Journal Entry

Day 1: March 23, 1621

Father and Brother went out to the field today. Brother says that yesterday, Father and Mr. Bradford found an Indian village! He says that the village was abandoned and that we can use the village's empty maize fields for farming. I am so happy. I hope that we will have enough maize for the winter. I remember last winter. It was dreadful. Almost everyone died and unfortunately, mother died last winter too. I still mourn for her. Now it is my duty to take care of Father and Brother.

As always, I walked to the Bradford's house to cook supper with Mrs. Bradford. When I got there I had a surprise! I met John! He is very handsome. He has brown hair and green eyes. He had come to help Mrs. Bradford with some manly work. As I came in the door, he smiled a dazzling smile and waved. We got to know each other while we worked. I told him about my family and he told me about his. He said that both of his parents had died last winter. He said that his father had been one of the men that signed the Mayflower Compact and that his mother had been a nurse on the ship, the Mayflower. He also said that he has a little brother, Will.

I just can't wait to see John tomorrow! He said that he will introduce me to his little brother and we could go to the fields together sometime! I just can't wait!

-Elizabeth Tilley

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