A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Robert Keayne to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Keayne, Robert Winthrop, John, Jr.

1637-12-15

Dear Sir,

I haue receaued yor louinge letter abowt Mr. Hall and that debt which is made ouer to me from Mr. Dixon, who should haue payd me mony in London, and doth now wright to me to take this hear. I should be ready 519to doe him what Curtesie I could not wronginge my selfe. Therfor I hope he will strayne him selfe the more to giue me satisfaction as soon as he cane, for the offer of thear seruice, and your comendation of them, I canot but take well yet my wife thinkes thay are both to fine to take any greate paynes and soe may be the more vnlowly to subiect them selues to the condition of seruants, and I neede one that is able not only torn and ouerlooke seruants in my absence but alsoe by his owne example to incowrage, and draw the rest torn full labour, and orderinge things to my best aduantage torn Prouerb runns of a good Husband indeed, that torn doe such a thing but come and let vs doe such a thing torn. Since your selfe and I had any speech abowt him, I torn a frend in England the offer of a very good Husbandman and his wife to Hue at my Farme, for whom I haue sent letters to come this next somer; which yet it is possible may not come, therefor I am willinge to treate with Mr. Hall vpon thease Termes if he will come ouer shortly to me, and we may pitch vpon the wages: he and his wife may come early to the farme in the springe, only thus if this man should come from England then he must be content to dispose of him selfe otherways only I will giue them a qwarter of a years time to prouide them selues, and than it wilbe no preiudice, and besides though I will prouide nothinge, yet if I should aproue of his faythfullnes and dilligence to my likinge, it may be thear may be longer continuance and I may dispose of the other some other way: yet both my selfe and wife maruell how he beinge a yownge man and withowt charge: and haue had such helpes and haue made away this parcell of goods, and yet be behind hand, and not able to liue, whare others that come ouere very poor doe grow pretty rich and before hand and yet mayntayne a wife and 3 or 4 children by thear owne labor. thus desiring yow to present owr due respects to your selfe wife, Mr. and Mrs. Norton, your Brother Dudlye etc. I rest Your louinge frend

Robert Keayne December 15th 1637
1.

W. 4. 91; 5 Collections , I. 254–255. For Keayne, see 5 Collections , I. 254n.