Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Stephen Bachiler to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Bachiler, Stephen Winthrop, John, Jr.

1638-10-09

To my worshipfull frend John Winthrop Esqr. at his house in Ipswitch thes

Worthy Sir,

I commend me to you and yours in the Lord. So it is, that we are resolued (God so consenting) the second working day of the next weeke to set forward towards our plantation,2 preparing therto the day 70before. We intend to go by a shallop, so that, as our hope and desire is to haue your helpe and our Christian frends Mr. Brodstreet,3 so we pray you both to be with vs (if possibly you can) the first working day, so to be ready to accompany vs the day following. We were there and vewed it cursoryly: and we found a reasonable meet place, which we shall shew you: but we concluded nothing. This day had not an hindrance falne out I had brought your father in lawes two stales of Bees to you, for that one of them hath robbed and spoyled a stall of mine (as the manner of Bees is) and I cannot tell how to proceed against the offenders to haue lawe and justice against them but by remoueing the theveishe stall, and keeping in the innocent till they be remoued. I pray you acquaint Mr. Bradstreet with our desire and purpose, that we may lay some foundacion, and the better by your helpe and assistance. The Lords good eye be ever vpon you and yours. And so I rest in him that is alsufficient. Yours in all christian office and service, his most vnworthy

Stephen Bachiler This 9 of this 8th month 1638 1.

W. 3. 26; 4 Collections , VII. 98–99. For Bachiler, see 4 Collections , VII. 88n.

Bachiler and others had been authorized by the Massachusetts General Court on September 6, 1638, to begin a plantation at Winnacunnet (Hampton, N. H.). Records of Massachusetts, I. 236.

Simon Bradstreet, Edward Rawson, and the younger Winthrop had been designated by the General Court to supervise the laying out of the new town. Records of Massachusetts. I. 236.

Receipt of John Smith1

Smith, John

1638-10-14

Received of mr. Paylfre by the hands of the Governour 36s

By me Jo: Smith 8ber 14. 1638 1.

W. 1. 124. The body of the document is in the handwriting of Governor Winthrop.

Emmanuel Downing to John Winthrop1

Downing, Emmanuel JW

1638-10-22

To his Honorable brother John Winthrop esqr. Governour at Boston

Sir,

I thanke you for my brother Kerbyes letter, but before yt cam I had assigned him more monie, to serve his torne. the 50li I would exchange is of other monie, not of any I expect to be in his hands. I am not willing to send James of purpose about yt if I could other wise doe yt, before the shipp goes hence.

I thanke you hartilye for your kynde Invitation, but I hope there wilbe noe necessitye of my being there this winter. there is more cause of your coming hither, where I shall God willing acquaynt you with the secrets of the decoye.2 I pray resolve to come ere winter. I doe rest vpon you for wheat and Rye, about 30 bushells of Rye and 10 bushells of wheate. I pray let my Cosen Stephen dispatch the perfecting of the accounts, and the remayne I purpose to dischardge with ready monie. Soe desiring the Good lord to preserve you to length of dayes and eternall Joy with my service to my sister and your selfe I rest your verie louing brother

Em: Downinge Salem 22 October 1638 1.

W. 2. 25; 4 Collections , VI. 49.

“Whereas Emmanuell Downing, Esqr., hath brought over, at his great charges, all things fitting for takeing wild foule by way of duck coy, this Court, being desiros to encourage them, and others, in such designs as tend to publike good, do give him full liberty to place the same duck coy in some convenient place within the bounds of Salem, as the towne and hee can agree, and that it shall not bee lawfull for any person to shoote in any gun within halfe a mile of the pond where such duck coy shalbee placed, nor shall vse any other meanes for disturbance of the foule there; and if any man shall offend against this order, hee shalbee fined, or otherwise punished by the discretion of such court as shall have the hearing of the cause; and if any person shall bee taken shooting, or going aboute to shoote, within the said limits, and beeing not knowne to the said Emanuell Downing, or his servants, which shall attend the said duck coy, it shalbe lawfull for them to make seizure of his peece, and detaine the same till the cause be h[e]ard and determined.” Records of Massachusetts, I. 236.