I haue small hope that this should come to thy hands, in regard of the longe staye of the shipe heer, so as thou maiest be well onward of thy waye hether before these can come to England: therefore I write little to thyselfe and my sonne and those whom I expect to see heer shortly, if it shall so please the Lorde. And blessed be his holy and glorious name that he hath so far magnified his mercy towards vs, that when so many haue been 20layd in their graues since we parted, yet he hath pleased to preserue vs unto this hope of a ioyfull meetinge, that we may see the faces of each other againe, the faces of our children and sweet babes: these thinges I durst scarce think off heertofore, but now I embrace them ofte, and delight my heart in them, because I trust, that the Lord our God, who hath kept me and so many of my Company in health and safety amonge so many dead Corps, through the heat of the summer and the Cold of winter, and hath also preserued thee in the perill of childbirth, and vpheld thy heart in the middest of so many discouragements, with the life of all thy companye, will of his owne goodnesse and free mercye preserve vs and ours still that we shall meet in ioye and peace, which I dayly pray for, and shall expect in the Lords good tyme: who still continues his fauour and blessinge vpon thee and our sweet babes and all thy companye. For our little daughter, doe as thou thinkest best. the Lord direct thee in it. if thou bringest her, she wilbe more trouble to thee in the shipp then all the rest I knowe my sister wilbe tender of her till I may send for her.2 bringe Amy and Anne Gostlin with thee if thou canst. if they come not, they will much wronge themselues. they need feare no want here, if they wilbe guided by Gods word: otherwise they can looke to prosper no where. I prayse God I want nothinge but thee and the rest of my family: Commend my Loue and blessinge to them all: and to all my neighbours and freinds, but I haue desired my brother Gostlin to performe that. remember to bringe iuice of Limons to sea with thee, for thee and thy company to eate with your meat as sauce. but of these things my sonne hath direction: so again I kisse thee my sweet wife and commend thee and all ours to the Lord, and rest Thine

The blessinge of the Allmighty be vpon thy soule and life foreuer.

Amonge many the sweet mercyes of my God towards me in this strange lande, where we have mett many troubles and adversityes, this is not the least, and that which affords much Comfort to my heart, that he hath given me a lovinge and dutyfull sonne: God allsufficient rewarde thee abundantly for all thy Care and paynes in my Affairs, and for all that Love and dutye thou hast shewed to thy good mother. I doubt not but thou shalt finde it in outward blessings, for thou art vnder the promise of havinge thy dayes prolonged: but I desire especially thou mayest finde it in the manifestation of the Goodwill of the Lord towards thee, and in those spirituall blessings, which may fatten thy soule.

This shipp stayinge so longe here, I am allmost out of hope that my Lettres should come to thy hands: for though I thinke verye longe till I see you all heere, yet I would rather you stayed, though it were 2 or 3 months, to come with mr. Peirce, partly because of his skill and Care of his passingers, and partly that we might be the better provided of housing etc. to entertain you: for we are much streightned yet that waye, and we have had divers houses burnt, and now within these two dayes, mr. Sharpe and mr. Colburne, both of our towne, had their houses burnt to the ground, and much goods lost: thus it pleaseth the Lord still to humble vs. I doubt not, but he will doe us the more good at the last.

I have written to your vnckle D owning concerninge all our businesse fearing you should be come awaye. I have sent the Assignment sealed. I lefte all my bonds and writings in my Cupbord at Groton, or els at London.

Bringe no provision with you, but meale and pease, and some otemeale and Sugar, fruit, figges and pepper, and good store of Saltpeeter, and Conserue of redd roses, and mithridate, good store of pitche and ordinarye suett, or tallowe. bringe none but wine vinegar, and not much of that, and be sure that the Caske be good, store of oyled Calues skins of the largest, and the strongest welt leather shoes and stockins for Children: and hats of all Syzes. if you could bring two or three hundred sheepskins and lambs skins with the wooll on, dyed redd, it would be a good Comodytye heere, and the coursest woollen clothe (so it be not flockes,) and of sadd Colours, and some redd, milstones some 2 foot and some 3 foote ouer, with brasses ready cast and ringes, and mill bills, store of shoemakers thread, and hobnayles, Chalk and Chalkeline and a paire or 2 or more of large steele Compasses, store of course linnen: some birdlime.

When you have cleered all things in England, if you haue any moneye lefte, you may bring some with you, (not aboue 100li) and the rest leaue with your vnckle Downing or dispose of it as your owne occasions may require. 22any wise matt. must have 400li and there wilbe much due to your sister Winthrop which were best to be left in England. but you must advise with your vncle Downing about these things, for I am so full of businesse heere, as I cant think of mine owne affairs as I should. you must allso consider what you would have for your selfe, and how you would imploy it.

I never had lettre yet from your brother Forth 2 if he intends to come hether, it were good he solde his lande and payd his sister her 100li which he promised when I putt over his lande to him. you shall need bringe no more Cowes for I have enough. The good Lord blesse you and bringe you and all my Company hither in safty so I rest your lovinge father