A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

221
Mary Dudley to Margaret Winthrop1
Dudley, Mary Winthrop, Margaret

1636-01

To my deare and very loving mother Mrs. Winthrop at Boston these be delivered
Deare mother,

my humble dutie remembred to you. It reioyceth me to heare of your recoverie out of your dangerous sicknes, and should be glad to heare how your health is continued to you by a letter from your selfe, for I haue not heard from you a long time which troubleth me, though I haue sent you three or foure letters to you: I thought it convenient to acquaint you and my father, what a great affliction I haue met withal by my maide servant, and how I am like through god his mercie to be freed from it; at her first comminge to me she carried her selfe dutifully as became a servant; but since through mine and my husbands forbearance towards her for small faults, shee hath got such a head and is growen soe insolent, that her carriage towards vs especially myselfe is vnsufferable. if I bid her doe a thing shee will bid me to doe it my selfe, and she sayes how shee can give content as wel as any servant but shee will not, and sayes if I loue not quietnes I was never so fitted in my life, for shee would make me haue enough of it. If I should write to you of all the reviling speeches, and filthie language shee hath vsed towards me I should but greiue you. my husband hath vsed all meanes for to reforme her, reasons and perswasions, but shee doth professe that her heart and her nature will not suffer her to confesse her faults; If I tell my husband of her behauiour towards me, vpon examination shee will denie all that shee hath done or spoken: so that we know not how to proceede against her: but my husband now hath hired another maide and is resolved to put her away the next weeke.

Thus with my humble dutie to my father I rest your dutifull and obedient daughter

Mary Dudley Ca. January, 1635/36
1.

W. 4. 25; 5 Collections , I. 68. Mary Dudley was the daughter of Governor Winthrop by his first wife, Mary Forth, and was the wife of the Reverend Samuel Dudley, son of Governor Thomas Dudley.

John Endecott to John Winthrop1
Endecott, John Wintrhop, John

1636-01

Wourthie Sir,

I ame sorrie to heare of your affliccion in this visitation of God, though you know that whom he loueth he chastiseth let that comfort 222you, and you will see through Gods goodnes towards you that it will turne to good and you will say with that good kinge and prophet it is good for mee that I was in trouble. The Lord sanctifie this his hand to you. I haue sent you of all I haue or what I can gett: viz. Syrup of violetts Sirrup of Roses: Spirit of mints: Spirit of Annis as you may see written vppon the seuerall vialls. I haue sent you Mrs. Beggarly2 her vnicorns horne and Beza stone I had of Mr. Humfry who is sorry also for your exercise. I haue sent you a Bezoar stone, and mugwort and organie if you should haue neede of it they are both good in this case of your wife, and also I haue sent you some Galingall root. Mrs. Beggarly knowes the vse of it. If the fitt of the mother come verie violently as you write, There is nothing better to suppresse the rising of it then sneezing: a little pouder of tobaccou taken in her nose I thinck is better then Helibore. If I knew how or which way in this case to doe her good I would with all my heart, and would now haue come to you but I ame altogether vnskilfull in theise cases of weomen: Mr. Humfry and his lady remember them to you. I came from thence last night at 12 of the clock at night for I was from home when your letter came. Mrs. Williams doeth the like and if you please to tell Mrs. Beggerly that all her famly are well. My wiefe remembers her heartie loue to you and your wiefe and Mrs. Feake. The lord in mercie looke vpon you and send you comfort from aboue and strengthen you in patience and in humilitie to vndergoe his hand to whom I comitt you and rest Yours vnfeigned

Jo: Endecott Ca. January, 1635/36

Your man parted heere halfe an hower after seauen in the morning.

1.

W. 3. 39; 4 Collections , VII. 156–157.

2.

See N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, XXXV. 318–320.