A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Lucy Downing to John Winthrop1
Downing, Lucy Winthrop, John

1628-03

To the Worshipfull her very louinge brother John Winthrop Esq. dlr at Groton Suff.2
London, March, 1627–28. My more then brother

and more louinge to me then I can exspres: and therfore I will rather be silent thoughe much to my shame: then to rip vp so many reall and great fauors: and return nothinge but words: as I have euer done: all thoughe some times I haue wished otherwise: but I knowe it is your sweet disposition euer to conceiue better then the best: my husband is att nellmes:3and I did not conceiue that any thinge in your letter could receiue any preiudice by taryinge till the next weeke: ells I had sent to him: for your present to the master they accepted it very thankfullie and I presume att my husbands goeinge thithire you will hear much more of them: as they did well deserue both of them and vs: but for your requitall: you knowe vs all: but I hope this daye my husband will be att hom to tast of them: and nowe my sweet brother I reioyce in your and our so gratious deliuerances from such perills as wee haue escaped: throughe his loue that hath loued vs: oh that wee had affections enoughe to him againe: and noe doupt but our hapineses should yet be more inlarged: I prays god for it wee hear are all well but my selfe whoe haue bine but indifferent this 8 days: yet I haue walkt abroad euery daye this weeke and doe hope I am the better for it: my cosen downing an that companie desier to be remembred to you. he hath taken could, and is ill, and in phisike. but I hope god will spare his life: an nowe we shall if god will exspect to hear when your intent is for London with your company: wherin I doe vnfainedli dsier the allmightie to direct you: and for your hous it is 381hard to finde one without some inconueniencies: but I shall hardlie haue venterd of as my husband did in respect of the littellnes of it: but being this weeke to cristen msr. motums4 childe for mrs. tindall I conceiued his to be lesse, yet there is a very fine wyfe and braue daughters an many chilldren in it: this in hast desiringe you to remember my duty and loue I am hasted Your louinge sister

L. Downinge

here is no newes but very tart: and hard standinge to knowe the liberties of our persons an goodes yet wee are verie wise an curragious: but wee had hope to haue senne you here ere this I loose wyne still becaus you come not in wagers. if you would translate any plate into other fashons: if it be sent me or if I knew but the wayt of it I could haue newe of any fashion for it: for littell or no profit: by reason our gouldsmith is dead and his plate is to be sould att a very vnder value: yours is much of it vnvsefull and not so creditable as it would be5

1.

W. 4. 1; 5 Collections , I. 4–5.

2.

The address is in the writing of Emmanuel Downing.

3.

A manor and park in Hornchurch, co. Essex, held by Sir Robert Naunton. Morant, Essex, I. 68.

4.

Motham?

5.

Added in the same hand as the address: “Comissioners names John Winthrope Esquire Edmond Brewer Clarke Samuell Plombe gent. Francis Whitmore gent.”