A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

261
George Fenwick to John Winthrop1
Fenwick, George JW

1640-07-06

For his honored freind John Winthrop esqr. att his house in Boston, thes
Sir,

When I was with yow I did not know, how Mr. Whitefeild and I should devid.2 I thought it most equall that he should haue had part stock and part of your debt, but he being vtterly destitute of Catle and relyeing vpon those he expected vpon his bargaine with my wife, I haue condiscended to lett him haue all the 5 Cowes that remained of my wifes whole stock, and haue taken your debt wholly vpon my selfe beinge confident that as your occasions will inable yow, yow wilbe mindfull of it. I speak not this to straiten yow, for the Lord knowes that from that respect I beare yow for your publique mindednes and personall worth I could be very reddi to doe a greater Courtesie for yow if it were in my power yet my occasions are such, and my disappointments haue bene soe great that I haue bene and am lik to be more straitned for moneyes this yeare then in that litle tyme I haue liued I haue ever bene, for of 1000li and aboue I ordered to be returned into the Bay I haue receaued but 326li and it is very doubtfull what is become of the rest; as also after the death of my servant, I sent another for Engl. to bring me some returnes, who was forced to goe about by Spaine, and I heare noething of him, though I haue a letter from John Wood, who mentions provisions he hath to bring for me from some freinds but mentions not my man; which makes me the rather feare because the letters I wrott by him were left behind and sent by another Conueyance and by them such freinds as I wrot to may provid for me. The Lordes wilbe done in all. If he se not meet my occasion should proceed according to my owne order and provision, I hope he will giue me a hart with all humblenes to be contented to haue them stayed or caried on after his good will and pleasure. I haue receaued the Cow that was with you (by my servants) and shall not trouble yow now further, but presentinge my true respects to your selfe and bedfellow I rest Your loving freind

Geo: Fenwick Seabrook 6º July 1640

My wife remembers her loue to yow both.

1.

W. 2. 145; 4 Collections , VI. 365–366.

2.

The Reverend Henry Whitfield, founder of Guilford, Connecticut, and a close friend of Fenwick. In 1639 Fenwick, planning his return from England to Saybrook, had arranged with Whitfield and the latter's company for “their joint immigration to Connecticut in the same ship, and made joint stock of their cattle and other effects necessary for the supply of their plantations.” Bernard C. Steiner, A History of the Plantation of Menunkatuck and of the Original Town of Guilford, Connecticut (Baltimore, 1897), 22.