A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Edward Cooke to John Winthrop1
Cooke, Edward JW

1638-09-10

To the right worshipfull my most Honoured friend Mr. John Winterop Governour in New Englande present these
Noble Sir,

I conceive I am not out of your remembrance, and being confident of your goodness, have presumed to intreate your favour in the behalfe of the Bearer hereof, my sonn. it hath pleased the wise disposer of all things to affect his heart for New England, and nothing could please him but my consent to that affection. I haue bredd him vpp vnder my selfe in my profession of an Apothecarie 5 yeares. hee hath proffited in that way reasonable well, and had his affection stood constant to continue with mee, I should have made him a compleate Artist. hee is honest and religiouse, and I doubt not but hee will soe approve himselfe, and may proove a vsefull man in that place. I was the more willinge to condescend to this his desire in respect of your selfe, and my reverend friend Mr. Hooker, Mr. Theophilus Eaton, Mr. Hopkins, and divers others of my good friends in that place, and now Noble Sir, my Suite to your selfe is this, that yow willbe pleased to countenance him, and advise him. hee shall not bee chargable to yow, for I intend God willing to supply him in all respects, with whatsoever hee shall wante, and if hee take liking to the Cuntrey (as I suppose hee will), then God willing I will sett him vpp in that profession hee hath exercised. yow may please to remember I am an adventurer one of the first, when Mr. Cradock my Loveing Cousin was Governour and payde to the Tresurer Mr. Harwood at two payments 100li as these notes acquittances vnder his hand will shew, and to what end. besides I lent the Company 50li vppon there seale, as my sonn will make knowne. I hope by your good favour and furtherance my sonn may enjoye those priviledges due in Compensation of these sommes of money so longe agoe disbursed by mee in that action, which profitts or assignements from the worthy Company in New England I have given to my sonn Robert 56Cooke,2 beseeching yow to stand his friend, and I shall bee much obleiged to yow for your favour and will bee ready to serve yow in any thinge in this kingdom to my power. thuss nothing doubting of your kinde acceptance of this my Suite, and of your favour to this poore stranger who hath forsaken all his friends, I take my leave, and commend yow to the divine providence, and will ever rest, Your assured loveinge friend to serve yow

Edward Cooke London the 10 Septembris 1638
1.

W. 3. 103; 4 Collections , VII. 381–382. For Cooke, see 4 Collections , VII. 381n.

2.

In October, 1640, Robert Cooke, then of Charlestown, was granted eight hundred acres of land β€œin regard of his fathers 100li aduentured in the ioynt stock.” Records of Massachusetts, I. 307.