When we left off the story in Puritans, Plagues, and Promises, seven members of the Collier family and two Cole brothers, Job and John, had embarked on a life-changing journey aboard the ship, Mary and Jane, bound for America. Meanwhile, Daniel Cole, the youngest brother, remained behind in England to begin his
apprenticeship.
Likewise, Thomas Clarke, awaited the arrival of the Colliers—the only family he knew in England until he came to America as a sixteen-year-old youth in 1623. Each of them made a decision that shaped the destinies of three interconnected branches of the same family tree.
Crossroads of Family
Every family story has its own turning points. For the Coles, Clarke, and Colliers, their Atlantic crossings were more than just
voyages; they were leaps of faith into the unknown. Imagine the courage it took for them to leave behind everything familiar, knowing they might never return.
As passionate genealogists, we often find generations of our families at similar crossroads. Sometimes, a single decision—whether to migrate, marry, or stay—creates branches in our family history that echo for centuries. That’s what makes our research so fascinating: every ancestor’s choice is a thread in the
tapestry of who we are.
The Story's Next Chapter
The next chapter of the Cole, Clarke, and Collier story will soon be revealed. To give you a bite-sized taste of what's coming, Patty Donohoe, former VP of the Eastham Historical Society, will interview me to discuss what's next. It starts with where the book left off and follows them to and in America. The booklet's working title is Cole, Clarke, and Collier Pursue America's
Promises.
Free Webinar - Save the Date
December 11, 2025 4:00 pm PST
Contact Bill page with your name and
email
to reserve your spot and receive a Zoom link
Reminder
If you have not yet received your copy of Puritans, Plagues, and Promises, or would like one or more for your family or close friends (they make great gifts for upcoming holiday gatherings), you should act soon. Only a few of my author-autographed soft covers remain.
You can order here from my website's shop.
Cheers!
William E. "Bill" Cole
The Passionate Genealogist
Add this e mail address to your safe senders list:
billcole=absinc.org@send.aweber.com
https://www.passionategenealogist.org
