The Rossi Letters

In the winter of 1840, new bride Anne reluctantly travels by wagon with her husband Matteo Rossi from her home in Richmond, VA., to Charlottesville near the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a difficult trek, with icy weather, dangerous mishaps and even a murder. Although Anne has a female servant, Eugenie, she feels more comfortable when the Lawton family, including two women and an infant, joins the Rossi wagons. Anne herself is expecting her first child to be born in June. All during the trip, Anne writes letters to her confidant and cousin Millie Clark in Philadelphia. The journal-like letters describe the journey, events and Anne's concerns. A city girl, she hopes Matteo will not follow his dream of becoming a farmer. However, her husband purchases a working farm, complete with slaves and an overseer.