The Crepe Myrtle

by Charles B. Packard

Overview

This is a family story which traces the lives of two families – Packards and the Fosters.  The Packards left England in 1638, settled through out New England, and produced a Mississippi Steamboat Capt.- Charles H. Packard.  The Fosters fought the British in Old Charles Towne, S. Carolina, in 1775-1778 and were part of the Old Three Hundred who settled in Texas in 1822.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781438984766
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	11/13/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	296
File size:	2 MB

Read an Excerpt

The Crepe Myrtle

---

By Charles B. Packard

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Charles B. Packard
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4389-8474-2

---

Chapter One

Elizabethan England

Timeline: 1558-1608

By 1558 England, under its new monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, was no longer deemed in the Middle Ages nor functioning under the old "lord and vassal" feudal system of land control so common throughout medieval Europe. The defeat of Richard III by Henry Tudor in 1485 ended, for all practical purposes, the former circumstance while a developing and changing society in the late 1500s brought about the slow demise of the latter. While undoubtedly there remained throughout England some regions which clung to this medieval practice of feudalism, an ever-growing number of titled landholders had adapted to a more practical method of control over their lands. Referred to as "the gentle class," these landholders initiated the practice of charging monthly rents from the commoners and laborers who toiled in their fields and farmlands. And on some occasions, this was supplemented by payment of produce, grain, and even livestock-an even older practice. Such were the changes taking place in 16th Century England. (Elizabethan England, William W. Lace, 2006.)

The families living during these times of England's changing history also found themselves confronted with a number of other significant, life-changing circumstances:

In 1585 thefirst colonial settlement in the New Land had been established at Roanoke Island, in what would become North Carolina; this settlement ended quite mysteriously in 1587 and was found abandoned in 1590. From 1586-1598 poor harvests imperiled the very livelihood of England's landholders and those supported by these "families" of the gentle class.

In 1603, and barely 40 years removed from the previous devastating attack, another deadly plague swept throughout most of England's major towns and some nearby villages; and in this same year King James I came to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth I. The years 1605-1606 brought forth two new charter companies, The London Company and The Plymouth Company, both established solely for the purpose of exploring and colonizing the New Land, Virginia, which covered most all the coastal lands. In 1607 the first permanent English settlement was founded at Jamestown, Virginia. In 1608 Captain John Smith was given governorship over this Jamestown settlement.

But one circumstance over which the English subjects eventually exercised some manner of control was in their quest for freedom of religion. Throughout this period of England's history and woven, like coarse threads of evil, were the ongoing hostilities and religious wars between the Roman Catholic Church and The Church of England. Upon the rather harsh excommunication of Queen Elizabeth I by Pope Pius V on February 25, 1570, international tensions grew ever more strained. And closer to home, The Church of England was further embattled by a contentious society which had grown increasingly resentful of having a state-controlled religion imposed upon their way of life. As head of The Church of England, the King ruled as its sole authority, and, on occasions, sometimes quite brutally.

Of all these troubling circumstances, freedom of religion was by far one of the most compelling factors that led many to seek their hopes and fortunes in the New Land. Great numbers left their homes in England as they journeyed to this New Land. For the most part, these were the younger, more venturesome souls seeking after a hoped-for better life. (Elizabethan England, William W. Lace, 2006.)

But there were those, like Squire George Packard, who chose to stay the course and tend to all that which he had begun.

Chapter Two

Squire George Packard

Timeline: 1578-1638

George Packard found the carriage ride into the village of Stonham-Aspal quite pleasant as was the conversation with his liveryman, "olde" Jedediah Moore. This day was a most uplifting spring day and by mid-morning the village was fairly abustle in its affairs.

A warm fragrance from the baking shoppe's ovens filled the streets, mingling its aroma with those of the street vendor's food carts, as well as those from the Boar's Head Tavern, as its noontime fare was being prepared in the kitchens. As a matter of fact, this very tavern was where Squire Packard and many of his companions would soon gather in a welcomed respite from their many duties. These were, for the most part, special occasions for sharing in pleasant fellowship and partaking of a hearty feast to warm one's innards, as well as one's spirits. The good squire looked forward to these visits, and with all things considered, he found, that indeed, life was good ... the year was 1608.

"Heare now, Jedediah," Squire Packard spoke, "whyn't thee partake of this most faire morn to share a mug of ale with thy goode fellows, whilst in the village?"

