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GO  MA 

974.4 
M386C 
Ser.6  ,vJ5 
1169712 


^CNEAL-OGY 


C0L.L.ECT10N 


1833  01100  3602 


COLLECTIONS 


MASSACHUSETTS  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 


Committee  of  Publication. 

CHARLES   C.  SMITH. 
ROBERT   C.  WINTHROP,  Jb. 
EDWARD  CHANNING. 


t/)^m^^ 


s^. 


TYPE  PRINTING  CO.   BOSTON 


COLLECTIONS 


MASSACHUSEHS  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 


SIXTH   SERIES.— VOL.  V. 


Publi3f)Cli  at  tl)c  Ctjargc  o£  tljc  Oppidan  JFunB. 


BOSTON : 
PUBLISHED    BY    THE    SOCIETY. 

M.DCCC.XCII 


SHmbersitg  ^ttss: 
John  Wilson  and  Son,  Cambridge. 


CONTENTS. 

11G9712 


Page 

Officees  of  the  Society,  elected  April  14,  1892    ...  vii 

Rf.sident  Members viii 

Honorary  and  Corresponding  Members x 

Members  Deceased xii 

Preface xiii 

Correspondence  of  Wait  Winthrop 3 

Correspondence  of  John  Winthrop,  F.R.S 371 

Brief  in  Appeal  of  John  Winthrop  to  the  Privy  Council  440 

Appendix 513 

Fac-similes  of  Signatures 515 

Index 517 


OFFICERS 

OF   THE 

MASSACHUSETTS   HISTORICAL   SOCIETY, 

Elected  April  14,  1892. 


^resibent. 
Rev.  GEORGE  E.  ELLIS,  D.D.,  LL.D Boston. 

©itE-fKStbtrtts. 

FRANCIS  PARKMAN,  LL.D Boston. 

CHARLES  FRANCIS  ADAMS,  A.B Quincy. 

5|tcorbrag  Sttrtiarg. 
Rev.  EDWARD  J.  YOUNG,  D.D Waltham. 

Cornsponbing  Scmtarg. 
JUSTIN  WINSOR,  LL.D Cambridge. 

frtasurer. 
CHARLES  C.  SMITH,  A.M Boston. 

librarian. 
Hon.  SAMUEL  A.  GREEN,  M.D Boston. 

Cabintt-lttrpcr. 
FITCH   EDWARD  OLIVER,  M.D Boston. 

(Ewtutitte  (Kommittct  of  t^t  Council. 

EDWARD  J.  LOWELL,  A.M Boston. 

Rev.   EDWARD   G.   PORTER,  A.M Lexington. 

Rev.  henry  F.  JENKS,  A.M Canton. 

HORACE   E.  SCUDDER,  A.M Cambridge. 

SOLOMON  LINCOLN,  A.M Boston. 

[vii] 


RESIDENT     MEMBERS, 

AT   THE   DATE  OF   THE   PRINTING   OF   THIS  BOOK,   IN   THE  ORDER  OP 
THEIR    ELECTION. 


1839. 

Hon.  Robert  C.  Wiuthrop,  LL.D. 

1841. 

Rev.  George  E.  Ellis,  LL.D. 

1844. 
Rev.  Lucius  R.  Paige,  D.D. 

1848. 
Henry  Wheatland,  M.D. 

1852. 
Francis  Parkman,  LL.D. 

1857. 

Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  D.C.L. 

18.58. 
Hon.  Leverett  Saltonstall,  A.M. 

1859. 
Henry  W.  Torrey,  LL.D. 
Rev.  Robert  C.  Waterston,  A.M. 

I860. 
Hon.  Samuel  A.  Green,  M.D. 
Charles  Eliot  Norton,  LL.D. 

18G1. 
Rev.  Edward  E.  Hale,  D.D. 
Rev.  Andrew  P.  Peabody,  D.D. 
Hon.  Horace  Gray,  LL.D. 
Rev.  Edwards  A.  Park,  LL.D. 

18G.3. 
WiUiam  H.  Whitmore,  A.M. 

1864. 
Hon.  William  C.  Endicott,  LL.D. 
Hon.  E.  Rock  wood  Hoar,  LL.D. 

[viii] 


1865. 
Josiah  P.  Quincy,  A.M. 
Samuel  Eliot,  LL.D. 

1866. 
Heni-y  G.  Denny,  A.M. 

1867. 
Charles  C.  Smith,  A.M. 
Hon.  George  S.  Hale,  A.M. 

1869. 
William  S.  Appleton,  A.M. 
Hon.  Theodore  Lyman,  S.B. 

1871. 
Abner  C.  Goodell,  Jr.,  A.M. 
Edward  D.  Harris,  Esq. 

1873. 
Hon.  Mellen  Chamberlain,  LL.D. 
Winslow  Warren,  LL.B. 
Charles  W.  Eliot,  LL.D. 

1875. 
Charles  F.  Dunbar,  LL.D. 
Charles  Francis  Adams,  A.B. 
William  P.  Upham,  A.B. 

1876. 
Fitch  Edward  Oliver,  M.D. 
William  Everett,  Litt.D. 
George  B.  Ch.ise,  A.M. 
Hon.  Henry  Cabot  Lodge,  Ph.D. 


RESIDENT  MEMBERS. 


1877. 

John  T.  Morse,  Jr.,  A.B. 
Justin  Winsor,  LL.D. 
J.  EUiot  Cabot,  LL.D. 

1878. 
Henry  Lee,  A.M. 
Gamaliel  Bradford,  A.B. 
Rev.  Edward  J.  Young,  D.D. 
Hon.  John  Lowell,  LL.D. 
Abbott  Lawrence,  A.M. 

1879. 

Rt.  Rev.  Phillips  Brooks,  D.D. 
William  W.  Greenough,  A.B. 
Robert  C.  Winthrop,  Jr.,  A.M. 
Henry  W.  Haynes,  A.M. 

1880. 
Thomas  W.  Higginson,  A.M. 
Rev.  Edward  G.  Porter,  A.M. 
John  C.  Ropes,  LL.B. 

1881. 
Rev.  Henry  F.  Jenks,  A.M. 
Horace  E.  Scudder,  A.M. 
Rev.  Edmund  F.  Slafter,  D.D. 
Stephen  Salisbury,  A.BI. 
John  T.  Hassam,  A.M. 
Rev.  Alexander  McKeuzie,  D.D. 

1882. 
Arthur  Lord,  A.B. 
Arthur  B.  Ellis,  LL.B. 
Clement  Hugh  Hill,  A.M. 
Frederick  W.  Putnam,  A.M. 
James  M.  Bugbee,  Esq. 
Hon.  John  D.  Washburn,  LL.B. 
Rev.  Egbert  C.  Smyth,  D.D. 

1883. 
Francis  A.  Walker,  LL.D. 
Rev.  Arthur  L.  Perry,  LL.D. 

1884. 

Hon.  John  E.  Sanford,  A.M. 


Uriel  H.  Crocker,  LL.B. 
Hon.  Martin  Brimmer,  A.B. 
Roger  Wolcott,  LL.B. 
WilUam  G.  Russell,  LL.D. 
Edward  J.  Lowell,  A.M. 
Edward  Channing,  Ph.D. 

1885. 
Hon.  Lincoln  F.  Brigham,  LL.D. 
Edward  Bangs,  LL.B. 

1886. 
Samuel  F.  McCleary,  A.M. 
William  W.  Goodwin,  D.C.L. 
Hon.  George  F.  Hoar,  LL.D. 
Rev.  Alexander  V.  G.  Allen,  D.D. 

1887. 
Charles  G.  Loring,  A.M. 
Rev.  Octavius  B.  Frothingham,  A.M. 
Solomon  Lincoln,  A.M. 
Edwin  P.  Seaver,  A.M. 

1889. 
Albert  B.  Hart,  Ph.D. 
Thornton  K.  Lothrop,  LL.B. 
George  O.  Shattuck,  LL.B. 
James  B.  Thayer,  LL.B. 
Hon.  Henry  S.  Nourse,  A.M. 

1890. 
Henry  Fitz-Gilbert  Waters,  A.M. 
Edwin  Lassetter  Bynner,  LL.B. 
Hamilton  Andrews  Hill,  A.M. 
William  S.  ShurtlefC,  A.M. 
Abbott  Lawrence  Lowell,  LL.B. 

1891. 
Benjamin  M.  Watson,  A.B. 
Rev.  Samuel  E.  Herrick,  D.D. 
Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  Jr.,  LL.D. 
Henry  P.  AValcott,  M.D. 

1892. 
John  Fiske,  A.M. 


HONORARY  OR  CORRESPONDING 
MEMBERS, 


ELECTED  CNDEB  THE    ORIGINAL  ACT   OF    INCOKPORATION,   1794,   IN   THE   ORDER 
OF  THEIR  ELECTION. 


J.  Hammond  Trumbull,  LL.D.  |    Kev.  William  S.  Southgate,  A.M. 


HONORARY  MEMBERS, 


ELECTED  SINCE  THE  PASSAGE   OP  THE  ACT  OF 


James  Anthony  Froude,  M.A. 
Rt.  Rev.  Lord  A.  C.  Hervey,  D.D. 
David  Masson,  LL.D. 
S.A.R.  le  Comte  de  Paris. 
Rt.  Rev.  William  Stubbs,  D.D. 
Hon.  AVilliam  M.  Evarts,  LL.D. 
Theodor  Mommsen. 


Marquis  de  Rochambeau. 
John  Robert  Seeley,  LL.D. 
William  E.  H.  Lecky,  LL.D. 
Very  Rev.  Charles  Merivale,  D.D. 
Ernst  Curtius. 
Hon.  Carl  Schurz,  LL.D. 


[^] 


COKRESPONDING    MEMBERS, 


ELECTED   SINCE  THE   PASSAGE  OP  THE  ACT   OF   1857. 


Hon.  William  H.  Trescot. 
William  Noel  Sainsbury,  Esq. 
Goldwin  Smith,  D.C.L. 
George  Tioknor  Curtis,  A.B. 
Hon.  John  Meredith  Read,  A.M. 
Joseph  Jackson  Howard,  LL.D. 
Charles  J.  Stille,  LL.D. 
William  W.  Story,  D.C.L. 
M.  Jules  Marcou. 
M.  Pierre  Margry. 
Charles  J.  Hoadly,  LL.D. 
John  Foster  Kirk,  Esq. 
Hon.  Charles  H.  Bell,  LL.D. 
Rev.  Edward  D.  Neill,  D.D. 
Hon.  Manning  F.  Force,  LL.B. 
Sir  Bernard  Burke,  C.B.,  LL.D. 
Samuel  Rawson  Gardiner,  LL.D. 
Hon.  John  Bigelow,  LL.D. 
George  William  Curtis,  LL.D. 
Henry  Charles  Lea,  LL.D. 
Hubert  H.  Bancroft,  A.M. 
Rev.  Richard  S.  Storrs,  LL.D. 
M.  Gustave  Vapereau. 
William  F.  Poole,  LL.D. 
John  Austin  Stevens,  A.B. 
Joseph  F.  Loubat,  LL.D. 
Charles  H.  Hart,  LL.B. 


Rev.  Moses  Coit  Tyler,  LL.D. 

Hermann  von  Hoist,  Ph.D. 

Franklin  B.  Dexter,  A.M. 

John  M.  Brown,  A.M. 

Hon.  Andrew  D.  White,  LL.D. 

George  W.  Ranck,  Esq. 

James  M.  Le  Moine,  Esq. 

Rt.  Hon.  Sir  George  O.  Trevelyan, 

Bart.,  D.C.L. 
Henry  Adams,  A.B. 
Julius  Dexter,  A.B. 
Rev.  Henry  M.  Baird,  D.D. 
Hon.  William  Wirt  Henry. 
Vicomte  d'HaussonviUe. 
James  Bryce,  D.C.L. 
Rev.  Charles  R.  Weld,  B.D. 
Herbert  B.  Adams,  Ph.D. 
Signer  Cornelio  Desimoni. 
Hon.  Jabez  L.  M.  Curry,  LL.D. 
Amos  Perry,  LL.D. 
Horatio  Hale,  A.M. 
Hon.  'William  A.  Couvtenay. 
Rt.  Rev.  Mandell  Creighton,  LL.D. 
John  Andrew  Doyle,  M.A. 
Abbe   Henry  Raymond  Casgrain, 

D.D. 
Alexander  Brown,  Esq. 


[xi] 


MEMBERS    DECEASED. 


Members  who  have  died  since  the  last  volume  of  the  Proceedings  was  issued,  Oct.  1, 
1891,  arranged  in  the  order  of  their  election,  and  with  date  of  death. 


Honorary  or  Corresponding. 

John  Gilmary  Shea,  LL.D Feb.  22, 


Honorary, 


Edward  A.  Freeman,  D.C.L. 


Corresponding. 


George  H.  Moore,  LL.D.    . 
Benjamin  Scott,  Esq.      .     . 
Kev.  Thomas  Hill,  LL.D.  . 
Key.  E.  Edwards  Beardsley,  D.D 
Geu.  George  W.  Cullum,  U.  S.  A 


May  5,  1892. 
Jan.  18,  1892. 
Nov.  21,  1891. 
Dec.  21,  1891. 
Feb.  28,  1892. 


[xii] 


PREFACE. 


