Buttons Gloves, the third in the Carlin Trunk Series, follows the growing Carlin family in 1751 from Maryland to the Shenandoah Valley, where they begin their plantation. Button Guthrie, an old nemesis crops up and causes much havoc. Two freed slaves, along with a young friend, join the Carlins as they move all their worldly goods over the rough westward trail. Once they arrive at their land, they encounter many trials, involving both Guthrie and renegade Indians. New characters are introduced, and the family continues to increase both naturally and by friendly attachment.