“Faith and Fortune” Book Talk with Geoffrey Paul at Essex Library

Register HERE or call the Library at 860-767-1560.

Join us at Essex Library when Geoffrey Paul presents his book Faith and Fortune: Henry and Amelia Champlin and America’s Maritime Ascendancy. In Faith and Fortune, Paul and co-author Steven Ujifusa, weave an intimate family narrative into larger historical events and the forces of economic change, illuminating a largely forgotten chapter of American history. Faith and Fortune is both a compelling personal story and a vivid account of the family ties, beliefs and community traditions that helped connect a young nation to an expanding world of commerce and opportunity.

This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Light refreshments provided. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

About Geoffrey Paul
Geoffrey Paul is a native of Essex, Connecticut, whose lifelong passion for local history has inspired decades of research into the people, places, and events that shaped the Connecticut River Valley. His discoveries of long-forgotten archives and historically significant artifacts have expanded the understanding of Connecticut’s maritime past, with pieces from his collection now housed in leading museums. Geoffrey lives in the former home of Captain Henry and Amelia Champlin, where his ongoing research continues to uncover new chapters of American history.

About Faith and Fortune
This captivating, extensively researched book places 19th century Essex and the Connecticut River Valley at the center of America’s early economic story.  The main narrative is the personal journey of Amelia and Henry Champlin, whose deep faith, love of family, and commercial determination guided them through the opportunities and uncertainties of a rapidly changing world.

As the new nation found its place in the global economy, the extraordinary rise of New York as America’s biggest port created new avenues for trade, commerce, and prosperity. Through the Champlin’s experiences, readers will discover how seafaring families in Essex and throughout the Connecticut River Valley were connected to a vast maritime trade network stretching from New England to New York, the nation’s Southern ports, Great Britain, France, and beyond. Henry and Amelia’s story highlights their ambition and enterprise, as well as the devotion and resilience that sustained them while building a future together.

By weaving an intimate family narrative into larger historical events and the forces of economic change, the book illuminates a largely forgotten chapter of American history. Faith and Fortune is both a compelling personal story and a vivid account of the family ties, beliefs and community traditions that helped connect a young nation to an expanding world of commerce and opportunity.