The  prefaces  to  Parts  IV.  and  V.  of  the  Winthrop 
Papers  (5  Mass  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.  and  6  Mass.  Hist. 
Coll.  vol.  iii.)  describe  at  some  length  the  various  vol- 
umes in  which  selections  from  these  MSS.  had  been 
previously  published,  either  by  this  Society  or  by  Hon. 
Robert  C.  Winthrop,  the  owner  of  the  collection.  It 
is  only  necessary  to  add  that  the  present  one  (Part  VI.) 
is  chiefly  devoted  to  the  correspondence  of  Wait  Win- 
throp during  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  including  the 
important  litigation  which  grew  out  of  his  death,  in- 
terspersed with  selections  from  the  correspondence  of 
his  son.* 

It  may  be  convenient  to  repeat  that  Wait  Winthrop 
was  born  in  Boston,  Feb.  27,  1642-3,  the  younger  of 
the  two  sons  of  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  afterward  Gover- 
nor of  Connecticut,  by  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Reade. 
In  1653  he  was  a  pupil  of  Rev.  Samuel  Fitch  at  Hart- 
ford, whence  in  the  following  year  he  was  sent  to  the 
grammar-school  of  Elijah  Corlet,  at  Cambridge,  Mass. 
From  1658  to  1660  he  was  a  student  in  Harvard  Col- 
lege ;  but  he  returned  home  without  taking  a  degree, 


»  Part  IV.  contains  one  hundred  and  sixty-nine  letters  written  by  Wait  Winthrop  from 
1659  to  1700,  and  Parts  IV.  and  V.  comprise  many  letters  to  him  from  his  father  and 
brother.  Seven  letters  to  him  from  Cotton  Mather  are  separately  printed  in  4  Mass.  Hist. 
Coll.  vol.  viii.,  and  a  few  others  to  him  from  various  persons  maybe  found  in  5  Mass. 
Hist.  Coll.  vols.  i.  and  is.,  in  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  ii.,  and  in  2  Proceedings,  vol.  iv. 


in  order  to  be  with  his  mother  during  the  long  absence 
in  England  of  his  father  and  brother.  Appointed  Cap- 
tain of  the  New  London  Train-band  in  the  spring  of 
1665,  he  was  active  in  the  military  and  civil  service 
of  Connecticut  for  the  next  ten  years,  during  three  of 
which  he  was  a  Commissioner  of  the  United  Colonies; 
but  after  his  father's  death  he  gradually  transferred 
his  allegiance  to  Massachusetts,  where  he  had  inherited 
property.  The  second  of  the  letters  now  printed  is  one 
in  which  John  Allyn,  Secretary  of  Connecticut,  urges 
him,  on  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  Hartford,  to  take 
up  his  abode  there  in  1676 ;  and  since  this  volume 
was  in  type  there  has  come  to  light  a  letter  dated 
Oct.  5,  1680,  in  which  Samuel  Willis  writes  to  Allyn  as 
follows :  — 

"  Major  Winthrop  [Fitz-John]  is  dangerously  ill ;  his  bro' 
came  out  of  tlie  Bay  upon  y'  account.  M"'  Waite  Winthrop 
being  a  very  sober  discreet  gentleman,  much  advantaged  by 
his  parentage,  as  well  as  his  abillitys  and  fullnesse  of  estate, 
for  publique  trust,  it  may  be  of  greate  advantage  to  the  Colony 
to  chuse  him  to  be  a  magistrate  this  Generall  Court ;  w'''  will 
be  a  faire  call  of  him  to  live  in  the  Colony  (unto  w'^''  I  Iieare  he 
is  inclyned),  who  may  be  very  usefuU  in  point  of  physike  as 
well  as  otherwise.  He  is  a  person  of  farr  greater  honour  then 
any  y'  can  be  chosen  to  supply  in  the  Colony.  The  making  of 
rulers  of  the  lower  sort  of  the  people  will  issue  in  contempt, 
let  their  opinion  be  what  it  will."  * 

Notwithstanding  these  overtures.  Wait  Winthrop  pre- 
ferred to  make  his  home  in  Massachusetts,  where  he 
served    under   Dudley   and   Andros    in    the   Executive 

*  This  letter  was  kindly  communicated  by  our  CorrespondinR  Member,  Charles  J- 
Hoadly,  LL.D.,  Vice-Prosidcnt  of  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society,  to  whom  the  Com- 
mittee have  been  repeatedly  indebted  for  valuable  suggestions. 


PREFACE.  XV 

Council  of  the  Inter-Charter  period,  was  made  Com- 
mander-in-chief by  the  popuhir  party  after  the  fall  of 
Andros,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  Provincial  gov- 
ernment in  1692  was  again  named  of  the  Executive 
Council,  to  which  he  was  annually  re-elected  until  his 
death,  a  quarter  of  a  century  later.  For  nineteen  years, 
during  eleven  of  which  he  was  Chief-Justice,  he  sat  on 
the  bench  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Judicature,  besides 
holding  for  a  shorter  period  the  office  of  Judge  of  Admi- 
ralty for  New  England  and  New  York ;  but  the  prefer- 
ence of  our  ancestors  for  military  over  civil  designations 
caused  him  to  be  habitually  styled  by  his  contempora- 
ries "the  Major-General,"  in  allusion  to  the  command 
of  the  Massachusetts  militia  which  he  exercised  for 
nearly  a  generation.  In  politics  a  moderate  liberal  and 
much  respected  for  his  integrity  and  independence,  an 
unsuccessful  effort  was  made  to  have  him  appointed 
Governor  in  place  of  Joseph  Dudley,  whose  active  oppo- 
nent he  had  long  been,  though  the  intermarriage  of  their 
children  subsequently  brought  about  friendly  relations 
between  them.  He  died  in  Boston  in  his  seventy-sixth 
year,  Nov.  7,  1717,  having  married,  first,  Mary,  daughter 
of  Hon.  William  Browne,  of  Salem,  who  was  the  mother  of 
his  children ;  and  second,  Katharine,  daughter  of  Captain 
Thomas  Brattle,  and  widow  of  John  Eyre,  of  Boston, 
who  outlived  him.  His  surviving  son  and  daughter  are 
sufficiently  described  in  the  following  pages.* 

*  His  full  name  (hardly  ever  used  by  himself  or  his  kindred)  was  Wait  Still  Winthrnp. 
The  name  of  Still  came  into  the  Winthrop  family  bv  the  marriage  of  the  father  of  Gov. 
John  Winthrop  the  elder  to  a  sister  of  Dr.  John  Still,  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells;  while  the 
surname  Wait  is  met  with  among  the  early  settlers  of  Ipswich,  Mass.,  a  town  founded  by 
John  Winthrop,  Jr.  On  the  other  hand,  the  two  have  often  been  written  and  printed  as 
one  word,  under  the  impression  that  it  was  intended  for  one  of  the  quaint  Christian  names 
so  common  in  Puritan  times. 


Unlike  others  of  his  family,  Wait  Winthrop  did  not 
enjoy  the  advantages  of  a  foreign  university  education, 
but  he  inherited  fro**  his  father  a  pronounced  taste  for 
the  study  of  medicine,  and  a  willingness  to  place  the 
fruits  of  his  researches  gratuitously  at  the  service  of 
his  neighbors.  In  a  well-known  sermon  upon  him  Cot- 
ton Mather  dwells  with  enthusiasm  upon  the  "  generous 
alacrity  with  which  he  dispensed  medicines,  as  well  as 
counsils,  unto  a  great  multitude  of  people,"  adding  that 
"wherever  he  came  the  diseased  of  the  place  flock'd 
about  him  as  if  the  Angel  of  Bethesda  had  come  among 
them.''  Elsewhere  in  the  same  production  Mather  di- 
lates upon  the  devotion  of  the  deceased  to  the  best 
interests  of  New  England,  his  fidelity  to  the  faith  and, 
order  of  the  Gospel,  his  unspotted  integrity,  modesty, 
and  freedom  from  ostentation,  and  the  manner  in  which 
he  combined  "  the  prudence  and  the  temper  and  the 
conduct  of  a  gentleman  with  a  courageous  readiness  to 
appear  for  his  country  when  invasions  were  made  upon 
its  liberties."  The  glowing  language  of  funeral  sermons 
and  commemorative  addresses  is  generally  open  to  sus- 
picion ;  but  Mather's  eulogy  is  corroborated  by  the  private 
diary  of  Samuel  Sewall,  Wait  Winthrop's  successor  as 
Chief-Justice  of  Massachusetts,  who  speaks  of  him  as 
"the  great  stay  and  ornament  of  the  Council,  a  very 
pious,  prudent,  couragious  New  England  man  .  .  .  for 
parentage,  piety,  prudence,  philosophy,  love  to  New 
England  ways  and  people  very  eminent." 

Partly  from  the  fact  that  his  papers  have  only  been 
accessible  in  recent  years,  he  has  attracted  little  notice 
from  historians.  Governor  Hutchinson,  however,  de- 
votes some  sjiace  to  the  plan  for  sending  him  to  Eng- 


land  in  1702  to  counteract  the  machinations  of  Dudley, 
and  adds : — 

"  M''  Winthrop  was  a  good  sort  of  a  man,  and  although  he 
was  of  a  genius  rather  inferior  to  either  of  his  ancestors,  yet 
he  was  popular,  and  the  party  against  iP  Dudley  wished  to 
have  him  Governor.  They  flattered  themselves  that  his  being 
acceptable  to  the  country  would,  together  with  his  family  and 
his  estate,  both  of  which  were  of  the  first  rate,  be  sufficient 
to  recommend  him,  but  they  were  mistaken.  Winthrop  was 
a  plain  honest  man.  Dudley  had  been  many  years  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  customs  and  manners  of  a  Court,  and  would 
have  been  more  than  a  match  for  him."  * 

More  than  a  century  later  Palfrey,  in  his  "  History 
of  New  England,"  takes  occasion  to  allude  to  him  as 
"  rather  a  feeble  person  and  something  of  a  courtier," 
this  latter  word  exciting  some  surprise,  as  a  sturdy 
homespun  independence  of  character  had  been  sup- 
posed to  constitute  his  most  prominent  trait.  Palfrey 
is  not  always  happy  when  he  undertakes  to  improve 
upon  Hutchinson,  and  he  often  neglects  to  cite  au- 
thority for  his  expressions  of  opinion.  At  the  time 
he  wrote  none  of  Wait  Winthrop's  correspondence 
was  in  print ;  and  it  has  been  suggested  that  Palfrey 
may  have  confused  him  with  his  son,  John  Winthrop, 
F.E.S.,  to  whom  the  above  description,  from  some 
points  of  view,   is  less  inapplicable. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  Wait  Winthrop  would  have  been 
the  last  person  to  assert  a  claim  to  a  foremost  place 
among    the    worthies    of  New   England.     He    made    no 

*  Hutchinson's  History  of  Massachusetts  (Ist  edition,  1767),  vol.  ii.  pp.  129,  130.  In  a 
subsequent  edition  Hutchinson  added,  that  "either  out  of  respect  to  his  family  or  for  some 
other  reason,"  Winthrop  was  considered  as  President  of  the  Council,  though  not  entitled 
to  it  hy  priority  of  appointment.  This  would  seem  a  mistake  ;  Whitmore's  Civil  List 
ranks  him  as  Senior  Councillor. 


pretence  to  being  as  great  a  statesman  as  his  grand- 
father, or  as  great  a  scholar  and  diplomatist  as  his  father. 
He  was  conscious  that  his  public  services,  whether  mili- 
tary or  civil,  were  neither  so  conspicuous  nor  so  varied 
as  those  of  his  elder  brother ;  and  he  would  probably 
have  been  the  first  to  admit  that  in  native  ability  and 
acuteness,  as  well  as  in  capacity  for  affairs,  he  was  hardly 
a  match  for  his  rival  Dudley.  Where  he  rose  above  him, 
and  above  others  of  his  contemporaries,  was  in  unselfish 
patriotism,  in  freedom  from  any  thirst  for  honor  and 
power,  and  in  open,  honest,  straightforward  conduct. 
He  was,  moreover,  a  man  of  exceptional  discretion  and 
moderation,  slow  in  making  up  his  mind  (as  his  more 
impetuous  brother  sometimes  playfully  reminded  him), 
but  always  greatly  relied  on  for  the  soundness  of  his  con- 
clusions and  the  wisdom  of  his  counsels.  Besides  the  taste 
for  medical  studies,  already  alluded  to,  he  had  a  great 
love  of  agriculture  ;  and  had  he  consulted  his  own  incli- 
nations, would  have  retired  from  office  to  devote  himself 
to  the  improvement  of  his  estate ;  but  he  conceived  it 
to  be  a  duty  he  owed  his  father's  memory  to  continue 
in  public  life,  and  do  his  best  to  preserve  the  liberties 
of  the  New  England  colonies.  Writing  to  John  Allyn 
in  1696,  at  the  time  the  Charter  of  Connecticut  was 
again  threatened,  he  said  :  — 

"  I  have  nothing  of  a  private  or  worldly  advantage  that  might 
any  way  incline  me  to  be  solicitous  for  the  continuance  of 
your  Government,  for  tis  possible  I  might  advantage  myself 
and  my  friends  as  much  under  a  change  in  that  respect  as 
another  might  do ;  but  it  is  merely  for  the  sake  of  an  honest 
and  good  people,  who  would  serve  God  according  to  His  own 
institutions,  for  which  our  fathers  left  all   that  was  desirable 


to  come  hither,  and  which  will  in  likelihood  be  in  a  great 
measure  lost  if  these  Constitutions  should  change,  which  I  pray 
God  to  continue,  if  it  be  His  will." 

And  in  two  subsequent  letters  to  his  friend  and  ad- 
mirer, Sir  Henry  Asliurst,  he  wrote  :  — 

"The  places  I  have  sustained  since  I  have  been  concerned 
in  the  Government  have  hithei'to  been  very  expensive  to  me  ; 
and  indeed  I  know  no  place  that  will  yield  me  a  suitable 
I'ecompence  for  my  attendance  on  it  unless  (as  has  been  done 
of  late  and  is  not  yet  wholly  laid  aside)  I  should  eat  up  the 
poor  as  bread,  and  squeeze  them  to  death  by  virtue  of  an 
office ;  which  is  so  contrary  to  my  nature  and  inclinations 
that  I  had  rather  make  one  of  them  than  mend  my  condition 
in  that  way.  I  thank  God  I  have  a  competency  in  the  country 
(though  it  be  remote  from  hence),  which  would  yield  me  a 
comfortable  New  England  subsistence  if  I  could  disengage  my- 
self here  and  look  after  the  improvement  of  it,  which  I  have 
in  a  manner  lost  by  living  here  to  help  keep  this  people  from 
sinking.  I  have  not  spent  less  than  three  thousand  pounds 
while  I  have  been  concerned  hei-e,  which  I  might  have  saved 
and  added  more  than  so  much  to  it,  if  I  had  neglected  the 
publick  and  minded  my  private  occasions ;  but  if  I  have  been 
any  ways  instrumental  to  save  the  best  interest  here  and  keep 
this  people  from  that  slavery  which  they  were  growing  under, 
and  have  almost  forgot  already,  I  am  satisfied.*  .  .  .  Though 
I  do  not  pretend  to  come  within  any  degrees  of  the  perfec- 
tion of  the  great  examples  you  have  sometimes  been  pleased 
to  name  to  me,  I  hope  and  pray  that  God  will  never  lead 
me  into  the  temptation  of  apostacy  for  any  worldly  interest 
whatsoever." 

His  domestic  letters  exhibit  him  in  the  light  not 
merely  of  a  dutiful    son,    an    affectionate    husband    and 

*  The  allusion  is  to  the  prominent  part  he  had  taken  in  the  overthrow  of  Andres.  It  is 
greatly  to  be  regretted  that  he  appears  to  have  talien  the  precaution  to  destroj-  his  corre- 
spondence with  his  brother  at  this  period.  For  an  account  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop's  atti- 
tude during  these  troubles,  and  his  correspondence  with  Andros,  see  the  appendix  to 
6  Mass.   Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  jiassim. 


brother,  and  an  indulgent  father,  but  also  of  a  man  of 
simple  tastes  and  habits,  whose  abiding  religious  faith 
was  untinged  by  any  trace  of  asceticism.  His  last  words 
to  his  son  (as  quoted  by  Cotton  Mather)  partake  some- 
what of  the  nature  of  prophecy,  though  his  forebodings 
were  not  realized  in  the  generation  which  immediately 
succeeded  him.  "I  am,"  he  said,  "verily  persuaded 
that  very  great  and  quick  changes  are  coming  on  the 
world,  and  astonishing  revolutions,  for  the  overthrowing 
of  things  that  now  seem  strongly  established  in  t'he  na- 
tions. My  advice  to  you  is,  to  make  sure  of  being  found 
among  the  worshippers  of  the  Inner  Court,  which  will  be 
your  only  safety  in  the  ti'oubles  coming  on." 

