“I have heard the many rumors floating about concerning a possible war between Parliament and the Crown,” replied Mr. Bleasdell. “Were they speaking of war in England whilst you were there?”
“To be sure, though many dared not speak of it for fear of addressing someone with a contrary opinion to their own. In fact, Mr. Carr and I felt very much the same. We spoke only in private concerning the situation.”
“Yes, it may be dangerous, particularly in England, to have an opposing viewpoint to that of the Crown,” replied Mr. Bleasdell. “I am afraid it shall tear England apart if a war does come, as the people will be divided in their loyalties.”
“Mr. Bleasdell, one of the king’s emissaries was aboard the ship on which we traveled. We heard rumors that his mission shall be to impede any support for Parliament amongst the colonies.”
“It seems that war is truly inevitable if the king is already seeking to suppress any uprising,” warned Mr. Bleasdell.
“It is my belief that the board of selectmen ought to be informed regarding the king’s emissary. What is your opinion?” inquired Christopher.
“We should not make it known to the entire board, as there are those who are sympathetic to the Crown amongst them,” replied Mr. Bleasdell.
“Perhaps we might speak individually with those known to be supporters of Parliament,” replied Christopher.
“Agreed,” replied Mr. Bleasdell. “However, there are other things to attend to at present. We must not allow ourselves to be carried away by all of this business. We shall do what we can and leave the rest in the Almighty’s hands.”
“Indeed, for if I am to be soon married, I must see to the publishing of the banns,” replied Christopher, with delight.
With that, Christopher returned to the house to wait for Maddie.
***
Finding Jane at home with Emma, Madeline informed them of her engagement to Christopher. Though not at all surprised, they were overjoyed by the news.
“Madeline, let us go directly to call on Bridget before Anthony is to arrive,” insisted Jane. “As there are two of us with news of this kind, she shall be surprised.”
“No doubt, for so much has happened in so short a time,” laughed Madeline.
Upon their arrival to Bridget’s, Jane and Madeline were welcomed warmly and whisked inside. Once they were seated and tea was presented, Bridget insisted on hearing more of the meeting concerning Jane and Jarret. Though John had informed her of the outcome, she wished to learn more of the particulars.
“Bridget, we will give you a full report on the meeting; however, we each have something we wish to tell you,” said Madeline, with a smile.
“I cannot fathom any news as being more important than the details of the meeting in which Jane was released from the clutches of Jarret Ormsby. However, seeing that you each have something you are eager to share, you have my full attention,” replied Bridget, insisting that they fill her in on the meeting afterwards.
Madeline and Jane turned toward each other, nodded, and grinned as an indication that they wished to inform Bridget in unison.
“We are getting married,” said Madeline and Jane, with a giggle.
“What! You both are getting married?” inquired Bridget astonished.
“You heard right. It is as we have said,” replied Madeline. “Christopher and Anthony have proposed marriage and we have consented.”
“That is extraordinary,” replied Bridget, while collapsing back in her chair to lend a dramatic effect to the news. “What wonderful news. When is this all to take place?”
“Anthony and I have published our first week of banns. Once the final two weeks have passed, we shall be married,” replied Jane, with great excitement.
“And you, Madeline?” inquired Bridget.
“Christopher is to come to the Bleasdell’s today; at which point, we shall have further discussion with regard to such details.”
“What a complete turn of events,” laughed Bridget. “To think, that just a few days ago things appeared so desperate.”
“Perhaps if I had placed more trust in God I should not have been so overwhelmed by worry,” frowned Jane. “As evidenced by this recent ordeal, I have not, as yet, mastered a worry-free faith.”
“We all are in need of that lesson, and you do better than most with everything that you have been through, Jane,” replied Madeline.
“The loss of the baby was a real test of my faith as was losing Nathan; however, I am now at peace knowing that the child and Nathan are with God.”
“I am not certain I would do so well as you with all that you have been through. Every time I believe that I have conquered the worry beast, another circumstance rises up to test me. Some trials I seem to pass splendidly, yet others tend to drag me down,” insisted Madeline.
“That is true of me as well,” replied Bridget, with a sigh.
Jane and Madeline remained a while longer with their jubilant friend before setting off for their respective homes to wait upon Christopher and Anthony.
