Martins Family

Mike and Ricki Lewis have offered to share a family treasure, and other important recollections from their Martins Family Heritage with the Portuguese Community. Mike's great-grandmother Jesuina Martins composed a letter (poem) that we have re-typed for you to enjoy.

Mike's great-grandparents: Joao Martins, Jr., married Jesuina Thereza de Jesus Caldeira in the Catholic Church of Good Jesus (Senhor Bon Jesus) in Ponta Delgada, Diocese of Funchal, by Father Vigorio Caetano Jose da Sivuz in 1882. They lived in Primera Lombada. Before his marriage, Joao served his tour of duty in the Portuguese Army, four years for himself and four years for an ill brother. After marriage he took up the role of farmer, but life became very difficult at that time because of crop failures. At that time, new and cheap land and ready adventure lured thousands to leave their homes. So he decided to sign a contract to work for a plantation owner in Koloa on the Island of Kauai.

On April 29, 1886, the family set sail for Hawaii. Jesuina could neither read or write, but she composed this beautiful story in verse in Portuguese of their voyage on the British steamship Amana, and Joao patiently wrote her words. Her account of this journey will touch your soul, and help you to understand what some of our ancestor's might have gone through to begin a new life in Hawaii. It truly was a miracle that the passenger's aboard the Amana arrived in Hawaii.

We are very honored that Mike Lewis has offered to share his Martins Family Heritage book with us, beautifully written by Ethel Louis Beshore. Soon we will be able to place more interesting facts about Joao and Jesuina's arrival in Hawaii, and what living on the Island of Kauai was like in 1886. We are especially interested in the Martin Family Heritage because my great-grandparent's Manuel and Maria Gomes de Sousa, and my grandfather Augusto Graciliano de Sousa were also on the Amana for this voyage. My great-grandfather also signed a contract to work on a plantation on the Island of Kauai, but we have been unable to find out which one. So this letter (poem) was especially touching to us. I know we will always be thankful to our new internet friend's Mike and Ricki Lewis for their kindness in sharing this information with us.

The British steamship Amana, commanded by Captain Alexander Becket arrived in Funchal, Madeira on the 22nd of April and set sail on the 29th of April 1886 from the Port of Funchal. In Madeira, she embarked 501 passengers for a journey that would take five months and three days before reaching the Immigration Depot at Kakaako on September 23, 1886. All were sent to their various destinations on September 27, 1886.

Mother, I want to tell you About my departure - of what I went through While on the waves of the sea.	At this moment I felt very sorry For having had departed. On deck one could only see the compartment And the masts in the air.
Twenty-eight of April I departed from my land In a vessel with sails. Over the sea I went.	Then the sailors said "Now we are in trouble!" At the helm I saw The captain crying like a child!
Five months and three days On the waves of the sea, - Imagine a little What I have to tell thee.	Oh! What an affliction During the entire day! When a captain cries, How do the passengers feel?.. Astray!
I wanted to be a dove and fly Over those seas beyond, For then I could tell everything To my dear father and mother.	The rolling and rocking were immense! It made everyone scream. Our souls were craving For we had not confessed.
My luck ran thus - That I arrived this destination! But since I cannot be there These words will get there for me.	Imagine, my Mother, This great affliction - More than five hundred people Screaming in a vessel!
When you finally read this, Pay attention to me. And first of all I ask your blessing.	Then the captain warned the passengers, Told them to get closer to God. To Him imploring, for the ship was sinking.
My dear Father and Mother, I ask you a great favor - Go to Church on Sunday And kneel to our Lord.	The sailors, not able to swim, Went to the compartment afloat. Those who were able jumped to the rowboats And tied themselves to the cables.
At the feet of Jesus, Kneel, and pray to Him. Render thanks to God For getting us here alive.	I hugged my daughters... And screaming loudly I said, "What have I done wrong to be thrown to the bottom of the sea?"
I saw myself in great anguish While on the waves of the sea. First it was the heat we could hardly stand In the months of June and July.	I held the picture of Jesus That I had brought with me, Crying very loudly, and while weeping, I implored, "God help us in this extreme agony!"
And at times we were very cold! One day in the middle of July The waves were so strong They smothered the vessel away.	"I have always heard Whoever embraces Your Divine Cross Has nothing to fear. When I left your Divine Image, Oh My Good Lord Jesus, I embraced your Divine Cross.
Even the captain said We were in danger of death! In thirty-three years as captain He had never seen danger like that.	In great lament, crying, An idea came to me! I'll throw one of these pictures To the waves of the sea.
No one trusted the pilot Nor any of the sailors anymore. But the steerman led the helm During the entire day.	There was no more to ask, No more prayers to pray, And at this moment, I threw Jesus' picture away to the waves of the sea!
We thanked God, Our divine Omnipotent, For helping us so promptly And so miraculously!	I believe here there is religion, For as soon as I reached land, At this very occasion, At a Catholic Church I glanced.
Oh! What a great miracle! When the picture reached those salty waters, Within a few moments, the embarcation sailed over the waters Which became calmer and calmer And nothing more happened.	The church is small But it is very neat. The holy passion of Christ is all over bright.
Suddenly the ship trembled! We all screamed!! Surely we were already At the bottom of the sea!...	Wondering in this land, Thinking about my parents, I look...but I don't see them, and I feel an urge to cry.
At that very occasion one could hear clapping, and the bell of the compartment ringing! We were startled!...Thinking!... We didn't know what had happened.	The air around us Brings suddenly to our sight Our very dear parents, so very far from us.
One heard the hatch open. The cook had come to tell the girl not to worry - That nothing would happen - He wanted to let her know.	I am thinking that on this land Is where I will die! To all, I ask forgiveness If I won't see you again.
That the ship was on the water, If she wanted to go and see! And they all wanted to go with her! They all wanted to see...!	I am in foreign lands, Out of my habitat, and In these Kanakas Islands, Here I am bound to stay!
But the captain, our friend, Ordered everyone below, for the ship without rails Was dangerous to all.	Greetings to our Reverend Father and to all his noble family, Brothers, God-Mothers, God-sons, Neighbors and friends.
Now the captain said "At this very moment Here comes someone just. (Joao) Who prayed for so many of us."	I have no urge to laugh. I am in sad solitude. The grievences are so many They are breaking my heart.
Oh! It was at this moment that I promised, there On the waves of the sea, That if I ever reached land alive, I would celebrate a feast to Thee, Our Lord Jesus.	Go letter, Go in good will! Reach my mother's hand. Give her news of her sons Bound here to this land.
My dear Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, From the bottom of my heart, Accept my grievences. And from your son, John, we ask you all, together, To give us your blessings.	Go letter, Go in good will! May God guide you to safety. Give the news to our parents, For so long we haven't seen them.
We ask our dear parents, for the love of Santa Cruz, To give many kisses for us To our Good Lord Jesus.	Here I am waiting, Hours, night and day, Anxious to know news - Awaiting to become gay.
	One cannot write more At this very occasion - For now I am finished With my story of embarcation!