Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

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John Venn to John Winthrop

April 1640

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Nathaniel Lufkin to John Winthrop

1 April 1640

Nathaniel Ward to John Winthrop1

Ward, Nathaniel JW

1640-04

To the Worshipfull our Gouernour att Boston

Sir,

We are bold to continue our suite concerning the plantation I lately mencioned to yow. our company increases apace from diuers townes, of very desirable men wherof we desire to be very choise. this next weke if God 222hinder vs not we purpose to view the places and forthwith to resort to yow2 and in the meane tyme we craue your secrecy and rest Your Worships

Na: Warde Ca. April, 1640

We haue already more then 20 families of very good Christians purposed to goe with vs if God will and we heare of more.

Our neighbour Townes are much greiued to see the lauish liberality of the Court in giving away the Countrye. some honest men of our towne affirme that in their knowledge there are 68 townes in England within as litle compasse as the bounds of Ipswich: I knowe neere 40 where I dwelt: Rowly is larger then Ipswich 9 or 10 miles longe and will haue other plantations within it tributaries to it and intend as we heare to stretch their wings much further yet and will spoile Qutcthicqute vtterly if not Pentucket. We earnestly pray yow to prevent it. We should incourage many to come ouer if many plantations were not spoiled by the extreame largnes of those that are already giuen our purpose is to haue no great bands.

W. 3. 11; 4 Collections , VII. 28.

Giles Firmin, in his letter to Governor Winthrop, February 12, 1639/40, says that “some of vs will veiw Pentuckett Haverhill in the Springe.” The petition for the grant of land for the new settlement came up before the General Court in May, 1640. Records of Massachusetts, I. 290.