Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

John Wnthrop to Thomas Fones1

Winthrop, John Fones, Thomas

1622-01-29

To my very lovinge Brother Mr. Fones at the three fawnes2 in the old Bayly,3 London. DD

My good Brother,

I received your lovinge Letter, and doe prayse God for that begininge of your recoverye, and the good health of the rest of 268your familye. I hope the Lord will now visite you in his riche mercie, and doe you good and comforte you accordinge to all the evill which you have endured, he hath shewed you great trobles and aduersities, but he will returne and receive you, etc: to the ioye and strengthening of your Faith, and the raysinge vp the heart of my good sister, which, I knowe, hathe suffered much discomfort in your longe troubles. For our selues, the Lo: continues very gratious towardes vs, blessed be his holy name: my wife is sittinge vp againe, and I trust shalbe restored to hir former healthe in due tyme. we might reioyce greatly in our owne private good, if the sence of the present evill tymes, and the feare of worse did not give occasion of sorrowe. The Lo: looke mercifully vpon this sinfull lande, and turne vs to him by some repentance, otherwise we may feare it hath seene the best dayes. I will write no more at this tyme, being (as yet) to seeke of a messinger for these. let vs still continue mindfull of eache other in our prayers, and the confirminge of our mutuall Love, for it may meet with tryalls. Thus with all our lovinge salutations to your selfe, my good sister, and little cosins, I comende you to the grace and peace of the Lo: Jesus, and will rest allwayes your lovinge brother

John Winthrop Jan: 29. 1621–22.

My Reseit of Hand is due this terme, I pray let one of your folkes paye it for me.

I praye send vs a little of your Juice of Liquorice.

W. 1.5; L. and L. , I. 165–166.

Three often appears in old English signs—Three Pigeons, Kings, Cocks, Cups, Children in the Wood, Crowns and Sugar Loaves [= the pope’s tiara]. Cf. Jacob Larwood and J. C. Hotten, The History of Signboards (London, 1867). No connection between a fawn and the trade of apothecary can be found. There may be a play upon the words fawns and Fones. On punning signs cf. Larwood and Hotten, ch. xv, and The Leisure Hour, XXXI. 221–222.

Old Bailey was perhaps so called from the ancient bailey or ballium of the city wall of London, between Lud Gate and New Gate. It is best known as the Central Criminal Court. J. H. Jesse, London, III. 213–217.

John Winthrop to Margaret Winthrop1

Winthrop, John Winthrop, Margaret

1622-04-09

My Deare Wife,

I prayse God, we are come safe to London, where we finde all well. We are now at Redrife2 at a kinsmans of my brother Downinges,3 where we are most kindly entertained: we haue ofte wished thee with vs, but wishes are vaine: I trust, God will giue vs to meet againe shortlye in peace and sweet comfort, in the fruition of our mutuall Loue; in the meane tyme let this staye our heartes, that no distance of place, or space of tyme can seuer vs, in respect of our true and feruent affections to 269eache other; whereof euery occasion shall giue vs more assurance. I am too much streightned in tyme to write to hir whom I loue so dearly (it beinge now xj of the clock this tuesday night) thy kind heart must gather a great deale of matter from a fewe scribled lines. I will adde no more, but beseeche the Lo: to blesse thee and all our younge ones, and send vs a ioyfull meetinge. remember my dutye to parentes and Loue to all whom thou shalt thinke fitt. my brother Downing and sister salute thee most kindly etc. farewell my sweet wife, farewell

Thy faithfull louinge husband John Winthrop Rederife April 9. 1622. 1.

W. 1. 5; L. and L. , I. 166–167; Twichell, 50–51.

Rotherhithe, a parish in co. Surrey, on the Thames, two miles southeast of St. Paul’s, London.

Emmanuel Downing, whose wedding with Lucy, sister of John Winthrop, was to take place on the following day. 5 Collections , I, p. xxxiii; L. and L. , I. 166.