The King's Orchard

by Agnes Sligh Turnbull

This is a fictionalized biography of James O'Hara, an American industrialist. It takes place in the 1700's. He was a trader and soldier and he helped to build Fort Pitt, which is now the site of modern day Pittsburgh.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Novelist Agnes Sligh Turnbull was born in 1888 in New Alexandria, PA. After a dozen years as a short story writer, Turnbull wrote her first novel, The Rolling Years, published in 1936. In the 14 additional novels she wrote over the next 40-plus years, Turnbull built a thorough chronicle of the Scots who settled and farmed rural Westmoreland County. Turnbull died in 1982.

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story, particularly if you're from Pittsburgh.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical fiction

[Margareth8537 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written historical fiction

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins in 1772 as James O'Hara immigrates from Ireland to Philadelphia. Intrigued, he subsequently journeys to the frontier Pittsburgh. His ambitions trigger several business ventures, as well as a military career, both in the American Revolution and Indian wars.

Also central to the story is O'Hara's love-at-first-sight with Philadelphia influential citizen, William Carson's daughter, Mary. They overcome various obstacles to build a good life together.

I didn't always like James and Mary; they seemed, and sometimes acted, privileged. I would have liked a bit more of Mary's story. While she was certainly a woman of her time, James did often include her in his businesses. Their children were mentioned, but didn't really have much part in the story.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially fun read if you grew up in Pittsburgh and enjoy learning more about its history!

[Edwrad Wirkowski]

It was a wonderful book because it entailed not only the history of the City of Pittsburgh but also a love story.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book about the beginnings of the city of Pittsburgh in the late 1700's. While it is fiction it is based on a true person. James O'Hara. I would love to visit his grave in the old Allegheny Cemetery. It is incredible how you lived and what you had to do to survive and yet he was changing this in Pittsburgh. He wanted to make it a lively productive city.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

James O'Hara came to America from Ireland in 1772 to find adventure and fortune on the Indian frontier. He became a trader, soldier and industrialist and helped to build Fort Pitt, the site of modern-day Pittsburgh. Gentle historical fiction.

[Christine Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about the early history of Pittsburgh and some of the "famous names" around here.
James O'Hara, Robert Morris...

[Mrsgeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books.

[JoAnn Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping, page-turning novel.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about Pennsylvania.