My Story

In the year of our Lord, 1553, a daughter was born to Master Alfred Suckle and his good his good wife Elizabeth. They lived in a thatch and wattle cottage, where they raised chickens and goats. The Suckle family grew in size with several lads and lasses. Susan, or as she was referred to as Honey, grew to be a well-respected young lady, and was a great boon to her mother, especially when caring for the nipperkins.
When she came of age she was betrothed to Charles Mackrel, a fisherman, and they were married. She bore him a son within the year. He was a hale and hearty lad. Thereafter she bore twin girls. Being with child, the mother of the later to be Lord High Governor, had taken notice that the children of Honey Suckle were so very healthy, and sought her out to be wet nurse to her firstborn, whom she named Marshall. Thereafter the Mackrels, had several more offspring, and later when Phineas was born to the Lawws, her services were once again required.
As the years passed, her family grew, and so did her many charges. She provided for many babes. Sir Henry Lee was among her many nurslings. At one time her services were requested by a member of the Hapsburg family. They took her back to Germany with them. During this time, as Charles was a seafaring man, he was off on various sailing vessels, plying his trade. All was well, until the time of the plague. At that time, all, save two of her boys were lost. Charles had sailed off on the Argosy, and had Marshall Laww not provided for his nanny, she would have been begging on the streets.
Later, when Marshall Laww ran off after a wench, and Charles had not returned, as she needed to fend for herself, her boys brought her oysters, and she began selling them, in front of “The Crown Jewels” shop, from beneath her umbrella, at the crossroads. Where one will hear her calling: “Oysters, buy me oysters: every oyster has a pearl, and every pearl will determine the destiny of the purchaser.” From thence she became known as “Oyster Sue”.