In his narrative, John R. informs us that his father had the greatest hopes for him to become a surgeon.  He explains just how it came about that at age twelve his father sent him off to an academy in nearby Donington, about ten miles away:  
 
                 "My brother, who was four years older than myself, and of a more hardy constitution,
                  he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior
                  to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should
​                  adopt one of the learned professions."

​Contrary to what one might think, these years were among the happiest of John's life.  In a big way, his father was right.  Unlike some Dickensian tale of schoolboy suffering, John thrived at Donington and was extremely intelligent and successful in his courses -- all except Latin, which he admits he felt little inclination for, perhaps because this was essentially the nuts and bolts of the surgeon's trade -- something he had no interest in pursuing. 
 
After two years of schooling, despite his father's best efforts to arrange an apprenticeship with "a surgeon
of eminence," the day of reckoning had come: 

                  "I used so may entreaties with my father to persuade him to give up this plan
                   and learn me his own trade, that he at last consented."
 
So often it happens that as children we have certain dreams and desires, while our parents who have lived through the " school of hard knocks," have different plans for us.  Considering the entire life of John Rodgers Jewitt, it is difficult to say whether this very crucial turn of events was fortunate or unfortunate. 
 
In a way, John was blessed with the freedom granted by his father to go where his "passions" directed him.  On the other hand as he admits:

                   "More fortunate would it probably have been for me, had I gratified the wishes
                    of this affectionate parent, in adopting the profession he had chosen for me." 

Later you can just imagine his father upon news of his capture, shaking his head and exclaiming in a voice he could only hope would reach around to John on the other side of the world:  I told you so!!
 
All we know is that the particular chemical brew of John's life uniquely positioned him to have both the practical and intellectual skills to survive in captivity and what's more, to record every detail of a rich Indian culture about to become extinct.  For better or worse, his course was set for the adventure of a lifetime.

​     A few posts ago, we promised that Boston would become important later in
  our Jewitt family history -- well here it is!  John R. was born and baptised in Boston, 
  at St. Botolph's -- a beloved parish church boasting an ornate wooden interior
  and a famous lantern tower. 

Of our own direct descendants, John Rodgers Jewitt is probably the most fascinating.  His claim to fame was his capture in 1803 by the Indians of Nootka Sound near Vancouver, British Columbia. At the time, he was employed as a blacksmith onboard the merchant ship Boston, his father having reluctantly allowed him to sign on at the age of 19.
 
The epigraph above, begins his journal recounting his nearly three-year captivity and his detailed observations of the daily life of the Nootka people.  He is to be admired not only for his bravery and ingenuity at such a young age, but also for the simple humanity of his entire
​38-year life.  Here we will tell our version of his story.