Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Walter Clopton1 to John Winthrop2

Clopton, Walter Winthrop, John

1626-06

Good Cosen,

Sir Symone Dewes3 promised me last terme vpon his honesty that he woulde ioyne this terme for publication I desier to haue the bookes sent downe my father will pay you the charges and satisfy your man, if you please to command him to follow it for me: the debt I owe you I desier you would deferre till the assizes where I shalbee and cleere all: I would intreat you to make a motion for those writinges that I 329was commanded to bringe into the Court that they may be deliuered againe to me The deed of entayle is that I cheefly ayme at, made by William Clopton4 to Thomas Clopton I haue forgott the names of the rest but I thinke they are all together with that I pray excuse me that I am thus troublsome. With my best love truly I rest your faythfull friend and kindsman

Walt: Clopton

Sir if you please, I shall intreat you to lay out what moneyes my Cosen Winthrop shall demand for the takinge out of the depositiones and I will restore them at your returne: also that you would command your man to solicite Mr. Winthrop that I may not fayle of my desires in this letter, which I haue left open for you to read Sir I wish you a prosperous iourney and a safe returne, resting your louing sonne in law to command

Walter Clopton

Indorsed by John Winthrop, “Mr. Clopton ad Sir Dewes. No Date. Lettre R. June 13, per Sir Ro: Thornton.” Year speculated to be 1627 by editors of Winthrop Papers, volume 2: see note 50 in Winthrop's diary as it appears in volume 2.

Walter Clopton (1596–1627), second son of Thomas Clopton, of Kentwell. He married Anne, daughter of Sir Roger Thornton, of Snailwell, co. Camb., to whom the latter part of this letter was evidently addressed. Muskett, 143.

W. Au. 11; 4 Collections , VI. 575.

Sir Simonds D’Ewes (1602–50), antiquarian writer, married in 1626 Anne, daughter of Sir William Clopton (1592–1618) and niece of Walter Clopton. D. N. B. , XIV. 450–453; Muskett, 143.

Probably William Clopton of Kentwell (ca. 1509–62), grandfather of the writer of the letter. Muskett, 143.

Forth Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Winthrop, Forth Winthrop, John, Jr.

1626-07-31

To his lovinge Brother Mr. John Winthrop at his fathers house in Groton. Suff.

Est aliquod prodire tenus Si non datur vltra.2

Where I loue much I speake but littel for affection hath smale pleasure in ceremonies, your kindnesse I haue found ambabus ut aiunt manibus, my deserte I dare not speake of, lest it more offend my selfe to thinke of, then you to looke on: Hauing little matter where with to entertayne your expectations I haue beene inforced to studdie for nothing, your expectation is to heare from me, and to salute you with silence weare a cold commendation. Let it therfore suffice you to heare of my health, and this expression of 330my euer vnfained affection toward you wherein if oblivious ingratitude should produce a Lethe of forgettfulnesse to ouerrunne my affections, in that verie instance and moment of time I would leaue to be my owne.

And thus for want of matter breefer then I would be I commend my loue to your kindnesse and soe rest euer, Your assuered louing Brother

Forth Winthrop. From Cambridge July the last 1626. 1.

W. 1. 16.

From Horace, Epistolae, I. I, 32. The usual reading is ‘Est quadam’; a Venice edition of 1584 has ‘Est quoddam.’ Smart’s translation gives the sense sufficiently well: “There is some point in philosophy we may advance to, if we can no farther.”