LORA CHILTON: 1666: A NOVEL

Join us as we welcome LORA CHILTON on TUESDAY, APRIL 9 at 6:00 pm to celebrate her new book 1666: A Novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

The story has been remembered within the Patawomeck tribe for generations, but is largely unknown outside of the tribe until now. Author Lora Chilton, a tribal member through the lineage of her father, has created this powerful fictional retelling.

The story follows three Indigenous Patawomeck women who lived through the decimation of their tribe by land hungry colonists in the summer of 1666, the massacre of their men, the harrowing march south where they and their children were sold and transported to Barbados via slave ship, and, eventually, their brave escape back to Virginia. It is because of these women that the tribe is in existence to this day.

This work of historical fiction is based on oral tradition, interviews with tribal elders, written colonial records and extensive research by the author, including study of the language. The book uses Indigenous names for the characters and some Patawomeck words to honor the culture and heritage that was erased when European colonization of the Americans began in the 16th century.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lora Chilton, formerly Lora Jobe, has lived in Memphis for over thirty years. Lora graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She has worked as a Registered Nurse, a small business owner, an elected official, a non-profit executive and a writer. She has served on the local boards of the Arkwings Foundation, the Girl Scout Council of the Mid South, the Memphis Zoological Society and volunteers at her church, First Memphis. Lora is a member of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia through the lineage of her father. When she is not writing, Lora enjoys playing tennis, bike riding and spending time with family and friends. 1666:A Novel is her second work of historical fiction.