A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

William and Elizabeth Leigh to John Winthrop1
Leigh, William Leigh, Elizabeth Winthrop, John

1627-04-24

To the Worshipfull his louing and kind patron, Mr. John Winthropp, giue these, in London.
From Groton Aprill 24. 1627 Good Sir,

it is now come to passe . through . godes . good . Prouidence, and your loue that my little familie is now with you, in your house, well and comfortablie seated, and placed: to our true contentment; aboue what I could haue desired: soe that ther is nothing wanting to vs wee could wish for; but onelie this, that wee maye haue hartes fitted to blesse god for these mercies, and to improue them well, in his seruice, and to our mutuall comfort in this our cohabitation. Wee came to Groton on Thursdaye night last, by the help of your Brother Thomas Goslin, louingly lending vs his Cart, for the Carridg of our stuff, (which wee could not soe sayfelie leaue behind vs att Denston, as I thought wee might haue done), as also his companie together with my Vnckle Newton,2 and goodman Golston for our more comfortable conduct, soe that now wee are here with all that wee haue, 347our things being soe well disposed of, as I hope are not for too great in­cumbrance to your house, but I am sure to great sayftie to that little wee haue, through gods blessing vpon vs. For the which contentment and sayftie to our selues and whole estate, as wee desire aboue all to blesse god as the onelie true procurer of it, so wee also vnder him desire to acknowledge your loue and kindnes (on our partes euerie waye vndeserued) to be a most helpfull furtherance to vs in it, in regard of which loue of yours wee haue nothing to giue, or promiss, saue onelie this, that wee desire to confesse that you haue had a great care of our good and welfare. The Lord himselfe giue you to find the comfort of this your worke of loue vnto vs.

It greiueth me that I haue not as yet sent your letter and token to your son att Cambridge true I was made forgettfull of it by diuersitie of imploymentes but they shalbe deliuered him sayfe as this daye by my brother Newton,3 who is now gone to Cambridge after he had first come with vs to Groton.

Thus with mine owne and my wiues kind remembrance and commendations to your selfe and to mr. John your Son intreating god for his blessing in your imployments and for your healthfull returne vpon your businesses finished wee rest your louing freinds

William, Elizabeth Leigh.
1.

W. 4. 63; 5 Collections , I. 177–179. In this and Leigh’s later letter (printed infra, p. 395) it has not seemed necessary—except in the first line as a sample—to reproduce his semi-inscriptional style of punctuating by placing dots resembling Greek colons after a large proportion of the words.

2.

Charles Newton, who had married Susan Gostlin. Supra, pp. 77, note 9 note 2 , 328.

3.

Charles Newton the younger. Supra, p. 274, note 4 note 14 .

Joshua Downing1 to John Winthrop2
Downing, Joshua Winthrop, John

1627-04-24

To my verie worthie Freind John Winthrop Esquyer, give theise. London.
Good Sir,

I received your kinde and comfortable letters, For which I render you hartie thanckes; hoping that the lord will enable me to a pacient waiting vpon his will, and that he will in his good tyme, make all thinges to worke for the best for me, according to his good pleasure. I shalbe right glad to enioy your company, with my cosins, at your best leisure.

Concerning Mr. John Wenthrops inclinacion to the Sea, I will vse my best endeavours for hym; but I have no parte in any shipping that goes For Turkie, and the marchantes that are owners, doe comonly place their 348owne servauntes for pursers; but if he pleaseth, to goe alonge in those shipps as a passinger to see the contries; the chardges of his dyett shall not be great, and I will comitt hym to the care of them, that wilbe tender over hym, so shall he have more libertie for hymselfe, and have all occasions to make the best observacions, for his owne good. But what if you send him, nowe out in this Fleet with the duke;3 the lord harvey is Rear admyrall, and I thinck a well disposed gentleman; The Captain vnder hym is Captain Best; in whome I have some interest. If you shall please to thinck well of it, advize me speedily, and I will deale with Captain Best accordingly. Thus with myne, and my wifes hartie love to your selfe, Mris. Wenthrop and your mother, with Mr. John, and all yours, I desier the benefite of your prayers to god for vs; and so comend vs to his fatherly proteccion, and rest ever, Your assured loving freind to comaund,

Josua Downyng. Chatham dock. 24th Aprill 1627.
1.

Joshua Downing, of Chatham (d. 1629), son of George Downing, master of the Grammar School, Ipswich, and — Bellamy. He was one of the Commissioners of the Navy and married Grace Edisbury of Chatham. Muskett, 99.

2.

W. Au. 31; L. and L. , I. 236–237.

3.

In the expedition to the Isle of Rhé.