Continuing our exploration of characters in A Land Remembered, we’re going to look at Tobias MacIvey.
“Tobias MacIvey was thirty years old and had been in the Florida scrub for five years. He had come south out of Georgia in 1858. In his horse-drawn wagon, there was a sack of corn and a sack of sweet potatoes, a few packets of seeds, a shotgun and a few shells, a frying pan, several pewter dishes, forks, and a cast-iron pot. There were also the tools he would need to clear the land and build a house: two chopping axes, a broadaxe foot adz, crosscut saw, auger bit, a fro and drawing knife.”
So begins the story of Tobias, his wife Emma, and his son Zechariah in the Florida wilderness in the
mid-19th century. Tobias MacIvey is a central character in the novel “A Land Remembered” by Patrick D. Smith, set in pioneer-era Florida. Tobias is portrayed as a resilient and determined individual, embodying the pioneering spirit of the American frontier. He is a hardworking and ambitious man who strives to carve out a life for himself and his family in the untamed wilderness of Florida.
Throughout the novel, Tobias faces numerous challenges, including harsh environmental conditions, conflicts with Native Americans, and economic hardships. Despite these obstacles, he exhibits unwavering determination and perseverance. Tobias is depicted as a man of integrity, guided by a strong sense of honor and loyalty to his family.
As the story progresses, Tobias evolves from a young man seeking adventure into a seasoned pioneer who deeply cares for his land and his descendants. His character embodies the rugged individualism and resilience that characterized many settlers of the American frontier during the 19th century.
Tobias MacIvey’s journey serves as a central narrative thread in “A Land Remembered,” illustrating the trials and triumphs of settlers in Florida’s history. Through his experiences, the novel explores themes of survival, perseverance, and the enduring bond between humans and the land they inhabit.