First Person Narrative Project

First Person Narrative Project- Nicole Johnson November 8, 2009

Dillard Drive middle school 2009 First Person Narrative

Project- Nicole Johnson Ms. Woodcock, Social Studies

First Person Narrative Project- Nicole Johnson November 8, 2009

Fictional Diary of Elizabeth Tilley, daughter of John Tilley

July 5th, 1620 Today is Sunday, but it does not feel like a holy day for me and my people, for we separatists do not possess the right to practice our religion freely. It is truly sad for me and my people to have to worship in secret; for fear that we would be discovered. I have heard the men talking of leaving England, to go to the New World where the Virginia colonists have had so much success. I do not want to leave my home, but mother says that the New World may hold many new opportunities for us. August 15th, 1620 We finally left for our voyage. The Mayflower held some of us, while the Speedwell held the others. We traveled out to the Atlantic Ocean, but had to return because the Speedwell had developed a leak. Sabotage, that’s what I call it; those horrid crew members tried to ruin our pilgrimage in order to escape their contract.

September 13th, 1620

First Person Narrative Project- Nicole Johnson November 8, 2009

The Mayflower has left England, this time alone. We are all traveling together in the musty cabin of the ship. Many are sickening of fear and famine, already one child has died. Some light has been shone one our journey, for William White’s wife has given birth to a beautiful baby boy. His name is Peregrine. I hope we land soon; I am not sure of how much more we can take. I wonder what will find there, all I know is that I fear that I will have to come in contact with a Indian.

November 9th, 1620 Alas! Land has been spotted and the ship is within reach of our new home. We decided to name the new colony New Plymouth, after the town in England. After the five cannons were planted on a platform and a store house for the food was erected, our first care was to build houses. The men worked all day to build shelter for their families, while the women and girls learned household chores, like cleaning and cooking. The Mayflower Contract was even created. Because we are so far away from Virginia, we pilgrims to not feel the need to follow the rules of the Jamestown Colonists. With the constant labor came sickness and the lack of good food did not help the sick’s conditions. Illnesses were spreading while many were crowded in the Mayflower’s cabins, or exposed in half finished huts. The ill had little chance of recovery, and the pain caused suffering all around.

December 13th, 1620 Death Count: 6 January 3rd, 1621 Death Count” 8

First Person Narrative Project- Nicole Johnson November 8, 2009

February 20th, 1621 Death Count: 17. Sickness is at its height. Towards the middle of the day, a group of Indians passed through our home, their leader crying out in plain Saxon words, “Welcome Englishmen, Welcome Englishmen”. This is what I’ve been scared of entire life. They look so primitive with their body paint and spears. February 23rd, 1621 Carver gladly consented to have a conference with the Indian Monarch, so Massoit came with 60 of his odd followers, and he followed John Carver into a room where they could discuss things more privately. The two leaders decided to make a peace treaty, and Massoit promised to encourage other tribes to make a similar treaty as well. March 2nd, 1621 Finally spring has arrived in Plymouth! Birds sing and sickness stayed, and we all chanted songs of Thanksgiving to God for his manifold mercies.

April 9th, 1621 Today was an anguishing day. Our beloved governor John Carver has died, and a heartbroken Catherine Carver soon followed. Now Bradford is our new governor. Aside from the rather depressed feeling in the air, everything was perfect. The forest game is plentiful, and fishing has been successful lately. With the help of the Indian Squanto, our lives are going to be smooth here. Other emigrants have joined us here, which is a good thing because now I have other girls to associate with. We are free and happy, and I hope to keep it that way. September 7th. 1621

First Person Narrative Project- Nicole Johnson November 8, 2009

In two months it will have been almost a year that has gone by since we left England. Working is not fun, but everybody, even those important people have to do it now. Every morning, I cook, clean, load and unload the clothing line, and then I do it all again.

November 11th, 1621 Squanto and his friends have helped us so much during our hard times here. We would not have survived without them. Tomorrow, we will set aside a day to give thanks for all that we have. Squanto and the other Indians will join us for a feast of turkey, potatoes, and other amazing foods. I am immensely proud to be part of Plymouth, and I am sure that my neighbors feel the same. We deserve to find peace here, after all that we have been through. Soon people from all over the world will probably voyage here, also wanting to worship their religion freely. So far, Plymouth has been a huge success, and I have a strong feeling that people will be talking about our amazing Mayflower journey and life in Plymouth centuries from now. For all I know, someday somebody might even do an assignment on us for school.