Priscilla Mullins: A Mayflower Tale

Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction and I own nothing. (see works cited at the bottom.)

September 20, 1620

            I heard it said once that life on the sea was an adventure, but whoever said that clearly had never been on a ship for more than a week. I have been here on the Mayflower now for two weeks and am dying from boredom.

            I have grown accustom to the ships constant rocking, it is now most soothing, but the first week was a nightmare, and my poor brother, Joseph still suffers from sea-illness.

            Papa says that we will be in the America is soon and to keep praying that we make it there safely. The air is cold and many people are ill. Many have already died –may their souls rest in peace. I spend most of my time on the ship above deck. The stench of illness and death is not as pressing.

            Why did I get onboard this ship of death? Why did not I stay at home with William and Sarah? Why, oh why did I leave England?

            Mama says, “Priscilla, have faith in our God, and he will bless you.”

            I struggle to have faith when my heart aches dearly for my home.

September 25, 1620

           

            Yesterday, I met a Mr. John Alden, he is a cooper for the Mayflower. I was walking to my favorite spot at the bow of the ship to escape the death below decks, when I spotted him. He was standing in my favorite spot directly at the bow.

            Despite my father’s past lectures, I approached him after a moment’s hesitation. He was a very amiable gentleman. We were still talking when Captain Jones came looking for Mr. Alden.

            That night I could not stop thinking about him.

November 1, 1620

            Joseph has fallen ill.

 Instead of going above decks today I stayed down with him singing him songs that mother used to sing to me when I was ill. Father and Mother are not looking their selves either; they are paler and thinner than they used to be.

I told them to go rest while I stayed with Joseph through the night. I wish we had never boarded this ship. We should have stayed home.

Joseph cried all day, several times he would stop and lie so still that he had gone to meet the Lord, but then he would burst into another fit of tears. I had never seen my fifteen year old brother cry before. It was heart-wrenching. My poor little brother is so miserable, I pray to the Lord to heal him and make him feel peace.

November 15, 1620

            Land was spotted today!

            A little speck in the distance, but Mr. Alden has ensured that it is America and that we would be there soon!

            I helped Joseph up from the disease ridden air from below decks so that he could see the speck of the New World.

            He smiled for the first time in weeks and his eyes glistened with tears, but this time they were tears of joy. My eyes held tears of joy as well as we stood at the bow and watch the New World in the distance.

            We were almost there. We had survived the miserable journey across the Atlantic!

November 21, 1620

            We have made it!

            The fierce winter winds blew us off course from our original destination of New Virginia, but I do not mind because we are on land!

            We have landed on Cape Harbour, Captain Jones hasn’t given us permission to leave the ship yet. We are still waiting to see if the natives will attack.

            I do not mind at all because we have finally made it!

            I vow never to go onto a ship again!

November 23, 1620

            Susannah White, a fellow shipmate, who was largely with child when we set sail from England in July, gave birth to her second child today. The whole company was overjoyed, but none was so happy as the proud parents and brother.

            They named their son, Peregrine. A fitting name for the Pilgrims we are.

November 25, 1620

            We finally ventured off of the ship for the first time since landing in search for clean water and food! I could have kissed the ground I was so happy so finally have my feet touch something other than the rotting wood of the Mayflower decks.

            The ground was hard, not at all good for planting our crops that will help us survive. Although, we arrived here so late that I am not sure there will be time to plant before winter fully sets in.

The winter winds are already upon us.

We were exploring the ground when some men spotted some of the natives, and Captain Jones led a group of men to try and follow them – Joseph, Papa and Mr. Alden were amongst them.

December 6, 1620

            The men have still not returned and I am getting worried. Many of the women are, they have no idea what has happened to their husbands and sons. We continue to pray as a group for their safe return.

            We have since returned to the Mayflower where disease has taken hold of almost all the people left behind, I am included in their numbers. The few strong souls who have not yet fallen ill take care of us as best they can but I fear many will not survive this coming winter.

Which is more horrible: the bitter cold and unprotected land or the eventual slow death of the disease ridden ship?

December 13, 1620

            The men have finally returned!

            They brought back food that they had found and any empty land that we may settle in and begin our new life on this new land! The corn was the single most delicious thing I have ever eaten!

            The whole company seems to be in better spirits from the food and the prospect of a new home.

            I must be finishing for it is time to leave this place and make our way to Plymouth.

December 25, 1620

            This new land in harsh and unforgiving and the winter is even crueler.

            I found no resistance from the natives in settling this land, although Mr. Alden tells me that they are expecting an attack from them at any moment and that we must be vigilant.

            I head into this harsh land and harsher winter with courage and faith. There are a great many things that I and this company have overcome and we will continue to rise to the occasion with the support of God and his angels behind us. This land was chosen by God for his chosen people.

            Faith is my only hope in surviving this grand new land of uncertainty.

Priscilla Mullins was a passenger of the Mayflower and was the only member on the voyage to survive. Her mother, father, and brother, Joseph all died during the first winter. Instead of returning to England to be with her surviving brother and sister, Priscilla stayed in America and married John Alden, a barrel maker for the Mayflower.

John and Priscilla had ten children together and many of them lived to be adults and be married. Priscilla and John have many descendants –myself included.

John died on September 12, 1687 and Priscilla died February 5, 1688.

Works Cited

Mayflower 400. “The Mayflower Story.” Mayflower, Radiator, www.mayflower400uk.org/education/the-mayflower-story/

“Mullins-Priscilla.” MayflowerHistory.com, MayflowerHistory.com, 2017, mayflowerhistory.com/mullins-priscilla/

“Alden.” MayflowerHistory.com, MayflowerHistory.com, 2017, mayflowerhistory.com/alden/.