At  not  a  few  points  the  correspondence  now  printed 
will  be  found  to  supplement  the  entries  in  Judge  Sewall's 
diary,  and  to  throw  considerable  light  on  the  social  and 
political  condition  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  at 
the  time  when  the  letters  were  written.  Especially  note- 
worth)^  is  Wait  Winthrop's  elaborate  report  on  the 
"  Method  of  Proceedings  in  the  Courts  of  Massachusetts," 
which  is  printed  from  an  official  copy  found  among  the 
papers  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop  and  indorsed  by  him. 
Though  it  was  formally  approved  by  the  Council,  and  or- 
dered to  be  transmitted  to  England,  no  copy  exists  in  the 
State  archives.  The  brief  for  the  appellant  in  the  cele- 
brated cause  of  Winthrop  and  Lechmere  is  also  believed 
to  have  a  permanent  historical  value  ;  and  the  Committee 
greatly  regret  that  they  are  not  able  to  print  with  it  the 
brief  for  the  respondent.  The  funeral  charges  connected 
with  the  death  of  Wait  Winthrop  are  of  interest,  not 
only  as  illustrative  of  the  customs  of  the  first  quarter  of 
the  eighteenth  century,  but  also  as  showing  the  current 


prices  of  various  articles  of  merchandise.  The  inventory 
appended  to  the  marriage  settlement  of  Katharine  Eyre, 
and  numerous  incidental  references  elsewhere  are  of 
similar  value  in  illustrating  the  social  and  economic  con- 
dition of  the  colonies.  The  letters  of  Sir  Henry  Ashurst 
are  curious  and  interesting;  but  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that  most  of  them  belong  to  a  period  when  he 
was  well  advanced  in  years,  and  smarting  under  what 
he  regarded  as  a  want  of  appreciation  of  services  of  real 
value  to  the  colonies. 

A  heliotype  copy  of  an  original  portrait  of  Wait  Win- 
throp,  now  belonging  to  Eobert  Winthrop,  Esq.,  of  118 
Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  who  has  kindly  had  it  photo- 
graphed for  this  purpose,  is  given  as  a  frontispiece. 
It  is  supposed  to  have  been  painted  in  Boston  about 
1700,  but  it  has  been  more  than  once  reproduced  in 
oil  at  later  periods.  Numerous  fac-similes  of  signatures 
of  the  principal  writers  of  letters  here  printed  are  also 
given. 

Boston,  June  1,  1892. 


THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS. 

(CONTINUED.) 

PAKT  VI. 


THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS. 


CORRESPONDENCE  OF  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

(CONTINUED.) 


THE  GENERAL  COURT  OF  CONNECTICUT  TO 
WAIT  WINTHROP.t 

Haktford,  July  12'.'',  1675. 

HoNO'?  Captain  Wintheop,  —  We  are  glad  to  heare  of 
your  health  &  of  our  freinds  &  neighbours  w*  you,  the 
soldiers  sent  hence.  By  post  this  night  past  we  received 
your  letter  &  understand  you  are  at  M'  Bull's,  &  of  your 
motions  with  the  gent"  of  the  Massachusets  ;  &  seeing  you 
have  done  your  endeavour  to  fasten  the  Indians  to  the 
English,  we  know  not  what  farther  we  haue  to  doe  in  this 
matter  at  the  present,  but  still  to  desire  you  to  carry  so 
to  the  Indians  of  Narrogancett  that  you  may  oblige  them 
to  continue  in  freindship  with  us,  &  we  advise  &  order 
you  with  your  company  forthwith  to  return  to  your  charge 
to  Stoneington  or  New  London,  &  doe  your  best  endeav- 
ours to  defend  the  county  of  New  London.     We  have 

*  For  a  short  biojrraphical  notice  of  Wait  Winthrop,  with  references  to  the  portions  of 
his  correspondence  already  published  by  the  Society,  see  the  preface  to  this  volume.  —  Eds. 

t  When  this  letter  was  written,  Fitz-John  Winthrop  being  ill  and  Major  Palmes  absent, 
Wait  Winthrop  was  in  command  of  the  forces  of  New  London  County.  (See  Conn.  Col. 
Rec.  1665-1677,  p.  3.32.)  The  same  volume  (p.  338)  gives  an  abstract  of  an  interesting  letter 
from  him  to  his  father,  dated  three  days  earlier,  describing  his  movements  and  conference 
with  Ninigret.  The  original  is  in  Conn.  Archives.  See  also  a  letter  to  John  Winthrop,  Jr., 
dated  July  4,  1675,  and  one  to  Fitz-John  Winthrop,  dated  July  9,  1675,  in  5  Mass.  Hist. 
Coll.  vol.  viii.  pp.  401-403.  —  Eds. 


4  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1675. 

mett  with  some  unexpected  motions  from  Major  Andross, 
who  w""  some  force  is  at  Sajbrooke.*  What  he  intends  we 
are  not  fully  sattisfyed  in,  &  are  forced  to  continue  those 
forces  at  Saybrooke  that  came  from  the  westward,  with 
some  additional  forces  sent  from  these  partes  for  the 
defence  of  that  place,  &  to  wayt  upon  Major  Andross  his 
motions ;  which  puts  a  farther  necessity  upon  us  to  order 
your  return,  untill  we  may  have  opportunety  to  draw  off 
some  of  those  forces  from  Saybrooke.  S',  this  Court  haveing 
considered  what  is  mentioned  of  the  Narrogancetts  refuse- 
iug  to  deliver  hostages,  with  what  els  hath  been  presented 
to  us,  are  not  sattisfyed  that  it  is  sufiicient  ground  for  the 
begining  of  a  warr.  S',  we  present  o^  respects  to  you  & 
pray  God  to  continue  his  presence,  protection  &  blessings 
upon  your  endeavoures  &  the  endeavoures  of  o'  confed- 
erates &  remayn,  S'', 

Your  affectionate  freinds, 

The  Gen"  Court  of  Coiiecticot, 
Signed  f  their  order, 

John  Alltk,  Sec'^. 

Postscript.  Remember  us  to  Eobbin  &  Mamoho  &  tell 
them  we  well  accept  of  theire  readiness  to  attend  o'  or- 
ders, &  shall  keep  it  in  remembrance  for  their  future 
advantage,  &  order  them  to  keep  in  the  same  readiness 
as  formerly ;  &  when  there  shall  be  occasion  to  imploy 
them,  you  must  endeavoure  to  secure  their  wives  & 
children. 

*  On  the  breaking  out  of  Indian  hostilities  in  Plymouth  Colony,  in  July,  1675,  and  in 
anticipation  of  trouble  with  the  Narragansetts,  the  authorities  of  Connecticut  sent  at  once 
to  Governor  Andres  of  New  York,  who  appeared  off  Saybrook  on  the  8lh,  with  two  sloops 
and  some  soldiers.  Here  he  attempted  to  exercise  a  power  adverse  to  that  of  the  Governor 
and  Council,  who  offered  to  make  a  treaty  with  him.  He  finally  withdrew  without  effect- 
ing his  object,  which  he  had  hoped  to  accomplish  in  their  political  and  military  embar- 
rassments. See  Conn.  Col.  Rcc.  1665-1077,  pp.  578-586;  Palfrey's  Hist,  of  New  Eng., 
vol.  iii.  pp.  129-131.  — Eds. 


1G76.]  JOHN   ALLTN. 


JOHN  ALLYN  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.» 

These  for  the  Hono'"'  Captaine  Wayte  Winthrope,  at  Boston, 
this  dd.     R  3f  Josie  Wolcoit,  Q.  D.  C. 

Hartford,  June  2'',  1676. 

HoNO""  S%  — Yours  by  M'  Goodall  I  reced,  &  thereby 
was  confirmd  in  the  beleife  of  that  sad  &  afflictive  stroke 
the  Lord  brought  vpon  vs  by  the  death  of  o""  hono''*  Gou- 
ernor.f  An  awakening  frown  it  is  vnto  vs.  The  Lord 
make  vs  duely  sensible  of  his  holy  hand,  &  humble  vs  for 
o'  sins,  the  procureing  cause  of  such  sorrows.  S',  I  doe 
truely  simpathiz  w""  you.  The  good  Lord  for  his  mercy 
sake  comfort  you  in  your  sorrowes,  &  uphold  you  &  the 
good  gentlewomen  under  it,  &  be  to  you  according  to  all 
your  necessities.  I  doe  know  this  loss  comes  neer  you  & 
the  gentlewomen,  but  you  know  though  relations  dye  yet 
God  lines  &  is  the  father  of  the  fatherless.  I  pray  God  a 
double  portion  of  your  father's  spirit  may  fall  upon  you, 
that  you  may  rise  vp  in  his  roome,  &  serue  the  God  of 
your  fathers,  &  be  more  &  more  a  blessing  to  his  people. 
S',  your  father  tould  me  it  was  his  desire  that  his  sons 
might  serue  God  &  his  people  in  this  country.  I  heartily 
desire  it  may  be  so,  &  should  much  rejoyce  to  hear  God 
did  incline  your  heart  this  way.  The  most  if  not  all  the 
good  people  of  this  towne  doe  earnestly  desire  you  would 
com  &  take  up  your  aboad  amongst  vs,  &  doe  speake 
freely  that  they  will  according  to  their  abillity  grant  en- 
couragement. Pray,  S"",  please  to  come  vp  &  make  a  tryall 
amongs  vs.     I  hope  you  will  not  repent  of  it,     M'  Bel- 

«  Jolin  Allyn  was  chosen  Secretary  of  the  Oniony  of  Connecticut  in  1663,  and  held  that 
office  until  1696,  the  year  of  his  death.  He  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  Commissioners 
for  the  United  Colonies,  and  was  one  of  the  Council  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  besides  holding 
many  minor  offices.  "  During  the  latter  portion  of  his  life  probably  no  individual  in  Con- 
necticut possessed  greater  influence  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  Colony  than  he."  See  Conn. 
Col.  Rec.  1689-1706,  p.  190  n.  —  Eds. 

t  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  died  in  Boston,  April  5.  1676,  while  attending  a  meeting  of  the 
Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  and  was  buried  in  the  King's  Chapel  burial- 
ground.  —  Eds. 


6  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1676. 

cher's  house  I  beleiue  might  be  procured  upon  good 
tearmes.  Please  to  come,  &  if  you  can  bring  your  spirit 
to  setle  here  we  will  buy  it  for  you  or  build  you  one  as 
good.  O'  people  doe  earnestly  desire  it,  &  I  shall  much 
rejoyce  if  I  may  any  way  be  capeable  of  payeing  that 
due.  I  am  abundantly  indebted  to  your  famaly  for  the 
many  obligations  your  bono"'*  father  layd  upon  me  &  mine 
by  his  abundant  respects  &  helpfuUnes  to  vs  upon  all  occa- 
sions. S^  I  return  you  herew""  thankes  for  your  last 
kindness  in  the  rubilla  you  sent:*  it  came  very  seasonable, 
&  is  allmost  spent  upon  the  sick  ;  but  now,  blessed  be  God, 
the  most  of  o'  people  are  getting  up,  though  some  are 
very  sick.  Ln'  Webster  was  buryed  this  day,  &  old  M' 
White  is  very  ill.  M'  Hooker  is  ill,  but  it  is  hoped  he  is 
somewhat  better.  We  hear  of  two  ships  com  into  N. 
Yorke,  but  what  news  is  com  by  them  I  doe  not  here. 
Pray  present  my  respects  to  Major  Palmes  &  his  lady,  to 
M"  Martha  &  M"  Ann,  to  M"  Numan  «&  M"  Curwin,  which 
w"'  the  tender  of  cordiall  respects  to  your  selfe  is  all  at 
p'sent,  from,  S"', 

Your  affectionate  freind  &  humble  seruant, 

John  Alltn. 

My  daughters  p''sent  their  seruices  to  your  selfe  &  the 
gentlewomen. 


*  The  letters  of  Wait  Winthrop  and  his  correspondents  contain  numerous  references  to 
this  medicine,  in  the  efficacy  of  whicli  they  had  great  confidence ;  but  the  secret  of  its  compo- 
sition seems  to  have  been  lost.  In  his  Lowell  Lecture  on  "  The  Medical  Profession  in  Mas- 
sachusetts," Dr.  Holmes  says:  "  It  is  evidently  a  secret  remedy,  and,  so  far  as  I  know,  has 
not  yet  been  made  out.  I  had  almost  given  it  up  in  despair,  when  I  found  what  appears 
to  be  a  key  to  the  mystery.  In  the  vast  multitude  of  prescriptions  contained  in  the  manu- 
scripts, most  of  them  written  in  symbols,  I  find  one  which  I  thus  interpret:  '  Four  grains 
of  (diaphoretic)  antimony,  with  twenty  grains  of  nitre,  with  a  little  salt  of  tin,  making  ru- 
blla.'  Perhaps  something  was  added  to  redden  the  powder,  as  he  constantly  speaks  of 
'rubifying'  or  'viridating'  his  prescriptions;  a  very  common  practice  of  prescribers  when 
their  powders  look  a  little  too  much  like  plain  salt  or  sugar."  (See  Massachusetts  and 
its  Early  History,  p.  276.)  But  in  a  letter  from  Wait  Winthrop  to  his  son,  dated  April  22, 
1717,  he  writes:  "Its  best  to  make  rubila  before  the  weather  be  hot."  (SeeposI,  p.  ,^42.) 
Probably  some  important  ingredient  was  omitted  intentionally  from  the  prescription  found 
by  Dr.  Holmes.  —  Eds. 


1677.]  STEPHEN   CHESTER. 


STEPHEN  CHESTER  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.* 
For  Cap'.  Waite  Winthrop  in  Boston,  ddd. 

Weathersfeild,  Apr"  17*  1677. 

Cap^  Waite  Winthrop  and  honoured  &  worthy 
FRIEND,  —  Inclosed  is  coppy  of  a  letter  I  sent  to  Gov- 
ernor Leet  before  o'  election  last  with  a  line  or  two  on  o'' 
never  to  be  forgotten  honored  Govf  &  yT  deare  &  honord 
father,  wch  though  possible  unworthy  yo'  reading,  yet  y° 
very  great  respect  I  beare  to  his  most  worthy  memory 
constraynes  me  to  something  in  that  behalfe,  wherein  I 
doubt  not  but  yof  candor  will  afford  me  a  reasonable  good 
construction.  I  have  since  wch  time  spake  with  y"  D. 
Govl'  Leet,  who  seems  to  take  the  thing  well  at  my  hands. 
I  hope  o''  gentle?  will  doe  what  may  be  in  yo'  affaires. 
The  Treasurer  orderd  our  towne  to  send  you  84'.''  in 
county  pay  at  yo-  prices,  but  since  y"  country  being  in- 
debted to  many  persons  y"  Council  orderd  back  to  many 
severall  sums,  wch  will  this  yeare  hinder  y°  sending  any- 
thing from  hence  wch  possibly  will  doe  better  next  yeare, 
y*  prices  being  too  low  at  present.  My  service  to  yo'  selfe 
&  worthy  sisters. 

