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…
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.
…Click to read more stories
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.
Wonderful picture and fascinating story! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Lorna, pleased you liked it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeedy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you’ve been doing a spot of genealogy, Dee. Good take on an interesting photo and loved the background to your story.
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice family history story! The idealism of young love always makes a fascinating story 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you. Yes it can be quite fascinating where love will take you… thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Great spot of history! I think many men were named John during this time. How did they keep them all straight. Lovely picture, Dee.
LikeLike
You are right, there are loads of them and so many in the same family, perhaps it shows how insular their lives were or a lack of imagination…
Thank you for reading, good to hear from you as always. Dee
LikeLike
My immigrant ancestor was named Johann. Just think how confusing it would have been if they were all named Moe.
LikeLike
What a fascinating story.. Love can bring us across the seas.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Dear Dee,
There is a huge story here. I hope you realize that. Put a sticky note on your computer and start outlining.
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
Interesting tale, nicely done.
LikeLike
Thank you Elephant, good to hear from you.
LikeLike
Great picture, Dee. I like the story you put with it, especially since it has a connection to your own family history.
LikeLike
Thank you David, pleased you liked it.
LikeLike
Isn’t it amazing how many tales are locked inside our own family history ? Great rendition Dee !
LikeLike
Yes it is. Thank you for reading 😊
LikeLike
Beautiful!
LikeLike
Thank you Dawn 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
I was going to say “I hope he finds her” but then read your footnote. Nice story and photo!
LikeLike
Thank you, pleased you liked both the story and the photo.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Many Puritans left their loves behind. It’s good he went after his instead. Great job. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes so I am finding out, but John went after his. I’m just surprised that he found her. Thank you for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad he found her too. You are very welcome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
It did have a happy ending and I’m unravelling what happened next. I’m glad you liked the picture, be over to see what you have done with it shortly.
Dee
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! I could see a whole book coming out of this.
LikeLike
Oh thank you, I am working on it!
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLike
Thank you Jan, nice to know to enjoyed the story and the photo.
Dee
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photo Dee. I’ve learnt a lot of history of Barcelona as a result and some of your own family history. Genealogy is such a fascinating pursuit – you never know what you may uncover.
LikeLike
…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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Mirador de Colom | My Simple Blog
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
LikeLike
Thank you Ellespeth. I’m certainly spending a lot of time on my family tree, but it is very interesting.
LikeLike
Pingback: Stag Don’t | Only 100 Words
Wonderful story Dee. Congrats on use of the photo. LIke your family mine crossed the ocean to be part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. We have wandered far afield since.
LikeLike
Thank you Joseph, it always amazes me just how far some of our ancestors travelled and why. Lots of stories there…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes there are. One of my ancestors was even pressed into service as a British Sailor.
LikeLike
What a romantic story, Dee. I feel the fire. Nothing would stand in his way! Thank you for the beautiful photo.
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
Love where this went, Dee. I grew up in MA and visited Plymouth many, many times! Fascinating to read more about the history. I’ve enjoyed each of your historical pieces. Nice job!
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story – I like the way you reworked the personal history angle 🙂
KT
LikeLike
Thank you for reading 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person