A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Nathaniel Ward to John Winthrop1
Ward, Nathaniel JW

1640-11-26

Sir,

I thanke you much for your letter and loue and those of the plantation for their good esteeme of mee, which I trust I shall not be backward to requite to my poore power: when I came out of the bay matters were left thus beĀ­300tweene Mr. Shepheard and mee, that if there might be any subsistence there2 this winter, I should heare from him: speaking both with him and some of the plantation I discerned that they thought it too difficult to adventure thither till the extremity of the winter were abated. I acknowledge I am tender and more vnfitt for solitarines and hardshipp then some others especially att this tyme through many colds and seeds of the bay sicknesses I brought from thence yet if God and counsell cast me vpon any worke or condition I should labour not to wayue his good prouidence. I heare there is no priuate roome there, litle prouision and not a woman to dresse meate or wash linnen, and the cheif of the men are like to be absent for the most parte att their owne homes. I am much troubled what to doe, but vpon Mr. Shepheards letters I shall take aduise and doe what God shall direct and inable me vnto. In the meanetyme iterating my thankfull respect to your selfe and them craving your prayers I rest Your worships in all Christian service

Nathl. Warde Ipswich 9is: 26, 1640
1.

W. 3. 12; 4 Collections , VII. 29.

2.

Probably the new settlement at Haverhill.

Testimony of Elizabeth Sturgis1
Sturgis, Elizabeth

1641

First I Elizebeth Sturges do Afirm that when I lived with my master Cumines I was sent to Cap: patricks to help his wiffe and having busines in the seler he cam down presenlie After mee and tooke mee about the midel and wold kisse mee and put his hand into my boosome at which I was much amazed at his Carage to mee beeing but young yet striving with him he let me go then presentlie After I went home to my masters and being trobeled at it when we wer in bed I aquanted my dames sister with his Carage to me Afterwards my dame sending mee thether againe I refused to go my dame desyerous to know the reason hir sister standing by told hir, and shee made hir husban aqunted with his Carag to me and hir husban told a neybor of it and that man told master Carter and Mr. Carter deals with him about it wher vpon he comes to my master and cals him to speak with him then my master cals mee out and sayed to me I wonder you shold deale so with me, and I replied to him and sayd you cannot be Ignorant of these thinges and After many pasages he sayd if these thing be trew I was in a great temtation and then he sayd to me he cold troble me but he wold not and so left.

2lie some tym After I living at home with my father I went into the lot to 301gather sucking stalks and he cam sudenlie vpon me and asked me whether I spake those things that I had spake for anie hurt to him or not I sayd no I amed not to hurt him nor anie other and the things being past I intended to speak no more of them then he ofered to kisse mee I refusing he sayed vnles I wold kisse him he wold not beleeve but that I wold speak of it againe.

3lie som tyme After I being maryed vpon some occation coming into the bay to my fathers I going to watertown to the lecter he overtooke mee on the way and spake to mee to call in as I went backe to see his wiffe which I did and sudenlie he cum in and desyered mee to go into the next room to speake with me about our plantation and when I was there hee cume to kisse me I desyered him to forbeare and told him such things wer not fit but he wold and did and wold have had mee to set in his lap but I did not then he replied to me that it was lawfull so to do to expresse love on to another then I rose vp to go away but he sayd I shold tarry for hee had sent for sacke and I shold drinke with him I told him I must be gon he told me if he had tyme and oportunitie he wold make it apeere to mee the lawfulnes of it I still desyering to be gon hee wisht me not to be offended for if I did love him but as well as he did love mee I wold not take it so ill but wold rather pittie him then be offended. then hee was at me to meet him in the Evening in the way and he wold further labor to convince me of his love to me but with much adoe I got away and presenlie made my father and all the house aquanted with it and durst not go out into the way that night for feare.

Ca. 1641

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop: Sturgis wife against Capt. Patrick.

1.

W. 1. 144.