Yo'  reall  friend  &  serv*,  Steph.  Chester. 

Weathersfeild,  Apr.  7*,  1677. 
Governor  Leet  :  Honorable  S?,  —  Haveing  a  word  or  two  in 
commemoration  of  oF  late  honorable  Govr  Winthrop  (w'^.''  intended 
sooner),  am  soe  bould  to  present  the  same  to  yoF  selfe  who  are  his 
successor ;  and  the  rather  because  I  would  intreat  of  yo'  Honor 
and  yo'  associates  to  take  into  yoF  worthy  and  serious  considera- 
tion the  affayres  of  the  heires  of  the  afores*  GovF  Winthrop,  re- 
ferring to  Fisher's  Island,  wch  was  incumbred  for  the  sake  of 
this  Colony.  And  haveing  last  fall  had  some  speech  with  Cap' 
Waite  Winthrop,  who  understands  that  Mr  Harwood  intends  this 

*  Stephen  Chester  was  an  early  settler  at  Wethersfield,  and  a  brother  of  Capt.  John 
Chester.  —  Eds. 


8  THE  WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1680-1. 

■n-a}-  ere  long  from  England,  it  will  be  much  hoped  as  the  Hon- 
nor*  Generall  Court  hath  begun  a  good  work  for  y°  clearing  y' 
s*  Island,  soe  they  would  see  it  compleated ;  for  had  it  not  been 
for  the  late  Governo"  goeing  on  that  acco',  his  estate  had  never 
been  intangled,  &  great  pitty  it  will  be  his  relicts  should  suffer 
for  his  good  intentions  for  y°  publick.  I  presume  that  both  yo' 
honored  selfe  &  confederates  have  such  a  respect  for  y^  memorie 
of  y^  s*  Governor  that  you  will  voutsafe  to  beare  in  minde  the 
premises,  &  intreating  excuse  for  my  bouldness  remayne, 

Yo''  Honors  much  to  be  commanded,  S.  C. 

Coppy. 


JOHN  ALLYN  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

HoNO""  S",  —  My  selfe  &  wife  p''sent  o'  best  respects  to 
your  selfe  &  lady.  These  lines  are  to  request  that  you 
would  be  pleased  by  the  next  to  informe  me  what  is  done 
for  the  redemption  of  M"  Harris,  whither  any  effectuall 
course  be  taken  about  it.*  M'  Wharton  by  the  last  did  giue 
hopes  that  there  would  be  an  effectuall  course  taken  about 
it.  We  shall  be  ready  to  perform  o''  engagement  about  it, 
though  we  are  very  poore  this  yeare  by  reason  of  the  loss 
of  our  wheat,  yet  something  will  be  sent  to  Boston  upon 
the  acco'.f  I  should  be  glad  the  Narrogancet  country  were 
well  setled,  &  I  doe  not  doubt  but  if  your  occasions  would 
bring  you  hither,  it  would  be  no  dificulty  to  setle  it  be- 
tween o""  Court  &  the  mortgage  men,  as  they  are  called. 
I  should  be  glad  to  see  you  here,  &  M"  Winthrop.  My 
hearty  respects  to  M'  Wharton  &  his  lady.  Captain  Curen 
&  his  lady,  w"'  M"  Ann.     I  am  sorry  we  mist  of  your 

*  William  Harris,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  took  an  .ictive  part  in 
the  disputes  about  the  ownership  of  the  lands  at  Pawtuxet,  and  made  three  voyages  to  Eng- 
land. On  the  third  voyage  he  was  captured  by  the  Algerines,  but  was  afterward  redeemed 
and  died  in  London.  In  1679  he  w.n<;  appointed  agent  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  and 
sailed  on  his  last  voyage  in  December  of  that  year.  See  Staples's  Annals  of  Providence, 
R.  I .  p.  B87;  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  ii.  p.  365;  and  Conn.  Col.  Kec.  1678- 
lt)89,  passim.  —  Eds. 

t  In  a  letter  to  Fitz-John  Winthrop,  bearing  the  same  date  as  this  letter,  Allyn  writes: 
"  I  hauo  no  news  to  tell  yon,  saue  that  we  baue  had  a  cold  winter,  &  are  buryed  up  in  snow 
allmost."  —  Eds. 


1687.]  KICHARD   WHARTON.  9 

company  last  Micbaelmass,  &  hope  this  sumer  we  may 
injoy  it.  All  freinds  here  are  well.  We  have  no  news. 
If  any  be  with  your  selfe,  if  you  please  to  hand  it  this 
way  it  will  be  very  acceptable.  I  doubt  not  but  you  haue 
observed  the  Strang  sign  the  Lord  hath  been  pleased  to  set 
in  the  heavens  the  last  month  &  this.*  The  Lord  avert 
his  displeasure  &  be  mercifull  to  his  people.  Rob.  Reeue 
is  dead  ;  &  old  John  Brunson  &  Deacon  Mygat  allso  are 
gon  to  rest  in  a  good  old  age.  I  beg  your  excuse  for 
this  trouble,  &  assure  your  selfe  I  am 

Your  most  humble  seruant, 

John  Alltn. 

January  26,  1680  [-81]. 

A  small  portion  of  rubilla  would  be  acceptable  to  ly  by, 
if  your  store  would  permit  it.  I  use  to  take  8  graines  at 
a  time. 


KICHARD  WHARTON  TO   WAIT  WINTHRORf 

London,  November  17,  1687. 

Deare  Brother  Winthrop,  —  Three  ships  are  arived 
from  Boston  since  y'  I  came  in,  but  haueing  not  a  lyne 
from  yo'  selfe  or  any  genlemen  of  y'=  Councill  save  M"'  Ran- 
dolph, I  am  freed  from  y^  care  of  answears,  w''''  were  I 
obliged  to,  my  owne  indisposicon  might  excuse,  I  haveing 
been  confined  to  my  chamber  by  a  violent  cold  and  cough 
for  about  a  fortnight  &  but  newly  got  abroad.  News  y° 
must  not  expect  from  me,  for  my  conversation  is  little  at 
court.  I  send  y"  a  copy  of  S'  Edm"*  &  M"'  West's  report, 
w"''  pray  comunicate  to  those  concernd.  Some  lords  and 
psons  of  quality  that  haue  seen  it  thinks  it  may  prove 
more  to  our  advantage   then  was  intended.     My  Lord 

*  The  reference  is  to  the  comet  discovered  at  Cobiirg  in  November,  1680,  which  is 
supposed  to  have  been  the  same  as  was  seen  in  b.  c.  44  and  A.  d.  531  and  1106.  —  Eds. 

t  For  a  biographical  notice  of  Richard  Wharton,  and  a  correction  of  the  inaccurate  ac- 
count of  him  in  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  see  note  in  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  lii. 
pp.  466,  467.— Eds. 

2 


10  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1687. 

Culpepp''  promises  to  make  y*  best  ont.  I  heare  not  that 
there  is  like  to  be  any  pceedings  ag'  Conecticot  Charter 
this  tearme,  and  some  of  their  friends  heer  please  them- 
selves with  hopes  they  will  not  surrender  without  a  con- 
demnation. I  haue  made  noe  pgess  in  any  business  of 
concernm',  but  if  God  grant  health  and  strength  shall  now 
begin  to  use  utmost  indeavours  for  despatch  homewards 
in  y*  spring.  My  Lord  Culpepper  is  warme  and  very  for- 
ward to  be  moveing  in  y°  Narr'  concerne,  but  I  am  rather 
willing  to  defer  till  Fayreweather  arive  in  hopes  of  some 
advice  or  directions  from  y°  propriet" ;  but  if  it  be  pressed 
forward  sooner  I  shall  not  sue  for  or  submitt  to  any  thing 
but  what  I  may  be  satisfyed  is  for  generall  benefit ;  and 
if  for  want  of  those  directions  and  advice  I  was  pmised  I 
mistake,  I  hope  I  shalbee  excused.  M"  Sarah  Deane  is 
marryed  to  one  Doctor  Woodward,  Chancell"'  of  Salisbury, 
a  very  worthy  man.*  They  yesterday  went  into  y'  coun- 
trey.  They  haue  been  very  civill  to  me  in  many  respects. 
I  haue  seen  yo'  Cooz.  Ward  that  was,  who  tels  me  shee 
hath  heard  nothing  from  y"  or  M''  Ad.  lately,  and  seems 
very  desirous  to  know  w'  passes  between  yo'selvs  and 
M"  Daniell.  If  the  ship  stay  any  tyme  in  y"  Downs,  I  may 
follow  this  with  another  scrawle.  However,  pray  let  yo' 
owne  &  others  omissions  &  my  weakness  excuse  me,  both 
to  yo''self  &  others,  &  p'sent  my  service  to  M'  Stoughton, 
M^  Dudley,  M'  Gidney  &  freinds  at  Salem,  to  y'  Coll.,  yo' 
wife,  sisters,  &c. 

Yo""  afF*  bro.  &  serv*- 

E."  Wharton. 


•  Sarah  Deane  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  Thomas  Deane  of  Boston,  and  granddaughter 
of  Hon.  William  Browne  of  Salem,  father  of  Wait  Winthrop's  first  wife.  She  married 
Dr.  Robert  Woodward,  Dean  of  Salisbury.  See  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  ii. 
p.  30.  —  Eds. 


1687-8.1  RICHARD   WHARTON.  11 


RICHARD  WHARTON  TO  BARTHOLOMEW  GEDNEY.* 

London,  March  10'^  1687-8, 

Maj*  Gidnet  :  S",  —  I  haue  yo"  by  way  Oporto,  and 
sundry  others  to  the  same  effect.  The  matters  contained 
therein  haue  been  the  subject  of  my  care  and  imploy- 
m'  all  this  winter ;  but  as  I  had  noe  method  p'scribed 
to  pursue  the  same,  soe  I  gouernd  my  selfe  by  app''hen- 
sions  I  had  of  the  publique  intrest  of  N.  E.,  and  the  best 
means  I  could  thinke  of  to  attaine  that  end ;  and  if  I  have 
taken  wrong  measures,  or  faile  of  the  success  hoped  for,  I 
craue  the  like  charity  that  hath  been  so  often  exercised  in 
N.  E.,  and  that  my  good  intention  may  excuse  my  impru- 
dence or  irregularities  ;  but  that  y"  may  trace  me  in  the 
steps  I  haue  taken,  be  pleased  to  know  y'  in  short  tyme 
after  I  arived  heer  I  was  courted  by  psons  of  great  intrest 
to  appeare  and  concerne  my  selfe  with  them  for  obteining 
a  patent  for  all  the  mines  in  N.  E.,  of  which  they  had  very 
high  notions,  and  thought  copper  and  silver  were  as  easily 
got  out  of  the  ground  in  N.  E.,  as  the  late  great  treasures 
out  of  the  Spanish  wrecks  ;  and  as  these  men's  designes 
were  inconsistant  with  our  comon  intrest  I  was  carefull 
to  invent  argum*'  to  divert  them,  and  amongst  others  laid 
before  y"  the  difficulty,  great  charge,  and  uncertainty  of 
success,  and  that  the  risque  would  be  two  great  for  a  few 
psons,  tho  uery  great,  to  run,  &  that  it  was  onely  proper 
for  a  great  society  or  corporacon,  without  exclusion  of  any 
of  his  Majestye's  subjects,  to  ingage  in,  and  thes  and  other 
argum*^  effectually  discouraged  thes  psons  ;  yet  I  was 
soone  [toni]  by  a  second  [set]  of  the  same  religion,  but  of 
better  judgm'  and  [/wh]  whome  [I]  found  it  more  difficult 
to  shake  of  ;  but  being  rid  of  thes  alsoe  by  good  aduice,  I 

*  Bartholomew  Gedney  was  one  of  the  Assistants  from  1680  to  1683,  a  member  of  the 
Council  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  a  Judge  of  Probate,  and  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Special 
Court  at  the  time  of  the  witchcraft  delusion.  He  died  Feb.  28,  1698.  See  Savage's 
Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  ii.  p.  240.  — Eds. 


12  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1687-8. 

applyed  to  a  Lord  of  the  Priuy  Councill  that  hath  a  uery 
good  intrest  with  the  King,  acquainted  him  with  the  dis- 
coueryes  made,  and  the  improvem*^  N.  E.  was  capeable  of 
if  incouraged  by  his  Majesty,  and  gaue  him  specimens  of 
sundry  oars  and  the  copper  y"  sent,  of  our  balsome,  mas- 
ticlve,  olibanum,  and  other  my  collections,  which  were 
uery  pleasing  to  him,  and  of  which  he  pmised  a  lauour- 
able  report  to  the  King,  which  I  belieue  he  made,  and,  as 
if  he  had  heard  the  argument  I  used  to  rid  my  selfe  of 
my  first  proposed  ptn''s,  advised  me  to  indeauor  to  get 
subscriptions  from  as  many  able  and  acceptable  men  as  I 
could ;  for  a  fend  to  propose  to  lay  the  business  open  for 
some  tyme  to  all  his  Majestye's  subjects  heer  and  New 
Engld.;  and  when  any  such  compet'  number  of  subscrip- 
tions were  obteined  as  might  assure  his  Majesty  of  im- 
provem'%  to  petition  his  Majesty  for  a  charter.  This 
ad  nice  in  every  thing  agreeing  with  me,  I  exactly  at- 
tended thereto,  but  found  in  my  first  essayes  the  greatest 
discouragem*^  where  I  expected  greatest  assistants.  How- 
ever, I  ingaged  my  Lord  Mayor  and  some  other  consider- 
able psons,  and  were  ready  with  our  petition  when  Capt" 
Hutchinson  arived,*  who  gave  new  life  to  my  undertakings 
by  the  samples  he  brought  and  report  he  made ;  and  altho 
my  pgess  varyed  much  from  his  instructions,  and  the 
pijections  in  N.  E.,  yet  he  being  satisfyed  those  were  im- 
practicable, and  thes  methods  would  at  least  equally  con- 
duce to  a  publique  good,  he  cheerfully  joyned  with  me  in 
the  petition,  and  accompanyed  me  therewith  to  the  King 
and  Councill,  where  it  was  well  rec'^,  and  referd  as  by  the 
inclosed.  Soone  after  considting  the  heads  of  a  charter, 
Cap'  Hutchinson,  being  exceeding  and  as  app'hended  un- 


•  Elisha  Hutchinson,  eldest  son  of  the  second  Edward  Hutchinson,  was  born  in  Boston 
in  November,  1641,  and  died  Dec.  10, 1717.  He  held  high  military  rank,  and  was  also  one 
of  the  Council,  from  1684  to  his  death.  He  was  interested  in  the  purchase  of  the  Narragan- 
sett  lands,  and  went  abroad  in  the  latter  part  of  1687,  returninj;  with  Judge  Sewall  in  No- 
vember, 1G89.  See  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  li.  p.  610;  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll, 
vol.  V.  p.  284.  —  Eds. 


