The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection

by Jennifer Lynn Cary

  James pointed out that none of the passages would be refunded (though an extra had been added for Bridget to accompany the group) and another ship wouldn’t try the crossing for several months. This was the moment, and everything rested with them now making this venture work. Somehow that stopped the arguing.

  Riding with them to Derry, James used the time to be with Samuel.

  “I’m fine, Da. You don’t have to worry about me.” Standing taller than most seven-year-olds, Samuel had a presence greater than his years.

  “I know you are, son. I think it is my problem. I’m not ready to see you go off. You’ve grown up so big and strong. I know I can trust you…” James pulled his son into his arms. “Samuel, you are my son and I love you. Always remember that.”

  Samuel nodded, blinking hard.

  Joseph, watching the exchange, was heartbroken for his brother. Pulling James into an embrace he whispered, “Don’t worry. I will take care of him. It will be well.”

  James pulled back, took from his pocket a gold coin and gave it to Samuel. “Hold onto it, son. This is your money for the land. I know you will do well.” He hugged the boy once more and left, pushing through the crowd and out of sight.

  Samuel stared after his father’s back.

  Joseph pulled the boy to his side. “Put that in a safe place, Samuel. You don’t want to be letting others see it.”

  Glad to see Samuel obey, Joseph grasped Wee Joseph by his hand and guided the boys along. Bridget carried Wee John as she walked beside Sarah up the gangplank. Robert met them at the top and showed them where they would all travel together.

  It helped to see how Sarah and Rachel, Robert’s new bride, quickly bonded. Raven-haired Rachel’s grandmother was Joseph’s father’s sister. She and her second husband had also escaped from France for the same reasons but had settled in London. At Antoine’s urging, Robert had looked up the family on one of his trips and immediately fell in love with Rachel.

  The voyage also gave Joseph back what he had lost in time with Sarah. He enjoyed walking the deck in the afternoon, arm in arm, before she went to rest below.

  “Joseph, I’ve something to tell you I never thought I would.” They were on the port side, just after a short rainfall.

  “What’s that, love?”

  “I made a promise that I had to keep.”

  “To whom?” He only half listened. Her hair sparkled from the sunlight’s glints, and he simply enjoyed hearing her voice.

  “To Kathleen.”

  Something in the way she said “Kathleen” gave him pause. “Tell me.”

  And she did. She told him everything, including how she had been afraid if he knew, he wouldn’t trust her love for him.

  “But that was the one thing I could trust, Sarah. You were always honest with me.”

  “Not exactly. I didn’t tell you my part in Shannon and Alain-Robert’s deaths.”

  He didn’t know what that could be. He’d never known Sarah to even hurt a fly, in spite of her infamous temper. A temper in which he found a perverse joy, as long as it wasn’t directed at him. Her eyes flashed like emeralds and her posture quite nicely showed off her curves.

  “Ye aren’t listening, Joseph, and this is important.”

  “I’m sorry, I am listening, though I can’t imagine you having done anything hurtful.”

  But he could tell she felt like she had. When she had finished, she asked him to forgive her.

  Joseph drew her close, feeling the baby kick between them. “I forgive you for you ask me to, but I don’t think there is anything to forgive.”

  “Shannon said that, too, but I know what I did. I asked her forgiveness, and God’s as well. But I knew I had to ask yours, Joseph.”

  The baby kicked again.

  Sarah held his arm tighter.

  “Are you all right?” In spite of daily putting his trust in God, Joseph’s fear rose each time he knew Sarah felt a pang or twinge.

  “Joseph, please trust Him. He has made our way clear. He holds us in His hand, and nothing can separate us from His love.”

  “Dear heart, I am trying. I want to trust. But trusting with the baby and you and this ship and…I want to trust.”

  Sarah turned, reaching to embrace him, but stopped. “Joseph. Turn around. Look.” She pointed over his shoulder.

  He moved, following her finger’s direction. There on the horizon shone a double rainbow. The most bright and clear rainbow he’d ever seen. Its beauty beyond his description.

  “Oh, Joseph. See. See how God keeps His promises. Hold tight to your faith, Joseph. Hold tight to your trust in God. Let go of all else. Fall into His hand, Joseph.”

