A letter from kit-Jed Chizner

Dear Cuthbert Churchill,

I miss you so much. I made it to America! Twas a very hard journey. The boat ride was long. Almost six week then another nine days! To make it even worse the boat had an unbearable stench. “ill never get it out of my hair as long as I live”(22). On the boat ride we got on a skiff boat to pick up the people at shore. A cute little girl dropped her only toy in the water so I jump in and saved in. The water was cold but it reminded me of you and when we used play in the warm waters of Barbados. Oh how i love spending time with you. Well when i got back on the ship they all look at me with anger. I was very confused about why they were mad at me, i saved the girls doll. Is’nt that a bit queer. Then they thought I was a witch because I could swim. They don’t swim in America! I did meet some nice people. The captain and his son were nice but i met a man named John Holbrook. He's going to Connecticut to become a reverend.

When finally got to Connecticut I went straight to my uncle Matthew and aunt Rachel woods house the only problem was they did not know i was coming. I was so scared to send them a letter asking if I could come because I had to come and if they said no i don’t know what i would of done. You think I did the right thing, right? When I got there I met my two cousins Judith and Mercy. they are so nice. Then I met my mothers sister, my aunt Rachel. She was just like my grandfather described her. She was beautiful and kind. Then I met my uncle Matthew. He was big and mean. He did not even want me to stay. When he finally accepted me staying he gave me chores. NO SLAVES! I have to clean the kitchen work in the garden and get all dirty. Its terrible.

The first night I was there it was horrid. I over heard Judith say that she wished i was a boy. I cried myself to sleep that night. The next day I went to church or “meeting” so they say. It was actually pretty lovely. The reverend Dr. Bulkeley did a wonderful service. At church i met man named William Ashby. He was very handsome and nice but know one could replace you. That night we had Dr.Bulkeley over for supper and his new student and guess who that was john Holbrook! At supper My uncle was not eating or speaking. He really does not like Dr.Bulkeley. Then Dr.Bulkeley started talking about his beliefs. That got uncle Matthew angry. They got into heated argument there governor and stuff I did not understand. That Night my uncle told me that William Ashby called upon me You know what that means right? He asked me out. Theres one problem Judith likes him but then when i said sorry to Judith because he called upon me she said its ok she wants John Holbrook. her love life is a bit queer. So now I am sort of in a bit of a relationship with William but I barely know him. I never know what to say to him. Do I start the Conversation or does he, its is so hard.

So a couple of days later my uncle asked me and Judith to go out to our field that we own and started weeding. I was so mad but when we got out in the field I was in shock. It was the most beautiful thing i have seen since i’ve been in this strange country. The long tall grass was a beautiful light green. The area was just so peaceful. I felt a connection with it. So when we started working Judith told me that no one lived here because in spring it flooded a couple feet high. But when i looked up i saw a small little house all the way at the end of the huge field. I said to Judith, I thought no one lived here. oh yeah I forgot. That is old widow tupper but she is a bit queer and everyone thinks she is a the witch of blackbird pond because during spring when the whole field floods she goes somewhere but no one where. Then when the floods go down she comes back.

After weeding we went right back home. when i got home mercy was really excited but I did not know why. She says that John holbrook requested me to teach with mercy at a dunn school. John holbrook told that THe school master that i could read so he asked me to be tested to be a teacher. The best part is I do not have to work in the fields and I get wages! The first day of teaching was a little bit boring but after a couple days the kids loved me. I told them bible stories taught them how to read, write, and rhyme! Then the worst day in connecticut happened. So I was reading to the kids when I thought why not make the kids act out the story. Mercy was unsure about it but i thought it was a great idea. So i gave everyone their parts but when i picked the two pupils to be the robbers i did not realize that the little boy they hated was the boy the were supposed to rob. The two little boys started beating up the other kid for real. To make it all worse the headmaster of the school came for an unexpected visit. He was furious. He sent all the kids home and told them they were to be notified if there would be anymore school. I begged the headmaster to not end the school and just fire me but he refused.

I stared cry. I ran out the house not knowing where i was going or when i was coming back. Next thing i knew i was at the great field. I laid in the grass just crying their for hours until i could not cry any more. Then I heard  “did well, child, to come to the Meadow” It was widow tupper. I got up. I just stared at her. She told me it looked like i needed food so she took me to her peaceful little house. after she gives a little bite to eat she told me that she could get no land in the town because of the brand on their foreheads. So her husband built this house on this land where no one would bother them. I look around and spotted a little coral that looked very tropical like something we would see on the beach in Barbados. Widow tupper tells me that she has a seafaring friend that brings her goodies from his voyages. I was a bit shocked that she had boy friend. Then Widow Tupper takes me outside and shows me a blooming African flower. She said“I doubted it would grow here, but I just seemed determined to keep on trying and look what has happened” she said. I thought like the flower, I should go back and try again. I headed straight for the door of Headmasters house. I went to his house and begged him for forgiveness but he refused. Now i have to face mercy. I will Not give up. I miss you so much and i want you to know I love you. Write back soon.

love,

Kit Tyler