A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Verses by Adam Winthrop1
Winthrop, Adam (1548-1623) Winthrop, Margaret

1619

Loving fren torn The sweetenes of your Loue, Which I did lately taste, Doothe make me to affecte the same, euen with a mynde most chaste. 234 So that I doe desire You present stil to haue: That I might longe inioie your loue Until I rest in graue. For thoughe my youthe be paste and heade is cladde with graie: Yet in your loue I doe reioice, as do the2 Birdes in maie. Wherefore make haste to coome and doe no longer staye: Your Mother deere, and Sisters all, Woulde haue you coome awaye. Your lovinge and assured frende alwaies Adam Winthrop.

Indorsed in the hand of his great-grandson, Fitz-John Winthrop: “Adam Winthrop, Esquire, of Groton Hall in Suffolk, Father to John Winthrop, Esquire Gouernor of Boston in New England.”

1.

W. Au. 1. Written probably to Margaret Winthrop during one of her visits to her mother at Great Maplestead, between Margaret’s marriage in April, 1618, and her mother’s death in July, 1620. ‘Your Mother deere’ is Anne Winthrop.

2.

MS. repeats ‘the.’

Ezekiel Culverwell to John Winthrop1
Culverwell, Ezekiel Winthrop, John

1619-03-12

To the woorship full his very kinde friend Mr. John Winthrop at Groton. DD.
Right worthilye beloved

I take very thankfully your loving respect of me, and God forbid I should so sinne as to cease to pray for yow and yours, of whom I conceaue good hope that they be that blessed seed, of whom it shalbe veryfyed which Esa 61, 9. did foretell. And to this end make it (as you doe) your cheefe studye to trayne them vp in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, which I vnderstand from their infansy to nurse them vp in knowledg and practise of christianity as their capacity will bear. I hear your wife is neer her tyme I pray god giue like successe to my poor prayers for her which of late I have found with others, who have craude my help in like case. Thus much certify your sweet natured and modest wyfe (as I conceaue) for her comfort, that (as neer as I can gesse) I wilbe 235with her at her need. I would be glad to hear how she fits her self to your course. I doubt not but my much respected lady Tindal, wilbe with yow whom I pray salute in my name, and merily require her to pay her debts, I meane of prayers for me, which I must looke to in my selfe both for her and yow both. Concerning my helth its oft crasy, but noe regement fitts. I am growing into an astma that is a shortnes of breath with wheesing and a dry cough. I desire and labour to be ready for my change, and so I comit vs all to the providence of our heavenly father. Yours while his owne

Ez. Culverwell Mar 12 1618–19

I hope yow have heard of my dawghters fruitfulnes two at a byrth: 4 which could not make 2 yeers. 7 living. the poor man hath his hands full. yet I thank god he thrives both wayes which is rare and good.

1.

W. Au. 8; L. and L. , I. 142–143.