic and a generous loving heart. Eliza’s story transported me to another time, where war and strife marred our land, where neighbor helped neighbor. I was intrigued by the work required to establish indigo as a crop here in the American colonies.

Pamela Bauer Mueller brings history to life in her works of historical fiction.

[Michelle Adamo #EmptyNestReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale of the amazing Eliza Lucas Pinckney. A teenager in the 1700s in South Carolina, Eliza was left to care for her ailing mother, her younger sister her family’s three plantations plus, the family’s slaves as her father went off to war. Cotton was the product of choice in the plantations of Charleston at that time but Eliza was determined to grow Indigo. A finicky plant that produces valuable dyes, Indigo plants must be tended to in very particular ways. Many South Carolina farmers had tried to grow Indigo, and failed. Many discouraged or even laughed at her endeavors. Yet Eliza was smart, strong, generous and determined.

Several years ago I read Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd. It is, again, the story of Eliza Lucas, primarily in her younger years. This book follows her later life. It is a beautifully written story filled with fascinating information. (for example, one of Eliza’s pallbearers was George Washington.) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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[Carol Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Indigo Girl first...

That and this are two historic novels about the same person. , but Indigo Girl gives background to her younger life and this carries her 40+ years past the end of IG.
What fascinating history...and how conceited are the history books used in our schools. That is said from the perspective of a NY educated senior citizen , who thought the Revolution was fought through Boston and Concord and Saratoga and Ticonderoga...and of course, in the Mid-Atlantic colonies.
And who among us, at age 17, would be able to take on the responsibilities Eliza did?

[Debbie Sarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable historical novel about Charleston’s own Eliza Lucas Pinckney. As a young girl, she brought Indigo to South Carolina and started the dye making industry at a critical political time that would boost the economy. Her contributions to the economy of South Carolina did not stop there, she also went on to produce silk and sea island cotton over her lifetime. An amazing woman, like many other women, who deserve more credit for their role in our nation’s history. Unlike another well written historical novel about Eliza I have read, this one follows her through her adult life until her death in 1793.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read Indigo Girl, another historical fiction novel about Eliza Lucas Pinckney and my spouse directed me to this book on her book shelf. Both novels are wonderful about a talented and amazing young woman who lived in colonial America. I liked this one because the author shares many of her primary sources by inserting excerpts from letters and diaries. Indigo Girl has more added characters and digressions to make a more entertaining story. I am glad I read both.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Indigo Girl, which I loved. This book gave a more detailed insight to this young woman. She not only introduced indigo to South Carolina, but she shared it with her neighbors. I was surprised to read that she introduced silk worms to this country also. For one so young she was so very brave. She did desirve to be inducted into the South Carolina Womens Hall of Fame.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza Lucas Pinckney

Beautifully written. I have visited Charleston on several occasions and seen the name Pinckney often and it was a visit to The ACE Basin that moves me to research and during my findings I was surprised to find that indigo was a crop that was fielded and worked and exported to England and Eliza was the person that introduced that crop to South Carolina. I wanted to learn more about her and reading this book have me great insight. I recommend this book to anyone that is interested I. Women studies and the colonial south and how there were exceptions where women were encouraged and supported to succeed. Great read

[Jamie’s Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A partially fictionalized biography of Eliza Lucas Pinckney of Charles Town (Charleston) SC and her life in the 1700s. Her contributions the history of SC and to the indigo and silk trades. Which was quite a feat for a woman during this time period.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting novel about the life of a young woman in early South Carolina. I felt the end was rushed and felt like I was reading a biography in a dry history book. Too much telling...

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story of Eliza!! I loved the history in the book as well. A good read!! Teresa

[Rio (Lynne) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Mueller. She writes about lesser known women and she brings their story to life with indepth research. This was my third book by Mueller.

[Dee Mallon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Refers to the enslaved as “employees” and “servants,” need I say more?

[Holli W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject matter is personally interesting to me and I enjoyed the history as well as the setting. The writing and actual storytelling is simple and direct.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza Lucas Pinckney was a young girl living on Wappoo Plantation. She had big dreams and the determination to make change happen. A fast learner, she managed to change the life of Charles Towne, and the entire southern colony of Carolina with a much-needed crop. Her focus and drive allowed for her to successfully run three plantations and oversee the fast growth and profit that came from the indigo plant. This is a fictional account of her life, based off of her written letters, which are the only personal effects that remain.

This book starts off with a powerful prologue that will immediately capture readers’ attention. Even at a young age, Eliza is strong, outspoken young lady with a resilient spirit. She Pamela Bauer Mueller writes Eliza’s story in an easy-to-read fashion, so teenage to adult readers can both enjoy this book. Chocked full of details the readers will feel like they are stepping back in time, with the sights and sounds of Wapoo Plantation and Charles Town. The book is broken down in four main sections, by year, so readers will be taken on the journey of Eliza’s life. This is an admirable read for anyone looking to learn more about South Carolina and the woman who made its history a success.

Notes:
This review was written for My Sister's Books.
This review was originally posted on Ariesgrl Book Reviews.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I wouldn't call this gripping, I really enjoyed reading about the colony of S. Carolina around the time of the American Revolution. This book is a historical novel featuring a lady who had the unusual role of running her father's plantations and is credited with starting production of indigo on the continent. Others had tried, but she persisted and made it work, then shared her knowledge with her neighbors. Her efforts were timely in that Britain cut off trade with France and Spain during that time, so S. Carolina indigo was able to be very profitable for the colony.

There is much more to the general story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it as it contained some well-researched biographical information about Eliza Lucas Pinkney. It definitely was historical fiction and I felt aimed at young adults. Still, I learned more about her life and appreciate the efforts the author went to tell her story.

I recently visited Charleston and it was the only other book available (other than her letter book) about her or mention of growing indigo in the shop where I bought this book - and the store had an ample collection of books on Charleston and the low country.

[Imagen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the story of Eliza's life, I didn't enjoy this book. I picked it up and put it back down several times before finishing it. Some parts were good, but others were boring. The flow of the book was just not right for me. Other than that, it did give me some new information about Eliza that I had not known about beforehand which was provided through excerpts from Eliza's journal. I don't think I'd read this again, but do recommend it to those interested in learning more about Eliza in a fictional format.

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eliza Lucas Pinckney A great book was about the life of a young girl of 16 years old. She wanted to grow indigo and wanted to produce silk from silk worms. She sent to China for some silk worms and discovered how to make silk. Later in life she and her husband had 4 kids and still Pinckney was working three plantations. She was very industrious and always busy keeping things going.
After several tries and some help from other people she succeeded. A very good novel.
must read.

[Brittany Cuenin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and "Water to My Soul" does a fantastic job of re-creating life in the lowcountry with one of South Carolina's foremost lady leaders - Eliza Lucas Pinckney. I loved the details Mueller wrote with which made the world come alive. Also, it helps that Eliza Lucas is one of my great great relatives, so it made the reading unique.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have understood more about the American Revolution had I read this while I was in school! Mueller has a way of weaving history into a novel that make the story entertaining as well as informative. Eliza Lucas Pinckney was an amazing woman.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read book about Eliza Pinckney and her struggles to grow indigo in South Carolina. Although simply written (perhaps aimed at children?) the book describes a strong-willed and courageous young woman in colonial America.

[Alyce Boorman]

Loved it--her best yet!

[Michael Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Pamela Bauer Mueller's best written book!