The Webster Saga

THE WEBSTER SAGA

William stood on the upper deck of the ship, gripping the handrails tightly. Passengers were not allowed topside except for a few minutes, already ice had begun forming on his eyebrows. He took a couple of deep breaths. Even though the cold air stung his lungs, it felt good to take in air that wasn’t filled with the stench, disease, and death that lay below. He looked out at the endless sea meeting the sky and wondered if they would ever reach their destination. He longed for the home he had fled; his mother, father, siblings. What was done, was done. It was likely he would never see their faces again. He would have to muster up and hope for the best; not only for himself, but the Quaker Friends and other passengers below who still clung to life.

William turned when a seaman tapped him on the shoulder. “Best get below now, ‘tis nowt fit for man nor beast up here.”

William nodded his head and made his way to the hatch and the ghastly scene below.

Mary, who was administering water to an ill passenger, looked up when she saw William enter the cabin. He looked troubled and anxious, which wasn’t surprising, not at all. What passenger here wouldn’t wish to be back in their homeland, she thought.

Mary had come with her Quaker parents, older sister, a brother-in-law, and two brothers, ten, and twelve. Annie, her older sister, was bedridden. She was 4 months with child and seasickness kept her in the berth. Mary administered to her as best she could.

If only, went through her mind and she stopped the thought. What good would it do now to wish for something that has already passed. Best, be about her business and put those thoughts aside. There was much to do and time was wasting.

An eerie scream was heard throughout the quarters. Heads turned to look, and then bowed in despair as the ship had claimed yet another life. When would it end? Would they all perish?

Quicky William rushed to the side of the now deceased passenger and offered aid to the grief-stricken family. "Come now, there is nothing more you can do for him, let us make final preparations and we shall talk later. I know how hard it is, we must all stay strong and keep our faith. You will not be alone, the Friends will care for
you and your children."

Face buried in a kerchief, the wife nodded and reluctantly left the side of her deceased husband. She and her four children were rushed to a group of Women Friends where they were comforted as best they could in the filthy conditions. There was silence in the room, each wondering when the angel of death would strike them.

George Fox announced he was going topside to speak to the captain of the ship about a burial service.

"Hey mate, passengers aren't allowed topside, sir," warned a sailor when George appeared on deck.

"I must speak to the captain; we've had another death."

"Come along with me then and be quick about it, the sea is rough tonight, wouldn't want you to wash overboard."

They entered the helm, Captain Foster looked surprised to see them. "Sir, what are you doing up here, it's very rough tonight."

"We've had a death below; I came to see when we can hold a service and need prepare the body tonight."

"I'm sorry to hear that, I'll send some sailors down to take the body to the carpenter shop. Regarding the service, we will see if the sea settles down in the morn. I will send someone down to report."

"Thank you, Captain. Can we assist with the body?"

"I'm sorry, it's best if you stay below tonight."

"Very well then, we will await news in the morn."

The waiting sailor escorted George back to the hatch and then hurried to find sailors to fetch the body below."

When the body was taken away, more cries were heard from the family who dug through a trunk until they found an adequate suit and gave it to the crew.

The body was laid out on a bench in the carpenter shop, washed and dressed, then sewed up in a heavy piece of canvas. It was then shackled on deck until the ceremony could be performed.

They waited two more days below. A muffled they/re here{/}, was heard in the room and all looked as the sailors entered. George Fo met them at the entrance. "You have news for us?"

"Aye, Sir, the Captain says we can hold the service today as the sea is calm now. You must keep it brief and limit the passengers to immediate family and four others."

"Thank you, we will be topside shortly."

George then went to the grieving family and spoke to them. Those watching saw the deceased man's wife nod her head and then turn to the children. Next, he gathered the Friends together and spoke to them. "We are only allowed to have immediate family and four other persons topside, so I want to have a short ceremony down here to pay respet to the deceased.

Once he had everyone's attention, George began to speak. Friends, it is with deep sorrow that we have lost yet another passenger. Our hearts go out to the wife and children of this devoted man, and we will all be here to support them in the future. We thank God for the life and work of Marvin. Now, please, lets have a moment of silence to reflect upon his life. A life lived in devotion and faith. A man who worked hard and was a Friend to anyone in need. If someone feels the need to speak, they may do so.

There was complete silence as all passengers bowed their heads in respect, Friends and those who were not Quaker as well. Then George signaled, "if the family and chosen Friends will follow me, we will go topside and complete the burial of this fine man."