1687-8.]  RICHARD   WHARTON.  13 

seasonably  tender  and  carefull  of  some  little  priuiledges, 
estranged  liimselfe  from  me,  and  unhappily  gaue  occasion 
to  an  unsteady  pson  that  I  had  some  tyme  over  freely 
discoursed  in  the  matters,  as  intending  to  use  his  assistance 
and  sollicitacon,  my  indisposicon  by  a  violent  cold  often 
confineing  me  to  my  lodging,  and  who  from  the  misunder- 
standing between  Cap'  Hutchinson  and  my  selfe  cabald 
with  some  to  breake  our  desig-ne  and  afterwards  build 
upon  our  foundation,  and  brought  in  a  pson  of  great 
estate  and  of  as  large  app^hensions  of  his  owne  abilityes, 
who  hath  giuen  great  trouble  and  delay  to  our  business, 
and  by  the  intrest  he  hath  made  constreyns  to  comply- 
ance,  and  to  abate  many  aduantages  we  might  otherwise 
haue  had,  but  hath  more  firmly  united  Cap'  Hutchinson 
and  my  selfe  to  opose  his  rash  and  resolute  imposieons, 
and  to  yeild  in  little  matters  for  obteining  greatei',  and  at 
last  a  draught  is  ready  to  p''sent  to  the  Lords  Com'^'='  for 
powers  and  priuiledges,  the  heads  of  w'^"'  I  hearwith  send 
y",  and  hope  by  Cap'  Foy  to  giue  a  full  ace'  of  the  success. 
But  as  we  must  not  promise  o""  selues  all  wee  pray  for,  soe 
shall  we  indeauour  to  make  any  tollerable  tearmes,  hope- 
ing  the  intrests  and  purses  of  [those]  that  [jlorii]  with  us 
may  be  of  great  use  to  N.  E.  If  the  patent  can  be  got, 
we  cannot  desire  soe  great  subscriptions  as  will  force  in 
upon  us.  Wee  haue  now  about  13,000£  Sterling  sub- 
scribed, and  near  as  much  more  promiss  by  emin'  men 
that  are  not  willing  there  names  should  appear  before  the 
patent  be  agreed  on  and  granted.  Before  Cap'  Hutchin- 
son came,  and  without  order  I  subscribed  for  M"'  Stoughton, 
Brother  Winthrop,  Maj"'  Pinchon,  yo''selfe,  M"^  Johnson, 
Cap'  Hutchinson,  and  Hez.  Vsher,  &  Bro.  Higginson. 
There  are  crowds  of  people  that  are  waiting  to  subscribe. 
We  intend  to  raise  the  subscription  soe  high  that  a  tenth 
part  shall  be  sufficient  to  advance  and  set  forward  the 
first  works,  and  as  there  may  be  incouragem'  to  draw  in 
and  expend  more  of  the  subscriptions,  the  psons  that  hath 


14  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1687-8. 

giuen  us  the  great  trouble  will,  when  things  come  to  a 
settlem',  be  managed  as  a  good  instrum'  to  promote  the 
prosperity  of  N.  E.,  seeming  to  haue  great  designs  of 
improvem'  there. 

Haueing  been  thus  large  in  this,  y"  must  excuse  me  and 
expect  publique  intelligence  from  others.  Pray  be  care- 
full  to  whom  y"  comunicate,  and  if  any  ships  be  ready  to 
sayle  fauour  me  with  what  occurs  with  y".  I  belieue  I 
shall  stay  till  midsomer,  but  will  hasten  all  I  can.  S', 
I  am 

Yo'  uery  aff'  friend  &  serv*. 

Indorsed :  "  Copy  to  Major  Gidney  from  M'  Wharton." 


EICHARD  WHARTON  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

London,  March  14,  168|. 

Deare  S",  —  I  could  not  let  this  ship  goe  without  a 
lyne.  The  others  by  whome  I  hope  I  may  give  a  better 
accompt  of  my  business  and  imploym'  are  p'pareing  and 
will  sayle  in  short  tyme.  I  have  lost  noe  opportunity  to 
write  to  y",  and  haue  rec*  but  one  letter  from  y",  and  was 
in  pursuite  of  what  y"  proposed  therein  before  I  rec'^  it. 
Y"  pgess  I  haue  made  y"  will  find  in  y®  inclosed  coppes 
w"''  I  send,  haveing  not  tyme  otherwayes  to  satisfy  y" 
therein.  By  the  next  I  hope  to  send  y"  some  ace"  of  the 
success  in  this  and  the  Narroganset  business,  tho'  I  dispair 
of  bringing  that  to  any  good  head,  but  will  drive  it  as  far 
as  I  can.  I  haue  subscribed  £200  for  y"  in  y"  new  com- 
pany, and  shall  give  y"  my  vote  for  p'sid'.  Y"  will  haue 
roome  to  subscribe  £1,600  more  when  y'  patten  comes  out, 
if  y"  please.  Pray  faile  not  to  satisfy  yo'selfe  as  pri- 
vately as  y°  can  w'  the  Wooborne  oare  will  yeild,  and  if 
any  ship  ready  to  sayle  advise  me.  However,  it  wilbe 
good  for  y"  to  be  fully  satisfyed  in  it ;  for  if  it  be  as  it  is 
rep'sented  to  me,  I  shall  upon  obteining  y'  pattent  give 


1688.]  KICHAED   WHAETON.  15 

advice  for  considerable  subscriptions  in  N.  EngP,  w"*"  I 
dare  not  incourage  my  pticular  freinds  heer  to  make  with- 
out better  assurance,  and,  indeed,  if  y"  or  M''  Johnson 
have  had  a  cheat  put  upon  y",  as  I  am  something  fearful!, 
I  shall  suffer  much  in  my  reputacion  heer,  and  great  dis- 
couragem'  will  fall  upon  y°  undertakeing. 

Pray  indeavour  to  satisfy  my  wife  both  as  to  y°  reasons 
of  my  goeing  and  long  absence,  and  keep  her  what  y"  can 
from  melanchoUy.  I  hope  to  be  comeing  home  by  raid- 
suiner.  I  desire  y°  to  direct  M''  Thomas  where  to  pay  my 
quit  rent,  w"""  is  ten  shilL,  for  my  Narroganset  farms,  least 
a  default  cause  some  inconveniency.  I  haue  not  tyme 
nor  business  to  inlarge,  onely  service  to  my  sister  and 
friends  at  Salem.  I  haue  not  opportunity  to  furnish  yo' 
sons,  but  shall  remember  them  at  my  returne,  and  wilbe 
glad  to  know  wherein  I  may  supply  my  sister,  &  am 
Yo'  aff'  bro.  &  serv', 

R"  Wharton-. 

Pray  give  my  service  to  his  Excell^  the  Presid'  &  Vice 
Presid',  and  let  my  indispocion  and  hurry  excuse  me  to 
y"  last  for  not  writeing,  I  shall,  God  willing,  by  the  next 
tell  him  I  haue  subscribed  £200  for  him  for  y°  new 
undertakeing. 


RICHARD  WHARTON  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

London,  Ap'  26,  1683. 

Dear  S",  —  I  have  by  every  ship  given  y"  an  acc°  of  my 
selfe  and  my  imploym*'  heer,  and  by  Cap'  Darby,  who  sayld 
about  ten  days  since,  advised  y°  of  the  stop  that  was  given 
to  our  patent,  w"*"  seems  now  to  be  removed,  and  all  things 
ready  for  y*  Lords  Comittee  at  y"  next  board,  and  a  good 
despatch  is  promised  if  some  narrow  spirited  and  p'judiced 
psons  of  our  own  company  obstruct  not.  I  hope  you  have 
comunicated  to  M'  Stoughton  what  I  wrote  by  Leech,  to 


16  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1688. 

whome  I  now  write  my  selfe,  and  refer  him  to  y°  for  y° 
heads  of  our  patent,  w"""  will  not  pass  with  any  restreynt 
on  pprietyes,  nor  w""  that  gen'll  confirmacon  that  was  in- 
serted, but  incouragem'  is  given  to  peticon  for  his  Ma'^'^ 
gratious  confirmacon  of  proprietyes,  and  if  the  patent  for 
mines  pass  the  other  its  hoped  may  be  passed  with  good 
success. 

A  small  vessell  of  M'  Hutchinson's  bound  for  Holland 
touched  and  brought  me  letters  from  several  freinds,  but 
none  from  yo'  selfe,  but  I  understand  y*  interm'  of  yo' 
father  Browne  restreyned  y".*  I  wrote  to  all  freinds  at 
New  London  by  Leech,  and  long  much  to  heare  of  their 
recovery.  The  Maj'  Genii  nor  neither  of  my  sisters  have 
favoured  me  w"^  a  line  since  I  came  hither,  soe  y'  I  hope 
I  may  be  excused  if  I  doe  not  multiply  epistles  to  that 
port. 

Pray  visit  my  wife  as  often  as  y"  can,  and  indeavour  to 
p'vent  the  power  of  melancholy.  I  hope  shee  wants 
nothing  that  is  conven'.  W  money  I  left  with  her  and  to 
gather  in  I  suppose  may  be  sufE'  for  her  supply  without 
something  extraordinary  have  brought  some  unexpected 
charge.  However  pray  see  that  shee  want  nothing  need- 
full  ;  and  if  any  thing  should  hinder  my  returne  before 
winter,  w"""  I  cannot  foresee,  I  shall  make  eflfectuall  pvision 
to  reimburse  y"  and  supply  her. 

I  cannot  yet  shake  off  my  cold,  w'=''  is  more  or  less  pow- 
erfull  according  to  y*  weather,  but  I  thanke  God  is  much 
abated,  and  my  strength  well  restored.  I  greatly  want 
some  rubila.  A  full  supply  of  that  would  have  saved  me 
a  great  deal  of  blood  w"*"  I  have  been  forced  to  part  with. 
I  shall  be  very  industrious  to  see  y"  before  winter,  and 
hope  if  I  be  not  fully  ready  for  y'  next  ships  to  sen[d] 
Sam.  with  them  ;  he  sends  his  duty  to  y".  Pray  let  them 
know  at  New  London  I  am  very  passionately  app'hensive 

*  Hon.  William  Browne,  of  Salem,  father  of  the  first  wife  of  Wait  Winthrop,  died 
Jan.  20,  1688.— Eds. 


1688.]  EICHAED   WHARTON.  17 

of  the  loss  of  their  correspondence,  and  very  ready  to 
serve  them.  My  service  to  my  sister  and  love  to  J"'^  and 
Will.  If  any  ship  upon  rec'  of  this  be  ready,  pray  venture 
a  few  lines  to 

Yo''  very  aflf  Bro,  &  Serv',  R°  Wharton. 

My  son  sends  his  service  to  yo'  selfe  &  my  sister. 


RICHARD  WHARTON  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.* 

Thes  to  Waite  Winthrop,  Es(f,  at  Boston,  in  New  Eng¥.. 

London,  Oct'  18,  1688. 

S%  —  By  way  of  Dartm"  I  wrote  you  a  few  lines,  & 
acq'?"*  y"  what  indeavours  have  been  used  for  releife  of 
New  England.  The  expectacon  of  invasion,  the  demands 
of  the  Pr.  of  Orange,  advice  of  the  bishops,  and  discon- 
tents of  the  people,  have  quite  broken  y"  old  measures 
and  p'cured  restoration  of  the  Charter  of  London,  now 
actually  under  adm°  as  formerly,  and  all  y"  other  cityes, 
corporations,  and  borroughs  in  Engl*! ;  and  great  resolu- 
tions seem  to  be  hasting  on,  out  of  w"'.''  New  England 
may,  I  hope,  find  deliverance.  God  hath  taken  away  M' 
Nowell  by  death.!  M"'  Maddar,|  Cap!  Hutchinson,  and 
myselfe,  with  M''  Stephen  Mason,  have  sundry  times  been 
this  weeke  to  wayte  on  the  King,  who  hath  often  assured 
us  o'  propertyes  shall  be  continued  and  confirmed.  The 
Colledge  and  revenue  remaine  in  the  hands  of  a  Presd'  & 
Fellows,  and  liberty  injoyed  in  matters  of  religion,  and 
in  order  thereto  the  Attourney-Gen'I   is    ordered  to  ex- 

•  Wait  Winthrop  communicated  the  substance  of  this  letter  to  his  brother,  in  a  letter 
horn  Boston,  Jan.  5,  1689.     See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.  p.  489.  —  Eds. 

t  Rev.  Samuel  Nowell,  of  Charlestown,  was  born  Nov.  12,  1634,  and  graduated  at 
Harvard  College  in  1653.  He  was  never  a  settled  minister,  but  was  a  chaplain  in  Philip's 
War,  and  afterward  held  important  posts  in  the  civil  service,  being  at  one  time  Treasurer 
of  the  Colonv.  He  went  abroad  in  necember,  1687,  and  died  in  London  in  August  or  Sep- 
tember of  the  following  year.  See  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  iii.  p.  295;  Sib- 
lej''s  Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  i.  pp.  335-342.  —  Eds. 

X  Rev.  Increase  Mather,  D.D.  He  went  to  England  in  April,  1688.  See  5  Mass.  Hist. 
CoU.  vol.  V.  p.  209.  — Eds. 

3 


18  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1688. 

amine  the  Govern"  comission  &  instructions  (of  which  we 
hope  now  to  get  a  copy),  o"^  compl*?  and  his  proceedings, 
and  to  report  the  same  with  his  opinion.  It  is  surprising 
to  many  that  wish  well  to  New  Engl*^  to  heare  that  men 
of  estates,  who  hold  them  from  the  late  Goverm'  and  by 
charter,  should  sue  for  patents,  for  it  is  not  doubted  but 
as  soone  as  matters  come  to  any  such  settlem'  heer  as 
either  the  Court  can  be  at  leisure  or  Parliam'  called,  but 
that  all  extra-judiciall  and  arbitrary  proceedings  and  ex- 
actions, in  the  plantations  as  well  as  heer,  will  bee  exam- 
ined. M'  M.,  C.  H.,  &  myselfe,  if  we  can  but  be  supplyed 
with  money,  are  willing  to  stay  and  use  utmost  indeav- 
ours  &  intrest  till  some  effectual]  order  can  be  obteined 
for  releife  of  New  England,  w"?  wee  cannot  see  how  it 
can  be  accomplished  with  less  charge  than  £2,000.  If 
other  men  of  estate  would  give  the  same  assurance  you 
have  done  to  contribute,  wee  would  find  creditt  heer,  and 
I  doubt  not  but  upon  y°  issue  the  whole  countrey  would 
indemnifye  those  that  should  soe  contribute  or  ingage. 
And  in  this  case  there  is  noe  danger  of  subscribing,  if  the 
end  be  expres'd  to  apply  to  his  Majesty  ;  and  if  any 
should  be  troubled  on  this  occasion,  it  would  furnish  with 
new  matter  of  compP.  Attested  copys  of  proceedings  either 
from  the  courts  or  under  the  hands  of  some  of  the  Coun- 
cill,  or  such  as  will  justifye  the  same  in  all  matters  com- 
playned  of  are  needfuU  heer.  S"',  you  will  from  those  that 
come  over  and  the  printed  papers  receive  more  full  infor- 
macon  of  the  aflfayrs  and  designs  heer  than  I  have  tyme 
to  give ;  please  therefore  to  accept  &  improve  this  as  an 
assurance  that  I  am  much  concerned  for  New  EngV,  and 
willing  on  all  occasions  to  tell  you  I  am,  S!', 

Yo'  fliithfull  freind  &  serv',  R"  WnARXON. 

