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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Thomas Cobbett to John Winthrop1
Cobbett, Thomas JW

1644-03-13

To our honoured Gouernor and his much esteemd freind Mr. Winthop at his howse in Boston present theise I pray you
Worthy Sir,

I vnderstand that you are by Mr. Humphrey desired to take care of the dispose of his children2 wherefore I thought meet to acquaint you with a prouidence of God offering an opportunity for the comfortabl disposal of one of them. mr. Daulton of Hampton staying at one of our Brethrens howses lately Inquired after mr. Humphreys children offering to take one of them and to bring it vp as his owne hauing of his owne but one child. his 452Reason he gaue hereof was in that mr. Humphrey had formerly aduentured him self for him in england when in the High Commission Court and was a means of his liberty and therefore he would gladly thus requite that his kindeness, and beeing told hear was none in this towne but Dorcas formerly defiled etc. he replied that was indeed some Blott vppon her but yet he would be content to take her if mr. Humphreis freinds soe pleased. now Sir if you please and that you Judge it meet we shall take some care to send to Mr. Dalton that thear may be further order taken for the conueyance of her to him to Hampton. mr. Ottley is poore, and he cannot helpe her. mr. Walton is for Long Iland shortly there to sitt downe with my Lady Moody from vnder ciuill and church watch among the Dutch and albeit Dorcas be with him at present yet I suppose you will not assent to his carrying of her with him thither if he should desire it and with whome else the child should comfortably be I knowe not vnless some such like prouidence as this is be attended to and Improoued. your worship may please to expresse your minde herein to some of our Brethren that will be at Boston lecture and by them I shall vnderstand your pleasure, and accordingly act in it: beeing willing to doe any freindly office that way out of old respects vnto her Father and Mother. and thus with remembrance of all due respects to yourself and Mrs. Winthrop your wife, commending you and yours to the shadow of the wings of the Almighty I rest Yours to command in him

Tho: Cobbett lyn this 13th of the 1 m. 1643/44

if your worship please, your self may write to mr. Daulton and it will much aduantage and further the worke propounded.

1.

W. 4. 120; 5 Collections , I. 333–335.

2.

John Humfrey had returned to England in 1641. For the subsequent misfortunes of his daughters, see Journal, II. 83; also printed in D.J.W. .