The Ragpicker: Salem Village - Novella

Salem Village #0.5

by Pegg Thomas

In the shadows of Salem Village in 1692, one young girl must navigate the complexities of a divided society.

Often cold and hungry, eight-year-old Verity Manton, an orphaned ragpicker, clings to the scraps of love and kindness in her harsh world. Things get tangled as the village Puritans' strange behavior grows more alarming. Verity is caught between the safety of her life and the promise of a better future with a Quaker family who reaches out to her. Yet, she has been warned her whole life that Quakers are evil.

Will Verity have the courage to trust her heart and choose a path that defies everything she has been taught? This powerful prequel novella to the Salem Village series will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists will love this captivating tale.

Genres: Christian

163 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Pegg Thomas lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. She creates American stories with real history and fictional characters inspired by her ancestors who immigrated here in the early 1600s.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1691-1692 Salem Village, MA

Compelling start to the Salem Village Series!

Eight year old Verity pulled my heart strings immediately. With her parents and siblings gone and then her only remaining relative gone as well, she is alone. Verity is an orphan and sent to be cared for by a widow. The widow has only her own interests in mind. Despite this, there are many heartwarming moments for young Verity.

Loved all the historical details such as how apprenticeships worked and the ill will Puritans had for Quakers during the time period. The author's note at the end of the novella provided even more detail.

Very much looking forward the first full length novel of the series which releases in September.

My gratitude to the author for a complimentary e-copy of the novella. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ragpicker is a solid prequel novella for the Salem Village series. I love this heartwarming though at times heartbreaking story set in Salem Village, Massachusetts, in the 1690s. The expertly plotted storyline piqued my interest instantly and kept me absorbed in the story and invested in the outcome. My heart went out to strong yet vulnerable orphan Verity who had more than her share of hardship in her short eight years of life. She and Joseph are precious and easy to root for. The historical aspect of the story is amazing! It features more real-life historical characters than fictional ones and has historical figures Caleb and Hannah Buffum playing a major role in the story. I loved learning more about the tension between the Puritans and the Quakers in Salem during this era. Ms. Thomas does an excellent job of showing respect for each religion's beliefs. I totally enjoyed this wonderful story and look forward to the first full length book in the series The Carpenter. If you are looking for a quick, satisfying historical read, try this one!
I received a copy of this book from the author with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salem Village 1691
Compelling, inspirational historical fiction! The Ragpicker is a captivating prequel novella to the Salem Village series. I highly recommend it to historical fiction fans who are looking for a quick read and to those looking for what is sure to be the start of a fascinating series.

Tragically, young Verity Manton lost her family, then her her uncle, and now unfortunately finds herself an orphan being taken in by an old widow who requires her to be a ragpicker as her assigned task. Joseph, another orphan 4 years older, takes Verity under his wing and shows her the ropes. Those two become fast friends and are so easy to root for.

Author Pegg Thomas paints a vivid picture of the hard life for orphans at that time, as well as the tensions between the Puritans and Quakers. The town is mostly Puritan, most of them have a disdain for the Quakers, and they give money to the old widow to care for orphans, but somehow it isn't enough. Verity has been taught one thing about the Quakers all her life, until she meets a kind Quaker family and begins to have a different experience. I had no idea of the tensions between the two groups. This is why I love historical fiction. I learn some history I never knew, by way of some endearing fictional characters.

My favorite quote: "I choose to trust in the Lord, but I will tell thee this, I must make that choice every day, and sometimes several times throughout the day. Tis not easy."

The beginnings of the occurrences that lead to the Salem Witch Trials are briefly touched upon in this novella.

I am so looking forward to The Carpenter by Pegg Thomas releasing this fall that picks up the story of Caleb and Hannah Buffam and their children, the wonderful Quaker family this reader has grown quite fond of in The Ragpicker.

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jan Silvera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you start to read…

You have hard time stopping! That’s Peggy’s books! Full of historical references and adventures! Full of heart, love and faith! I’m looking forward to the next in this series. I better save my coins to purchase them. Lol! But this was a wonderful opening for the next in this series. If you love history, a bit of suspense and adventure please read. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks Pegg! 📖📖
Another lover of yarn 🧶 and 📚 books! Jan Silvera

[Kimberly Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't want it to end!

I've read a lot of Salem and the witch trials, but with the Quaker family neighbors included, it's much different from what I've read before! I really enjoyed this perspective. Anxious to read more! Curious now about the differences between Puritan and Quaker beliefs!

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ragpicker is a novella/prequel I could not put down for the life of me. The story is a plight of an orphan girl Verity who is brought to the Salem Village right before strange and evil happenings start taking place among the Puritans. The suspicion and animosity towards the Quakers in the community is already intense, and young Verity is caught between these two religious groups.