"Prithee, sire," Jedediah responded, "indeed that wouldst grant thy humble servant great pleasure. But I beseech thee, sire, to consider the disrepair of thy harnesses and bridles, and a wheel rim, as well."

George Packard asked, "Am I to understand that these be of a troubling nature?"

"Indeed they be, sire. Only this morn, as I harnessed thy carriage didst I take notice of these conditions. I feare I must needs seek the blacksmythe and with great haste, to work his craft this fine morn, ere we return to thy manor."

"Well spoken, Jedediah. See thee to that task, and thence take leave of thy labours to rest thy bones. I shan't be but til mid-afternoon at the tavern; when thy tasks be compleat, see that thou bringeth my carriage at that appointed tyme. That is, Jedidiah, if yon smithy hath worked his skill."

With a wink, and curt nod toward Jedediah, George Packard stepped down from his carriage onto the cobblestoned street and strode briskly toward the Boar's Head Tavern. As Jedediah pulled away toward the nearby blacksmythe shoppe, George heard his name called: "Good day to thee, George," Squire Henry Smythe cried out, "and what, pray tell, doth the menu board boast of this day?"

Both men turned their attention toward the large board propped against the tavern wall, as George recited: "It doth appeare the offering this day be roast leg of beefe, venison, and, let us see-yes, I doth find also baked partridge hens and pheasants, as well."

"Best there be blood pudding!-and my nose doth, if not mistaken, detect the most delectable odour of roast suckling pig turning upon a spit within," a third voice rang out.

Turning towards the newcomer, George Packard replied: "And well ye might, Horace, well ye might; tis the same pleasant aroma I now be sensing as we speake."

All laughed heartily, as the portly, and jovial Squire Horace Venable joined his companions. Still caught up in a spirit of merriment and goode cheer, the three squires entered the festive warmth of the tavern.

Greeting them warmly, the tavern's host led them toward their usual table neare the crackling fireplace. There they found the fourth member of their party, Ezekiah Moresby, beaming with a glow upon his countenance, no doubt from the tankard of browne ale hoisted in glee towards his friends.

"Tis late ye be," Squire Moresby chuckled lustily, "for I daresay I have started the festivities afore ye."

The tavern maids descended upon their table, filling their empty hands with tankards of the same browne ale being quaffed joyously by Ezekiah Moresby.

A momentary silence settled about them, as each squire drank heartily from his tankard, and, sighing loudly with contentment, each proceeded to wipe the specks of foam from his lips with the back of his coat sleeves.

Conversation drifted pleasantly amongst them, as first one topic, then another, paraded itself around the table. This was an occasion cherished by each member, as they managed, at times, to take leave of their respective manors, for just such light-hearted moments.

"Pray tell, George," Squire Smythe inquired, "how much longer shall olde Jedediah have care of thy livery and carriage matters? Wouldst thee not be better suited in vesting this in the hands of a younger lad, one possessed of a sturdier back and a livelier mind?" George pondered on this for several moments, and with great forethought, spoke his response: "In due course, I wouldst agree, Henry. But as long as my faithful servant doth choose to remain thusly-and he hast only within the last fortnight expressed that very desire-then these tasks shall remain upon his capable shoulders. Thee must know that his companionship doth bring me great pleasure. And ye'll not find here and about a livelier mind than what abideth in Olde Jedediah."

A few around the table nodded their approval, and after George had sliced a goodly portion from his partridge hen's breast, speared it with his knife and thrust it into his mouth, he soon spoke once more. "And doest not thee agree, good gentlemen, that when we plante our field crops, we tend them most faithfully in cultivating, watering, and weeding, lest they wither and perish? And in the matters of the human being, doth not the same hold true?" Henry now nodded his agreement.

"No," George continued, "I'll not be quicke in retiring Jedediah to a manor cottage, not whilst his desire is to remain in the harness. Idling a busy soul can ofttimes only lead to its early demise."

Silence prevailed amongst the gathered, as each occupied himself with plates of baked fowl and roasted game, as well as great slabs of the roasted pig. The tavern maids proceeded to refill the tankards, and the feasting took on a life of its own.

* * *

Many of George Packard's labourers tended their own homesteads upon the good squire's landholdings, while certain others, along with the servants and handmaidens, lived in his manor home near the village of Stonham-Aspal, Suffolk, England. All were considered part of his extended family, which was customary in the early traditions of England.

