Just as she is ready to have a triumphant beginning, Eliza arrives home to discover their inaugural batch of dye is ruined. Many obstacles plague Eliza’s effort with the indigo, including her own mother trying to sabotage her. Knowing the norms of the day, Ben rebuffs a relationship with Eliza much to her disappointment.Īs Ben and Quash work with Cromwell on the Indigo, Eliza teaches Quash and some of the other slaves to read which is against the rules for masters and slaves. Eliza recognizes Ben as her best friend from her childhood in Antigua. He hires a man named Cromwell who arrives with his slave, Ben.

Needing help in learning the complicated process of creating the dye from the plants, Eliza begs her father to hire someone to work with her. She knows that England will pay lots of money for indigo dye and she decides she would like to endeavor a business of producing it. Quash is very loyal and protective of Eliza and her family, even saving them from becoming involved a slave revolt.Īs her father continues to mortgage the family assets, Eliza thinks of ways to make money to keep the plantations afloat. She also has a good relationship with Quash and the other slaves. He helps advise her on her business affairs and they are quite fond of each other. She often confides in Charles Pinckney, a lawyer and close neighbor. Eliza continues to do her best even though her mother wants her to get married instead and leave the plantation business to her younger brother, George.Įliza has no intention of becoming someone’s wife and continues to enjoy her work on the plantations. She is very good at working the plantations and treats the slaves with respect and kindness. He decides to return and leaves Eliza in charge of their family's three plantations. She is close to her father, Colonel Lucas, who has military ambitions back in Antigua.

Eliza is unconventional and quite interested in plants and trees. After being raised in Antigua, she and her family relocate to rural South Carolina. In 1739, Eliza Lucas is sixteen years old.

The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd