A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

64
Lucy Downing to Margaret Winthrop1
Downing, Lucy Winthrop, Margaret

1638-10

To her truly noble sister mrs. Margret winthrop this humbly giue
Most worthy sister,

I am so much obliged to you and so vnable to deseru your noble fauors that I blush to mention them. if god shall make me able to doe aney seruis for you I shall moste wellcomely imbrace it:

I hope you will honer poor salem and vs with your presence when our howes is but habitable, for handsom it will not be this year I hear margret gostlin and my nan is a cominge and not my youngest whoe I expected would be a mayds work, and now I shall be ouer mayded: I hear you want one: if you doe I should be glad she might seru you till either some of our children or seruants wear disposed of: she doth all the worst work in her mothers howes and is very seruisable: but except you have nead of her I doe not wish it, for she is fit for any seruis. Your sister and seruant humble

L. Downinge Ca. October, 1638
1.

W. 4. 8; 5 Collections , I. 24.

Richard Saltonstall, Jr., to John Winthrop1
Saltonstall, Richard, Jr. JW

1638-10

To the worthyly honoured John Winthrop Esq. Gouernour deliver
Honoured Sir,

Among some letters, and loving remembrances from our good freinds at Greenford wee received a letter to your selfe from my father Gurdon; and somthing bound up with it which my mother sends to Mrs. Winthrop: I hope they will bee carefully delivered by my brother Harry.

Mr. Bradstreet and George Carr being partners with my selfe in a vessell wherof Elias Parkman was master (who dwells at Conectecott; but is now in the bay, belonging to a vessell that came from thence; and is almost ready to returne againe:) wee are forced to crave your warrant for the stay of Parkman that hee may answer vs at the Quarter Court in an action of debt, as alsoe for the breach of his charter partie. Hee was lately at Ipswich and accompted with vs for 5 or 6 voyages betweene the Bay and Conectecote. I might soone tell you whatt our receipts have beene, though the providence of the lord hath beene good to vs; (if hee had beene as carefull as hee ought). He is in our debt 18li 10s by his owne accompt; the most part of this mony hath been long in his hand; and yet wee cannot receive a penny of him nor 65a note of his hand that it is due to vs vppon demaund; vnlesse wee bee contented to take it at Conectecott when hee hath sould his house etc. or take it heare as himselfe appoynts. It is not the vse of the mony for my owne advantange; but the wrong I may doe where I owe it, that constrains mee to bee soe earnest for praesent payment (as I tould him often) otherwise I should not have beene soe troblesome to yourselfe and the Court as I am like to bee.

I shall not now add (what I have soe much cause) of my love and dutie to your torn. I know my engagments hervnto are great and my vnworthynesse alsoe, (though you are pleased soe vndeservedly) to accept mee herin. Yours vnfaynedly as I am ever bound in dutie

Richard Saltonstall Ca. October, 1638

The whole summ that Elias Parkman owes mee is 5li vppon the last reconing, and 45s vppon a former; If hee bee willing to pay it (as I doubt not but hee can having fraight to receive) I shall make bould to entreat Mr. Stephen or Mr. Addam to receive it for mee; and to give him a receipt, and to send it by some that come this way. I am contented to adventur it with whome hee thinks meet. My Partners expect satisfaction speedily, or his appearance at the court.

1.

Essex Institute; 4 Collections , VII. 255–256.