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 153. Please look at all notes at the end of the document or documents on page 153.

153

Joseph Downing to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Downing, Joseph Winthrop, John, Jr.

1634-02-28

To his verie good Friend Mr. John Winthrop at his house in Agawam or elsewhere in New England

Good mr. Winthropp,

I and my wife remember our selves most kyndly to you and yours, being verie glad to heare of your wellfare there. I was at London in Januarie last at my brother Kirbies, who shewed me a letter from you, wherein you sent me and my wife kynd commendations, and he sayd you did so usually in all your letters to him, which I take, and shall, most thankfully. You wrote to him to procure you some quodlin plants, he spoke to mee to gett some for you. I have gotten some, and sent them up to London to him for you and wrote him word how he should putt them in an oyster firken, and how they should be ordered in the shippe when they are at sea, for if the shipp master hath not especiall care of them by the way, in one tenn dayes they will quite wither and so never grow. I hope therefore the master of the shippe will have a care of them according to my directions to my brother Kirbie, who I make no question will tell him what I writt. It is verie late to send them so farre now, in regard they are not like to come over to you before May. I am afrayd therfore that they will decay by the way, though the master of the shippe should see them taken up out of the hold and sett up upon the upper decke 2 or 3 dayes in the weeke to take fresh ayre. if they should, if you write word so to me, I will procure you some sooner next yeare, if any shippe from any of our coasts or from London come from hence to you, eyther in 9ber, 10ber, or Januarie, that they may come to you in Febr. or March at the furthest, for in Aprill especially in May it wilbe marvelous late to plant any such things.

If you write word that you have no roses there, I will send you over some damaske, red, white, and province rose plants, of all these, 3 or 4 a peece or more, if neede be. I wish you had 100 of my best peare trees in my nourcerie. if I could send them as easily as I could once to Groton to you you should not misse of yong plants enough, and that of all the sorts I have. I pray remember my service, and best respect to your worthie Father, the noble Governour, and tell him I had his kynd letter, for which I am verie thankfull. he shall heare from me next month God willing.

154

Thus hoping of your good health, with our dayly prayers to God for you and the whole plantation, I shall ever rest, Your true hearted Friend

Jo: Downyng Layer Marney Feb. 28, 1633/34

I pray good Mr. Wintrop let me entreate you to enquire out the man who should have the inclosed letters. it seemes he dwelleth neare new Plimouth, he is a friend of myne. you shall commaund me a greater kyndnesse, if the man will write backe I pray lett him inclose his letters in yours to me.

I pray good Sir when you see my Cozen James Downyng, my Cozen Marie, and my cozen Su: commend me kyndly to them all. Tell my cozen Marie that I will not forgett her, her token shalbe restored at the last, she shall have a letter from me next month.

Endorsed by John Winthrop, Jr.: mr. Joseph Downing received July: 1634.

W. 4. 73; 5 Collections , I. 202–203. Joseph Downing was a brother of Emmanuel Downing.