Margaret's Story

Florida Trilogy #3

by Eugenia Price

From the Seminole uprisings to the Civil War, they fought for their beloved plantation, their family, and their faith. . .

Margaret Seton had loved the handsome young widower long before she become Lewis Fleming's bride. Together they would rebuild Hibernia on the St. Johns River in northern Florida, and fill it to overflowing with laughter and tears of their large, close-knit family. But nothing could have prepared them for the ravages of
war, the rampaging Seminoles, then the victorious Yankees plundering their cherished South, calling Margaret's husband and sons to battle, and her daughters to frightening new times. And above all, calling upon Margaret herself in this hour of need to become their wellspring of hope and faith.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical

520 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1980

About the author

Eugenia Price was born in Charleston, WV, June 22, 1916, to Walter (a dentist) and Anna Price. At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer and entered a poem in her school's literary magazine. She was raised as a member of the Methodist Church, but had left the church behind by the time she graduated from high school, at the age of 15, in 1932. She decided to leave writing behind to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in dentistry. She attended Ohio University for three years, declaring herself an atheist during this time. In 1935, she became a student at Northwestern Dental School, the only woman admitted that year. She studied dentistry for two years, but writing continued to draw her. In 1939, she was hired to work on the NBC radio serial In Care of Aggie Horn. She continued as one of the writers for the show until 1942. She left NBC, going to work for the Proctor and Gamble show Joyce Jordan, M.D. from 1944-1946. In 1945 she founded her own television and radio production company, Eugenia Price Productions, developing other serials for Proctor and Gamble.

In 1949 Eugenia Price underwent a profound life change, giving up her college atheism to embrace Christianity. She considered a career change, but accepted a position with WGN Radio as writer, producer, and director for Unshackled, another radio serial. The popularity of the show led her to a lecturing career throughout the United States and Canada for several years.

Price began yet another career in the early 1950s when she was approached by one of the owners of Zondervan publishing. The 1953 publication of Discoveries Made from Living My New Life, a chronicle of her newfound faith and the experiences that led her to it, launched Eugenia Price into a new career as an inspirational writer. Other inspirational books followed, addresses issues of importance to women and children and other self-help concerns and urging readers away from advances in psychology and analysis and toward a life based on Biblical tenants. Many of her inspirational books are still in print, a testimony to the comfort and empathy many readers found in her works.

Eugenia Price gained a much wider audience though when she began publishing historical romances set in the American South. These novels were praised as "compelling sagas that blend personal stories of love and tragedy. . . with the dramatic events of a region's history." Her first historical romance, The Beloved Invader, was inspired her visit to Saint Simons Island, Georgia and based on one of the island's nineteenth-century inhabitants. The Beloved Invader was published in 1965 and followed by two other romances, New Moon Rising (1969) and Lighthouse (1971), to form the St. Simons Trilogy.

Her historical romances made Price a frequent member of the best-seller lists and brought her millions of readers. Although she continued to write and to publish inspirational works, it was her romances that brought her the greatest attention.

Eugenia Price died May 28, 1996, in Brunswick, Georgia of congestive heart failure and is buried in the Christ Church cemetery, Frederica, GA. Many of her books remain in print and have translated into 17 languages, charming readers of all ages and nationalities. Her manuscripts are housed at Boston University.

Reviews

[CeAire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although very well written more as a romantic fiction novel the characters did exist as part of Florida's early history even before it became a state. This is, in essense, an autobiography of Margaret Seton Fleming. One her sons grew up to be a Florida governor. Ms. Price took pains to keep historical facts, dates, and locations correct while interweaving them into the storyline. It was also interesting to read and relate the various geographic locations to current day and marvel how traveling some of those distances in an hour or so today took several days to a couple of weeks back then. It makes you appreciate cars!