S'',  M"  Harris  is  unexpectedly  gone.  I  must  only  there- 
fore refer  you  to  y*  aforegoing  copy  and  a  Gazette,  have- 
ing  many  papers  I  intended  you  left  behind,  as  this  will 
be  if  I  say  any  more. 


JOHN  ALLTN.  19 


JOHN  ALLYN  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Hon"'  S",  —  I  make  bold  by  this  oppertunity  to  salute 
you  w"'  my  best  respects,  &  am  glad  to  hear  of  your  wel- 
fare by  such  as  com  from  those  parts,  &  should  be  glad 
to  receiue  a  fewe  lines  from  you  &  what  of  news  may  be 
comunicated.  We  heare  are  wholy  strangers  to  affayres. 
We  have  no  certainty  of  any  thing.  We  hear  nothing  of 
the  war,  how  it  goes  on,  or  when  is  like  to  be  issued.  We 
hear  of  great  expences,  but  which  way  &  when  it  must 
be  payd  I  know  not.  Sometimes  we  hear  of  a  great  rate, 
but  how  it  will  be  gatherd  of  o"  people  I  canot  tell.  Most 
are  so  poore  that  they  haue  not  wherewithall  to  pay  it, 
except  it  be  cattell.  They  haue  neither  money  nor  corn. 
You  know  there  condition  here  as  well  as  I.  If  any  rate 
comes,  I  know  not  what  they  will  doe.  S',  if  I  may  be 
so  happy  as  to  receiue  a  line  or  two  from  you  I  should 
be  glad.  All  freind  here  are  generally  well,  &  would  be 
glad  you  would  com  &  take  up  your  aboad  amongst  vs. 
How  times  may  chang  I  know  not,  but  great  talkes  there 
is  that  things  will  be  as  sometimes  they  haue  bin  by  rea- 
son of  a  proclamation  made  by  his  Ma""  October  last  that 
restores  charters ;  but  when  it  will  be  I  know  not,  &  what 
new  changes  ther  may  be  I  canot  tell,  &  whither  that 
proclamation  reacheth  vs  I  know  not,  but  those  things 
time  will  bring  forth.  Pray,  S',  let  me  hear  from  you  by 
this  bearer,  W"  Man,  how  your  selfe  &  all  yours  doe, 
^yth  jyjrs  Wharton  &  that  famaly,  &  M"  Ann  &  all  your 
sisters.  Major  Winthrop  was  well  last  Munday.  My 
wife  doth  present  her  respects  to  your  Hono'  &  M" 
Winthrop  &  your  good  sisters.  I  must  beg  pardon  for 
this  trouble,  &  subscribe  my  selfe 

Your  humble  servant, 

John  Allyn. 

Harford,  Aprill  15,  1689. 


20  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS. 


FRANCIS  BRINLEY  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.* 

Newport,  May  G"",  1689. 

S%  —  To  signifie  unto  your  selfe  or  some  other  person 
y*  pres'  state  of  our  affaires  in  these  parts  lies  as  a  duty 
incombent  on  mee,  y*  y°  malady  being  knowne,  a  sutable 
remedy  may  (if  possible)  be  provided,  I  imagine  y°  pres- 
ent nnsetlednes  w"'''  generally  appears  here  in  people's 
minds,  who  were  before  quiet,  takes  it[s]  birth  from  some 
particular  persons,  though  at  present  unknowne.  One 
told  me  there  was  now  no  government,  and  therfore, 
their  charter  being  not  legally  taken  away  or  surren- 
dered, or  to  that  effect,  they  might  lawfully  rule  by  that 
power.  On  their  usuall  day  of  election,  by  papers  or 
libells  signed  W.  C,  J.  C,  scattered  abroad  and  made 
knowne  to  whom  it  was  thought  meet,  a  company  met 
in  Newport,  and  by  y"  votes  of  40  men  made  choice  of 
their  old  officers,  civil  and  military;  M'  Walter  Clarke 
being  the  head  or  cheife  seemed  to  decline  and  refuse 
the  place. t  At  night  they  dissolved  the  meeting,  no 
officer  that  day  chose  being  either  sworne  or  after  their 
manner  ingaged,  yet  all  or  most  of  them  act,  and  per- 
ewade  y®  most  of  y°  people  into  obedience  to  them 
who  are  easily  led  into  it  by  the  liberty  they  take  to 
advance  their  private  interests,  especially  in  the  King's 
Province ;  for  a  party  of  men  lately  intended  to  disarm 
the  French,  but  I  think  were  prevented  by  Maj'  Smith. 

*  Francis  Brinley  was  born  in  England  Nov.  5,  lG-12,  came  to  this  country  when  he  was 
about  fourteen  years  old,  and  settled  at  Newport  in  Rhode  Island.  He  died  in  1719.  In 
a  Memorandum,  written  in  October,  1709,  and  printed  in  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  v.  p.  252, 
he  writes:  "  I  am  one  of  the  most  ancient  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  scarce  half  a  dozen 
older  than  myself  that  lived  here  before  me;  and  I  am  bold  to  say,  that  no  person  now  liv- 
ing knows  more,  if  so  much,  of  the  transactions  and  affairs  of  this  place,  it  being  settled  about 
fourteen  years  before  my  first  coming;  for  I  always  kept  a  particular  account  of  all  mate- 
rial passages  that  occurred,  more  perhaps  than  any  person  of  my  standing  in  this  colony 
did."  In  1672  he  was  one  of  the  Assistants;  and  at  various  times  he  held  other  public 
offices.  —  Eds. 

t  The  paper  here  referred  to  is  printed  in  R.  I.  Col.  Rec.  vol.  iii.  p.  257.  See  also  Ar- 
nold's History  of  Rhode  Island,  vol.  i.  p.  512.  —  Eds. 


1689]  JOHN   HIGGINSON.  21 

Another  party,  neare  neighbours  to  y°  French,  forbid 
them  to  make  any  further  improvem'  on  the  land  and 
bid  them  begon.  Many  others  are  setling  and  building 
on  the  Mortgage  Lands,  so  called,  and  many  more  are 
ready  to  set  in  to  settle  all  the  best  places.  Our  times 
are  now  the  same  we  read  of  when  there  was  no  judge  in 
Israeli,  but  with  this  difference,  —  they  did  every  one 
what  seemed  right  in  their  owne  eyes;  these  w'  they 
know  to  be  wi'ong.  Unles  some  divine  providence  or 
human  power  releive  us,  nothing  appeares  but  ruine  and 
confusion,  property  and  priviledge  (so  much  talkt  of)  will 
be  destroyed,  and  all  things  else  set  up  that  may  make  a 
people  miserable.  S%  these  things  I  lay  before  you,  that 
if  there  be  any  helpe  it  may  be  speedy,  that  the  gap  may 
be  stopt  before  it  grow  too  big.  An  oppressive  govern- 
ment is  to  be  preferrd  before  an  anarchy,  but  a  just  and 
easy  governm',  let  y^  forme  be  how  it  will,  is  my  wishes 
and  desire.     I  reraaine,  S',  yo''  most  humble  servant, 

Fkancis  Bkinlet. 

Pray  let  not  my  lines  be  publique,  for  we,  as  in  Bed- 
lam, are  crazy  braind. 


JOHN  HIGGINSON  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.* 

Honoured  &  dear  S%  —  Having  heard  of  y*  good  tid- 
ings of  y''  Lord's  mercy  in  recovering  you  from  your  late 
sicknes,  I  desire  to  give  thanks  vnto  God  for  so  great  a 
mercy,  &  to  congratulate  your  self  in  y"  enjoyment  of 
it,  y'  you  may  continue  to  be  a  publick  blessing  in  the 
way  of  serving  y°  Lord  &  his  people  in  your  generation. 
It  hath  occasioned  me  to  renew  that  motion  w*  I  have 
sometimes  formerly  made  vnto  you,  y'  you.  would  most 

»  Rev.  John  Higginson,  of  Salem,  eldest  son  of  Rev.  Francis  Higginson,  was  born  in  Eng- 
land August  6,  1616,  and  came  over  with  his  father  in  1629.  His  daughter  Sarah  was  the 
second  wife  of  Richard  Wharton.  He  died  Pec.  9,  1708.  (See  Savage's  Genealogical  Dic- 
tionary.)   For  other  letters  from  him,  see  3  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vii.  pp.  197-222.  —  Eds. 


22  THE  WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1689. 

seriously  consider  whether  it  be  not  your  duty  in  way  of 
thankfulnes  to  God  to  joyn  your  self  in  full  communion 
with  M'  Willard's  church  (where  you  do  constantly  at- 
tend). One  y'  joyned  to  this  church  said  he  did  it  rather 
becaus  it  was  [illegible]  ag'  trouble  &  tryall,  &  he  de- 
sired to  be  found  in  y"  nearest  &  fullest  way  of  commun- 
ion, &  to  own  y°  cans  of  God  &  his  people  in  such  times. 
Another,  an  ancient  man,  having  a  great  fit  of  sicknes  & 
in  danger  of  death,  bewailed  his  neglecting  so  long  to 
joyne  to  y"  church,  &  vowed  to  God  if  he  pleased  to  spare 
his  life  y'  he  would  not  delay  it  any  longer.  Accord- 
ingly, as  soon  as  he  was  recouered  he  applyed  him  selfe 
thereunto  &  was  lately  receiued.  Dear  S',  I  commend 
vnto  you  these  2  examples  for  your  imitation  ;  let  no  dis- 
couragmts  hinder  you,  but  let  y°  command  of  our  blessed 
Saviour  (Do  this  in  remembrance  of  me),  &  y^  example 
of  those  in  Acts  2 :  42,  &  of  your  grandfather  &  father 
before  you,  incite  you  vnto  that  w"*"  is  your  vnquestionable 
duty,  to  joyn  to  y'  church  without  any  further  delay.*  I 
lately  preached  largly  on  David's  dying  charge  to  his  son 
Solomon,  1  Cron.  28 :  9,  Know  thou  y'  God  of  thy  father, 
&c.  This  also  I  commend  to  your  serious  consideration. 
So,  committing  you  to  y*  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus, 
I  rest,  your  humble  servant,  John  Higginson. 

Salem,  Aug.  1,  89. 

SAMUEL   STOW  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP-t 

For  the  much  Honour'd  Major  Generall  Wait  Winthrop,  Esquire, 
in  Boston,  presented. 

MiDLETOWNE,  y"  20*  of  y«  6',  1689. 

Much  honour'd  Sir,  —  Whom  I  desyre  to  honour  for 
y'  sake  of  your  honourable  parentage  &  generous  &  worthy 

•  Wait  Winthrop  was  admitted  to  the  Old  South  Church,  August  25,  1689.  — Ens. 

t  Rev  Samuel  Stow,  of  Middletown,  Conn.,  was  born  in  England  about  1G22,  and  came 
over  with  his  parents  in  1634.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1645,  and  died  May  8, 
1704.  See  Sibley's  Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  i.  pp.  118-121;  Savage's  Genealogical  Dic- 
tionary, vol.  iv.  pp.  217,  218.—  Eds. 


1689.]  SAMUEL    STOW.  23 

acts,  hoping  y®  Lord  y*  raised  vp  your  noble  heart  to  do 
worthyly  for  his  poor  people  in  the  spring,  tho'  he  hath 
been  chastning  you  w""  sore  sickness,  yet  I  hope  it  hath 
been  to  fit  you  the  more  for  himselfe  &  honourable  service 
he  may  haue  yet  further  for  you  to  do.  I  make  bold  to 
present  after  my  rude  manner  a  few  lines  vnto  you  to 
congratulate  your  recovery,  and  to  inform  your  Honour 
of  a  greate  attempt  y'  I  have  been  labouring  to  write, 
an  Essay  to  call  the  Jewes,  tho'  som  look  at  it  as  a 
ridiculous  thing  to  attempt  such  a  thing ;  yet  I  know  that 
wise  &  vnderstanding  ones  y'  are  men  of  wisedom  to  know 
the  times,  what  ought  or  may  be  done  in  y"  fear  of  God  & 
for  y°  sake  of  the  honour  &  glory  of  God  &  y"  salvation  of 
souls,  will  judge  otherwise.  If  God  will  work  by  a  poor 
despicable  instrument,  y*  more  his  glory  will  appeare. 
What  I  haue  don,  I  haue  sent  it  for  your  Honour  &  the 
Reverend  M'  Willard  to  pervse  &  censure  as  ye  shall  see 
cause.  And  if,  Sir,  you  judge  the  labourer  worthy  of  any 
thing,  it  being  for  a  publick  designe  &  work  you  may,  J. 
doubt  not,  in  you[r]  wisedomes  &  prudence  promote  it ; 
if  it  be  not  performed  by  the  autho""  so  takingly,  let  others 
y'  can  do  better  mend  it ;  so  y*  y"  work  may  be  done,  the 
Jewes  call'd,  I  matter  not  tho'  my  labours  be  lay'd  by  in 
silence.  I  thought  y'  writing  might  do  it  to  y^  Jewes 
now  in  their  dispersion  among  the  Gentiles,  as  in  Jere- 
miah's time,  writing  to  them  in  Babilon,  Jer.  29. 1.  Writ- 
ing will  not  be  mocked  out  or  jeered  out  of  countenance, 
as  personall  speeches  w""  y"  may.  What  is  written  will 
abide  &  be  a  constant  voyce  to  not  one  or  so,  but  to  many, 
not  once  &  way,  but  alwayes  to  all  to  whom  such  books 
may  com.  If  they  haue  ought  of  ingenuity,  they  will 
either  yeeld  &  believe  or  soberly  reply  in  writing.  I  did 
not  think  y'  I  should  ever  haue  put  my  hand  so  far  to 
this  work  as  I  haue  don,  th8  my  heart,  w""  y*  rest  of  God's 
people,  haue  been  for  it  in  my  prayers,  y'  God  would  do 
it  by  som  or  other,  that  God  would  move  som  or  other  to 


24  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1689. 

prophesie  over  the  dry  bones.  I  thought  it  must  be  by 
travils  &  immediate  discourse  in  som  strange  language ; 
but  till  of  late  God  hath  moved  me  to  do  it  in  y'  mode 
y'  I  haue  followed.  I  vnderstand  they  are  a  very  subtil 
people,  &  ripe  witted  in  most  languages,  so  as  y'  they  will 
vnderstand  y®  English  tongue  as  well  as  other ;  &  then  I 
look  at  it,  if  such  a  work  by  God's  blessing  succeed,  all 
Christians  will  be  desyrous  to  be  reading  the  books  y'  God 
shall  blesse  to  be  y"  meanes  of  their  calling,  yea,  as  Capten 
Allyne,  of  Hartford,  said  to  me,  puting  it  into  his  hands 
while  at  our  towne  vpon  a  visit,  there  are  many  things, 
good  &  vsefull  for  Gentiles  as  well  as  Jews.  Whatever  in 
it  of  God,  I  say,  let  God  haue  y'  prayse,  &  what  of  mine 
infirraityes,  w"""  may  be  many,  I  hope  my  friends  &  y* 
honestly  minded  will  overlook,  &  not  cast  away  a  good 
kernel  for  som  spots  that  may  be  on  y^  outside  of  y^  nut. 
If  it  please  you.  Sir,  you  being  well  acquainted  w"^  M"'  John 
Cole,  schoolmaster  of  a  writing  school  w"'in  your  pre- 
cincts, if  it  should  fall  out  y'  any  encouragements  by  any 
be  presented,  you  may  enform  him.  I  hau  betrusted 
him  w""  my  concerns  in  this  matter.*  Thus  w"'  presen- 
tation of  my  humble  &  hearty  service  to  your  Honour, 
wishing  God's  rich  blessing  vpon  your  honour'd  selfe  & 
all  yours  that  God  would  double  that  of  his  Holy  Spirit 
y'  was  in  your  most  worthy  &  famous  ancestors  on  you 
&  them.  Sir,  I  humbly  take  my  leave,  &  rest  yo"'  poor, 
vnworthy,  yet,  I  hope,  willing  servant  to  serve  you  to 
his  power, 

Samuel  Stow. 


