Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Anne Winthrop to John Winthrop1

Winthrop, Anne Winthrop, John

1628-12

my deare and onely sonne my most louinge sonne

I am very sory for thy sicknes and pray to god night and day for thy good recouery which I desier with the most intier affection of my hart and wishe my self present 417with the I haue no balme to send the but I will offer vp to the lord the prayers of a true mornfull mothers hart till I se thy face with comfort which god in his riche mercie grant me poore soule I pray sonne remember me to yovr brother and sister your mornfull mother

A. W. 1.

W. Au. 33; L. and L. , I. 280.

John Winthrop, Jr., to Sir Peter Wyche1

Winthrop, John, Jr. Wyche, Peter

1628-12-26

Right Honorable,

After the exhibition of my service to your lordship and my lady, 2 I crave pardon, if these Rude lines presume to kisse your honours handes, my duty and respect to your honour vrgeth me to give some testimony therof and your noble favours have obliged me to present this a small earnest of my thankfulnes, and the service which I owe and desire to performe, whensoever your lordship shall please to command here is noe newes worth your honours Intelligence, we are this day setting saile from the Castles, so wishing your honour a happy beginning, and prosperous continuance of this new yeare and many more to succeede I humbly take my leave, resting etc.

Castles of Hellespont Decemb: 26 1628 1.

W. 1. 40 (draft); Savage (1825), I. 354; (1853), I. 422–423; L. and L. , I. 268–269; 5 Collections , VIII. 13. There is a message in shorthand on the verso.

Sir Peter Wyche (d. 1643) was son of Richard Wyche (1554–1621), a London merchant, and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard Saltonstall, lord mayor of London. He was appointed English ambassador at Constantinople in 1627 and did not return to England until 1641. D. N. B. , LXIII. 193–194. The circumstances of his appointment are given in Epstein, Early History of the Levant Company, 84.

These words are struck out. She was Jane, daughter of Sir William Meredith, of Wrexham. D. N. B. , LXIII. 194.

John Winthrop, Jr., to John Freeman1

Winthrop, John, Jr. Freeman, John

1628-12-26

Noble Sir,

We are now to set saile from the Castles of Sestos and Abidos,2 and these lines waite for a prosperous gale to clime up the streames of Hellespont, that they may anchor in the desired port of your kind acceptance. I have in them imbarked my love, which at their arrival shall present it selfe to you not in the colored habit of painted words but in the simple vest of true friendship; which I shall endeavor with my whole power to mainteine, desiring the continuance of yours, if the unworthiness 418of the obiect make you not iudge it ill placed. When I come to Venice I shall hope to heare of your welfare, which shall allwaies be most welcome newes to me. For your many kindnesses I shall remaine alwaies thankfull, and shalbe ever ready to doe you any service which my best Endeavors can be able to performe. So wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy nue yeare, I commend you to the Divine protection and rest Your lovinge freind ready to serve you

John Winthrop. From aboard the London ridinge neere the Castles of Sestos and Abidos. Decemb: 26. 1628 1.

L. and L. , I. 269; 5 Collections , VIII. 13–14. The draft is lost.

On the Hellespont or Dardanelles. The castles Natoli Iski Issar and Rumeli Iski Issar were built by Mohammed II about 1470 to guard the straits. Cf. Charles Mortet, “Le Détroit des Dardanelles,” in the Revue Historique, Juillet-Août, 1915, pp. 338 ff.