A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Lucy Downing to Margaret Winthrop1
Downing, Lucy Winthrop, Margaret

1640-05

To her most honerd sister mrs. margret winthrop humbly tender this Boston
My moste honerd sister,

I maye well blush att my longe silence beinge your deptor for so many noble fauors both when I was with you and since.

it is truth I sometimes forbear you trouble by writinge, because I see it pleaseth you better to pleasure your frinds in acsions then in words. I could wish my selfe mrs. of that faculltye allso, but barrennes in both is a bleamish intolerable. I hope I shall studiouslie desire to doe you better seruis: my frequent and exquisit messeryes I presume you haue often heard of. they keept me in a habit of complayninge, but I bles god I haue had much remission for 4 dayes past, and should be moste glad if it would pleas the lord to giue me strenght to wayt apon you, but rather that I maye euer submit to his will that makes all conditions blesings, to whom I pray commend your vnworthy sister and seruant

L. D. Ca. May, 1640

your lemmons wear allmost as rare as drops of life. I am the more sensible of your depriuement of them.

1.

W. 4. 9; 5 Collections , I. 26.