*  Apparently  Mr.  Stow's  treatise  was  sent  to  Nathaniel  Higrinson  in  London  many 
years  afterward,  but  was  not  printed.  In  a  letter  to  Higginson  after  Stow's  death,  Judge 
Sewall  wrote:  "His  manuscript  of  the  Jews  is  in  your  hand  to  do  with  it  as  you  see 
cause;  being  well  assured  you  will  do  nothing  amiss."  See  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  i. 
p.  321.  — Eds. 


JOHN  HIGGINSON.  25 


JOHN  HIGGINSON  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Honoured  Major  Generall  Winthrop,  at  Boston. 

Salem,  Nov.  28,  89. 

Honoured  &  dear  S",  —  Having  heard  of  y°  Lord's 
taking  to  himselfe  my  honoured  &  dear  son  Wharton,*  I 
could  not  forbear  to  expresse  my  vnfeined  sorrow  for  y® 
losse  of  so  good  a  man,  &  to  sympathize  with  your  selfe 
in  your  sorrow  for  y°  losse  of  so  good  a  brother  &  cordiall 
friend,  &  truly  not  onely  we  but  y"  wholl  countrey  have 
cause  to  lament  y"  great  &  publick  losse  &  misse  of  such 
a  one  as  hath  left  few  fellowes  behinde  him.  There  is 
also  great  cause  of  mourning  for  good  M"  Wharton,!  & 
her  children's  losse  ;  but  what  shall  we  say,  y^  Lord  him- 
self hath  done  it,  &  who  may  say  to  him  What  doest  thou? 
His  thoughts  are  not  as  ours,  nor  his  wayes  as  ours  :  it 
becomes  vs  after  humble  submission  to  his  holy  will  to 
pray  y'  he  would  teach  vs  to  number  our  dayes  so  as  to 
apply  our  hearts  vnto  wisdome,  &  to  wait  all  y"  dayes  of 
our  appointed  time  till  our  own  change  come.  I  am 
deeply  concerned  for  good  M"  Wharton,  fearing  y'  she 
will  be  onerwhelmed  with  sorrow  &  her  children  there,  as 
these  2  children  are  here,  but  I  doubt  not  your  selfe  will 
not  be  wanting  in  all  wayes  of  caref uUnes  &  helpf ulnes  to 
her  &  her  children  there,  &  for  these  2  here  my  selfe  & 
son  John  shall  be  carefuU  of  them,  &  they  may  continue 
here  so  long  as  shall  be  judged  expedient ;  &  though  I 
doubt  not  your  good  sister  will  of  herselfe  be  willing  to 
it  &  forward  in  it  to  give  to  these  2  daughters  here  y*  same 
mourning  garments  w"*"  she  giues  to  her  own  daughters 
at  home,  yet  if  you  pleas  to  put  her  in  minde  of  it  y'  if 
she  would  pleas  to  send  Sam.  Newman  hither  with  such 

»  Richard  Wharton  died  in  London,  May  14,  1689.  — Eds. 

■t  Martha,  sister  of  Wait  Winthrop,  and  third  wife  of  Richard  Wharton,  who  left  issue 
by  three  marriages.  The  two  daughters  referred  to  in  the  latter  part  of  this  letter  were 
children  of  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Higginson.  —  Eds. 


26  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1689-90. 

mourning  garments  as  soon  as  may  be,  it  will  be  honour- 
able to  her  &  acceptable  to  all.  So  I  commend  you  to 
y'  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  &  rest 

Your  humble  servant,  John  Higginson. 


COMMISSION  TO   WAIT   WINTHROP  AS  MAJOR-GENERAL.^ 


I  3^_,^_  I     The  Generall  Court  of  the  Colony  of  the  Mas- 

' '     sachusetts  Bay  in  New  England,  to  Wait  Win- 

throp,  Esq",  Major  Generall. 

Whereas  you  are  chosen  and  swoi'n  to  the  office  of 
Major  Generall  of  all  the  military  forces  within  their 
Majesties'  Colony  abovesaid  for  this  present  year,  or  untill 
another  be  chosen  and  sworn  in  yo"'  place.  These  are  in 
their  Majesties'  names  to  authorise  and  require  j^ou  to 
take  into  yo''  care  and  conduct  all  the  said  forces,  and  dili- 
gently to  intend  that  service  by  leading  and  exercising 
your  inferiour  officers  and  souldiers  in  time  of  peace  and 
warr,  coiiianding  them  to  obey  you  as  their  Major  Gener- 
all. And  in  cases  of  emergency  upon  the  assault  or 
attack  of  any  enemy,  to  rayse  and  detach  all  such  part  of 
the  said  forces  as  shall  be  needfull  for  their  Majesties' 
service  in  defence  of  the  country,  and  to  resist,  repell, 
and  subdue  the  said  enemy  as  occasion  shall  present. 
And  to  that  end  to  issue  forth  your  orders  to  the  serjeant 
majors  of  the  respective  regiments  or  captains  of  the  par- 
ticular companys  of  horse  and  foot,  or  either  of  them, 
haveing  regard  to  tlie  direction  of  the  laws  refering  to  yo' 
office.  And  you  are  to  observe  and  obey  all  such  orders 
as  from  time  to  time  you  shall  receive  from  the  Councill 
or  Generall  Court  of  this  Colony.  In  testimony  whereof 
the  publick  seal  of  the  said  Massachusetts  Colony  is  here- 
unto affixed.     Dated  the  nineteenth  day  of  Feburary,  one 

•  Wail  Winthrnp  had  been  chosen  commander-in-chief  of  the  militia  immediately  after 
the  downfall  of  Andres.     See  Hutchinson's  Hist,  of  Mass.  vol.  i.  p.  382.  —  Eds. 


1692.]  SAMUEL   STOW.  27 

thousand  six  hundred  eighty-nine,  1689/90.  In  the  sec- 
ond year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  and  Lady 
William  and  Mary,  by  the  grace  of  God  King  and  Queen 
of  England,  Scotland,  France,  and  Ireland,  &c". 

Sm.  Bradstreet,  GoiCif. 
By  order  of  the  Court, 

Is*  Addington,  Sed^. 


SAMUEL    STOW  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.* 

To  the  Worskipfull  and  muck  Honour'd  3fajor  Wait  Winthrop,  Esquire, 
living  in  Boston,  these  be  presented. 

MiDLETOWNE,  jr'  4"'  of  August,  1692. 

Worshipful  and  much  honour'd  Sir,  —  Whom  I 
cannot  but  in  my  heart  honour  for  y=  sake  of  your  heroike 
father  &  grandfather,  the  gloiy  of  the  times  &  places  they 
lived  in,  even  a  crowne  to  N.  E.  Tho  they  are  for  their 
worthy  acts  now  covered  w"*  glory,  yet,  your  Honour,  I 
hope,  being  advantaged  to  som  steps  of,  &  to  their  places 
of  dignityes,  you  will  not  be  wanting  to  wait  vpon  &  serve 
the  blessed  God  of  your  fathers,  according  to  y'  exhorta- 
tion of  David  to  his  son  Solomon,  1  Chron.  28.  9.  They 
were  both  famous  &  really  renouned  through  both  Eng- 
lands  &  many  countryes  more  ;  Avherefore,  Sir,  the  God 
of  mercy  returning  to  his  poor  people  in  this  wilderness 
whom  I  hope,  for  y^  body  of  them,  are  willing  to  serve  the 
Majesty  of  Heaven,  and  to  be  alwayes  in  his  feare  true  & 
loyall  to  Majesties  on  earth,  I  cannot  but  as  one  of  your 
ancestors'  freinds  and  your  freind,  tho  vnworthyest  of  all, 
yet  I  cannot  but  testify  my  wel  wishes  to  your  Honour's 
&  the  countryes  felicity,  and  in  order  hereto  I  wish  long 
such  to  live  as  haue  been  &  are  willing  to  promote  it  to 
the  vtmost  of  their  power  &  prudence.     I  could  heartily 

*  This  letter  was  written  a  few  months  after  the  arrival  of  Sir  William  Phips,  the  first 
Governor  of  Massachusetts  appointed  under  the  Province  Charter,  in  which  Wait  Winthrop 
was  named  one  of  the  Counsellors  or  Assistants.  —  Eds. 


28  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1692. 

advise  by  all  meanes  and  prudence  it  might  be  obtained 
that  God's  people  might  no  more  com  vnder  forreigne 
imposed  ones  to  be  over  them,  but  y'  they  may  enjoy 
such  as  God  graciously  promisseth,  Jer.  30.  19.  And 
that  tho  their  Majesties  reserve  to  themselves  to  appoint 
whom  they  please,  yet  I  hope  they  are  so  gracious  &  be- 
nignine  that  they  may  be  prevailed  vp"'  to  appoint  none 
but  such  as  they  may  see  good  of  the  propriators,  and  of 
the  Council  chosen  by  y°  body  of  freemen  whom  they 
please  of  those,  &  so  they  to  make  vp,  after  his  taking  his 
place,  the  number  of  counsellors  ;  and,  if  it  may  be,  I 
could  wish  and  desyre  that  the  head  of  Ch*^  flocks  in  this 
wilderness  might  be  one  of  y^  fold  in  ful  communion  in 
som  one  of  y^  churches.  And  that  as  to  his  negative 
voyce,  if  at  any  time  such  a  thing  should  be,  it  might  be 
w""  his  reasons  given  in  writing,  else,  as  I  conceive,  it  will 
be  absolutely  an  arbitrary  governour,  the  w"""  I  suppose 
his  most  gracious  Majesty  is  far  fi'om  intending  any  such 
thing  as  most  abhoring  to  his  royall  &  noble  designes 
published  to  y^  world,  w"*"  hath  been  to  free  Christians 
from  slavery  or  arbitrary  goverments  as  well  as  from 
Popery. 

Sir,  your  generose  candor  &  clemency  I  hope  will  bear 
w"'  my  boldness.  I  would  be  one  found  of  the  faithfullest 
to  God  &  man.  One  thing,  most  Honour'd,  I  would  hum- 
bly crave  your  favourable  construction  and  inspection  as 
relating  to  a  designe  of  mine,  that  the  Jews  might  be 
called.  I  pray  consult  w"'  y°  reverend  yo''  pastor,  M'  Wil- 
lard,  who  may  informe  your  Honour  what  I  haue  written 
to  y*  Convention  of  the  Reverend  Elders  that  meet  on  the 
weekly  lectures  to  do,  relating  to  a  venture  sent  at  an  ad- 
venture to  the  dispersed  Jewes,  &c.  I  veryly  believe  who- 
ever set  their  hearts  &  hands  to  further  their  call  shall  not 
be  any  loosers  by  what  they  do,  if  any  should  expend  som 
part  of  their  meanes  to  advance  it.  I  leave  it  to  the  most 
bountiful!  God  of  Heaven  and  to  his  free  &  willing  ones 


1C92.]  COMMISSION   TO   WAIT   WINTIIEOP.  29 

to  honour  him  in  promoving  such  a  work,  w"*"  must  be  & 
shall  be  contemporary  w""  y*  fall  of  Mystery  Babilon,  as 
may  be  gather'd  from  Jer.  50"",  1,  2  to  y°  6'  v.  compared 
w""  Revel.  19,  v.  1  to  y'  7"'.  Thus,  worthy  &  renowned 
Sir,  I  am  bold,  confiding  in  your  publick  spirited  breast  & 
heart  to  do  all  the  good  you  may  for  God's  honour  &  the 
good  of  his  saints.  Wishing  you  all  blessings  from  y°  Al- 
mighty ever  more,  more  &  more  to  animate,  w*  y'  spirit 
by  w"''  you  vnder  God  wrought  as  another  Phineas  salva- 
tion to  his  Israel  in  y*  Massachusets,  in  whose  joy  God 
forbid  but  we  should  rejoyce  as  in  our  owne.  Wishing 
all  peace,  prosperity,  health,  &  happyness  for  time  &  to 
eternity,  I  humbly  take  my  leave,  &  rest, 

Sir,  your  real  &  assured  humble  servant,  th8  y°  most 
vnworthyest,  yet  your  cordiall  freind, 

Samuel  Stow. 


COMMISSION  TO  WAIT   WINTHROP  AS  A  JUSTICE  OF  THE 
SUPERIOR  COURT.* 

I  g^^j    I     William  and  Mart,  by  the  grace   of  God  of 
'-  I     England,   Scotland,   France,  and  Ireland,  King 

and  Queen,  defenders  of  the  faith,  &c*.     To  our  trusty 
and  welbeloved  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq",  Greeting. 

Whereas  there  are  several  courts  established  for  the 
administration  of  justice  within  this  our  Province  or  Ter- 
ritory of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England,  partic- 

»  The  Superior  Court  was  established  by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  passed  Nov. 
25,  1692;  and  William  Stoughton  was  appointed  Chief  Justice,  with  Thomas  Danforth, 
John  Richards,  Wait  Winthrop,  and  Samuel  Sewall,  Justices.  This  Act  was  repealed  by 
the  Crown  in  1695;  and  new  Acts  were  passed,  June  19, 1697.  "for  establishing  of  Courts," 
and,  June  26,  1699,  "  for  establishing  a  Superior  Court,  Court  of  Assize,  and  General  Goal 
Delivery."  Subsequently  to  the  date  of  the  commission  here  printed,  and  before  his  ap- 
pointment as  Chief  Justice,  three  other  commissions  were  issued  to  Wait  Winthrop  as  a 
Justice  of  the  Superior  Court,  and  have  been  preserved,  —  in  1696, 1697,  and  1G99.  See 
Mass.  Province  Laws,  vol.  i.  pp.  73,  76,  285, 370;  Whitmore's  Mass.  Civil  List,  p.  68.  —Eds. 


