A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

518
Samuel Symonds to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Symonds, Samuel Winthrop, John, Jr.

1637-12-14

Sir,

after I had dispatched my letters and busines to you by my father Peter, it soe came to passe that a kinde neighbour and an vnderstandeing man came into the howse where I was and after some discourse about imploying of servants this winter tyme, and of my particuler case about my sendeing any servants to Ipswich, I resolved to take the oportunity of my fathers Barke now at Boston to send certaine necessarie things by it as far as Salem that soe by some meanes or other they may be gotten to Argilla.2 I have alsoe sent Daniell3 and two men to sett forward (what they can) my businesse there. They are rawe planters as yet they want experience but we doubt not but you will be pleased to councell, and order them in their businesses, while the hard weather last, I suppose that their worke wilbe to deale in woodworke, as stubbing of trees cleareing of grounds etc. and as soone as any open weather come not to omit breakeing vp of grounds for Indian corne this yeare. Its indiferent to me whether they cleare in the mowed plow ground or in the other, onely this I take it to be best to begin wheare most grownde may easliest and spediest be cleared. I would faine get as much corne growing this yeare as I can, and then seed being gotten into ground we shall attend breaking vp and tilling of ground for next yeare. They will want direccions alsoe I feare for their lodgeings to be warme for provideing besides Indian corne some other cheape provition as garden things fish etc. Albeit I shalbe glad to find some good entrance made in my businesse against my comeing yet if with a litle matter done it please god that I meet them in health I hope I shall rest well content. The lord god prosper all our enterprises, amen. vale. Yours ever in all brotherly affeccion

S: Symonds Dec: 14th 1637
1.

W. 3. 32; 4 Collections , VI. 121–122. For Symonds, see 4 Collections , VII. 118n.

2.

The name of the farm at Ipswich which John Winthrop, Jr., sold to Symonds.

3.

Daniel Epes.

Robert Keayne to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Keayne, Robert Winthrop, John, Jr.

1637-12-15

Dear Sir,

I haue receaued yor louinge letter abowt Mr. Hall and that debt which is made ouer to me from Mr. Dixon, who should haue payd me mony in London, and doth now wright to me to take this hear. I should be ready 519to doe him what Curtesie I could not wronginge my selfe. Therfor I hope he will strayne him selfe the more to giue me satisfaction as soon as he cane, for the offer of thear seruice, and your comendation of them, I canot but take well yet my wife thinkes thay are both to fine to take any greate paynes and soe may be the more vnlowly to subiect them selues to the condition of seruants, and I neede one that is able not only torn and ouerlooke seruants in my absence but alsoe by his owne example to incowrage, and draw the rest torn full labour, and orderinge things to my best aduantage torn Prouerb runns of a good Husband indeed, that torn doe such a thing but come and let vs doe such a thing torn. Since your selfe and I had any speech abowt him, I torn a frend in England the offer of a very good Husbandman and his wife to Hue at my Farme, for whom I haue sent letters to come this next somer; which yet it is possible may not come, therefor I am willinge to treate with Mr. Hall vpon thease Termes if he will come ouer shortly to me, and we may pitch vpon the wages: he and his wife may come early to the farme in the springe, only thus if this man should come from England then he must be content to dispose of him selfe otherways only I will giue them a qwarter of a years time to prouide them selues, and than it wilbe no preiudice, and besides though I will prouide nothinge, yet if I should aproue of his faythfullnes and dilligence to my likinge, it may be thear may be longer continuance and I may dispose of the other some other way: yet both my selfe and wife maruell how he beinge a yownge man and withowt charge: and haue had such helpes and haue made away this parcell of goods, and yet be behind hand, and not able to liue, whare others that come ouere very poor doe grow pretty rich and before hand and yet mayntayne a wife and 3 or 4 children by thear owne labor. thus desiring yow to present owr due respects to your selfe wife, Mr. and Mrs. Norton, your Brother Dudlye etc. I rest Your louinge frend

Robert Keayne December 15th 1637
1.

W. 4. 91; 5 Collections , I. 254–255. For Keayne, see 5 Collections , I. 254n.