I haue here in Salem a desire to Match my sonne James to a Maide2 that lives in mr. Endicotts howse. hir sister3 is maryed here who sayes the mayd was left to hir dispose by hir parents, but they dying intestate, the administration and tuition of the maide was by the Court comitted to mr. Hathorne, mr. Batter and Goodman Scrugs, and to helpe mr. Endicott with some present monie, you wrote to mr. Hathorne to putt hir to Mr. Endicott to board, who therevpon receved 40li aforehand for 2 yeares. I haue moved mr. Hathorne, and mr. Batter for my sonne, who are well pleased therewith I purposed to haue acquaynted mr. Endicott therewith, but that a freind in great secrecye told me, that mr. Batter had in my sonnes behalfe told yt to mr. Endicott, and as mr. Endicott said to my good freind mr. Hathorne that he had the wholl dispose of the maid and would provide a better match for hir, mr. Hathorne answeared him that they the Feoffees were trusted with the person and the estate vntill the maid should be of yeares to dispose of hir selfe, which said he, that shee now was of full yeares to dispose of hir selfe, being past 16, for shee is about 17 yeares of age; then mr. Endicott replyed that he would write to the Gouernour and your selfe about yt. mr. Hathorne desires not to be knowne of this councell revealed to me etc. I should first haue advised with mr. Endicott in this, but hir freinds 306desired he should not yet be acquaynted therewith, nor now vntill I heare an answeare from yourselfe, and the Governour that the Maide be left to hir owne dispose of the Feoffees to whom before hir full age shee did apperteyne. I pray let me be beholding to you to acquaynt the Governour herewith, with my humble dutye to him, that he may doe me right and answer mr. Endicott without offence that the mayde is of full age, but I leaue the matter and manner myselfe and all to your better Judgement, submitting wholly to the will of God herein; I desire much to see the yssue hereof and to match some of my elder Children because some thinke me to blame that none of them are disposed of. I have provided a verie good Match for my neice Nab. Goade. he is old Moulton his only sonne, a member of our Church, of 4 or 500li estate. if my sonns buisines proceede I may about a moneth hence, haue both cowples maried on a day.

I feared the losse of your accounts which my wife now hath found being in hir custodye. I purpose now according to promise send in my next the abstract thereof, that you may understand how yt is betwene vs. I pray let my Cosen Stephen take a receipt of mr. Treasurour vpon deliuerie of the 40 bushells of Corne for vijli in parte of the rate of Salem, for myne owne parte thereof comes to but 4li 10s. Soe with my humble service to yourselfe and my good sister I rest Your assured loving brother

I humble thank you for all your fauors whearin both I and myne are sempiternally ingaged allso I humble thank you for the mayde I haue good hopes of her. My cosen nab and she wear fellow trauillers in the ship from eng: nab. giues her the report of a very good carigd theer: allso my brother got2 and his wife wear near neighbours to hir frinds in eng. and they repute them to be people of a very godly conuersation, and many times hereditary blesings are perpetuated and vertue followes them: my mayd abygall is suddaynlie to be maryed to robert Moulton of this towne: and I hope it maye proue a blessinge of comfort to her for the parents and 307sonne are people of a religious peacable life, and prouident in theeir estates: I haue felt more generall weaknes within this fortnight then euer formerly without violent distemper. but I suppose age and constant infermitye can produce noe less. the Lord giue me to liue only by fayth in him, and that will preuent the king of terors force. when our life is hid with him that liues foreuer, why should wee fear a happye appearance. but my death maye produce the more trouble to so dear and noble a frind as your self with myne: but excuse all my bouldnes I pray, and blame me not for makeing the best choyce I can for them, and he that commaunds charitye and promiseth requitall to cups of water, I hope will be your full reward, theer lyes my refuge ells durst I not presume so far apon your patience.

I pray present my seruis and thanks to my dear brother and nephewes whom I should be glad to see: and my seruis to my neec and hapye wishes to her and hers. I rest yours in all seruis obliged