This the story of members of the Tilly family of Ringwood, Hampshire, England in the seventeenth century. They were men and women of conscience who because of their faith suffered isolation, poverty, imprisonment and execution. They emigrated to Newfoundland where they were pioneer settlers. This is a story of passion, conviction and survival in a time of intolerance and persecution.

This story is one of endeavour, intrique and apparent failure. Jogn Tilly was born in Ringwood, Hampshire in 1697 into a family of aspiring business folk. Determined to make his fortune, he commented quarrying in the Purbeck Hills, creating the Tilly Whim mine. But he was arrested for smuggling, released from prison, emigrated to Newfoundland where he experienced many exciting adventures. He gained a fortune and lost it, by the end of his days he was a penniless pauper. A story of success and failure yet also of religious faith in the face of immense obstacles.