Chapter 2: Chapter 1 The Mentor
After we set sail on the crowded ship, I had many tasks to do to help William, the men, and children. I would get down on the floor of the ship and play with the children. We would pretend to be animals or play hide and seek.
At night when everyone went to sleep, I went on deck and looked at the moon and the stars. I saw how the moon light radiated off the water. I started to reminisce about when William became my mentor:
William Hutchinson was a merchant from Alford, Lincolnshire, England. Lincolnshire was the center of wool and textile production and had a close connection to the Dutch for trade. These items were readily available for William to sell and trade.
Shortly after William married his childhood friend, Anne in London in 1612, he met my father, Robert Hurde, a Yeoman, there. Upon meeting him, William learned that he just became a father, and that he planned on teaching and training me in the trades. Father told him, "There is no family fortune for John to inherit, so I will support him in whatever trade he picks." William understood him and offered to mentor me when I got older. William met him a few more times during his travels and heard I had a passion for sewing, so he kept in touch.
When William received my letter notifying him that Robert died from an illness, and that I was 16 years old. He knew I had no income to help his mother or sisters. William also noticed that I was seeking him out for an apprenticeship and knew that I was gifted with a needle and thread.
My mother even boasted about my talent to all the neighbors, and I developed a following at a young age, but I wanted to provide an income for my mother and sisters. William heard about this too.
After receiving my letter, William came to visit and offered to take me under his wing and become my mentor since my father died young. I accepted the offer, and William made sure my mother and sisters were provided for. My mother was very angry about me leaving. She felt all alone even though she had my sisters with her, and she refused to answer any of my letters. I felt abandoned by my mother and felt she did not care. A few years later, my sisters informed me that my mother died from fever. I regretted not being there to say goodbye.
I went to the local pub started drinking my sorrows away. William noticed this behavior and helped me to realize that I was going down a dangerous path and helped me to stop with communication and prayer. I still cried every day, and I wished that I were able to make amends, but I could not. I decided to pray to God that he would give her a message that I was sorry, and that I still loved her and missed her.
William had me serve him for many years. I accompanied him, and William recommended me to his clients to do tailoring jobs. I would make clothes for William's clients, and William would sell them. When I took on these jobs, it was for extra money.
I even worked as a yeoman for William. He helped with fulfilling orders and record keeping. This would give me training to run my own shop in the future.
Shortly after I started living at their estate, Anne, who was a daughter of an Anglican minister, started following John Cotton who had extreme Puritan views. This was a special strain of religious radicalism which put a heavy stress on the Holy Spirit. This strain had its origin in Lincolnshire. I met Anne after moving to their estate in Alford, Lincolnshire, England. I admired her convictions and great faith, but I was not a fan of some of her views.
Although I had a Christian upbringing, I struggled with personal issues. I was dealing with the loss of my father, mother, and felt alone. Even my mother did not keep in touch with me after I moved out to work with William. I was very disappointed.
Anne was convinced to move to the colonies, so she could follow Mr. Cotton and have freedom of religion. William decided to support her even though he was considered the head of the household. She was dominant in personality. She also was an educated woman and was a midwife. She wanted to board the ship with Mr. Cotton and her oldest son in 1633, but she was pregnant.
William and Anne decided to go the following year in 1634. They packed up their 11 children, servants, provisions, and boarded the "Griffin." They asked me to accompany them with an agreement to finish my contract over the next three years. I agreed.
I was so excited. I was 22 years of age, single, had a few more years of servitude and had no debts. I wanted a new start, marriage, a family, and my own tailor shop without religious persecution.
I stepped onto the ship with bravery, and the journey started...
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
JLKHurd1
JLKHurd1 The historical facts regarding William and Anne Hutchinson are true. John Hurd served William for diverse years and his contract was shorter than normal. He marries in 1638, so he was free then.
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