Joshua Haggard's Daughter

A violent storm over the Devon coast throws Combhaven into fear, exposing the town's resentments, class divisions, and uneasy religious life. In the Ring of Bells tavern, fishermen gossip about the wealthy old Squire, his sons, and the hoarding of power and money, until Joshua Haggard enters—a commanding preacher, shrewd shopkeeper, and the moral force of the community. Devout, disciplined, and fiercely practical, Joshua stands at the center of a world divided between Methodist zeal and Anglican tradition, even as his strict principles collide with the hard realities of coastal survival. When the small boat Dolphin is seen in grave danger near the reef, Joshua is appalled that the fishermen hesitate to risk their own lives. Refusing to wait, he takes the only dingey and rows into the storm himself, saving two men before discovering that young Oswald Pentreath is still stranded. Battered and wounded, he makes a desperate landing on the rocks and rescues Oswald in a powerful act of courage and Christian duty. Back at his orderly home, where his formidable sister Judith rules with quiet efficiency, Joshua's household receives the injured man with warmth and care. The novel then widens to Cornwall, where Joshua supports young preacher Nicholas Wild, preaches at a chapel opening, and becomes a model of true ministry. As family, faith, class, and marriage hopes intertwine—especially around Naomi Haggard and Oswald—the story builds toward uncertain but deeply human futures. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.