John, ‘The Immigrant’

/ Dee

It was a lovely surprise to see that our intrepid leader Rochelle had used my photo as the prompt for Friday Fictioneers this week. It was taken in Barcelona, walking from Port Vell towards the Monument to Columbus.  I love the feel of Barcelona, the bustle and atmosphere, we had a very enjoyable time there, though as you can see the weather could have been better…

Copyright - Dee Lovering

                                                   Copyright – Dee Lovering

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

John, ‘The Immigrant’

‘She’s with her family, leave her be.’

‘They took her from me, but I’ll find her.’

‘John, it’s been a year, she could be married.  Please, we need you. ‘

‘No! I need her!’

The pursuit of religious freedom led many Puritans to the shores of New England. It wasn’t religion that sent John westwards, though the long journey afforded him time to reflect on it and the argument with his parents.  He had defied them and left them to struggle.  But the moment he had laid eyes on Dorcas Coleman, he wanted her; nothing would stand in his way.

 

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A brief note on my story. One of my ancestors sailed to New England in 1625 to join the colony of English Puritans who had settled there.  He was one of the first settlers of Rowley Mass. and did marry Dorcas Coleman in 1648.  I have used some poetic licence with their meeting, but I feel it goes someway to explain why he made the journey alone. Although another ancestor, also called John, settled in Virginia,  in all the research the man in my story is called ‘John, The Immigrant’ hence my title.

60 thoughts on “John, ‘The Immigrant’”

    • I have been sorting out a lot of papers I have accumulated during the research I’ve been carrying out on my family tree. I was surprised to see my photo and then thought about my ancestors sailing off into the sunset! Pleased you liked the photo and the story. Hope your trip is going well. just received Writers Forum mag so will check and let you know. Dee

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    • Thank you Björn. My ancestors wandered about quite a bit, would be amazing if it were all for love wouldn’t it? Come to think of it, I’d rather that than war.

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    • Dear Doug

      I have started their story, my story, but I think I need a research assistant!
      I have amassed a mountain of paper – copies of birth,marriage and death certificates, copies of passenger lists and wills,land registry lists, newspaper cuttings – it is so absorbing and fascinating to see where my ancestors ended up.

      As always, it is good to hear from you and thank you for your kind comments, I’ll let you know what progress I make.

      Take care

      Dee

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  11. That’s a great family history, Dee. I’m glad you’re writing a book about it. It’s wonderful you could find that much information on your heritage. Lovely picture for the prompt this week. Thanks again. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    • Thank you Suzanne, the problem is that over the years I have amassed so much information it all needs sifting through to find the right ‘John’.
      Glad you liked the story and the photo.
      Dee

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  13. Sailing for Love. What a romantic thought. Glad he found her.
    I really enjoyed working with your photo, Dee. It was quite inspiring. I also enjoyed the background info on your ancestors. Doug is right. This would make a wonderful novel length story.

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    • Thank you so much Russ for your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed the photo and the story. I’m trying to sort out all my notes, the trouble is there were so many ‘Johns’ they might as well have been called Moe!
      I do intend to do something with all the research, it would just be a shame to leave it all stuffed in boxes.

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  15. What a fascinating piece of family history. And, as it seems, it even has a happy ending. And: thank you for letting us play with your picture this week, it was fun.

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  17. I agree with Doug on this one. Much could be added here, but at the same time, you’ve served up an amazing flash fiction to match your photo this week.

    All my best,
    Marie Gail

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    • Thank you Marie Gail, it was a challenge to fit in the sense of what I was trying to convey, but FF is like that for everyone each week. I’m pleased you liked it.
      Dee

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  18. I love the story even more after reading the notes on your family history. Very nice job of weaving the story in that setting.

    Also, thanks for the inspiring picture!

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  19. My father’s uncle left for US between two WW’s, got married and changed his last name. I wish I knew more about that story. Good for you to have managed to dig so deep in your family history. Your story could be the start of an amazing journey, don’t give up. And thank you for your lovely image.

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    • Thank you for sharing the information about your great uncle Lore, that’s very intriguing.
      I have done loads of digging and found out lots of information, the trouble is I get accused of being antisocial after spending so long on the pc – but I find it very enjoyable.
      Glad you liked the photo, I am going to catch up with other stories later today. Dee

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    • …and very time consuming. Thanks for reading Irene, so pleased you liked the story and the photo. I loved my visit to Barcelona, such a fascinating place, so much history and gorgeous architecture.

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  21. Pingback: Mirador de Colom | My Simple Blog

  22. Really liked this one, Dee. History, romance, starting anew. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time working on your family tree.
    Great photograph!
    Ellespeth

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  23. Pingback: Stag Don’t | Only 100 Words

    • Hi Amy – you’re welcome. Thank you for reading and for your very kind comments. I am slow finding out what others have written this week,hoping to get round to as many as I can. Dee

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  26. What a lovely romance! I like how you show his conflict but also his unwavering determination to seek out his beloved. Thank you for the interesting photo, and good luck with your research.

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    • Hi Margaret, thank you for reading, pleased you liked the story and the photo. I do hope to wrote more about him, thanks for your good wishes. Dee

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  27. Dear Dee,

    The personal aspect of your story gives it so much more depth. I love a happy ending 😉 . Beautiful photo, too. Thank you for sharing it and your lovely story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    • Dear Rochelle

      It is funny how things work out. I had been doing some paper sorting; my desk and workplace were so overcrowded it was getting nigh on impossible to find a space for a mug of coffee! I had gathered a lot of stuff together about John and put in a new folder – I was feeling mighty pleased with myself. Then you posted my photo and he was there still in my thoughts.

      Thank you for your lovely comments, they mean great deal to me.

      Take care

      Dee

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    • The strange thing is we visited Plymouth when we stayed in Boston many years ago. Like everyone else I tried to imagine what it must have been like for the early settlers. I didn’t know about my ancestors then, it would have made all the difference to the trip knowing I was following in their footsteps.
      Thank you for your kind comments Dawn, it means a great deal.
      Dee

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