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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Giles Firmin to John Winthrop1
Firmin, Giles JW

1639-12-26

Much Honoured and Deare Sir,

But that I thinke it needlesse (God hauinge more then ordinarye fitted you for such trialls) my letter might tell you with what greife of spirit I receiued the news of that sad affliction which is lately happened to your worship, by means of that vnfaithfull wretch;2 I hope God will finde a shoulder to helpe you beare so great a burthen. But the little time there is allotted mee to write, I must spend in requestinge your 164worships Counsell and fauour. my father law Ward since his sonne3 came ouer, is very desirous that wee might sett downe together, and so that he might leaue vs together if God should remoue him from hence. because that it cannot bee accomplished in this Towne, is very desirous to gett mee to remoue with him to a new Plantation. after much perswasion vsed considering my want of accommodation heere (the ground the Towne hauing giuen mee lyinge 5 miles from mee or more) and that the gaines of Physick will not finde mee with bread; hee besides apprehendinge that it might bee a way to free him from some temptations, and macke him more cheerefull and seruiceable to the Country or church haue yeelded to him heerein as I desire your Counsell, so I humbly request your fauour, that you would bee pleased to giue vs the libertye of choosinge a plantation; wee thinke it will bee either Pentuckett, or Quichichchek, by Shawshin: so soone as the season will giue vs leaue to goe, wee shall informe your worship which we desire: and if that by the Court of Election we cannot gather a company to begine it, wee will let it fall. Wee desire your worship would not graunt any of them to any before wee haue seene them. if your worship haue heard any relation of the Places, wee should remaine thankfull to you, if you would bee pleased to counsell vs to any of them. Further I would entreate your aduise in this: the Towne gaue mee the ground (100 acres) vpon this Condition that I should stay in Towne 3 yeers, or else I could not sell it: now my father supposes, it being my first heritage, (my Father hauinge none in the Land) that it is more then they cann doe to binde mee so when as others haue not beene so, but range from place to place on purpose to Iiue vpon the Country. I would entreate your Counsell whither or noe I cann sell it. Further: I am strongely sett vpon to studye Diuintie. my studyes else must bee lost: for Physick is but a meane helpe. In these Cases I humbly referr to your worship, as my Father, for your Counsell. and so in much hast, with my best seruice presented to your worship, wishinge you a strong support in your affliction and a good and comfortable issue I rest Your worships in what hee cann to his power

Gyles Fyrmin Ipswich: 26 10th 1639

wee humbly entreate your secrecye in our desires.

1.

Miscellaneous MSS., Bound, M.H.S.; Hutchinson Papers (1769), 108; (1865), II. 122–123. For Firmin, see 4 Collections , VII. 273n.

2.

James Luxford, whose defalcations while in Winthrop's employ were now threatening to bring financial ruin upon the Governor.

3.

The Reverend John Ward, son of the Reverend Nathaniel Ward of Ipswich.