John Tilly was born in 1697 in Ringwood, Hampshire, England. He was poor but made his riches in mining stone in the English Purbeck Hills. He was accused of smuggling and fled to Newfoundland to start a new life. However, he had bought the mining rights, known as the 'Tilly Whim' mine and made his fortune. However, his life was not as simple as that and this book is a fascinating insight into his life and times.