Blood Will Tell: The Strange Story of a Son of Ham

by Benjamin Rush Davenport

"Blood Will Tell: The Strange Story of a Son of Ham" by Benjamin Rush Davenport is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative appears to explore themes of race, love, and societal expectations through its characters, particularly focusing on the relationship dynamics among the Dunlap family and Walter Burton, a man of mixed heritage. Weaving through discussions of race and purity, the story sets up a backdrop of conflict rooted in familial loyalty and modern interpersonal challenges. The opening of the novel introduces us to Boston on a gloomy November day, establishing the setting primarily in the office of the Dunlap family’s shipping and banking firm. We meet the two elderly brothers, James and John Dunlap, who are in earnest conversation regarding John’s granddaughter, Lucy, who is engaged to Walter Burton. However, John discovers that Burton may have African ancestry, leading to a fierce debate over the implications of race and the potential harm to Lucy’s future. As the tension builds through their discussion, we are also introduced to young Captain Jack Dunlap, Lucy's childhood friend and secret admirer, who wishes to sail away before the wedding accelerates, intensifying the familial and romantic entanglements.