Mom called me down into the kitchen; she had tears in her eyes. “Be good now Grace, it’s a big city you’re going to. Use your skills and talents, you’ll do fine.” I couldn’t even believe I was leaving her-the only person besides my dad who had ever believed in me to do great things. “I will mom. I promise!” as I said that I really had doubts. But before I could say another word she took my hand in hers and pressed the locket and broach into my hand. After that I stopped and looked around and ran, my ship was coming! I needed to go. I was going to America!
My name is Grace Wood Peacock. I immigrated to America from England. Life was hard in England, especially after my dad died and left us 11 children with our mom. We didn’t have food most days and even if we did it lasted us all week so some of us saved it in our aprons. It’s not that we were extremely poor, it’s just that not too many people were wealthy themselves. So even if they wanted to help they couldn’t. My Aunt Mary had moved to America and opened up a store where she sold grains, candy, tobacco and cloth. My two sisters Rosanna and Jane and I help clean the shop. We do some cooking, and of course our chores. Our least favorite is emptying the chamber pots every morning. However, Aunt Mary is hoping to get a real indoor toilet soon. Rosanna is my best friend as well as my sister. I’m always so glad that she was able to come out here too. Aunt Mary will never know how much it meant to us that she moved us out here together. I love my house I live in now-it’s nice and cozy, not too big but big enough for us four.
In 1863, I married my first husband, George Peacock. We had a daughter whom we named Maria. After that we decided to purchase a home on Atkinson Street. It’s just down the road from Aunt Mary. Everyday I would walk down and read to her until the day she passed away. I only wish my two daughters could have known their aunt. Then shortly after George died I married my second husband, Ashabel P. Chase. I kept my name and my house. We had a daughter a few years later whom we named Carrie. I lived a long and full life and I know deep down in my heart that when I was younger and had to make that decision to either stay or come, I made the right choice.
On their 16th birthdays I gave Maria the locket, and Carrie the broach. Hopefully one day if they have daughters themselves they can continue the tradition.
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