Not Only in Stone is the story of Polly Thomas, a woman of strength, courage, and compassion, whose life is intimately tied to the pioneering era of South Australia.

Polly arrives in Adelaide from Cornwall in 1865 with her husband Nathan, a miner, Richard, her baby son, and Ellen, her young sister. The baby had been born on the long and arduous voyage to Australia. Polly and Nathan move to the copper mining towns on the Yorke Peninsula where tragedy and death haunt Polly's life. Her sister dies in childbirth; Polly has four children but only two survive; Nathan is crippled; and a crooked lawyer swindles Polly of her life savings.

Although tragedy robs Polly's life of joy, her independent spirit is never quelled. This is a history with a human face.