Two Sides to Honor is the inspiring story of the Franklins of Cole Mountain in western North Carolina during the early 1800s and into the early years of the Civil War. Early in the story you’ll meet Cecilia, a petite, energetic young slave girl who helps to raise a young Eli Franklin after the untimely death of his mother, Ophelia Franklin.  Cecilia’s story of abuse and loss of family at the hands of a brutal slaveowner encourages three generations of Franklins to oppose slavery.

 

     You will meet Eli and Lydia Franklin who are devoted Christians and strongly opposed to slavery. Their personal faith sustains them as the Civil War comes to Sanders Crossing, to their church and to their home. You will also meet brothers, Robert and Luke Franklin, who grow up together on Cole Mountain and are very close to each other.  As a young man, Robert joins the local southern militia when the love of his life is forced to leave Sanders Crossing to go North with her family.  Robert is opposed to slavery but feels loyalty to the South.  Luke refuses to join with either the North or the South.  Instead, he secretly works with the Underground Railroad and helps many runaway slaves escape to freedom in the North.  Several of his exciting exploits are in the story.  

 

     There are many other interesting characters in Two Sides to Honor who each struggle with being loyal to their South while at the same time opposing slavery.  It’s a faith-based story for the entire family to read and be reminded that all men deserve freedom regardless of the color of their skin.