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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

Thomas Arkisden to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Arkisden, Thomas Winthrop, John, Jr.

1630-07

To his very loving freind Mr. John Winthrop at Mr. Downings house in Fleete street neere the Conduit dd with speed. in London
Sir;

Mistris winthrop haveing noe leysure to write vnto you intreated me to informe you what her mind was concerning Dr. writes Farme at Ramsey. Goodman Gostlin was there but the tenant not inhabiting therein cold not sufficiently heare of the state and Condition of it Onely he saw that the house was but a very little one and stands in neede of much repayring: Concerning the land it seemes to be reasonable good by the information of the neybors dwelling by it: It is all free hold being a Mannor but it hath noe other tenements vnder it. It is lette for 50 li. per annum if the report of dwellers by be true. Mris. winthrop is not willing to deale for it but vppon good Consideration. we heare that an Olderman of London and some others have beene about purchasing of it to whom he hath offered to sell it 50 li. cheaper than he would to your mother wherfore if you thinke good that shee should deale with him for it shee would have the price abated: Shee sayth that Mr. Tindall hath not as yet sent over any to veiw it, but if he had shee thinks it had beene to noe purpose: Thanks be to god we are in good health we all remember our selves vnto you and to your vncle and Aunt Downing: Farewell: Yours to Command to his vtmost

T: A: Groton, July, 1630.

If Dr. write be willing your mother is Content to remaine where shee doth vntill our Lady2 though shee pay some rent if it will not be a hindranc 301to his letting of it but if it be a hindranc shee would intreate you to take some other Course.

I pray speake to John Sanford to buy a pound of pepper.

1.

W. 1. 80. Arkisden was chamberfellow of Forth Winthrop at Cambridge. See Vol. I. 141, note 52 143, note 2 .

2.

March 25.

John Winthrop to Emmanuel Downing1
Winthrop, John Hopwood, Edward Downing, Emmanuel

1630-07-14

Brother Downinge,

I praye paye to this bearer mr. Edward Hopwood2 or his Assignee the summe of fowre poundes which is to be payde on the parte of John Johnson3 for the passage of William Timewell into England. I praye let it be payd vpon sight herof or within sixe dayes after. So I rest, your lovinge brother

Jo: Winthrop. Charlton in N: Eng: July 14 1630.

Received the 4th of Nouember 1630 in Full of this Bill the some of Fore poundes of John Winntharpe for the vse of my master Tho. Goff I say Received per me

4 li.

Edward Hopwood.
Endorsed: William Timewell bill mr. downinge 4 li. in the Charles 1.

W. 1. 81.

2.

Servant of Thomas Goffe.

3.

John Johnson probably came over in the fleet with Winthrop, bringing his wife Margery and children. He settled at Roxbury, was active in colonial affairs, and died in 1659. Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, II. 554.

John Winthrop to Margaret Winthrop1
Winthrop, John Winthrop, Margaret

1630-07-16

To my verye loving Wife mrs. Winthrop the elder, at Groton in Suffolk neere Sudburye. from N: England.
Charleton in New England July, 16 1630. My deare wife,

Blessed be the Lord our good God and mercifull father, that yet hath preserued me in life and health to salute thee, and to comforte thy longe longinge heart, with the ioyfull newes of my wellfare, and the wellfare of thy beloued children.

302

We had a longe and troublesome passage, but the Lord made it safe and easye to vs: and though we haue mett with many and great troubles (as this bearer2 can certifie thee) yet he hath pleased to vphold vs, and to giue vs hope of a happye issue.

I am so ouerpressed with businesse, as I haue no tyme for these or other mine owne priuate occasions. I onely write now, that thou mayest knowe that yet I liue and am mindfull of thee, in all my affaires: the larger discourse of all thinges thou shalt receiue from my brother Downinge, which I must sende by some of the last shippes. We haue mett with many sadd and discomfortable thinges, as thou shalt heare after: and the Lordes hande hath been heavy vpon my selfe in some verye neere to me: my sonne Henry, my sonne Henrye, ah poore childe,3 yet it greiues me much more for my deare daughter,4 the Lord strengthen and comfort her heart, to beare this crosse patiently: I knowe thou wilt not be wantinge to her in this distresse: yet for all these thinges (I prayse my God) I am not discouraged, nor doe I see cause to repent, or dispaire of those good dayes heere, which will make amends for all.

I shall expect thee next sommer (if the Lord please) and by that tyme I hope to be prouided for thy comfortable entertainment: my most sweet wife, be not disheartened, trust in the Lord, and thou shalt see his faithfullnesse. Comende me heartyly to all our kinde friendes at Castleins, Groton hall, mr. Leigh and his wife, my neighbour Cole and all the rest of my neighbours and their wiues, both rich and poore.

Remember me to them at Assington hall, and Codenham hall,5 mr. Brande mr. Alston mr. Mott and their wiues, goodman Ponde, Charles Newton etc: The good Lord be with thee and blesse thee and all our children and seruantes commende my loue to them all, I kisse and embrace thee my deare wife and all my Children, and leaue thee in his arms who is able to preserue you all, and to fullfill our ioye in our happye meetinge in his good tyme, Amen. Thy faithfull husband

Jo: Winthrop.

I shall write to my sonne John by London.

1.

W. 7 A. 44; Savage (1825), I. 372–373; (1853), I. 447–448; L. and L. , II. 36–37; Twichell, Puritan Love-Letters , 159–162.

2.

Arthur Tyndal.

3.

See the Journal for July 2, 1630.

4.

Elizabeth (Fones) Winthrop, Henry's wife.

5.

Coddenham Hall in Boxford, an ancient manorial seat now converted into a farm house, belonged in the seventeenth century to the family of Brand or Brond. Copinger, Manors of Suffolk, I. 28–29.