September 21st 1623.
I am John Jones. I am 35 years old. I am a cooper and a pretty good one too. I have one brother, his name is Jefferson. He is 36 years old and he is a fur trader. My mom and dad have decided to move us to the New World. Though my mother was very hesitant about moving my father, Joey, convinced her that this was a great opportunity for us. The only thing that we are taking with us is our trunks. We have them filled with light clothing and heavy clothing because we heard it was going to be very cold in the New World. We are very lucky that Jefferson is a fur trader because for us we get extra heavy clothing for the trip. Jefferson and I were very lucky that we had enough room in our trunks. My dad is a retired Carpenter. I used to work with him and his friends before he retired.
Jefferson and I have mixed feelings about this New World mostly because our cousin is going to be an indentured servant for seven years. My mother is also very nervous about the ship before us. There are about 180 people here waiting plus the crew and it doesn't seem to be that big of a ship. Our hopes are that we are only on the boat for about two months but any thing may happen. We also hope that all of our family including our cousin, Josh, stays safe. My brother and I after we heard that we were moving started to work extra for more money. I got a paid $150 but Jefferson only got paid $25. Together we raised enough money to go to the New World.
When we first arrived at the docks this morning we were very worried about how many people spoke different languages. We are coming here because we are poor and because of are religious belief. The captain starts loading people into the boat and we are off.
October 15th 1623
I sat on the edge of my bed. Thinking if I, and the rest of my family would end up like my mother. My mother grew very ill in the first few weeks of the journey. She and about 25 other people died, including my aunt, Josh's mom. She was 50 years old when she died. Her name was Jessica Jones.
I am very fearful of sickness now. Jefferson and I are doing every thing we can to keep my dad, Joey, our cousin, and Josh safe. Jefferson and I are also trying to stay close with Josh. We are doing quite well now. Only one storm has hit and the only bad news is that we were thrown off course and that my family and I have probably each barfed 17 times. This looks like this has been a horrid idea and we may die very soon.
November 12th 1623.
Luckily we all get there safe and sound. The illness didn't get as bad and we only ran into one storm. As my family gets off the Mayflower we quickly sat on the nearest log we stare at the ship. We are very glad to be on land again, but we are also very sad from the loss of our mother.As we stare we all shed some slight tears. My dad is very sad and he starts to ball. He will have a very rough time without my mothers love, and help around the house.
We were very thankful that we landed safely. If we would have stayed any longer we would have starved. We were very smart to pack warm clothing. When we first arrived it was very cold. When we started to find a place to settle. I prayed to God and thanked him. " Thank you God for keeping the rest of my family safe. Please watch my mom in heaven. Amen.
February 14th 1624
After it seemed like 5 years, it was really only 2 months! We had settled in quit nicely. My dad is getting use to his chores around the house. Jefferson and I are both in a successful business. Jefferson started his own business, he has started a fur trading business called JEFFERSON'S FANTASTIC FUR. I have my own business with a friend named Ross we called our business THE ELDARODO COOPERS, THE BEST IN TOWN We were the best Coopers in town. Everything is going great.
I feel very bad for Josh because he has been worked all the way to his bone.
August 17th 1624.
We have got along pretty well with the Indians and we trade with each other and Jefferson, the best fur trader in the New World, is getting along great with our Indian neighbors. They also taught him some good ways to trap some of the harder animals and the Native Americans became good friends with our family.
Jefferson and I don't regret moving because of our great businesses and our friends. I think my dad regrets going because we lost our mother. So if we would have stayed she would be with us. Then again he has loved the New World and we have enjoyed praying our god and everything freely.
The only thing I fear is our sicknesses. If we get the Indians sick they won't have a way to get better and they will have never had it before so they won't know what to do. If this happens they could take it the wrong way.
The Natives have gotten along well with our community. I hope this stays this way and we don't get in a fight.
March 17th 1625
After a while we kind off invaded the Indians space so we let them live in our village. We are pretty good friends, but trust is a little hard.
I was right though about the sickness. About five Natives have died so far but we have saved about ten.
Our store is going quite well. We have a few people that we are working with. We call our store a success because both us English men and the Natives get along fine, and because business is booming and we get payed a good amount. Although there was a bit of a fight about the land. Like some people believe the land is every ones. While others say the land is theirs because they have a fence around it. For the moment there is a makeshift agreement, but I think someday there will be a bigger fight or maybe even war. But in all everything is good and we get together well.
In the end I am glad we came to the New World.
