Savannah Summer

In the summer of 1859—the last summer before war comes to a troubled nation—sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Ann Rutherford struggles with the issue of slavery while working on her father’s farm tentatively called Savannah Plantation. Proud, hardworking and loyal to each other, the Rutherford Family confront their beliefs as war threatens to rip their peaceful world asunder. Descendents of a Scottish king and royalty, they know hardships except what is about to happen to them in the next few years is unexpected as they enjoy a tranquil life on a plantation near Savannah, Georgia. Elizabeth is quickly maturing into a young lady who is having difficulty following in the footsteps of her older sister Jenny. Jenny loves an active social life and doesn’t care how she accomplishes her goals as long as she does it. Elizabeth is simple, down to earth and not ready for the excitement her older sister adores.
Elizabeth’s father, John Rutherford (who has relatives that once were indentured servants) struggles with the question of slavery. He doesn’t believe in slavery except he is forced to use them in order to keep the plantation running. His oldest son Jed does believe in slavery and thinks that his father is too easy on the slaves. He fears that his kindness will lead to trouble.