A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Benjamin Gostlin to John Winthrop1
Gostlin, Benjamin JW

1640-03-06

To the worshipfull his Lovinge Vncle mr. Jno. Winthropp giue this in Newe England
from London this 6th March 1639/40 Most Loving Vncle,

I Reced your loving letter for the which I thanke you and likewise for your good Counsell which I desire of God grace to followe I am hartely gladd to heare of your well being and your hopefull procedings and earnestly desire of god to goe alonge with you and direct you in all your enterprises that you may doe nothing but what may tend to gods glory and the good of the plantation which per gods appoyntement you haue bin Called vnto that when ther shall be a period putt to your dayes you may inioy the happines which is laide vp for gods servants. Remember my kinde love to my Ante Winthrop and to all my Cosens in generall I shold be verry gladd of some good Occation to come to Newe England that I might inioy your sweete sosiety which once I did but then was not Capable of but as yett I am in soe good imployment and in so hopefull a waye that I shold be much blameable if I shold thrust my selfe oute of it I shold be verry glad to Receive a letter from you if you wold doe so much as wright to me and send it per mr. Midleton for I Know he will Conveye it to me onely Direct it to Ben: Gostlin Aborde the shipp Henry Bonadventure at Leghorne or elce where I haue a Jarr or 2 of good Oyle which I doe intende to send per James Brocke which is all that I haue for you at presant yett I wold intreate you to accept as my love I am now bownde for Rushia and from thence to Leghorne I haue bin at home these six months for trading haue bin verry dead and is still I thinke that ther will be but fewe passengers Come ouer this yeare being in hope of soome good vent of this parliament which is now towards which I desire god may not be frustrated but if this shold not take effect to my Knowledg ther will come Abondance the next Spring. Ald 217Some and mr. Craddocke2 are Chosen Burgesses for the City I know not as yett whoe is Chosen for Suffolke but I thinke Sir Nathaniell Bampston3 will be one I haue nothing elce worth trobling you with all I bles god we are all in good helth and thus in hast I Comitt you to the protection of the Almighty desiring you to Remember me in your Prayers your trewe Loving Nephewe

Ben: Gostlin

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop: Cosin B: Gostlin to be answ: by mr. middleton.

1.

W. 1. 132. Benjamin Gostlin, a sea captain, was the son of Thomas Gostlin and Jane Winthrop, sister of Governor Winthrop. See Joseph J. Muskett, Evidences of the Winthrops of Groton (1894–1896), 92–94.

2.

Thomas Soame and Matthew Cradock.

3.

Nathaniel Barnardiston. See his letter to Winthrop, March 15, 1639/40 (pages 217–218, below).