I am very glad to hear the constant good newes of your health my good sisters and all your familye, the lord long continue it: for my selfe constant paynes thoughe not so sharp as some former fits yet doe much weaken; and smaller changes doe the more affect. the Lord only brings good out of euill, and strenght out of weaknes, and then I shall yet reioyce in him. Sir James Downing is desierous to marie with rebecca coper2 whoe liues with Msr. Endicot. Nowe wheather Msr. Endicot be trusted in her estate or no I am ignorant, but I haue heard he is not, only Msr. hauthorn and some others but questionles Msr. Endicot will expect to be sought to in the thinge, and his countenance theerin will be of moment. theerfore my husband would humble desire your selfe if you haue noe exception against it, that you would be pleasd to doe him the fauor to writ to Msr. Endicot to desire his furtherance theerin. The dispotition of the mayde and her education with Mrs. Endicot are hopefull, her person tollerable, and the estate very conuenient, and that is the state of the busines: allso James is incouraged by the mayds frinds to prosecute the sute, but I think he hath not yet spoken to the mayd as I hear.

allso I fear wee must intreat you to work with my cosen peters for his consent and the churches, wich is indeed all in him that wee maye haue some meanes att our farms for the education of our familyes. nowe to put such a charge apon only familye as that is profferd to our perticuler is as much as nothinge because it is beyound our grasp. but a few familyes joyninge through gods blesing so setled apon theer busines might be better able to support the charge and with more comfort by much then in this remotnes wee are in when I dare saye wee haue not 3 days in the week fre from either wholle distraction or much discomposure theerby both in temperall and allso spirituall ocasions, whearin I spare respect of your owne experience and only desier you to inlighten his iugdment in the thinge. I question not your owne, ells I should be more perticuler. allso sir Jo. Downing is very eager for sea Imployment. my cosen Peters wisht me to put him to msr. allerton for a whille, so I moued it to Msr. Allerton, and he doth earnestly aduise I should rather haue him taught first to writ and acoumpt well, and such like, that so he might allso be fit for merchandize. nowe what I humble request of your selfe is that you will pleas to aduise with Msr. pierce in the thinge: and Msr. pierce they saye is the moste able to teach him in this country. nowe if it be for a childs beinge, I shall be as ready to bestow a cowe or 2 apon him that waye as another, and if he hath it in an art I hope it maye be less casuall and I shall take it for a very kind respect in Msr. Pirce if he pleas to help hearin.

Sir I am very frequent in troubleing you butt I pray excuse me, and I shall euer desire to be your more seruisable sister

Wee are bold to intreat your furtherance in counsell and other helpe for the suppressing pipe staffs riuers and clabords in our towne; because 305wee haue 2 or 3 ships building. wee desire that within 2 or 3 miles neere any riuer they may not fell great tymber fit for shipping, for they may as well cut it further of it being so portable, and ship-timber being so heauy. your letter to Mr. Endecot by this bearer will helpe vs very much.2 This bearer will giue you more reasons then wee can, to whom wee intreat you would bee pleased to listen.

These men cut downe but halfe of the tree for their vse, and the rest lyes rotting and spoyles our Comons, with many more inconveniencyes then wee name. Thus crauing your wonted and lawfull favor herein, with our due salutations doe rest Yours in all duty