A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Thomas Fones to John Winthrop1
Fones, Thomas Winthrop, John

1617-10

Good Brother,

after the receipt of your Letter I haue had some discourse with mr. Potter about mr. Brondes Land and vppon your Information and the desire I haue to stablish my selfe there, yf I should alter my course of lyfe as also that my wyef might Inioy the comfort of the society of hir frendes yf God should end my troblesome dayes. I haue thus far proceeded to pay betweene this and the fourth of december next (and I thinke yt wilbe so long ere all thinges be fitted) I say to pay downe one Thowsand powndes and I wold be glad to saue for the other xij monthes which Mr. potter sayth he cannot for he hath no farther commission but only six monthes for the other six hundred powndes, but rather then fayle I haue offred 300 li. at Michaelmas and the other 300 li. at Chrismas. yf this will not be taken pray speak with mr. Brond to see yf he will accept of 300 li. the 24 of July next and the other in December Following which is 220good payment and I shall not well pay yt sooner. tis but a small kindnes to for be are 300 li. six monthes but I think they wold not make any matter of yt but if there is one Sir Marke Eva as I take yt is earnist for yt. yf he will not accept of this my offer get leaue but a weekes respit for my answere till yow can write vp: so much for this, now for mr. Raymond. I haue sent downe the Lease, sealed by mr. Raymond, which is to begin from all Saintes next: and he sayth that yow had concluded that he should take back a lease agayne for ij yeares at sixteene powndes a yeare which I thinke is a good course, now for mr. Sparrowes sealing mr. Raymond hath written to him and he will send over to yow to know when and where yow will meet to finish that busines which I could wish should be within the tyme limited for the payment of my 200 li. which is on satterday being the first of November and yf yow will then take in my lease and bond and returne them I shall pay back the mony yow lay out by any one yow shall appoynt to receaue yt: I haue sent my sister a litle botle of Cinnamon water: I shall not need to enforme yow of the generall story of thinges for yow alwayes heare any thing so sone as wee but some great matter is in hand the Councell sittes so close. the Lord direct them that their consultations may be right in his sight. and now having taken the advantage of the morning for this letter praying the Lord to direct vs in our proceedinges and to giue a blessing to them with the remembrance of my kind salut: to your self and my sister, my duty to my father and mother, I comend yow to the grace of God and rest your loving Brother

Tho: Fones London, October, 1617.

Yf Mrs. Clopton like not this course of taking back a lease for hir sixteene powndes per annum for this ij yeare, let hir then take a bond of him for payment of the rent which I shall see sealed

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