A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

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.

Forth Winthrop to John Winthrop1
Winthrop, Forth Winthrop, John

1627-05-01

To the right worll. his louinge Father mr. Winthrop these be delievered with speed. London.
Most louinge father.

I receiued your letters by Sir Neuton and doe thanke you for your good counsell and for your kinde token, and delivered your token to my chamberfellow Archisden, whoe with thanks retournes his servis: I had sent to you a fortnight agoe, but that my Tutor beinge at London I hoped he had spoken with you, consearninge our quarttridge. I spoke with him about it, who saieth he sent you a bill of both our expenses, he tould me that we weare behinde with him 3 li. 13 s., and now an other month is come in since, which maketh it vp 4 li. If you will send vs mony for him you may safly deliuer it to Hobson the Cambridge Carrier2 by whome I send vp now markinge the letter for a mony letter:

My tutor remembreth his loue to you whoe said he had thought to haue come to Groton this whitsontide but his inexpected journy to London staid the other: My mother and grandmother are in helth from whome I heard 349latly. Sir Harcoote senior3 (for the iunior is in the contry) thanketh you for your kind remembrance of him, and remembreth his service to you: Thus with my duty remembred to you, and my loue to all my freindes in generall, allwais desiringe your blessinge, and praiers for a blessinge on my studies, I humbly leaue you and your affaieres to the blessinge of the Allmighty, and rest your obedient sonne

Forth Winthrop From Cambridge May 1 1627:

I would entreat you to send me doune some stuffe by the Carrier for a sute for I haue great neede of one:

1.

W. 1. 22; L. and L. , I. 230–231; 5 Collections , VIII. 189–190.

2.

Thomas Hobson, commemorated by Milton in two epitaphs, who let out horses, compelling customers to take the horse which happened to be next the stable-door, or go without. Hence “Hobson’s choice.”N. E. D.

3.

Two sons of Sir Robert Harcourt were at Emmanuel College: Francis, matriculated 1623, and Vere, matriculated 1624. The former became rector of Plumtree, co. Notts, and the latter archdeacon of Nottingham and prebendary of Lincoln, dying in 1683. Venn, A. C. , II. 301.