Temperance Flowerdew

              A True Story of a Lady Survivor in  Jamestowne

Temperance Flowerdew was a young woman who was brave enough to leave the comforts of her home in England, step aboard a vessel and sail to a newly established town.  It would be the first permanent colony called Jamestowne

in Virginia.

 Little did Temperance know that she would survive a horrific hurricane   rocking the ship in the rough waves from the strong winds.

  Little did Temperance know that she was entering into a land that would          survive a period in history called "The Starving Time". 

  Little did Temperance know that she would survive attacks from Indians, 

  the people of the land that was home to these natives for centuries.

  Little did Temperance know that she would marry a man that would be   governor, knighted by the King of England and then have the title "Lady" 

  in front of her name.

  Little did  Temperance know that she would end up becoming the 

  wealthiest woman in the Virginia Colony.

     Little did Temperance know that she would play a significant role

     and be well thought of as a strong, admired woman of that time.

What would prompt a young lady to leave the fine things of the early 1600's England and sail across the Atlantic Ocean and go to an unknown wilderness? People were leaving England for various reasons.  Some were seeking fortune in gold. Maybe Temperance heard the whisper of God. Whatever the reason, it would be a very different life. 

It would be a new life.

In 1609, William Symonds preached a sermon in England.  He compared the biblical land of Canaan, flowing with milk and honey to Virginia.  Just like the leaders Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to go and take the land, Symonds encouraged the English to go to Virginia. Some in England thought that God had a purpose and a plan in the new land.

The English Church of that time was of the Anglican faith.  It was the official Church of England.  They followed the Book of the Common Prayer.  The book had prayers and services written out.  Maybe some came to be a Christian witness.  Whatever the reason, God did have a plan and a purpose for Temperance.  She would endure and survive an extraordinary harsh time in history. 

Temperance arrived in 1609 on the Falcon with about 400 other people.  She arrived with passenger Jane Pierce, who would later be the wife of John Rolfe.  He would marry Jane after his wife Pocahontas passed away.

Temperance would later be a witness to John Rolfe's Will.

Stepping off the ship that had been tossing around in a big ocean for several months had to be a relief.  What Temperance did not know was that she was entering into several more months of unbelievable challenges. 

The colonists faced terrible disease, freezing weather, Indian attacks and starvation.  Temperance would be one of about sixty people who made it through that bitter winter in 1609 -1610, the known "Starving Time".  Temperance would have to lean on her faith in God.  The Lord had a special hand on her.  Temperance had to use her God given abilities.  One being creative to do what she could to fight through what seemed to be never ending unpleasant blows.

There were Indian raids on the food supply as well as consumption by commanders.  They sought roots, acorns, herbs and fish.  When the season changed to winter, the affliction with the Indians was strong.  People stayed inside the fort to avoid being struck by arrows.  There was very little to eat.  The early colonists turned to eating items not meant to be a meal on a kitchen table.  It was certainly not "milk and honey" in the promised land.

The colonists experienced what appeared to be like a time of famine in Israel.  Where was their Joseph in Israel to help them get food?  They would have to wait.  It seemed to be an unanswered prayer.  There was no choice but to hold on to hope.

The freezing temperatures contributed to the misery of the hunger pangs. No one can imagine being that cold deep down to the bones as well as having very little or no food to eat.  Times have improved tremendously with knowing about germs, diseases, and medicines.  They lost their lives from being sick, due to malnutrition, freezing to death, or being attacked by Indians.  They were in the "wilderness" in more way than one.

This would be a time where faith was tested.  God says he does not give us more than we can bear. This would appear to be truly unbearable.  Temperance would have to reply on God's strength. Temperance would have to have a special deep down determination and with prayer pull her through the suffering of that never forgotten season, never wanting to experience again.

                                             And she would not.