Mayflower Girl

Mayflower Girl — page 5 — America Mary sat behind Bartholomew Mary Remember’s ten-year-old sister was more cautious and melancholy than Bartholomew She was sad to leave behind her pet cat and her friends Mary worried about traveling on board a ship across a huge and terrible sea Remember heard Mary crying in bed at night about leaving home and going to sea But there was nothing the girls could do to change their father’s mind about America He had decided that England was not safe for Separatists like themselves nor did he want his children to lose their English heritage and become Dutch from growing up in Holland It was the right time he said to make the journey to America and start an English colony a true Separatists homeland where they could all worship God as they wished No more harassment from the King of England and the Popish laws no more discrimination That’s what their father dreamt of 8

Mayflower Girl — page 6 — Mama helped Remember into the wagon Their last trunk was secured in the back The horses slowly clip-clopped down the cobblestone street in Leyden toward Delftshaven where they would find the ship Remember turned to look at her home one final time The windows were boarded No smoke rose from the chimney No festive flowers bloomed in the window boxes Their home looked lonely dreary as it waited for its next family As the Allerton family arrived at the shipyard other Separatists bustled around the Speedwell loading trunks provisions barrels of fresh water and tools while crew men wrestled with live chickens pigs and goats It is a small ship Mary whispered to 9

Mayflower Girl — page 7 — Remember Mary looked nervous especially at the sight of the rough crew Indeed Remember agreed with her sister We’ll meet with the larger ship when we arrive in England Then both ships will travel together For safety Remember reassured Mary All they could do now was have faith in God Come along children Mama said as she herded them on board the ship No dawdling and gawking There’s work to be done Papa was already in front of the family leading them to the ship master Papa cleared his throat and introduced himself to the efficient-looking captain Good morning Master I am Isaac Allerton My wife Mary My son Bartholomew and daughters Mary and Remember Mrs Allerton and the children looked down at the ship’s deck humble and obedient 10

Mayflower Girl — page 8 — Good day to you sir the Captain said matter of factly as he shook Mr Allerton’s hand The Separatist families will berth in the cargo deck With that the Captain marched away to check on the riggings Well then let’s head below deck and get settled in little family Mr Allerton did not seem flustered by this news or the Captain’s terse attitude Cargo they were cargo Remember thought Like the chickens Remember followed her father and her mother down into the dark ship Crates pens and trunks filled the area fearfully Shush child do not question your father like that Mama corrected Mary Ashamed Mary blushed and looked away Several other families were already in the cargo deck They had each claimed a small area and used their trunks as makeshift Is this where we’ll stay Mary asked 11

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