A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Emmanuel Downing to John Winthrop1
Downing, Emmanuel JW

1640-02-24

To his ever Honored brother John Winthrop Governour
Sir,

I doe retorne you manie thanks for your kynde letter of the 13th of this Instant, and doe blesse God for the continewance of health to you and yours, and doe much reioyce in this, that the lord hath enabled you with patience and chearfulnes to beare your burthen he knowes well what service you haue done for his people and Churches here. he hath promised requitall for a Cup of cold water given to any of his. I need not tell you of his riches, ability and faythfulnes in the performance of his word and promises to the 202meanest of his servants, nor of his trew and tender love vnto you, soe that I am assured he will repaire and fully repay all your losse, Costs and charges spent in his service. I pray be confident hereof and doe him that right, in being as chearfull and contented now, as when you had the world most at comand; and soe with pardon for my boldnes and faythfull service to my good sister and your selfe I rest Your assured loving brother whilest I am

Em: Downinge 24. 12. 39/40
1.

W. 2. 28; 4 Collections , VI. 53.

Edmond Freeman to John Winthrop1
Freeman, Edmond JW

1640-02-25

To the Worshipfull my very good frend Mr. John Winthrope at Boston in the Bay deliver these
Sir,

these may pleas your worship to vnderstand that I have appointed my Son William Paddy to receue of you for the Corne which I was to haue of the last yeere. I desire you would satisfy to him for so much as I paid for yt long sins which is I think 11li 13s 4d. Ther was A Cow appointed by Mr. Andrewes for Mr. Williames of Providens.2 I desire you would be pleased to send me word wheather you haue any or noe. Or mony to buy for him. I haue directiones from him to that effect that Mr. Williames may haue a Cow to keepe her for haulfe the Calfe. I the rather make bold to intreat your answer because Mr. Williames hath sentt to me often tymes abought yt. With my salutacions to you in the lord and to all thos that feere the Lord with you I take my Leaue. Your Worshipes to vse

Edmond Freeman Last moneth 25th day 1639/40
1.

W. 1. 140. Edmond Freeman, who came to Massachusetts in the Abigail in 1635, settled first in Lynn and two years later became a freeman of New Plymouth, for which colony his brother-in-law, John Beauchamp, was an adventurer. He was one of the founders, in 1639, of the town of Sandwich. Bradford, History of Plymouth, II. 336.

2.

Cf. Richard Andrews to John Winthrop, July 8, 1639 (pages 129–131, above).

Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1640-02-25

To my verie louinge frind Mr. Jo: Winthrop at his house in Salem or elsewhere in New England these deliver
Sir,

To tell you quid scribitur, quid agitur de terra ista Adamica fere incognita what I heare, what I see, what I knowe; would be as tedious for 203you to read, as for me to write; but to tell you where I am? and what I doe; and when you shall see me, is a shorter worke. my bodie is at London, my soule in my bodie, and my mind in my soule, etc. and if you will, in mind I am and canbe euery where, while I am writing this lettre, I am with you; and what doe I? Outwardly, I am writing, inwardly I am meditatinge; and still with you and doe you aske when you shall see me, if you know not I will tell you. When you can see your selfe, or you and I all one; longe since you termed me Alter idem, and will there neuer be an vnion thinke you. because I account few words best, I haue sent you a little booke or two more by Mr. Kirbies sonne seven lines mutilated more then one, there is all goods to be found in vnitie, and all evill in duallitie and multiplicitie. Phoenix illa admiranda sola semper existit. therefore while a man and she is two, he shall neuer see her the Arabian Philosopher I writt to you of, he was styled among vs Dr. Lyon, the best of all the Rosicrucians2 that euer I mett with all, farre beyond Dr. Euer; they that are of his straine are knowing men; they pretend to Iiue in free light, they honor God and doe good to the people among whome they liue, and I conceiue you are in the right that they had theire Learninge from Arabia. But they come much shorte of the people that haue theire learninge from heauen, from God, from the Sonn of his Loue, such as I meane as are liuinge men, whose life and Conversation caracterizeth them, and not theire knowledge, for 'tis written (and we beleiue) knowledge puffeth vp, and Loue buyldeth vp. they haue knowledge as much as any, but it is not theire essence, theire life: theire All ☀. But more of this hereafter, and for other newes I referre you to your sister Fekes seven lines mutilated What can I say more ☀ Remember my humble service to your father and mother and my louinge salutations to all your brothers and sisters, and to Signior Humfries, Mr. Rich: Saltonstall, etc. Haue with this as much loue as a man can yeild to his frind, and the Lord giue you a right vnderstanding in all things; this is and shalbe the harty prayer of Your euer louinge frind

Edward Howse 25° Febr: 1639/40

Direct your lettres to me neere Lincolns Inn.

Coats lyned with fur torn among gentlemen, I pray helpe me to some Otter or torn winter, as may lyne me a Coate, and I will retorne money or Bookes. Vale in Christo.

1.

W. 2. 170; 4 Collections , VI. 507–508.

2.

This word is represented in the original manuscript by symbols.