Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3Note: you've followed an index reference to a note that, due to changes between the print and digital editions, may no longer be on page 15. Please look at all notes at the end of the document or documents on page 15.

John Winthrop to the Lord Chief Justice of England1

Winthrop, John Hyde, Nicholas, Sir Lord Chief Justice of England

1631-03

Right Honorable,

Our humble dutyes to your good Lordshipp presented: may it please you to vnderstand that whereas one Robt. wright Citisen and merchanttayler of London without our privity was come into N: E: and had setled him selfe in Charles towne, we had intelligence that he was fledd out of England for Treason: wherevpon we Caused him to be apprehended, and vpon examination he confessed to vs that about 2 yeares since he had Clipped some of the Coyne of our sovereign Lord the Kings majestie and the officers coming to search his house he fledd and so was not taken, but vsed meanes by his freinds to obtaine his majesties pardon: but forasmuch as he could produce no Record therof before vs we thought it our dutye to send him over prisoner by this bearer mr. Wm. Peirce master of the Shippe Lyon.2 So we humbly take leave and rest At your Lordshipps Comand for his majesties service

John Winthrop

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop: Copy lettre to Lord Chief Justice de Wright March 1630/31.

Suffolk County Court Files, No. 4. The Lord Chief Justice was Sir Nicholas Hyde.

This episode is mentioned by Thomas Dudley in his letter to the Countess of Lincoln, March 12, 1630/31, where Wright is described as having been “sometimes a linen draper in Newgate market, and after that a brewer on the Bank side and on Thames street.” Alexander Young, Chronicles of the First Planters of the Massachusetts Bay, from 1623 to 1636 (Boston, 1846), 332–333. Wright’s contention that he had been pardoned is confirmed by the records, which mention (November 23, 1629) a pardon “to Robert Wright, late of Southwark, brewer, for clipping coin.” Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1629–1631, 103. The order of the Court of Assistants for his deportation was voted on March 1, 1630/31. Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, 1630–1692, II (Boston, 1904), 10.

Henry Paynter to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Paynter, Henry Winthrop, John, Jr.

1631-03-01

To my much respected Sonne Mr. John Winthrop at the howse of Mr. Immanuel Downing at the Signe of the Bishoppe in Peterburrow Court neere Fleete conduit

Deare Sir,

I vnderstand your marriage is2 paste, and I with my wife doe wish you much comforte togeather in the Lord. I thanke you for your kinde profer of accompanying my daughter Vrsula vnto London, hopinge that my 16letter and my messenger will finde you boath there. My brother Lance and my brother Harris of Cornewall being my worthy friends and now in London proferred me this courtisye to take the care of her safe conducte, and accompany her home and therefore I haue sente but this one messenger. Glad should we be, and our desire is (pardon the vnreasonablenes of your true hearted friends affection) to see your selfe here alsoe, the rather because your voyage is deferred. My wife is alsoe not without hope that my daughter may get and bring downe a good seruant for her: If it be soe, the Exeter carryer lying at the starre in Bread streete may be spoken vnto as soone as he commeth to London for her riding downe which will be better cheape then the sending of a horse of purpose from hence for a doubtefull vse.

Your horse is now solde for six pounds and six shillings: we coulde neuer bring the price soe high till now, though many haue seene him to buy him and haue offered mony for him.

I pray you directe and help my daughter Vrsula what you may. Remember my heartiest salutations to my good brother and sister Downinge. I desire to heare how long you shall stay in London and whither (if you cannot come vnto us) I shall directe my next letters vnto you.

If you returne shortely home commende our deare affection to your worthy mother and our loving daughters, in which I alsoe rest Your louing father ready to doe you any kindenes in my power.

H. Paynter Exon. March 1, 1630/31 1.

W. 4. 45; 5 Collections , I. 116–117. For Paynter, see Winthrop Papers, II. 196, n. 2.

See page 9, n. 1, above.