  Moving behind her, he wrapped his arms about her, feeling the baby’s movement. She leaned into him, and he whispered in her ear. “Pray for me, Sarah. I am doing my best.”

  * * *

  It came as no surprise for Sarah when she learned of the possible storm on the horizon. She could feel the difference with the way the baby moved. She rested on their berth in the passenger hold.

  “Me mother used to say that storms brought the labor, but the pain brought the sun.” Wee John lay on Bridget’s lap fighting a nap.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised to find she’s correct about that, Bridget.” Sarah rubbed her hands over her swollen belly. It felt as if the baby pressed down, and she knew there was more room between her breasts and her abdomen. “I think I need to walk about some.”

  “Shall I go with ye?” Bridget stood, plopping the baby on her hip.

  “No, stay here with the wee ones. Perhaps I’ll see if Rachel is available. Joseph is out on deck, but I think she just finished washing the clothes.”

  “Methinks that is what brought the storm.” Bridget winked at Sarah, laughing at her own joke.

  Sarah smiled, but in truth, she was concerned at how the pressure was building inside her. They were only a few days from land.

  As she waddled to the stairs, she held her stomach. “Could ye not wait two more days, child?” The kick she received in her ribs answered her question.

  Rachel was nowhere in sight, but Joseph waved in her direction. As he walked to her, she suddenly felt the pressure increase. She grabbed at a post for support as a warmth trickled down her legs.

  He rushed to her side. “Sarah, what is it? Is it the baby?”

  She nodded, and when he leaned in, she whispered, “I’ve broke me waters.”

  He scooped her up in his arms and carried her below to her bunk. “Bridget, find Rachel for me. Tell her to come now.”

  Samuel came over, tiny worry lines forming between his brows. He reminded her of James in that moment. “Tanté Sarah, are you all right?”

  She tried to nod, but her first real pain came, and she cried out. Joseph gripped her hand, and she squeezed.

  Samuel nervously fiddled with something in his fingers and backed away. Joseph turned to see him. “Put that away before you lose it. Go keep watch over Wee Joseph.”

  As the pain eased, Sarah caught her breath. “Joseph, don’t be so hard on the boy. He’s scared.”

  “He isn’t the only one scared.” He put her fingers to his lips. “I am ready to do whatever you need me to do, love.”

  The roll of the ship increased, and a sudden swell loudly splashed overhead. They could feel the ship rise up to the wave’s crest and then all at once drop.

  Bridget, holding Wee John, returned with Rachel, who drew a curtain around the bunk before raising Sarah’s skirt.

  “Do you know what you are doing, Rachel?” Joseph’s free hand combed through his hair while his eyes darted from Sarah to Rachel.

  “I helped my mother when she gave birth to twins in a storm.” She spoke while checking Sarah’s condition. “We couldn’t get anyone to the house, so I was all my mother had. I was only fourteen. Made me not want to have children for quite some time.” Rachel laughed.

  Sarah knew she was trying to put her at ease. However, Joseph’s grip tightened. Oh Lord, help him put
his trust in You.

  Rachel touched Joseph’s shoulder. “Joseph, I think I might have more room if you stepped outside the curtain.”

  “No, I’ll just move a bit for you.” Joseph scooted next to Sarah’s head, never letting go of her hand.

  Another wave of pain came, just as another swell lifted the ship and dropped it. Rain began to pelt harder overhead, and a sudden crack of thunder sounded ominous.

  The tightness about her belly relaxed. She could hear footsteps rumbling down the steps and running to their area.

  Robert called from the other side of the curtain. “Joseph, the captain’s called for all able men up on top. You need to come.”

  “No! I can’t leave her. She needs me here.”

  “Joseph, we need you up there.”

  “No!”

  “Joseph…” Robert stammered. Sarah could hear he didn’t want to say something. “Joseph, if we don’t get enough help, we will lose this ship.”

  “Go, Joseph. I’ll be fine. Trust God. I do. Go, my love.”

  “Sarah?”

  She squeezed his hand. “Go, Joseph. Do what God needs ye to do.”

  Unbending to his full height, he took a step back. His gaze traveled to their hands.

  Sarah pulled his hand to her face, rubbing her cheek against it for an instant.

