A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

376
James Downing to John Winthrop1
Downing, James Wintrhop, John

1637-03-12

To the right worshipfull my very loving vncle Mr. Winthrop dwelling in Bostowne in New England
Kinde Ser,

I resseceiued your kind letter, when that I was in the Country at my vncle Gostling house soe that I could not haue an oppertunity to write to you againe as was my desier by reson ther was noe shipping that returned, and then I my selfe being then presently after bound for holland with Mistres Peiters, who stayed ther herselfe 3 months to her great greife and trouble for when shee came ther, ther was not one that would help her or doe any thing for her but the 2 glase men whom shee was much beholding vnto: as for the other they would not doe the least thing for her, but did carry them selfs soe strang vnto her and did not regard her noe more then a meer stranger, and did report such strang things of her housband as it greiue any mans hart to hear of it but when shee cam ther for to answer for her husband they denyed all what soeuer befor they had sed when ther was they that could witnes it to ther faces soe I could relate the perticulers which I for bear to writ till it pleas god for to bring vs ouer. and as for our coming ouer I hope it will be this June or the beginning of the next year in the first ships, for my father is now about seling of his plase and if my mother had not been with child redy for to lye downe we had surly been with you this spring, for if the times ar soe bad that they grow wors and wors for the bishop doe grow soe in fauer with the King they whom he has fauerd and upheld the bishops now hath got them as low as ther fellows as Mr. Burton who was the Kings tuter the have now got into prisson and ther lies and will not suffer non to com at him noe not soe much as his wife and the King has giuen leaue to his Aturnygenerall to draw a bill against him in the Stare Chamber, and his aduersaryes to be his iudges against him: soe that the doe preuaile much now and the King giues them much power and the doe make vse of it vnto the great disonner of god soe that they are more lik vnto tirants then ciuell men thoug god hand has been vpon the land thus ther is noe signe of reformation atoll and what the end will be the lord he knowes, soe that my father he would haue been with you long ere this tim if that my mother at but been soe for­377ward as him and my father he dose hear that my sister has ane intent for to com ouer which if shee dose it will much trouble him: thus thanking you for all your kindnesses when that I was with you which I hope I shall neuer be vnmindfull of soe long as it shall pleas the lord to giue me life and health this with my seruics to my ant and my loue vnto all my cousens In hast I rest yours to Command

James Downinge March 12th 1636/37
1.

W. 1. 119; 2 Proceedings , XIV. 372–373. James Downing was the son of Emmanuel Downing by his first wife, Anne Ware.