This story is in two parts. First, I will start with Jane Pickering, and in the following article, I will focus on her husband, George Stillman. Then, with Jane, I will go backward in time, and it should create some surprises for those familiar with European history and literature.
This story starts sadly with Jane dying at sea in 1685 on her way to America. She was only 26 then and left her husband to raise their one six-year-old son, George Stillman II. To my knowledge, Jane is the only one of our descendants that did not make it. Unfortunately, there is no record of what she died from, but it was common in the 17th century. Because of the lengthy journeys, poor diets, and lack of fresh fruit and vegetable, seamen especially were susceptible. In fact, more seamen died from scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency) in the 1600s than those who died in the Civil War. In addition to scurvy, there was smallpox, beriberi, and several ailments.
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