Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Lucy Downing to John Winthrop1

Downing, Lucy Winthrop, John

1628-03

To the Worshipfull her very louinge brother John Winthrop Esq. dlr at Groton Suff.2

London, March, 1627–28. My more then brother

and more louinge to me then I can exspres: and therfore I will rather be silent thoughe much to my shame: then to rip vp so many reall and great fauors: and return nothinge but words: as I have euer done: all thoughe some times I haue wished otherwise: but I knowe it is your sweet disposition euer to conceiue better then the best: my husband is att nellmes:3and I did not conceiue that any thinge in your letter could receiue any preiudice by taryinge till the next weeke: ells I had sent to him: for your present to the master they accepted it very thankfullie and I presume att my husbands goeinge thithire you will hear much more of them: as they did well deserue both of them and vs: but for your requitall: you knowe vs all: but I hope this daye my husband will be att hom to tast of them: and nowe my sweet brother I reioyce in your and our so gratious deliuerances from such perills as wee haue escaped: throughe his loue that hath loued vs: oh that wee had affections enoughe to him againe: and noe doupt but our hapineses should yet be more inlarged: I prays god for it wee hear are all well but my selfe whoe haue bine but indifferent this 8 days: yet I haue walkt abroad euery daye this weeke and doe hope I am the better for it: my cosen downing an that companie desier to be remembred to you. he hath taken could, and is ill, and in phisike. but I hope god will spare his life: an nowe we shall if god will exspect to hear when your intent is for London with your company: wherin I doe vnfainedli dsier the allmightie to direct you: and for your hous it is 381hard to finde one without some inconueniencies: but I shall hardlie haue venterd of as my husband did in respect of the littellnes of it: but being this weeke to cristen msr. motums4 childe for mrs. tindall I conceiued his to be lesse, yet there is a very fine wyfe and braue daughters an many chilldren in it: this in hast desiringe you to remember my duty and loue I am hasted Your louinge sister

L. Downinge

here is no newes but very tart: and hard standinge to knowe the liberties of our persons an goodes yet wee are verie wise an curragious: but wee had hope to haue senne you here ere this I loose wyne still becaus you come not in wagers. if you would translate any plate into other fashons: if it be sent me or if I knew but the wayt of it I could haue newe of any fashion for it: for littell or no profit: by reason our gouldsmith is dead and his plate is to be sould att a very vnder value: yours is much of it vnvsefull and not so creditable as it would be5

W. 4. 1; 5 Collections , I. 4–5.

The address is in the writing of Emmanuel Downing.

A manor and park in Hornchurch, co. Essex, held by Sir Robert Naunton. Morant, Essex, I. 68.

Motham?

Added in the same hand as the address: “Comissioners names John Winthrope Esquire Edmond Brewer Clarke Samuell Plombe gent. Francis Whitmore gent.”

John Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Winthrop, John Winthrop, John, Jr.

1628-03-18

To my lovinge sonne John Winthrop, at the House of Mr. Downing, near the Conduit, in Fleet Street, London 2

Lovinge sonne,

I received your letter, and I blesse God for your wellfare, begginge of him daylye that your soule may prosper as your bodye dothe, and if this care be in your heart (as I hope it is) you shall doe well, for this rule God hathe sett vs to walke by, first to seeke the kingdome of heauen, then will he see to vs for other thinges, so as I dare avouche it, as infallible truethe, that he who dothe otherwise, takes a preposterous course to happinesse, and shall not prosper: should not a man trust his maker and rest vpon the counsell of his father, before all other thinges? should not the promise of the holye Lord the God of truethe be beleeved aboue all carnall false feares, and shallowe wayes of humane wisdome? it is iust with God to harden mens heartes in their distrust of his faithfulnesse, because they dare not relye vpon him. but suche as will roull their wayes vpon the Lorde doe finde him allwayes as good as his worde. I blesse his name, we all continue 382in healthe, and this daye I expect your brother from Cambridge: I wishe you could meet with some safe meanes to sende to your brother Henrye, I have founde two sturdye youthes that would goe to him, if Capt. Powell returne not soone, I shall feare he hathe miscarried and then shall we see Godes providence that your brother returned not with him.

I cannot come vp till the weeke after Easter, but you may knowe mr. Featherstones resolution in the meane tyme. I praye inquire how thinges goe in the Parliament and write to me of them: but thinges which are doubtfull lett passe. if the commission for the navye be dissolued, what imployment hathe your Captain then, for it seemes he was lately putt into it.3 when you see him or her commende me kindly to them.

we wante a litle tobacko, I had verye good for 7 s. per libram at a grocers by Holburne bridge, there be 2 shoppes togither it was at that which is furthest from the bridge towardes the Conduicte, if you tell him it is for him that bought halfe a li. of verina4 and a li. of virginia of him last terme, he will vse you well, send me 1/2 a li. of virginia. I would gladly heare of a chamber in the Temple or in some other convenient place, for that I have is muche to deare.

I have many letters to write, therefore I ende, and with my love and blessinge to you I commende you to the protection and good government of the Lorde and rest your lovinge father

Jo: Winthrop Groton, March 18, 1627–28

I thinke to sende my brother Downinge a greyhound.

W. 7A. 20; Savage (1825), I. 349–350; (1853), I. 418–419; L. and L. , I. 250–251.

Words in brackets are no longer on the sheet.

The Council of War was enlarged February 15, 1627–28, with Captain Best as a member. Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1627–28, 563.

Verinas were a superior quality of roll tobacco. “There are so many sofisticating Tobacco-mungers in England, were it neuer so bad, they would sell it for Verinas, and the trash that remaineth should be Virginia.” John Smith, Works (ed. Arber), 541.