A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

18
Joan Winthrop to John Winthrop1
Winthrop, Joan JW

1638-03-05

To her loving and aproued good frend and Kinseman Mr. John Winthrop theis be deliuered in new Ingland
Loving Cosen,

My comendations remembred vnto you your bedfellow and to all the rest of my cosens in generall hoping in God that you with all the rest be in good health as I myself with the rest of our freinds that are living here God be praise att the writing hereof Theis are to certife vnto you that my husband is deade three years agoe and I am left destitute without any freinds that are able to affoard any of there Comforts to helpe me, soe that now pouerty Constrayneth me att this time being in want and pouerty Earenesly to desire and intreat you to extend and shewe you frendly and naturall loue towards me in this my great want and nececissitie imbolding my self to trouble you with theis few lynnes, which I haue sent vnto you by mr. Georg Sheppard and his sonne by whom I did vnderstand that he knoweth you very well and that you live richly and very well which I desire my lord god you may soe still continewe to his will and pleasure in this world and in the world to Come life eternall. soe this are my last desire that you will rememeber in this my necessitie and pouerty And I shall rest my selfe very thankefull vnto and greatly bound to pray for you and yours Thus expecting you Charitable loue and affection and letter either by mr. Sheppard or by some other sufficient and trustie messinger, craving pardon for my boldnes I rest and Comitt you to the protection of god almightie Your poore and loving Cosen

Joane Winthorp daughter to Willyam Hills From Bandon Bridg in Ireland the 5th Day of March 1637/38
1.

W. Au. 71; 5 Collections , I. 86–87. Joan Winthrop was the widow of Adam Winthrop, a cousin of Governor Winthrop.