[Joan Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A local resident of the setting for Margaret's Story, I loved the journey back through time this novel provides. If only history lessons in middle and high school could have included stories such as this, instead of dry recaps of battles and their dates, I may have chosen history as a favorite subject much earlier in life! Eugenia Price's talent for bringing historical data to life shines in this story. Following our local matriarch's life from her late teens, before Florida became a state, through the civil war and recovery period, I am richer for knowing the Fleming family of the 19th century. A transplant to Florida from Maryland myself, I never understood the mindset of our former confederate south. Eugenia brings to life not only the extremist's point of view but also that of moderates who were trapped in the middle of undesirable war and how they suffered for it. She also takes us through a journey of life with believable and emotional struggles we can't imagine bearing in our present society. Yet with determination, faith, love and--most vividly--hope, beyond hope, Margaret's life creates a legacy for Fleming Island and our surrounding area that makes me proud and grateful. I look forward to perhaps meeting some of her descendants now as my neighbors! A definite plus for your reading list.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third in the Florida trilogy, Margaret’s Story was by far my favorite. This time, the novel was more about the characters and their daily lives during the time period than it was about actual Civil War battles and strategy. I was a little bogged down with the first two because they were too much romance novels with lots of historical details. In this novel, Price’s characters are better developed, and the plot tells the history of the period seamlessly through the actions of the characters. The character’s political reactions to the war, from both sides, were told through their actions and dialogues. I felt that I learned more history with less emphasis on minute facts. Now this is how to write a historical novel!

[Lou Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best novels I have ever read. I enjoy all of Eugenia Price, but some, like this one and Maria, are among my favorites of all time.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret Seton has known since a young age that she loves and will someday marry, the dashing Captain Louis Fleming. Louis is left widowed with three children and his grief is a long and arduous process. Margaret befriends his charming children and claims his heart as her own. They marry and soon have a young family of their own. Thru Indian wars, illness and tragedy their union stands the test of time. Beautiful portrait of a family as well as a history of Florida. This is the third novel in a trilogy.

[Jill Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these stories

Growing up in Florida really made this book come alive for me. Covers so much history that I was not aware of. This is a great read.

[Janetkc7wvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though it had a slow start, I really enjoyed this book. It is a historical novel about Margaret, second wife of Lewis Fleming. Lewis owned a plantation in Florida named "Hibernia" later named "Fleming Island" for his father who first owned the land. It tells of their struggles fighting for the land.
It was very refreshing to read a positive story about slaves. While Lewis was away fighting to keep their land, their home was burned to the ground and many of "their people" were killed, a few ran off but many stayed the on the land. Two years latter when the wounded Lewis Fleming healed enough to return, they all rejoice that so many of "their people" were still there, and "their people rejoiced" to have them back. I don't recall the word slave ever used in the book. They were referred to as "their people" and they loved each other. It was good to read about Margaret and how much she loved her family. She was portrayed as being very caring and wise.
This is a real family. I looked them up on familysearch and ancestry and found many documents proving their existence. Eugenia Price did a very good job sticking to facts while telling her story.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Seton knows she loves Lewis Fleming and determines to wait for him to return that love. They marry and raise their own family, in addition to the three children from Lewis’ previous marriage. They establish their home on the St. John’s River – right where the Seminoles had burned the old homestead – and move forward. But then the Civil War begins and three of their sons enlist for the Confederacy. Will Margaret’s resolution to continue to hope carry them through the dark days?
This is the final of the so-called Florida Trilogy although none of the books follow the same characters the way her other series do. But there is the progression from Florida being a Spanish colony, to a U.S. Territory and finally statehood. I think this is my favorite of the three in this group and I really took a liking to the Seton / Fleming families.

[IrishFan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this third book in the series because I disliked the 2nd book so much. However, once I read the summary and realized it was different characters, I decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed it! I would have given it 3.5 stars if I could, not quite 4. I was drawn in to the characters from the beginning and didn't think the story dragged along at all. I just knew that something would happen to at least one son, knowing that the Civil War was coming.

I felt bad for George, never knowing his true hearts desire and wanting to please/appease his father. I don't think he was ever truly happy. I think the only one I could say I didn't care for completely was Seton. He was very self-absorbed and spoiled I think.

A good end to a trilogy.

