Charles Margerison - Amazing Love Stories

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder is a saying that has been around a long time. Some days can change your life In June 1608, that happened to me I was working as a servant, for Margaret Forrest She ran into the dining room where I was cleaning Out of breath, she said, Anne, I have received a letter My husband has asked me to join him, at his new place of work I want you to come with me, as my maidservant Where are we going? I asked Jamestown, Virginia, my mistress replied Where in England is that? I enquired It is not in this country, she said with a smile We have to go across the Atlantic Ocean I was not told much more, until we boarded the boat My mistress, Margaret Forrest, was married to a colonial settler As she was moving, I had to follow or lose my job It was not for me to question, so I packed the bags Mrs Forrest told me to include all her dresses and silverware So, I guessed that we would be away for a long time As her maid, it was my duty to have things ready I did not have the option of returning home My parents had died when I was young Therefore, as soon as possible, I took a job in service Never did I think it would mean leaving England Within a few weeks, we were on our way to the port We boarded a boat with big beautiful sails blowing in the breeze It was the first time that I had left dry land The next day, we cast off from the shore and departed At the age of 14, I was sailing across a huge ocean Excited, but also rather concerned Wondering if I would survive the great waves Not sure if I would like Jamestown, Virginia - wherever it was Would I ever see England again? Our accommodation was a small cabin that was damp and smelly My mistress and I were the only two females on board There were over 60 sailors, including my brother John He had enlisted when I told him where I was going Most others were rough types Some tried to get me to spend time alone with them My mistress told them to keep their distance Once away from land, I felt ill I feared for my life, as we sailed from one storm to another Each day became more difficult Our clothes were always wet from the mist and rain Mrs Forrest started to cough, and found it hard to eat Although I tried to feed her, she became weaker Prayers were offered for her health and our safety