The Island

Chapter 12

Mike was sound asleep, but Christine was too invigorated. It had been a great night. They had most definitely re-estabolished the physical part of their relationship. Christine hadn't felt so good in a long time. She got out of bed, put the nightgown on that she hadn't bothered wearing up to that point, and grabbed the book that she had bought out of her purse. She laid back down next to Mike and opened the book to the chapter about the Carpenters.

"As was the norm of the day, Admiral and Mrs. Carpenter had a large family. They had had a total of thirteen children but lost three before they reached adulthood. They were one of the more prominent families from the Barrier Islands. As their children married and moved on; they spread throughout the country. Their oldest son, John Jr (or JJ as he was referred to by family), returned home after the Civil War and built a shrimp and crab distribution that stretched throughout the Eastern seaboard with his brother-in-law. Listed is a family tree.

John and Mary Catherine Carpenter (John's date of birth 2-13-1800 to 5-24-1877), (Mary Catherine 4-2-1809 to 8-23-1877)- married 5-30-1823, after John's death; Mary Catherine never recovered and died just a few months after.

John Jr (JJ) and Molly (Newman) Carpenter (JJ's date of birth 5-22-1824 to 6-30-1894), (Molly 4-3-1826 to 12-23-1894)-married 9-30-1850 when he and Molly were older then the norm. She was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. She hid her lineage and was a school teacher until she and JJ married. Their marriage was blessed with eight children, losing one in infancy. Daughter Katherine (born 1858-died 1858), Jacob born 1865 and died in 1920, Robert born 1866 and died in 1899, Sarah and Eleanor born 1868 and both died in 1938, John Senior born 1869 and died 1930, Grace born 1870 and died in 1888 in childbirth, William born 1872 and died in 1940.

Elizabeth or Lizzie Carpenter (Lizzie's date of birth 8-1-1825 to 1-2-1836), Lizzie passed away due to pneumonia brought on by scarlet fever. It is reported that she had a strained relationship with her father, and it was nearly an entire year before he learned of her death. Admiral Carpenter never completely recovered from her death.

Alexander Carpenter (Alexander was born on 6-1-1826 and died on 9-4-1826). Reported cause of death was also scarlet fever.

Rose Carpenter (born on 5-2-1827 and died on 4-2-1829) from diphtheria.

Eleanor or Ellie Carpenter (born on 3-9-1830, died 3-5-1899) married Robert Albertson (3-2-1830 to 4-5-1900), married on 7-4-1849). Moved to Charleston towards the end of the Civil War and was partners with JJ in the shrimp and crabbing empire. Had 4 children; John, Robert, Mary and Elizabeth. John went on to become a US Senator.

Jenny Carpenter (born 4-3-1831 and died 5-10-1902); never married and stayed on the island with her parents. She taught at the island school until her retirement.

Jesse Carpenter (born 5-2-1832 and died on 12-15-1913), married Christina Adams on 4-6-1854. Christina died in childbirth in 1856 and Jesse raised their twin daughters; Julia and Catherine in Missouri. He never remarried and was completely devoted to his daughters and his large farm.

Twins Julie and Lily born 7-4-1834. Julie died on 4-10-1910 and Lily died on 8-14-1898, Julie married Carter Hayes and had ten children. They stayed in the city on the mainland, helping JJ and Robert with the business. Lily married Carter's brother Alex. They moved to the west coast and ran a company similar to JJ's. They had four children.

Susan born 5-9-1840 and died on 4-30-1920. Married an Irish immigrant Adam Slattery on 3-20-1858. They settled in Chicago where Adam rose through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. He become a Chief of Detectives in 1870. They had four children; Robert, Adam Jr., Johnnie and Mary Kate. Not much is known about the fates of the other children, but Johnnie married a woman by the name of Lucy McAllen. They had ten children. One of their great-grandsons, Admiral Mike Slattery was the second-in-command on the legendary Nathan James during the Red Flu. He reportedly lost his wife, Christine and children Ella, Hannah and Lucas to the virus. His whereabouts are unknown at the time of this publishing."

Christine smiled at the connection. She couldn't explain the draw to the island, but it was almost like Admiral Carpenter had found a way to shelter his descendants. Mike was Admiral Carpenter's great-grandfather, several times over. Christine flipped to a picture of Susan and Adam Slattery. She gasped because Mike could have been Adam's twin. The resemblance was uncanny. Christine looked over at her still sleeping husband. She thought about reading more, but instead put the book down and shut the light off, curling around Mike. She had to laugh at how fate had worked out.

This isn't the end but close. This chapter was a little difficult to write because I had to do some serious thinking on the dates of birth and dates of death. Not saying there are no mistakes! I'm sure there are. Thanks for the reviews.