The Minorcan Legacy

The Minorcan Legacy is the powerful conclusion to the historical fiction trilogy following the life and struggles of Malachi Lamarca and the Minorcan settlers of St. Augustine Florida.
Set during the turbulent years following the American Revolution, the novel traces the collapse of British rule in East Florida and the return of the province to Spanish control before Florida eventually becomes part of the United States. Amid political upheaval and social uncertainty, Malachi emerges as a respected leader within the Minorcan community, determined to preserve the dignity, culture, and survival of his people.
Deeply opposed to slavery, Malachi confronts painful divisions within the Minorcan community itself. While most support his belief that no human being should ever be owned by another, others remain shaped by the brutal experiences they endured at New Smyrna under harsh overseers and oppressive labor conditions. These tensions force Malachi to confront questions of justice, prejudice, and moral responsibility in a changing world.
Inspired by the true story of the Minorcans, Greeks, Italians, and Corsicans who arrived at the New Smyrna colony in Florida in 1768, The Minorcan Legacy blends historical detail with human drama to honor the resilience of the colony’s surviving families. The novel also draws attention to one of Florida’s enduring historical mysteries—the unmarked resting places of the 964 colonists who perished at New Smyrna, remembered today as the “Missing Minorcans.”