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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4Note: you've followed an index reference to a note that, due to changes between the print and digital editions, may no longer be on page 321. Please look at all notes at the end of the document or documents on page 321.

John Endecott to John Winthrop1
Endecott, John JW

1641-02-05

To the Worshipfull my truelie honoured Friend John Winthrop senior esqr. deliver
Dearest Sir,

Both your Letters I receaued, for which I humblie thanck you. And in answere to them both thus. I shall (according to your desire in the one) call the old planters together assoone as convenientlie I can. And we will recollect what the Lord shalbe pleased to bring to our memories. And with what speede I can I shall send it you. I feare it will not suddainelie be done because they liue at their farmes, but I will hasten it what I can.

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Touching that in the other about Rebecca Cooper, the Lord knowes I haue alwaies resolued (and so hath my wiefe euer since the girle came to vs) to yelde her vp to be disposed by yourselfe to any of yours, if euer the Lord should make her fitt and worthie, and you accept of, which also I know Mr. Peters can and will fully satisfie you in from both our expressions from tyme to tyme. And that is our purposes and resolutions still if God hinder not. Now for the other for whom you writt.2 I confesse I cannot freelie yeald therevnto for present, for theise grounds. First the girle desires not to marry as yet. 2dly shee confesseth (which is the trueth) herselfe to be altogether yet vnfitt for such a condition, shee being a verie gerle and but 15 yeares of age. 3dly when the man was moued to her, shee said shee could not like him. 4thly You know it would be of ill report that a girle because shee hath some estate, should be disposed of so young espetiallie not hauing any parents to choose for her. Fourthlie I haue some good hopes of the childes comminge one to the best things; and on the other side, I feare, I will say no more: Other things I shall tell you when we meete. If this will not satisfie some let the Court take her of from mee and place her with any other to dispose of her, I shall be content, which I heare was plotted to accomplish this end, but I will further enquier about it, and you shall know of it if it be true. For I know there are many passages about this busines which when you come to heare of you will not like. But I leaue heere. The Lord our good God keepe and preserue you and yours blamelesse to the comminge and appearing of his sonne: And giue vs all faith hopefullie to waite vppon him who will doe for vs aboue what we can aske or think. In whom I ame Yours in true and heartie loue and affeccion while I liue

Jo: Endecott Salem 5. 12. 40/41

My wiefe desires to haue her seruice remembered to you and Mrs. Winthrop.

1.

W. 2. 76; 4 Collections , VI. 144–145.

2.

Cf. Hugh Peter's reference to his “neere Cossen” in his letter to Governor Winthrop, ca. February, 1640/41 (pages 316–317, above).

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