  Then she let him go.

  * * *

  Joseph had no idea how he got on deck, his mind too much on Sarah and his anger at God for putting him in this position. He blocked out all else. However, once on deck, slippery dangers grabbed his attention.

  A ship’s mate shoved several rope coils at him and told him to start making thing’s secure. He pointed to a cache of barrels before sliding to do something else. Joseph wiped water from his face and slipped one rope from his shoulder. Just as he got the rope around the cache, a wave splashed over, pushing a barrel free. It slid across the slick boards and smashed into Joseph’s fingers.

  With an intake of breath, he shook them. He rose to his feet and shouted over the crashing waves to the sky. “Why? Why, when I am starting to trust, do You remove every reason to trust? Why? Couldn’t the baby have waited until we were safely at port? And this storm, why tonight? Why can I not be at Sarah’s side? Why? Where is Your answer God?”

  The thunder’s low rumble grew in intensity. Lightning split the sky in half.

  In the flash of light, Joseph saw Samuel step out onto the deck. The thunder rumbled again. The boy jumped. The next flash illuminated the glow of something shiny bouncing onto the flooded deck.

  Save him.

  Joseph didn’t know where the words came from, but as if pushed from behind, the boy fell and started sliding helplessly toward the edge.

  Rope.

  Without understanding, Joseph tossed the end of the rope to Samuel. Somehow he saw it and grabbed for it, latching on just as a wave washed him over.

  “Samuel!” Joseph clung to his end, coiling the rope over his arm. There still was weight to it. He knew Samuel held on.

  Robert came from starboard, holding the rail. He’d tied a rope about his waist and attached it to the rail. “Pull, Joseph.”

  The rope remained taut as Joseph worked his way closer to the side.

  Robert reached over and grabbed Samuel by the breeches, pulling him back on deck.

  Joseph grabbed the child into his arms, holding him secure.

  Samuel, coughing and sputtering, held on.

  The wind’s fury died out, and the rain softened to a light drizzle. Joseph chuckled.

  Samuel pulled back and stared at him, and then at Robert, who shrugged. Then back to Joseph who now broke into a full roar.

  Joseph laughed harder, bewildered stares on Samuel and Robert’s faces. “God is good. And He answers prayers. I asked Him why I had to be on deck and away from Sarah. He lit up the sky and showed me you, Samuel. You.” Joseph pulled the boy to him. “I don’t know why you were up here, but God kept you safe.”

  Samuel raised his head. “I heard them ask for all able-bodied men to come help.”

  Joseph exchanged a look with Robert before he put a finger under Samuel’s chin, staring him in the eye. “You are as able-bodied as anyone, Samuel, and you are being trusted with a man’s job, but please, next time, ask.”

  Samuel buried his face in his uncle’s chest and nodded.

  Already the sky had lightened. The captain came around and motioned for them to go below.

  Joseph’s fingers curled about the handle that opened the hatch to the stairs, but hesitated. What would he find?

  Trust Me.

  He closed his eyes, breathed in deeply, and pulled open the hatch.

  A baby’s cry filled the air.

  Jumping to the bottom of the stairs, he ran to Sarah’s side. An angry bundle with red hair waved a fist at him.

  “Sarah?”

  “Joseph, would ye like to meet yer son? I don’t think he liked the weather’s reception.”

  He kissed the newborn, then leaned over and received a proper kiss from the lad’s mother.

  Epilogue

  The ship moored two days later at New Rochelle. Sunshine glinted off the Hudson River, reflecting tiny rainbows in the puddles along the rail. Simple reminders.

  Sarah, growing stronger, held their newest Crockett—William—while she sat on a trunk. Bridget carried Wee John and Samuel held Wee Joseph’s hand. The baggage sat on the deck. All the family needed was the opportunity to disembark.

  Joseph, having received all needed information from the captain, surveyed his family in wonderment. What had his father called life?

  Remarkable.

  That was the word, remarkable. And, like Abram and Sarai of old, he and Sarah were here to start a new life, in a new land.

  With a new dependence on the God of Abraham. The God of his father. His God in Whom he placed his trust.

  Sarah motioned to him.

  He came to her side.

