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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

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.

John Reading to John Winthrop1
Reading, John Wintrhop, John

1631-05-26

To the right worshipfull John Winthorpe Esqr. Governour, At Charles-Towne in Newe England deliver
Sir,

one Mr. Hueson2 hath bene often with me to write to you. It seemeth Mr. Johnson had some Cowes of his (six as he sayth) of the deliuery of Mr. Endycott, without any authority to sell them. In Michaelmas Tearme last he acquaynted me with his dislike of the Bargen, and euer since he disclaymes it, and tells me he wrote as much to Mr. Johnson, and this morninge he shewes me Capten Endycots letter that he had no authority And the scope 37of all is he desires he may haue his Cattell agayne, to which you are best able to giue answere. I can giue none.

We are at a stand here about Mr. Johnsons executorship. you write he made a will there to conferme this here.3 How can this then be proued as his last? You write you haue sent it over, John Drake sayth he copyed it to that purpose, But none can be heard of. I beseech you Sir let not your great occacions there cause an vtter neglect of the Credit and honour of that worthy gentleman, who liues still in the harts of many worthy Christians here and I doubt not but he doth liue as freshly there in your harts. I pray Sir send ouer his will as soone as you can, And let his engagements be discouered if any were. It would be a great dishonour if his debts should not be payd And who dares meddle till they know all. I wrote lately to Mr. Dudley to the same purpose So I hope hath Mr. Holled.

The lord keepe you and prosper your designes. Your

Jo: Readinge 26 May 1631
1.

W. 2. 185; 4 Collections , VI. 577–578. John Reading was a lawyer of the Inner Temple. Calendar of Inner Temple Records, F. A. Inderwick, Editor, II (London, 1898), 155. He has hitherto not been identified because of the misreading of his signature as “John Bradinge.” Another letter of his, with that signature, is printed in Winthrop Papers, II. 318–319.

2.

Thomas Hewson, a merchant of London and an adventurer in both the Massachusetts Bay Company and its predecessor, the New England Company.

3.

The earliest known will of Isaac Johnson is printed in Winthrop Papers, II. 49–56. For a discussion of Johnson’s later wills, see ibid., 49, n. 2.