***
The time quickly passed for the final week of the banns to conclude for each of the young couples; at which point, their marriages took place a week apart. The Fosters and the Bleasdells were in one accord in their belief that there were never two more suitable couples. Furthermore, they were confident that with young people such as these, Salisbury was sure to have a wonderful future.
Sometime later, Mr. Bleasdell and Elizabeth set off for a picnic in the direction of the shoreline. Looking out over the vast ocean, Mr. Bleasdell observed, “God brought us safely across the sea to this new land, and He gave us the freedom to follow after Him according to what He has lain down in the scriptures without the restrictions of the Church of England. He has also seen fit to bless us with another child, one that has never even been to England. It is as if she is to be a reminder that we now belong to this place, never to return from whence we came. Moreover, if we the people of this land shall keep the Lord as our God and follow wholly after Him, we shall be blessed as it says in Psalms 33:12: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.’ As fallible men and women, we are sure to make mistakes as we forge ahead. However, if we truly seek the Lord’s will, I am confident that He shall guide us in making this into a venerated land.”
The End
Resources
* * *
Genealogical Outline Published by the Blaisdell Family National Association.
Cartland, Henry, 1899. Ten years at Pemaquid: Sketches of its history and its ruins. Pemaquid.
Warren, C. Riess (2001). Angel Gabriel The Elusive Galleon. Bristol: 1797 House.
Blaisdell Family National Association: http://www.blaisdell.org/
The Uniqueness of the Ralph Bleasdale, by R. Carter Blaisdell: http://www.blaisdell.org/
Hoyt, David W., 1897. Vol. I, The old families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts: With some related families of Newbury, Haverhill, Ipswich and Hampton. Providence R.I.: Snow and Farnham.
The York Maine Historical Society
Table of Contents
Title
Copyright
Foreword
Chapter 1 - The Voyage and Shipwreck
Chapter 2 - On to Ipswich to Begin Life in the “New Land”
Chapter 3 - Awakening of Feelings/John Bailey, a Sad Story/Plans to Move
Chapter 4 - The Move and Making New Acquaintances
Chapter 5 - Emma the Mentor a Woman of Character
Chapter 6 - Seeing Old Friends/Antinomian Accusations
Chapter 7 - The “Oath”/Accusations Refuted
Chapter 8 - Adventures on Carr’s Island/An Unexpected Meeting/The Misunderstanding
Chapter 9 - Revelations and New Accusations Regarding the Pirate “Dixie Bull”
Chapter 10 - A Frenzied Town/Affidavit Arrives from Salem
Chapter 11 - The Misunderstanding Abated
Chapter 12 - Maddie Takes a Stand/All Is Well with Christopher
Chapte
r 13 - A New Man in Town/Haven’t I Seen You Before?
Chapter 14 - An Unexpected Blessing
Chapter 15 - The Confrontation/Madeline and Emma Travel to Ipswich
Chapter 16 - A Journey to England/A Secret Mission/Regretful Goodbyes
Chapter 17 - An Unexpected Loss/A Move to Salisbury
Chapter 18 - New Friends and Bad Company
Chapter 19 - Quilting Experts/Adjustments/Anthony’s Concern
Chapter 20 - Midwifery/Jane Discovers the Truth
Chapter 21 - The Joke/Susanna North a New Acquaintance
Chapter 22 - Rumors and Lies
Chapter 23 - Birth Anomalies/Jarret’s Wicked Scheme/Waiting for Proof
Chapter 24 - Arriving in England during a Time of Unrest/Mr. Carr’s Wedding Plans
Chapter 25 - Jane’s Nightmare/Reputations Destroyed/Reassurances
Chapter 26 - The Return Voyage/Decisions and Confessions/New Acquaintances
Chapter 27 - Jarret’s Scheme/Confessions
Chapter 28 - Formal Accusation/Christopher’s Return/The Arrival of Rebecca Bailey
Chapter 29 - Waiting for Christopher/Decision to Conceal a Secret
Chapter 30 - Christopher Brings Good News/Unspoken Feelings
Chapter 31 - Jane and Jarret Summoned to Appear/The Selectmen Reprimanded
Chapter 32 - A Blessing for the Bleasdells/A Private Audience/ Mr. Bailey’s Comfort
Chapter 33 - The Proposal/The Publishing of Banns/Expressions of Gratitude
Chapter 34 - Happy Endings
Resources
Lost Love and Shipwrecked: Madeline Pike Finds Hope in the New Land Page 22
