Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3
1634-04-14
my humblest seruice to you remembred with my prayers for your health and prosperity. theis are to certify you that my husband when he came home to me told me that my brother Robert Mills did leaue but 46li which he hath receiued; which I doe much marvel att; my husband is now comeing to liue with you againe in new England; and I would entreat and desire you for gods loue to be pleased to write me word whether there was noe more then 46li and whether my brother James Dauies did not receiue any part thereof as in the behalfe of my childe Soe Comittinge you to gods protection I rest your dayly beadswoman
W. 1. 105. Elizabeth Knowles is probably the woman of that name whose husband, John Knowles, was in 1638 given administration of the estate of Robert Bills. Mrs. Knowles was, at the time of her marriage to Knowles, the widow of Ephraim Davies. Records of Massachusetts, I. 235.
1634-04-18
Aus Neost flourigreathinnog obuor whoinatreid meagniedra olfa wortinthienag,2 giue me leaue in plaine English the second tyme this springe to present my vnfeigned respects to you in a few lynes. I sent you per Mr. Dillingham soe many of the bromoiklets3 you writt for, as I could procure for the present, but I am promised the rest this sommer, and then by the next followinge they shalbe conveyed to you; The noelwo frudrinnamcle I writt to you of is mourcah ilmaportouvoend wiheeproeloaf I haue speinato yaoduir tohie frogrimoe haetrie ionacoltoisteud.4 I haue learnt two devices to kill wolues, one is with peices of spunge laid couertly in such flesh or garbage they feede on; the other is certaine 165peices of stronge wyer twisted together ether 4 or 3 or 2 peices and the ends to be bowed and fyled sharpe and beards cutt in them like fish hookes (thus
); and them put within theire meate. There is one alsoe here in towne that makes very good Shanlota prestheir waidtoh Vortimnoe agnud cloimnoan Ebafretah5 I am verie much abashed that I haue not all this while procured you the salue and plasters you writt for you partlie knowe my nature I had rather effect any busines with ten men, then one woman, yet your intrest in me, might be sufficiently effectuall to mannage a farre more weighty busines; and assure your selfe, I will ere longe comaund my selfe in that perticular; As for the Quodling apple slipps I spake to Mr. Humfries once or twice about it, and he sayd he would see for some. I hope he will bring some ouer with him; and yet I doubt it because it is soe forward in the yeare Thus with the continuance of my respects, loue and seruice to you and your best beloued I take leaue and rest Yours as God shall enable me
W. 2. 168; 4
Collections
, VI. 498–499. The passages in this letter which are in code are read by taking only the alternate letters.
“Worthy Sir Agawom Sagamore, As not forgeting our wonted maner of writing.”
“Bookes.”
“The new furnace I writt to you of is much improved, whereof I haue sent you the forme here inclosed.” The furnace is the contrivance mentioned previously in Howes’s letters of August 5 and August 13, 1633, and in Emmanuel Downing’s letter of August 13, 1633.
“Salt peter with Vrine and comon Earth.”