Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1
1628-04-15
As I have allwayes observed your lovinge and dutyfull respectes towardes me, so must I needes allso now, in that sence which you have of my affliction, and that care and paynes you have taken to procure my ease; which, besides the confirminge of my fatherly affection towardes you, wilbe layd vp in store with the righteous Lorde, for length of dayes and blessinge vpon you in tyme to come. I prayse God, my finger is well amended, my Surgeon did his parte well, and stayde the gangreene and tooke out the mortified fleshe, but because your loue and paines should not be loste, I have betaken my selfe wholly to your plaister, which the Surgeon likes well enough of, and I prayse God it goeth well forward. I hope if God will to be at London within this fortnight. I pray make sure of some chamber for me, and if you can, gett Mr. Featherstons resolution, for I will make no new bargaines with him: if he refuse, speake with your uncle Fones about it, and if he will deale with it, let the writinges be gotten readye against I come vp, that you may gett readye for your voyage, which yet you shall not need to lose for any stay about this. I am verye glad that your Capt. hath recovered his hand, when you see him comend me kindly to him and to Mrs. Best and likewise to Doctor Burgesse and his sonne.2 My yellow plaister wilbe spent this week, but of the blacke I have more then I shall vse. My naile is allmost shotte of, I feare. The short bone vnder my nayle is putrified, but my finger will not be the shorter for the losse of that bone. we are all in good health I prayse God, your grandmother and mother salute and blesse you. I wishe you would finde out Sir Nath: Barnardiston, and remember my service to him, and tell him, though I could not write to him, I have sent to know how he doth and his Ladye. 390Thus beseeching our heavenly father throughe our Lord Jesus Christ to blesse guide and prosper you in all your wayes, and so to reveale to your soule the glorious riches of Christ and the sweet pleasures of his grace, as beinge filled and satisfied therewith you may desire no other happinesse, I ende and rest allwayes your lovinge father
This trouble of my hand hath so hindered me in the disposinge of my affaires as I must be forced to come downe next vacation, so as it wilbe midsomer ere your mother, etc. can come vp.3
“Dr. Munk (College of Physicians, I. 201) credits him with a son, but he is almost certainly mistaken.”
D. N. B.
, VII. 311. The reference is doubtless to Burgess’s son-in-law, Thomas Fones.
“This was written with his left hand when his finger of his other hand was sore as mentioned in the letter.” Note written on the letter in the hand of John Winthrop, Jr.