I have always liked Pegg Thomas' settings - all the historical details, and The Ragpicker has them in spades satisfying my curiosity and sending me to Google names of the villagers. A great many of the characters were real historical figures.

Another thing I enjoyed in this novella was the firm foundation of faith the Buffum family stands on and lives out every day. I am looking forward to Caleb Buffum's story, The Carpenter, coming out later this year.

[Susan Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This touching story was an eye-opener for me concerning the contention between the Puritans and the Quakers in 18th Century Massachusetts. Pegg Thomas’s writing draws the reader right into the world of eight-year-old Verity Manton, an orphan who becomes a beggar. As a ward of the state, she’s sent to live with a poor widow who cares nothing for the children in her care. Across town, a Quaker woman is drawn to Verity, but the Puritans in power could never let the child go to a Quaker family.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ragpicker: Salem Village Novella by Pegg Thomas

November 1691 Salem Village, Massachusetts.
Eight-year-old Verity Manton becomes an orphan when her uncle dies and she is sent to live with an old widow and forced to beg for rags. She is often hungry, afraid, cold and longs for a loving home. Verity has been warned to stay away from the Quakers, however, a Quaker woman and her daughter want to help her. Will she overcome her fear and allow them to help her?

The tension between the Quakers and Puritans are clearly shown as well as the plight of the orphans. In addition, there is something brewing that will impact them all.

The Ragpicker is the prequel novella to the Salem Village series and includes many of the author’s ancestors. Fictional characters and historical characters are woven together to create a compelling story. There is a list of characters included, which I found helpful and the author’s historical notes gives the reader some background on the events in the story.

~I bought the e-book and received ARC copy from the author/publisher via BookFunnel (no monetary gain was exchanged), this is my honest review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prequel to the Salem Village series is set in 1600's Massachusetts. I did not realize the Puritans and Quakers were at odds. What was the origin of witchcraft in the area?
"Often cold and hungry, eight-year-old Verity Manton, an orphaned ragpicker, clings to the scraps of love and kindness in her harsh world. Things get tangled as the village Puritans' strange behavior grows more alarming. Verity is caught between the safety of her life and the promise of a better future with a Quaker family who reaches out to her. Yet, she has been warned her whole life that Quakers are evil." synopsis copied

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a prequel to the Salem Village series. It was the first book that I've read from this author. Verity is a precious 8 year old girl that tugs at your heartstrings from the first pages. She is orphaned and ends up in Salem Village in 1692 and I found the historical background of the tension between the Puritan's and the Quakers fascinating. I read it in one day because I was anxious to see how everything turned out.

[Gail McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fictional history read

The authors knowledge of the history this series was written kept me intrigued wanting to know read more. The little orphan captured my heart and you wanted only for her to find a family as well as her friend Thomas. The different families and religion makes you think those times were no different than today.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clean historical fiction. I was pulled in from page 1 and couldn't put it down. I loved the main characters, and the way historical fact was woven into the story. Can't wait to read more in this series and more by Pegg Thomas!

[Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel novella sets up Salem Village, a saga that includes many of my ancestors who lived in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Salem witch trials. It's not a series about the witch trials, although there is a lot of historical detail in it, but a series about how they impacted those who lived in the community of Salem Village.

Historical Note: Salem Village and Salem Town were two different places roughly 3 miles apart. Salem Village was later renamed Danvers. It was here that the first girls were afflicted.

Verity Manton is an orphan child sent to live with an old widow in Salem Village. She is pressed into service as a ragpicker - a person who collects rags to unravel into fibers to be sold to the papermaker - at the age of eight. Hannah Buffum is a Quaker woman with six children. The plight of the Puritan orphans troubles her until she decides to do something about it. Their paths will cross during one of the most turbulent times in American history.

[Robin Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salem Town and Salem Village 1691, taking place before the Salem witch trials. There were struggles between the Puritans and the Quakers - had been for many years before. Little 8 yr old Verity's family all died, and the Puritans gave her to an old, widowed woman who lived in very run-down conditions. She had other orphans as well and took all that was given to her for their care yet provided very little to the children, turning them out to work to support themselves. Verity is pitied by the others in town, but one family, Quakers, especially showed her kindness and determined to get her away. Heart wrenching at times - you'll need tissues and will hold your breath wondering how it will turn out, so believably written. Good faith lessons. It will leave a mark.