In this rural setting northeast of London, the settlements like that at Stonham-Aspal were ofttimes sparse and not quite so populated as the southern and central regions of England. In many ways this was, indeed, a blessing, as sicknesses and diseases seldom reached into these outlying areas-certainly not in such epidemic proportions as ravaged other regions. But this remoteness presented a unique problem to just such rural villages as that of Stonham-Aspal-and that was in the matter of communications. Major news events sometimes were delayed for weeks, or even months, before finally reaching the inhabitants in these outlying areas. When the last plague had struck London in 1603, it was two fortnights before word of this calamitous event reached Stonham-Aspal's villagefolk. Word travelled most often by wandering minstrels and troubadours, and, unfortunately, as "olde" news by the time it was received.

* * *

At this time in her history, England's main product of commerce was wool; and in its rural populations agriculture gave the thrust to its economy. With his herds, farmlands and fields, Squire Packard and all the inhabitants, both of his manor and those tenants living on his lands, endured and prospered with a self-sufficiency that was vital to their existence.

Over the next few years, life continued at a rather pleasant pace, and good fortune held sway at George Packard's manor. With but few exceptions, he found that in keeping practice of the Golden Rule that which he displayed to others was returned manyfold. His kind and steady hand of stewardship over his lands, as well as that of his people, brought him abundant returns in crop yields and livestock and deep loyalty from those who labored for him. Blessings often found their way to his doorsteps, and none were more well received than when his good wife, Mary Wyther, delivered, but a mere fortnight previous, a boy whom they named Samuel. The village midwife had attended Mary through her hours of labor and applied her care and gentle touch to both mother and child. George was, quite naturally, left to fend for himself, and he well knew his place in such moments.

And on occasions like these, concerns for the new baby were understandably mixed, not only for the infant's well-being, but also that which hovered for sometime-the cold, chillingly-practical matter of survival. Oftentimes, newborns did not survive the first few days as infections and other such common perils exacted a heavy toll-that was just the way life was.

But thus far, infant Samuel had appeared in good health and thrived reasonably well. With a measure of good fortune, and by Grace of the Almighty, George understood that this young child just might survive these first critical months of his young life. One could hope. After all, these were better times and quite unlike the more perilous times in the late 1500s; those were sometimes treacherous years-had it not been with considerable concern regarding his own existence at birth? Forsooth, and his very own parents had beseeched the Almighty for those many days on end, had they not, in the matter of his most tenuous survival? Those long past days, such being their worth back in 1578 at his time of coming forth, had been fraught with peril. Indeed, they were treacherous years. But after all-this was 1612!

And survive he did, for by his thirteenth year in 1625, young Samuel had grown into a fine, strapping young lad, one who unfailingly took up his yoke of responsibility on his family's manor. Those chores and tasks given him-not only by his father, but by the good squire's overseer-were set upon by Samuel with a zeal and energy which, at times, astounded even the most brawny and industrious of his father's laborers-a tribute to his parentage.

By his birthright, Samuel could well have laid eventual claim to his inheritance of his father's holdings, as this, too, was customary in 17th Century England. But early on, Samuel already had a calling for more than just life as usual. And so the decision was jointly made that Samuel, like most other young English gentlemen on their thirteenth year, would enter into an apprenticeship for the purpose of acquiring valuable skills in some worthy trade-not to mention testing by fire his ascent into adulthood. This was of even greater importance as much to Samuel's benefit as anything else.

Samuel departed from the Packard manor at Stonham-Aspal and journeyed to Wymondham, Norfolk, England, whereupon he served apprenticeship under a master craftsman in the building trade; he studied and practiced the art of wood craftsmanship and various such skills relating to construction of houses and general framing of larger buildings. He was a gifted apprentice and learned the skills well-skills that, although unbeknownst to him at the time, would one day serve him and his future family quite well.

Well into his apprenticeship and having proved himself a most apt and capable student of his craft, Samuel's skills and knowledge impressed not only his master craftsman but many as well throughout the village of Wymondham. As his reputation as a skilled craftsman grew, so, too, did the number of those who sought after his services in the building of their homes. He had progressed well past the status of journeyman in his trade field and helped construct many houses and buildings in the growing community of Wymondham.

(Continues...)

---

Excerpted from The Crepe Myrtle by Charles B. Packard Copyright © 2009 by Charles B. Packard . Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---