The wife, ben in grief, was assisted by one of the women and they ascended the steps to the top. Once on deck they strove to hold in utterance as the deceased had been placed on a plank, ready to be released into the open sea. Captain Foster, and several sailors dressed in uniforms, all stood in line, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

George Fox began, "We are sorrowfully here to send Mar, our beloved brother, father, husband, to his maker. May the love and understanding of God our Father, bring peace and serenity to those who are still with us. Now let us have a moment of silent prayer."

A few moments went by and then George said, "Now it is time. We surrender Marvin back to the earth. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

One lone cry was heard as Marvin's wife could not stop the flow of tears. She was once again gently led down below, followed by the rest of the mourners.

That evening, there was not much talking or activity. Present in the minds of everyone was the thought that they might be next. Shocked from life at sea they soon realized that it was near impossible to keep clean as there was no fresh water for washing and only two latrines available below for all of the passengers. Because the weather was often poor, gunports and hatches were closed and battened down leaving very little fresh air below dec. Everyone started to smell of sweat and the ship itself reaked of damp and mildew. Sometimes the pumps failed to work property and feces built up in layers until it was finally releaed into the sea.

Food existed of meat dunked into cauldrons full of seawater making it extremely salty. This defeated the purpose of saving water as it increased the need for it. Legumes, dried fish, beans & hard tack were the staples but unfortunately, in the hot sun, no refrigeration, inadequate ventilation, and unbearable conditions casks burst open, and rats swarmed the food. Sometimes rainwater seeped down, and food became moldy. Weevils laid eggs within the hardtack; passengers soon learned to tap it against the side of something before they ate it to dislodge the insects within. In time, drinking water became slimy and stinking, then infested with worms. It generally was quite warm to drink.

William's Journal of the Trip

William, writing in his journal, reflected on their journey thus far. On August 13, 1671, the ship Industry sailed out of the Thames River and around the southeast end of England toward the Dover Strait. All day on the 14th, we were hindered from sailing by one condition or another. Finally, a Customs office came aboard to look at our baggage and obtain fees. Around sunset the anchor was lifted, and we began our journey toward Barbados. We hear from talk that there is some leakiness in the ship which contributes to our anxiety. Then, on the 24th even the passengers assisted the seamen with pumping. The pumping continued day and night for in two hours she sucked in sixteen inches of water. George secretly told a few of us that he had observed the hole near her keel, and it was large enough to put a hand through.

In September, on the 7th, we shook with fear as between Madeira Islands and the Azores, somewhat north of Gibraltar, we encountered a Salleeman pirate. It was said that the poor were sold as slaves and the rich held for ransom. The pirates came within one and a half miles from us but luckily it became dark, and we altered our course. In the morning there was no sight of the pirates. George had everyone praise the lord for sparing us this tragedy.

By August 22nd the meat in our chest had gone bad, it was so stinking and rotted that George lost his stomach with it. We heard that some of the seamen were eating rats but we declined to do so, hoping that the Grace of God would spare us. When it rained, we would scoop up the water to drink.

George became ill and when the ship finally H reached Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he was much weaker than when he had embarked on the journey. His legs were swollen, and limbs and joints were painful. Finally, on October 3rd, they dropped anchor in Barbados.

In January 8, 672 we were able to set sail for Jamaica. We arrived at the island on the 18th. We left Jamaica on March 8,1672 en route for America. It took a full week backward and forward trying to make the windward passage between the islands of Cuba and Haiti. Finally, we passed around Cuba's western and reached the Florida Keys. We reached Pert Amboy, New Jersey on May 2nd,1672 and everyone, fatigued or not, sent a prayer up to the Heavenly Father. To say I was overjoyed is an understatement, although one wondered how the gaunt, filthy passengers would be accepted.

Continuation of Journey

Day after endless day went by and morale was at an all-time low. The voyage would take around seven weeks and they were approaching the sixth month although much depended upon the wind that carried them across the Atlantic. Scurvy was rampant. Bodies were relinquished to the sea, sometimes three or four at a time. It rotted gums and turned legs gangrenous. Some people, in desperation, resorted to rinsing their mouth with urine.

George Fox once again requested an audience with Captain Foster.

"George, what can I do for you today?"

"As you know, we are losing passenger after passenger. I'm asking if we can send a few topside each day to get some benefit from the sunshine. It doesn't have to be for long periods at a time, but the morale is so down, I thought it would be something to look forward to in this dismal voyage."

