Fighting the shadows

Elizabeth Welborn grew up in the shadow of secrets. When her mother's shocking revelation shatters her understanding of her place in the world, she flees the quiet fields of Sandy Creek, North Carolina, desperate to forge a new path. But nearby Wilmington offers only betrayal, and she soon finds herself in another country, branded a criminal, and sentenced to exile. Transported to the brutal penal colony of Botany Bay, Elizabeth must navigate a world where survival comes at a cost. 

Marrying John Barefoot offers protection, but love is only a dream. As they carve out a life together, hardship and heartbreak shape her. When John's own secrets lead them to Van Diemen's Land, Elizabeth's shadows threaten to engulf her, and her family's fragile existence teeters on the edge of ruin. Through unimaginable hardship, Elizabeth's resilience shines through, as she seeks the better life she dreamed of as a child.



 Elizabeth was transported to Sydney from Ireland in 1811. However, while she was tried in Dublin, twentieth-century DNA testing of many of her descendants has shown conclusively that she was born in North Carolina. Elizabeth's fourth great-granddaughter has drawn on extensive genealogical and historical research to weave this compelling story of her life.