I received this book free from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheRagpicker #PeggThomas #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianMystery&Suspense #SpinnerOfYarnsLLC #ReligiousHistoricalFiction

[Sandra Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight-year-old Verity Manton is whisked away after her uncle’s funeral by a widow who takes in orphans. Her possessions are sold for food. Cold and hungry, she must beg for rags from the townspeople.
She’s told to stay away from the Quakers. Her uncle had been a Puritan, and they don’t like Quakers. Verity fears them.
The story opens in 1691. The widow’s shack is in Salem Village, where strange stories and chanting in the forest frighten Verity.
This heart-wrenching story snagged my attention from the first page, the first sentence. My heart broke for the little girl who lost her family and now is losing her only relative. She must rely on the kindness of strangers, but not everyone treats her kindly.
The story’s historical setting in the backdrop of the Salem Witch Trials drew me to the series.
Characters I grew to love pulled me into their plight under the author’s skillful storytelling. I can’t wait to read the next book!
This historical fiction story is a page-turner. Highly recommend.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The Ragpicker by Pegg Thomas

This sweet story of Verity is about an orphaned child during the late 1600's. The story revolves around Verity, whose last family member has passed away and she is taken in by a widow who has taken in orphans and then had them go begging. Verity is befriended by Joseph, also in the same situation with the widow. It is the time of the Puritans and the Quakers and the tension between these two groups. Verity experiences some very difficult times and becomes a friend of the Quakers who offer and hope to take her in as a part of their family. But they have to deal with the village elders. Verity was always told to stay away from Quakers, but they are kind to her yet she is afraid to trust and is fearful of them.
It's a heart wrenching story that draws you right in. It is very touching and a very good start to the Salem Village Series.

I received a complimentary copy of this very good book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kimberly Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve long been a Pegg Thomas fan, even though historical fiction isn’t my genre of choice. She just has a way of drawing me in… and, once again, The Ragpicker didn’t disappoint.

This prequel to the Salem Village Series lays the groundwork for fascinating tales set in the late 1600s. The author delves deeply into research that makes the story come alive and even uncovered surprising ancestors that are the basis for the main characters. I learned much about the early settlers that included the religiously legalistic Puritans and their despised neighbors, the Quakers, who lived a simpler life of childlike faith, based on love over all.

Caleb and Hannah Buffum walk out their beliefs of loving God and others, after being drawn to rescue an orphan child that landed in dire circumstances through no fault of her own.

And, Oh. That. Cover. The picture of little Verity pulled at my heartstrings at the start of every chapter.

Another hit for Ms. Thomas.

[Michelle Kaderly Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ragpicker by Pegg Thomas is a novella and prequel for an upcoming series, the first book of which will release on September 2, The Carpenter. When you start praying for fictional characters, I guess it’s obvious they seem real. LOL Verity, an eight-year-old orphan, is thrust into a concerning situation, and the people she seeks help from are Quakers, who are feared and misunderstood by the Puritans. Set in the 1690s when the conditions are laid out that lead to the famous Salem witch trials, the story is set up so we know danger lurks in this town filled with prejudicial tendencies. The story is told from Verity’s point of view and Hannah, the Quaker woman’s, point of view. I can’t wait to read the rest of Verity and Hannah’s story.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again an author has taught me more history due to their extensive research. 1691 was a time when Puritans and Quakers just barely tolerated each other, even though they professed to both believe in the same God. Young Verity Manton, newly an orphan, is sent to Salem Village to live with the Widow Scudder. Her care for those orphans made my heart ache. When things around Verity change for the better, there are also changes in the village. But are those different things good or evil?

This introduction to the Salem Village series was received through Spinner of Yarns Publishing and BookFunnel. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Cindy Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pegg Thomas always draws me in with her well-crafted and researched fiction. And Ragpicker:Salem Village prequel falls right in line with her other books for quality. I feel in love with little Verity and the Quakers who took her in. The Puritians' aversion to the Society of Friends was portrayed in such away that you didn't hate the people but rather the high-handed way the church leadership handled things. I was honored to read an ARC copy with no expectations of a good review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pegg has created wonderful story of how people overcome hate and mistrust with God’s love. I also appreciate her individual research of her family and weaves it into life as it would have been hundreds of years ago. She makes it so easy to envision the story as it unfolds. Thank you Pegg!

[Mary Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read. A little orphan girl struggles in a strange world. It was both heart breaking and amazing.
So much of history i did not know. So much sadness.
Glad I read it.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! There weren’t many options for children beck then.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled at my heartstrings. Verity is orphaned at an early age and was sent to live with an old widow and was forced to beg for rags. All her life, she has been told by the Puritans that Quakers were evil. She is scared when she learns that the people who have befriended her were Quakers. She wants, more than anything, to be part of a family. How will this all work out?
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the thought of what these little orphans went through breaks my heart. I know this was a lifestyle for many a poor child, who had absolutely no say in the direction their life would go. This book was very lovingly written and words were gently but truthfully written to show us what these children had to do to survive. I really appreciated this author’s research to facts and conditions that were prevalent in the 1600’s in Salem. Very beautifully written and I highly recommend it to everyone! 🙏📕♥️

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was interesting to learn about that way of life for Puritans and Quakers, especially as the Salem Witch Trials were about to start. I can't wait to read the first book in this series, The Carpenter.