Raymond Leo Blain

Through Grandfather's Eyes Raymond Leo Blain

Patrick Coburn is an old man finally telling the story of his life to his descendants. The Irish teen sets out to help his family during the Irish Potato Famine. He eventually comes to America in 1847 to help convert a small farming community at the Falls on the Connecticut River into part of the American Industrial Revolution. He faces the challenges of an Atlantic crossing, journeying to Boston by way of Canada; experiences religious and ethnic bias; building a new business and the buildup and events of the Civil War. Patrick has strengths and weaknesses that affect all his efforts. He has also been hiding a dark secret that he has now decided to reveal to his family.