Chapter 1: A Blessing With a Tragedy
Captain John White and his wife Faith White
Faith White with baby Eliza
Duchess Mary Coleman of Richmond with 10 year old William and 3 year old James
In the year 1760 a terrible tragedy was about to occur on the Renada, a ship sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, from England to the colony of Virginia. Aboard the ship was none other than the Duchess Mary Coleman the wife of Louis Coleman, the Duke of Richmond, and their two sons. Below deck was Faith the young wife of Captain John White. The night before they departed she gave birth to their first child, a girl, named Eliza. Everyone was happy until the night of the storm. The day had been perfect a strong breeze with no cloud in site. As night grew closer so did death. Screams caried from the Captains quarters.
“John, John, wake up, please wake up!” Faith cried. Praying John would open his eyes. They never opened again.
“Please we need you. Eliza and I need you! You can’t leave us!” As the words left her mouth the door burst open.
Along with most of the crew was Mary. As the men rushed to the Captain Mary held a sobbing Faith back.
“No no no please he cant be gone”
“I’m so sorry my dear, but he is.” Mary held her tight.
With the hour passing slow the crew had prepared John for his send off. On the deck was the whole crew, Mary, Faith, and Eliza. The cause was unknown, as the crew sent him off a storm was brewing. Without her husband Faith felt alone and scared. She knew what sailors believe, women were bad luck on ships, without her husband to keep them safe her fate was unknown. The Duchess however was very safe as her husband had paid for their safe travel. The new Captain was a unkind man. Forcing Faith with baby Eliza to serve Mary. Mary however was kind seeing that Faith was weak from giving birth.
“My dear you need to rest. You can’t care for others if you can’t stand.”
“Your grace as much as I’d like to I can not. Your place here is certain, but ours is not.”
“I see, but at least sit for a while. You look as if you will faint any moment.”
“Very well, your grace.”
As Mary was siting with Faith the sea was getting rough. The ship was struggling to make it through the giant waves and wild winds. On deck the crew was working hard keeping the sails up and the cannons tied down. In a cabin below deck Faith was developing a fever.
“My dear your burning up!”
Terrified for her children Mary had her moved to another cabin. Little did they know it was fever was from the damp wood and cloth she had in her cabin below.
“Mother is that woman going to be alright?” William had suddenly ask.
“I hope so, William, I hope so.”
As morning broke Mary went to check on her new friend.
“Good morning my dear the storm has passed. I hope you are feeling better.”
Reaching her friends bed she noticed something was wrong. Gently shaking Faith she confirmed what she had feared. Her new friend had died sometime in the night. A fortnight left and the sun shining again Faith was now with John, Eliza was alone at just one month old. With just a few hours Mary was in love with Eliza. She had always wanted a daughter, but instead had two sons with another on the way. She looked at the baby and knew that she was now hers. Eliza was a blessing.
