This book was recently published by Cabbagetown Press, and can be purchased ($20 + shipping) by calling 416-816-4994 or by email cmooreede at rogers.com . Cheques can be made payable to the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum c/o 156 Winchester Street, Toronto Ontario, M4X 1B6. Please add $10 per book for shipping. It can also be purchased at Nicholas Hoare Books in Montreal, 1366, avenue Greene, Westmount, QC and in Toronto at 45 Front Street East (416) 777-2665

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This fictional account of Polly’s early days follows her from her birth just outside Dromore, Ireland in 1837; her survival of the Big Wind of January 6th 1839; the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s; and the May 14th 1847 crossing of the Atlantic; to the family’s arrival at Grosse-Île near Quebec. The Canadian portion of her journey takes her first to Montreal, and then to Toronto where she married a young tailor, John Verner. Together they set up their business, later described by John McAree in his book, Cabbagetown Store.

This 240-page book, although fiction is based on actual historical events and people. There are 36-pages of colour, which include illustrations of scenes from the time, as well as family photographs. Original illustrations were created by Polish artists, Darek and Elzbieta Wieczorek.

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Cabbagetown Press is an educational publishing division of The Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum.