janeyjuice

[janeyjuice]

Visitors, 1606

Early one spring morning a pair shows up at the Rogers' doorstep. William rushes out to greet them, his cousin, Roger Crain and his son, Arthur.

Roger was born only 6 months after William, and the pair were exceptionally close, often inseparable in their youth. Nowadays, life keeps each occupied and apart. However their bond runs deep, and even now, they are still deeply influential on the other, with Roger being the main supporter of William and Mary's turn to Puritanism.

Their shared religion is what spurred this visit. Today, Roger arrived with the objective of commissioning a travel-trunk. Religious hostility is growing, and he was planning a move. Roger encouraged his cousin to follow, the Netherlands was supposed to be a beautiful country, rife with opportunities for men of their respective trades. In the Netherlands the two could be closer again.

While the adults spoke, the children wasted no time getting reacquainted. Out of everyone, Arthur was John's favorite. Despite being a typical introverted, middle-child, Arthur brought out John's boisterous side. The trio got up to their usual hijinks.

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Life Goes On

Temperance, 6

Creative

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Baby Rogers

Labor began early one autumn morning, shortly after Mary woke for the day. Edward was sent off to bring the birthing retinue, while Elizabeth gathered supplies, preparing to assist with the delivery. The house was hectic, with both animals and children running around. William's task was to take the children into town, leaving the women to work. Labor was usually attended by local women, including; midwifes, female relatives, and older, more experienced women.

Mary was confident, being a veteran of this battle five times over, and excited to share this experience with Elizabeth. The delivery went as the others had, surrounded by friends and family, but instead of ending the day with a baby in her arms, she went to sleep next to an empty bassinet.

She should have know when the kicks stopped the week before, but the little boy was born quiet. About ⅕ of all children died before their fifth birthday... Mary knew that things like this happened, she just never thought it could happen to her.

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Mary, 1604

If there's one thing this pregnancy has done, it's brought Mary closer to her eldest daughter.

During Mary's convalescence, when she's not in bed, she's been mentoring Elizabeth in gardening. While Elizabeth isn't the biggest fan of the work, she loves the alone time it gives her with her mom.

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"...women were expected to continue to perform work until the onset of labor, since hard work supposedly made for an easier labor. Pregnant women regularly spun thread, wove clothing on looms, performed heavy lifting and carrying, milked cows, and slaughtered and salted down meat."

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Big News...

The family usually gathers at the end of the day to eat, pray, and discuss farm affairs. But today there's something important to announce...

There is to be a new Rogers child...

A typical mother of the time would give birth to between 5-8 children, with Puritans tending to birth more than the average woman. This is Mary's sixth pregnancy, and much different from the previous five. Turning 40 just before the new baby comes, her age increases the risk in the already dangerous condition...

After experiencing some spotting and cramping, it was recommended she cut back from her daily work - atypical for women of the time. Elizabeth and Edward began to take over their mother's chores; harvesting vegetables, preparing dinner, slaughtering and preserving meats, and doing the wash. Leaving the simpler tasks to the younger boys such as sweeping and milking the cow.

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Summer of 1603

The summer weather brings more than just warmth, it brings growth.

With two new teenagers and a fast-learning toddler, life on the Rogers farm is finally hitting it's stride. Additionally, three new chicks and two goats, Billy and Bob, now call the farm home. As well as a freshly built woodshop to accomadate the booming family carpentry business!

Elizabeth, 14

Cat Lover

Adventurous

Edward, 13

Glotton

Snob

Truelove, 6

Perfectionist

Temperance, 3

Charmer

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With Edward and John away with their father, Temperance was left in the care of Elizabeth. Their mother had to run the farm, so Elizabeth had the house mostly to herself. Maintaining the fire, prepping dinner, switching over the laundry, and looking after her sister.

Girl babies aren't much different from boy babies... Elizabeth thought. Temperance was calmer now, and Elizabeth began to wonder if having a sister wasn't so terrible after all? She just hoped there wouldn't be any more...

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What could temper Edward's anger? What would keep him out of the house? William and Mary labored over what to do with him.

He was old enough to begin learning the family trade — carpentry. This would keep Edward in the workshop, under the constant supervision of his father. Mary hoped the manual labor would prove a good outlet, and channel young Edward's energy into something positive and productive.

Much to Edward's chagrin, little brother, John, had to be included too. John had begged and begged to join in, excited to be out of the busy house and doing "big kid" things. Sandwiched between his frustratingly jolly father and overly eager, socially-awkward brother... He just came home tired and more frustrated.

Could things get any worse for Edward?

At least he could steal way a few moments by the water... when he could forget about his family and watch the sun rise.

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The Beginning...

It was a cold winter followed by a colder spring and the soil has yet to thaw before the spring crops can be planted. Life on the farm was slow, food reserves were running low, and tensions were running high. The latest Rogers child, Temperance, was born early in 1600, and her arrival was met with mixed feelings.

The younger two boys were initially excited for a new playmate, but once they realized she couldn't do much and the excitement wore off, they became relatively indifferent to their newest sibling. Elizabeth, the oldest, would have preferred a cat to a sister. A cat is useful, she thought, a cat would get rid of that pesky mouse instead of keeping everyone up all night. The happy parents could only do so much to temper their elder children's disappointment... but with Edward, well, there was no helping him...

His inferiority complex was at an all-time high with the arrival of his attention-hogging baby sister. He began to lash out. Spoiling supper, trashing the house, and wasting time on the farm. William and Mary were at a loss, no matter how often or in what manner his actions were corrected, Eddie's behavior never improved.

They are unsure how to proceed with this unruly child...

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Meet the Rogers Family

The Rogerses are a close-knit family of 7. Not thriving, but comfortable and happy, supported by their farm and the family carpentry business. The parents, William and Mary, were always deeply religious protestants, but leaned hard into the extremism after the traumatic birth of their 4th child. The family is now firmly rooted into the Calvinist faith, as Puritans.

William (1558 - Present)

Practice Makes Perfect

Maker

Generous

Mary (1564 - Present)

Cheerful

Loyal

Family-Oriented

Elizabeth (1588 - Present)

Cat Lover

Edward (1590 - Present)

Glutton

John (1594 - Present)

Loner

Truelove (1596 - Present)

Independent

Temperance (1600 - Present)

Calm

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The American Dream

While I do have grand plans for this blog, I figured we could keep things simple to start, and begin with American History.

This first play-through will start in 1600 CE, and (hopefully) span about 400 years. It will encompass 4 major wars, and witness a disenfranchised colony rise to the rank of empire as we follow the Rogers family. Their descendants will attempt to live out the "American Dream" while continuously adapting in an ever-changing world.