Ada’s Journal, Emma’s Letters, and Charley’s Novel: 1800s East Tennessee History Brought to Life

In Person Location and Reservations
East Tennessee History Center, 601 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 (Seating is limited.) Register on Eventbrite.

Online Reservations
Register on Eventbrite for this event streamed on Zoom

Or visit the ETHS Facebook page at the start of the program to watch this on Facebook Live.

Description
In a Brown Bag Lecture on Thursday, October 20, Andy Peck will share his story of discovering previously unpublished writings from the Pecks of Mossy Creek (Jefferson City), and the rich stories they contain. After publishing Ada’s Journal and Emma’s Letters: The Civil War Era Journal and Letters of Emma Peck during the COVID pandemic, Andy discovered and published an epic 1879 serial called Charley’s Novel: Mary Anderson and Peacock the Mineralogist, the Bad Luck of a Young Southern Girl. His family members, Emma and Charley Peck, wrote prolifically from 1853-1900, and these books tell their incredible stories. Stagecoach rides, steamboat journeys, and travel on the iron horse await the reader of these colorful books. These writings are great resources for family researchers, time period historians, and also teachers/students seeking to learn history using primary sources. Join us for an exciting discussion and readings from both books! 

About the Speaker
Andy Peck is the series editor for Cross Mountain Books' Pecks of Mossy Creek Series, including Ada's Journal and Emma's Letters and Charley's Novel. His books were featured during the 2022 Rose Glen Literary Festival. He also recently published Oblique City: Wolf Creek, Tennessee, a reprint of the 1894 business prospectus highlighting the beautiful city along the French Broad in Cocke County. Andy is the 5th great-grandson of the founders of Mossy Creek, and 3rd great-grandson to Emma Elizabeth (Henderson) Peck, original author of Ada's Journal. He is a devoted husband and father, military chaplain, family researcher, adventurer, and author. He has conducted book tours throughout East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, speaking for writers' groups and libraries. He has also appeared on Knoxville's "Living East Tennessee" television program. His current projects include Sawbones: The Life and Times of Dr. Isham Talbot Peck, and He Loved the Folks: Dr. Edward Jerome Peck of Hot Springs, NC.