[Martye Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Florida resident I enjoyed learning some state history. As a Georgia native, it was interesting to learn about the Florida people of the Civil War, neutral, oblivious, etc. Ms Price developed loving characters and Margaret Fleming was magnificent! But I gave it 3 stars because I felt the writing was someone disjointed. She goes into a lot of fictional detail and story writing but seems to either gloss over or barely mention what many would consider major real life events. But I guess if she didn’t the book would have been a lot longer! I would recommend, it is a sweet story blended with interesting historical facts.

[Barbara Fabricius (du Plooy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a very slow reader, but I couldn't wait every day to read pages from this novel. Having recently visited Fleming Island I could identify with almost everything in the story and it was as if I was living in the time. It is a beautifully written story of courage, faith, hope, friendship and love. From her accounts of the Seminole uprisings and the Civil War I learned what heartache there must have been for those who were neutral and had friends and relatives on both sides of the conflict. I will read this book again.

[Peggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ Historical Fiction, emphasis on history. This feels like the author tried to stay with the historical record as much as possible. Real people, real places, etc. It is always neat to read about places in which you are familiar; in this case, Fleming Island, Hibernia and the St. John’s River. Middleburg and GCS are mentioned too. Practically my back yard!

This book was better than the first in the series, but still lacked something. It wasn’t a page turner, but more of a read-a-little and take a break kind of experience. Not sure I will continue with the author.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last of the trilogy about early Florida that I read with my Florida book club. The historical part is very interesting. The writing is good and the characters are well crafted. I really liked Margaret and the fact that she was a real historical figure made it even more interesting. I think I was just tired of the story line. Eugenia Price was a good writer but the style is just a little old fashioned for me.

[Deborah Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

As resident of Fleming Island and a lover of history, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Eugenia Price just has a way with words that makes this such a moving story.

I would highly recommend it anyone who wants to better undertand Florida's history during both the Seminole Indian Wars and the Civil War periods.

[Bridget Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

mesmerized

I was so drawn into the story and the ability to learn history along the way. Living in the area now, it has been nice to be able to go by the places I’ve read about and just visualize the place was Ms. Price described it.

[Jan Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about Fleming's Island, FL was shared with me by a friend who lives in Fleming's Island. It's a very interesting fictionalized look at the people and history of that area.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Ms Price entertains and inspires me!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow at first, but turns into a nail biter by the end.

[Dru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a good story. Never read the first two but that didn't seem to make any difference.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historic novel of love and loss from the early nineteenth century. Lovely characters and story that spans Margaret’s life.

[Judgemental Toast · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long book, but surprisingly I couldn't put it down. I'm usually bad at being able to follow so many different characters. Very sad book though... Eugenia is an excellent writer!

[Emma Wilds · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have an obligation to hope.

[Ann Gallo]

Great love story taking place in Spanish Florida and then early American history of slavery through the Civil War.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite of the Florida Trilogy by Eugenia Price. I loved to read Margaret’s Story and I am amazed at how it is all interwoven with historical accuracy.

[Judy Tolley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a book club read. Having read Eugenia Price’s “Maria”, this was by far by her worse book in my opinion. A true life story set back in the early 1800s in St. Augustine, Florida area. She was typically a Christian writer and it is reflected in this book. She writes in too much of a descriptive voice as if the reader is too stupid to figure out the details. This book is boring and very detailed with no plot.

[Mj Amirault · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer read for my book club. The facts were interesting, and helps one better understand the trials of people involved in a civil war. Also the hardships of mothers with Sons who are involved in the war. Some times we forget, or perhaps just do not know the trials these mothers (and fathers) go through. This is still happening today in many countries. The facts - interesting, the rest of the story was somewhat boring. I was disappointed in this book, glad to get to the final page!

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret was a real lady who lived in Northern Florida near the turn of the last century - her home and her church still stand on one of the coastal Islands, and after reading this novel, I decided I needed to visit (I haven't made it yet, but I will).

[Lynn Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written historical fiction book that lets you inside the life of people trying to live life in the mist of conflicts between native people along the St. John’s River, personal tragedy, and the civil war.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Florida Trilogy Book 3

[Nicole Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It has history of Jacksonville, FL (and the surrounding area). It was such a different time than we know, but they had the same life issues!