Sarah Betts

Sarah Betts

my first cousin

eight generations back

born around 1683

in Long Island, New York

your name was spoken

out loud

in reverence

6 times today

Sarah Betts

and

today is my mother's birthday

was she there celebrating

with you?

washing, anointing, clothing

those sacred promises just for you

I am

honored to be your proxy

and

Happy Birthday Mother dear

we are a covenant people

...

On November 1, 1683, Queens officially became a county and emerged for the first time as a geographical entity. It was named in honor of Queen Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II. The county consisted of the areas that are now Queens and Nassau counties. Each county was divided into towns. In Queens county, there were five towns: Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay. Jamaica was the county seat. 

So just what was your world like in Long Island, New York in 1683?