Doom of the House of Duryea is a historical novel by Earl Peirce, Jr. that tells the story of the Duryea family, a prominent family in the early days of the American colonies. The novel follows the family’s rise to power and their eventual downfall due to a series of unfortunate events. The novel begins with the arrival of the Duryea family in the New World in 1630. The family quickly establishes itself as a powerful force in the colonies, with the patriarch, John Duryea, becoming a successful merchant and politician. His sons, John Jr. and Thomas, follow in his footsteps and become successful businessmen in their own right. However, the family’s fortunes begin to decline when John Jr. is accused of treason and is forced to flee the colonies. His brother Thomas is also accused of treason and is sentenced to death. The family’s fortunes continue to decline as the Revolutionary War begins and the Duryeas are forced to flee their home. The novel follows the family’s struggles to survive in a new land and their attempts to rebuild their lives. Along the way, they must confront their own demons and the consequences of their past actions. In the end, the Duryeas must come to terms with their fate and accept that their legacy will be one of tragedy and sorrow.
By Earl Peirce · First published 1936 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance · 4 chapters