A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

35
Martha Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Winthrop, Martha Winthrop, John, Jr.

1631-05-24

To hir very louinge Husband Mr. John winthrop at mr. Downings house in fletstrete neare flete condite these deliver
My sweete husband,

I came safe to Groton upon Teusday at noone thankes bee too God and in this litle time haue much wanted thy company: since my coming I heard such strange newes: it is credebly reported all over the countrey that thou wert taken up at the court like a very boy and the reason was 1. because wee were neere a kine 2ly becaus wee maried without consent 3ly because I was under age with soe many surcumstanses has made my mother and all of them beeleve it and to mend the matter my Uncle Gostlin came and tould my mother that shee could not goe too New Ing. because of that and that she and the rest must starve and I must haue 60 pound a yeere ioynter with many more such like words which made them all very sad and it was that newese which made my mother write of going withowt us I have a great deale of newes to write thee but time will not permit I comend thee thearfore to God with my owne love and rest yours thy faithfull wife

Martha Winthrope

comend mee to all our freinds with thee all our freinds heere are in health and remember theare loues unto thee my mother would pray thee to send downe a bottle of sallet oyle.

teusday night 1631 ca. May 24
1.

W. Au. 60; Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, L. 82. This letter, with the exception of the superscription, the postscript, and the date, is in cipher.

Margaret Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Winthrop, Margaret Winthrop, John, Jr.

1631-05-24

To hir louinge and much respected sonne mr. John Winthrop at Mr. Downings in fletstrete neare flete condite these deliver
my deare Sonne,

Since it hath pleased god to make a waye for me, and to giue me incoragement for my voyage, and vpholds my hart that it faynts not, I doe resolue by his assistance to cast my selfe vpon him, and to goe for N: E: as spedyly as I can with any conuenience thearfore, my good Sonne, let me 36intreate thee to take order for our goeinge as soone as thou canst, for winter wil come on apace. yet I doe not knowe howe wee can goe wel before haruest by resone of our provisions of corne. I did heare from my brother Tyndall whose counsell is for to stay till the springe, but I hope to breake through that, and geete his good will. I did speake with mr. wilson, who was very desyrus to knowe when we went, but then I could not tell howe things would falle out at London and could not resolue him. if he goe it must be without his wifes consent, for she is more auerce then euer she was. if he goe not it will disharten many that would be wiling to goe. I haue bin constrayned to send to the tenants for rent wantinge monye but haue receued but a little yet this weeke thay promise to paye. thay complayne of the hardnesse of the time, and would be glad to be forborne, but I tell them that my nesessityes requires it, so I hope to gette in some. I thank god my daughter came home safe, and is very welcome. I should haue bine very glad to haue seene thy selfe, but I knowe that thou art full of businesse. I heare my sister Downinge will come doune I pray tell hir from me she shalbe very welcome which wilbe hir best intertainement so shall mrs. Downinge, if she pleas to bringe hir, and thus with my best affections to thy selfe brother and sister Downing I commit you to god your louinge mother

Margaret Winthrop Ca. May 24, 1631
1.

W. Au. 54; L. and L. , II. 86–87.