Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

John Winthrop to Margaret Winthrop1

Winthrop, John Winthrop, Margaret

1630-03-14

Myne onely best beloued,

I now salute thee from South Hampton, where by the Lordes mercye, we are all safe, but the windes haue been such as our shippes are not yet come, we waite vpon God, hopinge that he will dispose all for the best vnto vs. I supposed I should haue founde leysure to haue written more fully to thee by this bearer, but heer I meet with so much company and businesse, as I am forced to borrowe of my sleep for this. I purpose, to redeeme this losse before I goe hence, and to write to diuerse of my freindes. I must intreate thee to supply this defecte 220

[PWF02fd5] 221 221 by remembringe me in the kindest manner to them all. and now (my deare wife) what shall I say to thee? I am full of matter and Affection towardes thee, but want tyme to expresse it. I beseech the good Lord, to take care of thee and thine, to seale vp his louinge kindnesse to thy soule, to fill thee with the sweet comfort of his presence, that may vpholde thee in this tyme of tryall, and grant vs this mercye, that we may see the faces of each other againe in the tyme expected: so louinge the truely, and tender of thy wellfare, studyinge to bestowe thee safe, where I may haue thee againe I leaue thee in the Armes of the Lord Jesus our sweet Sauiour, and with many kisses and embracinges, I rest Thyne onely and euer thine

Jo: Winthrop. South Hampton, March 14. 1629–30.

the good Lord blesse our children and all thy company. doe thou blesse these heer, and pray praye sic for vs.

give mrs. Leigh many thankes for her horse; and remember to requite it.

W. 7 A. 39; Savage (1825), I. 366–367; (1853), I. 439–440; L. and L. , I. 385; Twichell, Puritan Love-Letters , 147–148.

John Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Winthrop, John Winthrop, John, Jr.

1630-03-14

To my verye lovinge sonne Mr. John Winthrop at Mr. Downinges house in fleetstreet neere the Conduitt London. dd.

My good Sonne,

The Lord blesse thee euer.

It hathe pleased him of his riche mercye to bringe vs all hither in safetye, blessed be his name. Our shippes are not yet come about; so as we knowe not when we shall departe, but our eyes are towards our God, who hath putt vs into his service, and wilbe with vs to the ende: I haue not yet any leysure, and therefore cannot write to suche of my good freindes as I desire, but I hope to gett tyme before we goe: make what convenient hast you can to your mother, and that love and dutye you owe to me, exercise it towardes her and your brothers and sisters (I have no Cause to doubt of it, neither doe I) the Lord will reward all your goodnesse this waye. Mr. Dudlye was gone to the wight before we came, and Sir Richard Saltonstall 2 is not yet come to vs. The Lord poure downe his blessinges vpon you, bothe the blessings of the right hand and the lefte, and let the blessinge of your father 222be increased aboue the blessings of our auncestors, vpon the head and heart of my deare sonne, so I rest your lovinge father

Jo: Winthrop. S: Hampton March 14. 1629–30.

if you spare any mony leave it with your vnckle for I feare I shall want some.

New York Public Library; L. and L. , I. 386.

A Court of Assistants was held at Southampton, March 18, at which Winthrop, Humfrey, Saltonstall, Johnson, Dudley, Nowell, Pynchon, and Goffe were present. Records of Massachusetts, I. 69.