Captain Foster stroked his beard, "Hummm, it's very unusual. Very unusual indeed. Then again, I do understand what everyone has been going through. I'll allow four people, no more, no less each day but only when the seas are calm. I will send someone down to let you know when that is. We will keep it to no more than one hour. Will that do?"

"Yes, we will make do Captain. I appreciate your generosity."

Now Geroge had the unwanted task of picking who would go topside. He agonized for days about what to do but then the sailors appeared and he had to make a decision. He rushed to the seamen and whispered something to them.

"Aye, yes sir, I've got some in me bag, let me run and get them for you."

Back he came with a bag. Inside were poker chips, red, blue and white.

George spoke to the passengers, "Listen, we only can pick four people to go topside. Each of you will draw a chip. There are 4 white chips in the bag. The four who draw them will be able to get some sun for one hour. No more, no less. The winners will not be eligible again until everyone has had the chance to go up."

One by one they picked a chip, and a cry went up each time someone found a white chip. Others sorrowfully walked back to their berths happy for the four but sad it was not them this time.

You could see a change in the lucky winners when they came back down but it didn't take long to fall back into the drudgery and filth of each long day.

Just when they thought another day couldn't be born, a sailor opened the hatch and announced, "Land, we've seen land, The Florida Keys!"

Smiles, so long forgotten, were on the faces of the passengers; most who thought they would be buried at sea. Mary's sister, pregnant all this time, raised her head from the pillow. "Are we almost there?"

"Yes, we made it Annie, we made it!"

"That's good," the weakened Annie feebly replied, "I didn't want to be buried at sea." She closed her eyes, and a frightened Mary cried out for Annie's husband who came rushing over quickly.

"Mary, what is it? Mary?"

"It's Annie, she's gone."

"No, God no, I won't bear it. What shall I do without her. The baby?"

"I don't know," Mary replied, we need a doctor. "Send George up to the captain."

They didn't have a medical doctor onboard, but Captain Foster sent a seaman who was knowledgeable in medicine. He put his ear close to Mary's breath and held her wrist softly, then gave a solemn nod to indicate she had died. Next he took his stethoscope and placed it on her stomach but there was no movement, nor could he hear a heartbeat from the baby. "I'm sorry," was all he could say, and then he left.

Mary was distraught and William quickly came to comfort her. "You gave her good care Mary; without you she wouldn't have lasted this long. I am so sorry." He held her close to his chest and patted her back soothingly until her sobs subsided.

Mary looked up at him, tears flooded her eyes. "You know what her last words were William?"

"No, Mary, what did she say?"

"I didn't want to be buried at sea."

"Oh Mary, now she won't have to be, and you can visit them. I know it's not the same but at least you will know where she lies."

About a week more was endured on the ship until they finally reached port at Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Finally stepping foot on land, the passengers found they had sea legs and had to readjust to walking on land. It was somewhat chilly, being March, but they didn't care. Some bent down and kissed the ground.

They were taken to West Jersey where William Penn had helped two Quakers, Edward Byllnge, and John Fenwckh to draw up a constitution ensuring religious and political freedom. The word was spread that there was an opportunity to buy plots of land and settle there. Between 1675 and 168 around 1,400 Quakers had settled.

The first governor of West Jersey was a Quaker named Samuel Jenning, a friend of William Pens. Likewise, Robert Barclay, a Scottish quaker was the first governor of East Jersey. Robert never came himself but appointed someone to act for him. Many Scottish Quakers were inspired to come and settle.

In 1687, West and East Jersey were united as New Jersey and in 1702 it became a colony. Even though the Church of England was the official religion, religious toleration persisted and Quakers played a part in government have rules such as governors, assembly members, justices of the peace, and other positions. Because of Quaker believes, good relationships with the Indians prevailed. The Quakers were always fair, and honest in their dealings with them.

Slavery existed in New Jersey, and accepted by many Quakers, as long as slaves were well treated. Both the Quakers and the Indians were thought of as inferior, and Woolman’s passionate message was that they should be seen and treated as equals.By 1783, few if any Quakers were involved in slavery in any way.





Because we cannot find any record of William Webster on the passenger ships, we have adopted the Henry & Francis in 1695 as the ship he came on as well as George Fox. This is all fiction for lack of an accurate source.
Source: Bulletin of Friends Historical Association, Autumn 1924, Vol. 13, No. 2. George Fox Tercentenary Number (Autumn 194), pp. 64-69