Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

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Will of Isaac Johnson, 1627

20 April 1627

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Margaret Winthrop to John Winthrop

4 February 1628

John Wilson1 to John Winthrop2

Wilson, John Winthrop, John

1628-02-03

To the Worshipfull his very good Frinde John Winthorpe, Esquire, at mr. Downings house in Peterborough Court these dd.

Good Sir, my very good respect to you.

The time is nowe come, wherein ther will be and is (as I suppose) great need of of your counsell and helpe, about mr. Howes3 sonnes wardship.4 that it may be so disposed of and settled as may be for the best good of the ward and of the estate, that no hungry catchpole may gett in, to fish there at his pleasure. We are somewhat afrayde still of Hedge, (lest some Frind may helpe him, for ther owne turne sake and aduantage.) but ther will be oath taken sufficient against his prodigall wastfullnes, and extreame pouertie. William5 Hasell6 (master Baylie nowe of Sudbury) hath found the office, and we make account that he is or shall be the Guardian. who (if any) is fitt yea most fitt for the purpose, for the great confidence Mr. Howe had in him. for his approued conscience, and fidelity, and loue to the ward. Singular wisedome and discretion for the managing of his affaires. I beseech you therfore to assist him (and to procure them, where ther shall be need of) your good Brother mr. Downinges assistance, that they may obtayne thinges at a Reasonable Rate, (they beinge dulie countable for any paynes, aduise, or frindship afforded to them). I need not stirre you vp in so good a Busines. you knowe who is the father of the fatherles and Rewarder of ther frindes. Howe glad would we be in the like case, that ours should meete with good Frendes. For my owne part (as mr. Howe was my very well beloued and esteemed good frind so) should I be very glad, to see a good Issue of the matter, and hartily thankefull, to the furtherers therof. But alas! what times are these! No man knowes what is his owne, or whither that he hath, be not kept for the enemies of god? and of our peace.

The good lord turne our hartes to him. and prepare vs to meete him, in true Repentance, and heare the Sighes and Teares of his people, (so many thousandes,) for Christs sake, what hope is left vs, but his mercie? The lord be with you. Your verie louinge Frind at command,

John Wilson. Febr. 3. 16287 n.s Sudburie. 1.

John Wilson (ca. 1590–1667), famous Puritan clergyman, scholar of Eton, scholar and fellow of King's College, Cambridge; teacher and pastor of the First Church, Boston, 1632–67.

W. 3. 1; 4 Collections , VII. 1–2.

“Mr. Robert Howe, Counselman, bearing the office of the Mayor, buried in the Churchyard. He lived very religiously, and died very much lamented by the inhabitants of the towne; being buried viii October, 1627.” First volume of the Register of All Saints Church, Sudbury, quoted by Charles Badham, The History and Antiquities of All Saints Church, Sudbury (London, 1852), 118. Robert Howe was bailiff of Sudbury, 1616–17, and mayor, 1621–22 and 1624–25. Suffolk Institute of Archaeology, Proceedings , XIII. (1909), 290, 291, 292.

On this wardship see supra, p. 38.

Before “William,” “Goodman” is cancelled.

Mentioned above, p. 38. Bailiff of Sudbury, 1627–28, and mayor, 1630–31 and 1639–40. Vincent Cocke is recorded as bailiff for 1628–29. Suffolk Institute of Archaeology, Proceedings , XIII. 292, 293, 294, 310. “The family of the Hasells was an influential one for several generations in the town, and many of the members were buried in All Saints' church, and others in S. Gregory's churchyard.” W. W. Hodson, ibid., VII. (1891), 32.

That the date is February 3, 1627–28, not 1628–29, is shown by the following evidences: (1) the date of Robert Howes' death (page 57, note 3); (2) the date “Hill: 3: Caroli,” i.e., January-February, 1627–28, in the charges in this case entered by Winthrop in his Notebook (supra, p. 38); (3) the mention of Hasell as bailiff of Sudbury, his term beginning in September or October, 1627, and ending at a like time in 1628.