PURITANS, PLAGUES, AND PROMISES – What Readers Say
A rich panorama of deeply faithful and daring English colonists. – KIrkus Reviews
Historians, scholars, and genealogists are going to love this book. The narrative style of writing is engaging and the level of detail throughout is exceptional. Great job! Jeff Evans, Professional Indexer.
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Bill Cole has put together an amazing piece of work. His passion for family history is obvious and it rubs off onto the reader. By his relentless pursuit of every scrap of information about his ancestors, 
Cole has put together a story that reads like a life history. The story is impressive; exactly what every family history researcher would like for their own ancestors. The characters are not just names on the page; they come alive for the reader. At the end, some families are on board ship, making their way to America, but the story ends there. The cliffhanger makes me eager for the sequel. Very clever, Bill! Fritz Juengling Ph.D., AG®, AGLTM Researches in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, especially Alsace-Lorraine, and provides translations of the languages of those countries, including Latin. Having worked at the FamilySearch Library, has had significant experience researching in and doing translations from many countries. Lives close to the FamilySearch Library and has access to its records. Languages: German, Low German, English, Dutch, Afrikaans, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Latin, French. Email: fritzjgen@gmail.com Website: https://www.fritzgenealogy.com/
Before I even realized it, I was drawn into the story. Puritans, Plagues, and Promises, clearly a labor of love, is solidly built on Bill Cole’s meticulous, published research into the English Cole, Collier, 
and Clarke families, but it offers so much more. Bill weaves the everyday lives of these people together through time and space, bringing long-departed ancestors to life for us more than 400 years later. The subjects of Bill’s tale are people of no pretension, yet they faced extraordinary circumstances with heroic courage and steadfast faith in God. That faith is a strong undercurrent of the book: As Bill makes clear, it kept them stalwart in the face of those who tried to twist their words and make them forswear their principles. Faith also made it possible for them to find hope even in the face of tragedy, as the plague struck again and again. It was not until I read this book that I realized what a deep debt of gratitude is owed to them by all of us who treasure the principles of freedom and who seek to live in hope. I am honored to learn that these ordinary, extraordinary people are my ancestors and am deeply grateful to Bill Cole for bringing them into my life. I eagerly await the next episode of their story. In the meantime, I will read this book again–and again. Deborah Ann McClellan, Ph.D. – Retired faculty, Johns Hopkins University
Beginning in the small English village of Weedon Bec with an introduction to a previously unknown ancestor, Bill Cole grabs his readers and leads them on a journey through time and English history. As we follow the Cole, Clarke, and Collier families from England to America, it becomes clear that like all of us, we are shaped by events around us. An excellent storyteller, Bill is meticulous in his research, and thorough in his description of the times. He certainly “cracked the code” of the elusive Cole family and more. I highly anticipated this book on many fronts: as a personal family historian, archivist, Mayflower descendant, avid reader and yes, Cole descendant. Puritans, Plagues and Promises did not disappoint! Patricia M. Donohoe, former Vice President, Eastham Historical Society.
Having a family tree is good, but telling an ancestor’s story breathes life into the names, dates, and places representing a real person. Bill’s book masterfully shows how this is done. He skillfully weaves the fabric of his 16th and 17th century Cole ancestors’ lives and makes one feel what it was like to be a Puritan in those perilous times. After numerous close calls with the authorities and plagues, the Coles decide the best course of action was to get the family to the emerging Plymouth Colony. He fixes a clear image of that experience on the reader’s mind where once there was a hazy idea. Highly recommended. Michael Cole, retired Brigadier General, U.S.A.F. Glendale, Arizona, USA.
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Since my 1st genealogy “how to” class 50 years ago, it has been my life long quest to find out where my family lines originally came from and when / where they arrived here to America. Thanks to Bill Cole’s years of research and diligent hard work, the answer for my paternal Cole line is finally inculded in his book. Now I have the names and towns in England to relate to. Learning so much about the historical “back story” has given me a deeper understanding of the times and circumstances that would inspire our ancestors to make the great leap of faith journey. This book is a real treasure to me! Deborah Lynn Cole, Redmond, Washington, USA.
It was difficult waiting for my chance to read Bill’s book. Bill’s excellent articles in the Mayflower Descendant (Volumes 69 and 71) had introduced me to details of the Yates, Clarke, Arnold, Collier, and Cole families. But those detailed research articles were just an appetizer to the meal which is this book. Bill does an excellent job in establishing a series of themes and then making history come to life through stories involving a series of interconnected people who lived out that history. Bill’s approach includes weaving plenty of details into the story he has crafted. While on my first pass through the book, I found myself drawn to hasten my pace, having made the decision that I would be rereading this book to be able to spend sufficient time on the notes and excerpts from the historical documents which Bill had so painstakingly included in this book. As a descendant and researcher of these people, I also know that my copy of this book is going to become flagged with many post-it notes highlighting all sorts of things. Ronald E. Benson Jr., Ph.D., genealogical researcher and author [including “Discovering more about Lieutenant Marcus Cole…” Nutmegger (Vol. 45), and “Philip and Chloe (Cole) Goff…” OGSQ (Vol. 54)].
