Colonial Character

Chapter One “Preparation”
My name is Henry Knox, I am a 12 year old boy living in the richer parts of England. I live in 17th century England, I do enjoy it here but my father says we must go to the New World. My family is made up of my father and mother then my two brothers Will and Henry Jr. William is 4 and Henry Jr is 2. Our ancestors are Scottish rebels but when the Scottish were losing their land to the English our ancestors became loyalists to England.
This whole going to the New World thing started when my father came home and told my mother the king was offering for people to go to the New World. My mother thought it was a great chance to teach my brothers and I how to work like men. The main reason my mother and father want to go is because there are rumors going around that the New World has all sorts of riches, like silver and gold.
My mother says I must start packing tomorrow. I will pack a lot of things, like all of my clothes, blankets, kitchen utensils and my dog King. Well of course he is not going in the suit case if that is what you were thinking. I am hoping he will be able to stay on the boat with us and not in the cages below deck. My mother and father have even more things to bring. They are practically bringing the whole house! My mother and father have to go buy live stock and salted meat from the butcher today. My brothers have nothing to pack except Will’s teddy bear and Henry Jr’s baby toys.
My father says we will be going to the New World by boat. He said it will take about 2 months to get there. I have a couple things I have to leave behind, my favorite books and my collection of rocks. My mother says, “you need to give up your childish possessions in order to grow up”. I am getting really nervous about leaving England, I don’t want to leave everything behind. I am very excited about traveling on the boat because my father and I will pretend we are pirates with our telescopes. I can imagine the cold breeze and strong wind and the crisp smell of the ocean. My father says I day-dream too much and I need to focus more on hard work. I really have no idea of what he means when he says that. My mother says we must go soon and I have to stop writing this letter. Wish me luck.