  “Are we ready?” Her eyes shone with the gentleness of a new mother, yet he knew the fire in her heart lay ready for this New World.

  “Yes, my love, we are ready.” He took the now sleeping William from her and helped her to her feet.

  She placed her hand at the crook of his elbow, and together they walked down the gangplank to their new home.

  Cast of Characters

  Bold denotes a mentioned historical figure. Italics denotes fictional characters.

  1.Joseph Louis Crockett, Sr.

  2.Antione Crockett

  3.Louise Crockett

  4.the Reverend Jacques Fontaine

  5.Joseph Louis Crockett, Jr. (Wee Joseph)

  6.Sarah Stewart

  7.Robert Crockett

  8.Thomas Stewart

  9.Gabriel Crockett

  10.James Crockett

  11.Sarah Elizabeth Crockett (Sarah Beth)

  12.Louise DuSaix Crockett (Lucy)

  13.Mary Frances Crockett

  14.Samuel Crockett

  15.Albert de Grillet

  16.Alain-Robert de Grillet

  17.Anne Fontaine

  18.The Knox family

  19.Grinling Gibbons

  20.Thomas Stewart Crockett

  21.John Crockett

  22.Elizabeth Fontaine

  23.James Fontaine

  24.Moses Fontaine

  25.John McLiney

  26.Paul Roussier

  27.Claude Bonnet

  28.Rachel Watkins

  29.Martha Crockett

  30.Kathleen Crockett

  31.Mimi Roché de Grillet

  32.Josephine LeSuere

  33.Cullen O’Keefe

  34.Christopher Dougherty

  35.Margaret (Meg) Stewart

  36.Ian MacKenzie

  37.The Widow Shannon O’Connor

  38.Bridget

  39.Paddy Flanagan

  40.Michael O’Toole

  41.Cameron McHugh

  42.Kevin O’Rourke

/>   43.Seamus Flaherty

  44.The sheriff

  45.Matthew (O’Keefe nephew)

  46.Gwendolyn Stewart (aunt)

  47.Aaron Murphy

  48.Liam O’Toole

  49.Mary O’Toole

  50.Jacob Sullivan

  51.Donovan Cummins

  52.Patrick Flanagan

  53.Calhoun (guard)

  54.MacDonald (guard)

  55.Fitzhugh (guard)

  56.Captain McFain

  57.Mistress Doyle

  58.Jean-Luc de Turenne

  59.Daniel McHugh

  60.Agnes Crockett

  61.Adam Crockett

  Afterword

  Thank you for continuing this journey. This is another story that has been on my heart for a long time. I first traveled to Ireland back in March 2005. I stood in the ruins of Rath Mullin, where Joseph and Sarah were married. I wandered what was left of Balleylawn, finding parts of the tower house that dated back to when Sarah lived there. I even met a “long-lost” cousin, Robert Crockett, who had named his youngest son Davy.

  So, once again, many of the characters in this book really lived and are set in the correct time and place. The rest is my imagination, still running amok. One thing to note, among those historical figures, there were several with the same or similar names. It can get confusing, so I gave out nicknames (Lucy, Sarah Beth, etc.). I’ve often wondered what they really did back then when so many had the same name? Hope my nicknames helped you keep them straight in your mind!

  Jacques and Anne de Fontaine’s experiences with the French corsairs and that dream story about his sons are taken from his memoirs. When possible, I used their own words to share what was happening. Their non-wavering faith didn’t need a lot of embellishment from me. Again, I thank them. You can find these and other firsthand stories at

  http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~rbr3325/fontainemaury-home.html.

  Please note that the character of Kathleen is totally fictitious. As far as I know, Sarah is the one who gave birth to “Wee Joseph.” And as for Wee Thomas, it depends where you look. Since I first started this story, ancestry research has boomed. There are so many places that list multiple outcomes, so I went with what I first found: that he had died at birth. Also, Sarah’s mother’s name has been debated on the ancestry sites, so I went with one I liked. Because of that, I’m putting her under the fictional characters on the list, not because Sarah didn’t have a mother, but because I basically made her up, name, personality, and all. And, of course, I have no proof that Wee John was a foundling nor any that says Samuel wasn’t James’s son. All that is fictitious as well.