I REALLY enjoyed the book! Thank you so much for writing this, Bill, and for sharing it with all of us! Being in story form, it held my interest. I loved genealogy, but I never really cared about European history. While reading this, I was drawn into the dynamics that affected MY family, and explained all of the political, financial, family, and religious reasons for them to come to America. I was delighted to learn that my research about the mystery of Daniel Cole and Ruth Collier was validated! Since reading Puritans, Plagues, and Promises, I’ve been talking up the book with my Cole relatives. I will be proud to keep this book with my research and to pass it down to my descendants so they will appreciate the sacrifices their ancestors made for them. Thanks for such in-depth research and documentation that we can trust. Judy Cole Jansen, Sequim, Washington, USA.
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This is a rich and highly entertaining walk through a period of history that most of us only vaguely remember from old history books or perhaps a film here or there (some poorly made and full of errors, I might add.) The author illuminates the existential struggles these amazing early Puritans faced that chillingly resonates with us today in a Western culture that promises one thing yet delivers a real threat of censorship or cancellation for standing up for what is righteous and holy. This is so much more than a mere historical account. The Passionate Genealogist, Bill Cole, uses a technique that he refers to as “Creative Nonfiction Narrative” to breathe life into the story. Events expand beyond dull records into fascinating accounts of what most likely occurred, always imbued with plausibility. Well done! Don Bowes, author Senior Camino, Sacramento, California, USA.
As a direct descendant of the Cole, Clarke, and Collier families, I cannot thank Bill enough for the years of painstaking research that greatly expands what we know of these three families. This book, however, is more than just a genealogical resource. It is also a well-documented historical narrative regarding business dealings and alliances during a time when the English monarchy was struggling with religious authority and plagues. It is a must read for anyone interested in the 16th and 17th centuries in England and the events that lead up to the Pilgrims’ departure in 1620. James S. Cole, Indiana University, USA.
I just completed a first quick read of your book, and I found it compelling, informative, and frankly, quite a lot of fun to read! Your attention to detail in establishing historical context is quite unlike any other book I’ve read, and I am impressed by the care and clarity of your presentation. Your empathy, both thoughtful and deep, is an obvious critical key to your success in turning ink upon paper into living, breathing history. I applaud you. “Puritans, Plagues, Promises” by a Passionate Genealogist. Perfectly phrased! . . . Congratulations on your superb accomplishment! Roger Cole, President, Factor500, Inc. Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
I am one of several genealogists who researched the Cole, Clark, and Collier families as thoroughly as possible over the years, based on documents then available. In his rigorously researched new book (Puritans, Plagues, and Promises), the author reveals new historic facts that tied off many loose ends that stymied others. A well-organized and scholarly work, it is nonetheless easily understandable, offering a fascinating “read”. It will certainly be of great value to anyone interested in the period of the Puritan Migration and early American history. Cole has made a valuable contribution to the field of genealogical study by expanding what is known of three notable families and conditions endured by early New England settlers. David Charles Cole, author, The Cole Family in America (2007). Austin, Texas, USA.
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With my heritage firmly planted in Northwestern Europe and my English surname Shirley, I began to read with interest Bill Cole’s new book, Puritans, Plagues, and Promises. So began an enchanted journey into the life and times of “my people.” The enchantment came through Bill’s “creative non-fiction narrative” storytelling creating a sense of wonder of these real-life people who were only names and dates before. Cole breathed life into their flesh and blood, filling them with all the emotions of faith, love, birth, life, and deep sorrows of death every step of the way. He details Plague outbreaks which periodically and predictably ravaged England’s population. The loss of life was staggering with tens of thousands perishing in London alone during each Plague outbreak. One who reads carefully will recognize the seeds of “separation of church and state, denial of “the divine right of kings,” and “government by the people for the people.” These foundational ideas brought to New England by the Puritans found their way into the governing documents of the United States of America. For me, Puritans, Plagues, and Promises pushed back the “fog” that veiled the past 500 years. Motivated by their deep-seated desire for freedom of conscience, freedom from the tyranny of kings, queens, and archbishops, the Puritans looked westward to new colonies forming on America’s eastern shores. These brave souls migrated to a dangerous and uncertain future –betting their lives and fortunes on the Promises of the NEW WORLD. This is a story of the life and times leading up to that great migration that continues even today. Also, I came away from Puritans, Plagues and Promises with insights into the forces that I believe rescued western civilization. Highly recommended. Carl Shirley, Member of Inklings Cloister, Epiclesis Church: An Ancient-Future Faith Community, Sacramento, California, USA.
I found it to be a gri
pping read. You have achieved a style that I did not think was possible. My overwhelming reaction is what a privilege and honour it is to be associated with your project and indeed the final product. I hadn’t realized how extensively you were also reading around the subject. Nicola Waddington, Professional Archivist, Archives Alive, Canterbury, England – Nicola has been the author’s research partner since 2015. Without her valuable expertise, many of the findings would not have been possible.
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