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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

John Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Winthrop, John Winthrop, John, Jr.

1630-07-23

To my verye lovinge sonne mr. John Winthrop at Groton in Suffolk dd.
My good sonne,

The blessinge of God Allsufficient be vpon thee euer Amen.

It hathe pleased the Lorde to bringe vs hether in peace (blessed be his name) for the Course of our voyage, and other occurrentes you shall vnderstande them by a iournall2 which I sende with my lettres to your vncle Downing. we had a Comfortable passage, and I founde that loue and re­305spect from Capt. Milburne our master, as I may not forgett: I praye (if he be returned before you come hether) take occasion to see him, and remember my kinde salutations to him and his wife.

It is like you shall heare (before this come to you) how the Lord hathe disposed of your brother Henry the Lorde teache you and the rest by it to remember your Creator in the dayes of your youth, and to improue your tyme to his service, while it lastes.

The vnexpected troubles and necessities which are fallen vpon vs, will bringe a great deale of business and Care vpon thee, but be not discouraged, it is the Lorde who hath cast it vpon thee, and he will vpholde and deliuer thee.

we are forced to send to Bristowe for supplye of provisions, by mr. Peirce, and mr. Allerton, for which I haue giuen them a bill of exchange, you must needes take order the monye may be provided presently for them, for they cant staye, if all means fayle mr. Revell hathe promised to helpe me with 100 li. he hathe a bill also for monye for provisions which I took vp of him heere, so have divers others, which you must take care to see payde.

For the freight for the shippes, you shall receive some billes from Sir Richard mr. Johnson and mr. Dudlye, but it is doubtfull whither their monyes wilbe readye, what you can provide of theirs and mine, be sure the Talbott be first discharged, for they will not tarrye. There is muche likewise to be payd to mr. Beecher, which may staye a while. There are other monyes to be payd to mr. Peirce, which must be provided. if all means fayle, you may trye Doctor Wright: but I hope you haue sould the lande, and then that care is at an ende. For mr. Goffe, he hathe fayled exceedingly in his vndertaking, so as he is in debt to many of vs, and hathe had a great deal more of me then his due, therefore paye him no more. I will sende you the Accompt for him, and the rest whom I vndertooke for.

I shall expecte your mother and you and the rest of our Company here the next Springe, if God will: for directions for your passage I have written about it to your vncle D: and your mother, and I am tyred out with writing and muche businesse. Comende my loue and blessing to your brother Forthe, and your sister M: my neice Matt: and the rest of our familye, and my kinde salutations to all my good freindes and neighbors who enquire of vs, and to mr. Nicolson.

For your sister Winthrop,3 if she will come over, I will provide for her as mine owne, if not, she hathe a bond of 400 li. yet you know there is not so muche due to her, for your brother had muche monye of me, out of the 306400 li. I had of him, besides what he ought to your sister Marye, yet if it be to be had I would paye it her, as it can be raysed but then she must give me a general release.

If monye be brought to you or your vnckle Downinge for goodman Lockwood, let mr. Peirce be payd his bill of provisions for him, and bringe the rest with you.

For Forths cominge over, I leave it to my sister Painter her disposing if they come they shalbe wellcome. these Afflictions we have mett with need discourage none, for the Country is exceeding good, and the climate verye like our owne: onely people must come well provided, and not too many at once. Pease may come if he will, and suche other as you shall think fitt, but not manye, and let those be good, and but fewe servantes and those vsefull ones.

take order that a Coppye of my relation etc. be sent to Sir Nath: Barnardiston, and my excuse of not writing to him and Sir Wm: Springe, with my salutations to them both, and if Sir Nath: hath putt in no monye, let him forbear still.

you must call to mr. Andrewes in Bowe lane for 20 li. which mr. Pincheon hathe appointed for you, and you are to paye it and 30 li. more, to mr. Rich: Andrewes at the mermayde in Cheapeside; but you must first enquire if it were lent to vs, as we were promised at Hampton: it may be payd soone after michaelmas next. There is allso 208 li. to be payd to mr. Cradock or mr. Woodward at his howse in St. Bartholomew neere the exchange September 8. for which mr. Johnson and I stande bounde, but if it be not readye, I think mr. Cradock will gett it continued.

heere is a barrell of meale of Bulbrookes of Wenham, if I did not paye for it, let it be payde.

If you recon with mr. Wall, thus it standes. you received of him by mr. Chamber (to whom I desire to be kindly Commended)

li. s.
The passage for himself his wife and a servant comes to 16 10
For one Cowe 15 2
For tunage of his goodes 11 li.
42 12 s.

Demand the rest of him and Certifie me of it.

Henry Kingsburye hathe appointed monye to be payd to you by .

John Warren4 hath appointed monye to be payd to you by the bond he left with you. he owes besides 10 li. besides his present provisions.

307

Demande of Stone and Bragge of Neyland 15 li. you have bonde for it. mr. Goffes and my Accompt standes thus.

He received of me in England at several paymentes 642 li.
more of me for my brother Downinge 107. 2 s.
you have payd him since by my direction from Hampton
He is to discount for 2: mares and a horse (one mr. Brandes) which dyed by the waye 27 li.
He is allowed for 96: passingers at 4 li. 384 li.
For 24: Cowes, (10: beinge for my broth: D:) 361 li.
For 32 tunne of goodes at 3 li.

I muste ende, the Lord God allmighty blesse you, and sende you all hether in pease. farewell, my deare sonne. your lovinge father

Jo: Winthrop.

Comende me to olde Ponde,5 and tell him bothe his sones are well and remember their dutye to him he must needes sende his sonne John6 some more provisions, for muche of that he brought was spoyled by the waye. you must demand monye of him. his reconinge standes thus.

his passage and goodes come to 27 li
one Cowe 15 li.
42 li.
I had of him 10 li. 4s.
rest due 32 li.
Charlton July 23: 1630.

For the Country it selfe I can discerne little difference betweene it and our owne. we have had only 2 daies which I have observed more hot then in England here is as good land as I have seene there but none so bad as there Here is sweet aire faire rivers and plenty of springes and the water better then in England here can be noe want of any thinge to those who bring meanes to raise out of the earth and sea.

1.

W. 7 A. 45; Savage (1825), I. 373–375; (1853), I. 448–451; L. and L. , II. 39–43.

2.

See Journal, page 264 265 , note 1.

3.

The widow of Henry.

4.

J. On John Warren, prominent among the settlers of Watertown, see Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, IV. 424.

5.

William Pond of Edwardstone. See Vol. I.

6.

Baptized May 21, 1599. Groton Register.