30  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1692. 

ularly  one  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature  over  the  whole 
Province,  to  sit  for  &  within  the  several  respective  coun- 
tys,  at  such  times  and  places  as  in  and  by  one  Act  made 
and  passed  by  the  Great  and  General  Court  or  Assembly 
of  OUR  s*  Province  entituled  An  Act  for  the  Establishing 
of  Judicatories  and  Courts  of  Justice  within  the  same,  are 
particularly  set  down  and  directed,  which  court  is  to  have 
cognizance  of  all  pleas,  real,  personal,  and  mixt,  as  well  in 
all  pleas  of  the  Crown,  and  in  all  matters  relating  to  the 
conservation  of  the  peace  and  punishment  of  offenders,  as 
in  civil  causes  or  actions  between  party  and  party  and  be- 
tween OURSELVES  and  any  of  our  subjects,  whether  the 
same  doe  concern  the  realty  and  relate  to  any  right  of 
freehold  and  inheritance,  or  whether  the  same  do  concern 
the  pei'sonalty  &  relate  to  matter  of  debt,  contract,  dam- 
age, or  personal  injury,  and  also  in  all  mixt  actions  which 
may  concern  both  realty  and  personalty.  And  when  and 
in  what  county  soever  the  s*  Superiour  Court  shall  sit,  the 
justices  thereof  shall  hold  a  Court  of  Assize  and  General 
Goal  Delivery  for  the  s*  county  at  the  same  time  as  occa- 
sion shall  be.  Kxow  yee  that  wee  have  constituted  and 
appointed,  and  do  hereby  constitute  and  appoint,  you. 
Wait  Winthrop,  Esq',  to  be  one  of  our  Justices  of  our 
said  Superiour  Court  quam  dm  se  bene  ffesseris,  with  author- 
ity to  use  and  exercise  all  powers  and  jurisdictions  be- 
longing to  a  Justice  of  s^  Court,  and  to  do  therein  what 
to  justice  doth  appertain  according  to  law.  And  you, 
together  with  other  our  Justices  of  our  s*"  Court,  or  any 
two  of  them,  to  hear  and  determine  all  such  causes  and 
matters  as  are  cognizable  to  s*  Court,  and  to  award  exe- 
cution thereupon  according  to  law.  In  testimony  whereof 
WEE  have  caused  the  seal  of  our  s'^  Province  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay  to  be  hereunto  affixed.  "Witness  S'  Wil- 
liam Phips,  K°',  our  Captain  General  and  Governour  in 
Chief  in  and  over  our  Province  afores*,  by  and  with  the 
advice  and  consent  of  the  Council,  at  Boston,  the  twenty- 


1394.]  NATHANIEL   MILNER.  31 

first  day  of  December,  1692,  in  the  fourth  year  of  our 
reigne. 

William  Phips. 
By  order  of  the  Council, 
Is*  Addington, 


NATHANIEL  MILNER  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP.* 

Bristoll,  y=  19"^  May,  1694. 

Major  Wait  Winthrop, — Just  now  I  heard  of  youre 
being  at  London,  and  not  before.!  Since  my  departure 
from  New  England  I  have  had  a  grat  dele  of  trvbles,  & 
sopose  you  have  heard  of  them.  In  my  homwards  bovnd 
pasidg  from  Vergeny  I  was  forst  on  shore  in  Cornwell 
neare  S'  Ives  by  a  desperrate  storme  of  winde.  The  nete 
proceds  of  what  I  maid  of  ship  and  cargoe,  that  I  bovght 
a  small  vessell  with  and  some  cargoe,  designeing  for  S' 
Georges  &  New  England,  bvt  y^  vessell  proved  so  disper- 
ate  leackey  that  I  pvt  into  S'  Micalls  and  thare  indevered 
to  finde  the  leakes,  bvt  covld  not.  Then  I  took  a  fraight 
for'  y''  Connaryes,  it  being  bvt  a  short  rvne.  From  thence 
retvrned  to  S'  Micalls  agane,  and  laded  y^  other  time  for 
y^  Connaryes,  Y"  laded  wines  for  Bristoll  homwards 
bovnd.  By  reason  of  a  contrary  wind  I  pvt  into  Ireland 
in  y^  rever  Cellmeare,  from  whence  I  was  tacken  ovt  by 
two  French  privateers.  Ten  days  aff  that  she  was  re- 
taken by  an  English  privateare  &  carried  into  Fallmovth. 
Since  my  retvrne  from  Ireland  I  have  bene  downe  to 
Falmovth,  whare  I  fovnd  y"  vessell,  meteriall,  &  cargoe 
mvch  imbassolled  by  y°  French  &  English.  They  de- 
mands one  halfe  of  what  is  left  for  salvedg.  The  act  of 
Parliment  allowes  it  to  them  in  case  they  make  no  imbas- 

*  Nathaniel  Jlilner  was  apparently  an  English  shipmaster  trading  to  New  England  and 
Virginia.  The  letters  which  we  print  are  written  and  signed  by  two  entirely  different 
hands;  and  perhaps  neither  is  his  own  autograph. — Eds. 

t  Wait  Winthrop  was  not  in  London  at  this  time.  Milner  confounded  him  with  Fitz- 
John  Winthrop,  who  was  there.  —  Eds. 


32  THE  WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1694. 

selment,  but  proof  enow  of  imbasselment  is  against  them. 
Thare  is  Robart  Eavvorth  marc"  in  London  who  was  a 
fraighter  on  y°  vessell.  He  is  now  at  law  with  y*  priva- 
teares,  &  acts  for  me  as  well  as  himselfe.  I  hope  thare 
■will  be  a  spedy  end  pvt  vnto  it,  and  then  I  intends  to  lefe 
what  appears  to  be  dve  vnto  yov  &  y''  part"^^  in  New  Eng- 
land in  y^  hands  of  M'  Charles  Jones,  Jvn',  of  this  cittey, 
also  y"  accompts.  It  will  be  delivered  to  yo''  ord^  I 
have  writt  to  Boston  in  New  England  by  two  oppertvni- 
teys  from  this  place.  Yo'  negro  Kinch  come  from  Ire- 
land with  me,  bvt  at  Coombe  he  was  pressed  from  me  to 
go  on  bord  y°  Royall  William.  He  promised  me  that  he 
wovld  come  to  me  agane.  and  if  so  I  will  take  care  to 
send  him  vnto  yov.  I  have  abovte  eighteen  povnds  dew 
to  yov  for  y"  negro's  wages.  It  shall  be  paid  vnto  yovre 
ord^  If  yov  wright  to  me,  plese  to  direct  yo''  letters 
to  M"'  Edward  Martendel's,  marchant,  in  Bristoll,  for 
Nathanell  Milner,  at  Eed  Lane  nere  Bristoll. 
I  am  yo'  hvmble  servant, 

Nath^^  Milnee. 


NATHANIEL  MILNER  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP  AND   OTHERS. 

To  Magar   Weight    Wintrop  and   Comp",  llarchants  at  Boston  in  New 
England,  pzent. 

Bristoll,  y«  9*  of  July,  1694. 

Gen'-,  —  My  last  to  you  was  by  M'  Hooppar.  Sense 
that  my  frind  at  London  haue  had  a  treyall  with  the  pri- 
uateares  at  y°  Corte  of  Doctars  Commons,  whare  the 
jvdg  haue  aquitted  vs  from  y"  privateare's  demands,  by 
reason  of  theyar  great  imbaselments.  The  ownars  of  y" 
privatcare  appealed  to  the  Lords  of  y"  Cowncell  &  haue 
had  a  heareing  at  the  Cowncell  Chambar,  whare  the  Lords 
confirmed  whot  was  done  at  Doctars  Commons.  Now 
we  are  thretued  to  be  shewd  for  y°  saluidg  by  the  King, 
but  I  hope  bcttar  things.     I  cannot  giue  you  an  accompt 


1696.]  SAMUEL   STOW.  33 

of  whot  will  be  dve  to  you  vntill  I  knowes  the  law  chargis, 
&  wliather  y*  King  will  shew  for  y*  saluidg,  or  not.  I 
design  for  Virgenea  in  aboute  two  months  more.  I  haue 
not  got  Magar  Wintrop's  neagro  as  yet,  but  hopes  to 
haue  him  before  I  sayles,  for  he  promased  to  come  to  me 
as  soone  as  y"  ship  was  payed  of.  I  haue  eighteane 
pounds  six  shillings  &  thre  pence  due  to  Ma^"  Wintrop  for 
his  negroe's  wagis.  It  shall  be  paide  to  his  ordar. 
I  am  youre  humble  servant  to  command, 

Nath"'  Milker. 


SAMUEL  STOW  TO  WAIT   WINTIIROP. 

Tliese  for  y'  Honourable  Major  Generall  Wait  Winthrop,  one  of  f  Hon- 
ourable Council  of  his  Majesties  Province  of  y'  3Iassachusets,  be  pre- 
sented, in  Boston.     Per  Amicum,  Q.  D.  C. 

MiDLETOWNE,  y=  S""  of  Juiie,  1696. 

Honourable  Sir,  —  These  are  to  pay  part  of  y'  vnex- 
pressible  respects  y'  I  owe  vnto  your  Honour ;  wishing 
you  all  health  &  happyness  for  soul  &  body,  for  time  & 
eternity,  that  you  may  live  long  to  y'  honour  &  glory  of 
y"  greate  God  of  your  fathers,  who  served  God  in  their 
generations,  doing  worthyly  in  their  dayes  for  this  poor 
land,  whose  spirit  you  &  your  honourable  brother,  I 
veryly  believe,  do  inherit.  I  pray  God  double  it  more 
&  more  vpon  him  &  you,  enabling  you  both  to  add  more 
&  more  to  the  good  &  honourable  services,  you,  even 
each  of  you,  haue  done  for  one  Colony  &  for  another.  I 
rejoyce.  Sir,  in  what  your  honourable  selfe  did  in  y"  day 
of  it  for  y*  people  of  God  of  y°  Massachusets.  I  pray 
God  guide  &  instruct  you  more  &  more  to  promote  their 
happyness.  God  knowes  that  it  is  my  heart's  desyre  that 
they  as  well  as  ourselfes  of  Connecticut  might  enjoy  the 
happyness  that  they  enjoj-ed  in  y"  dayes  of  your  grand- 
father of  blessed  memory,  that  yourselfe,  if  it  be  y°  will 
of  God,  might  be  a  compleate  restorer  of  y™  vnto  y'  like, 

6 


34  THE  WINTHKOP   PAPERS,  [1696. 

&  therefore  I  earnestly  beseech  you,  Sir,  that  you  would 
not  be  wanting,  as  I  hope  &  beUeve  you  are  not,  to  im- 
prove what  interest  and  advantages  you  may  there  vnto. 
For  certainly  vnder  kings  thats  y"  best  goverment  w"" 
God  commends  &  hath  promised  vnto  his  peculiar  people, 
to  choose  their  owne  rulers  from  y'  highest  vnto  y"  lowest 
from  among  themselfes,  as  it  is  prophesyed,  Jer.  30 :  20, 
21,  22  compared  w"^  Deut.  1 :  13,  14,  15,  w'"  Ezekiel  46 : 
10.  God  make  vs  of  this  Colony  thankful!  to  God  &  his 
instruments  for  what  your  worthy  brother  hath  done  for 
vs,  &  help  him  &  vs,  if  God  bring  him  to  vs,  to  make  that 
wise  &  through  improvement  of  our  libertyes  to  God's 
honour  &  our  credits  in  promoting  all  godlyness  &  hon- 
esty, leading  peaceable  &  quiet  lives  therein.  God  hath 
been  chastiseing  his  people  more  than  40  years  here  in 
this  wilderness.  We  are  yet  vnder  his  humbling  &  afflict- 
ing dispensations.  The  Lord  teach  vs  why  he  doth  so,  & 
so  contend  w""  vs,  what  it  is  for.  I  am  apt,  Sir,  to  think 
y'  we  are  very  defective  as  yet,  as  to  the  attending  of 
God's  institutions  in  not  taking  care  y'  God's  house  be 
furnished  w""  able,  diligent  ruling  elders,  as  well  as  w"" 
faithful  teachers ;  for  much  good  teaching  w""  our  lives 
moulded  into  y'  doctrine  of  y°  Gospel  will  but  aggravate 
our  condemnation,  for  it  is  y°  ruling  elders'  work  properly 
to  promote  people's  adorning  y*  doctrine  of  God  our  Sav- 
iour by  their  vigilant  &  diligent  inspection  into  y"  lives  & 
manners  of  y*  auditors,  as  well  as  to  look  to  y*  good  de- 
corum in  y'  publick  assemblies.  To  further  this  &  many 
good  works  there  wants  a  liberall  publick  spirit,  spoken 
of,  Isaiah  32 :  8,  The  liberall  deviseth  liberall  things,  & 
by  liberall  things  shall  he  stand.  The  whole  chapter  con- 
cerns our  times ;  as  we  would  have  y'  plentifuU  downe 
pouring  of  God's  spirit,  we  should  reform  y"  sins  reproved 
&  attend  y*  dutyes  commended,  so  we  shall  enjoy  y'  good 
promised.  Besides  what  I  haue  now  hinted,  I  verily  think 
God  hath  a  greate  quarrel  w'"  many  of  his  people  of  this 


1696.J  SAMUEL   STOW.  35 

land  for  their  love  of  filthy  lucre  in  their  Indean  trade  & 
in  these  &  those  covetings  to  haue  licenses  for  selling  of 
drink,  w'^''  is  to  such  as  need  it  not,  as  well  as  selling  to 
excess.  The  blessed  M'  Cotton  &  Doctor  Oxenbridge 
haue  witnessed  against  it  in  their  publick  ministry,  a 
shame  for  men  to  make  bargains  in  taverns  &  not  in  their 
owne  houses,  shops,  or  ships,  a  shame  y'  they  must  be 
liquor'd  all,  one  as  y'  w"^''  is  reproved,  Habbk.  2,  a  wofull 
evil,  V.  15,  compared  w""  y'  other  woes  denounced  in  y' 
chapter,  see  Amos  4  :  1  w""  Zeph.  1 :  8. 

I  would  not  be  too  tedious.  If  you  haue  not  M'  Josh. 
Moodyes  Artillery  Election  Sermon,  June,  1674,  I  would 
advise  your  Honour  as  a  Christian  &  good  souldier  to 
give  a  look  vpon  my  Annalls  of  God's  Blessing  of  N.  E. 
in  y'  yeare  1674,  where  you'l  finde  som  passages  of  it 
recorded.*  I  suppose  if  you  haue  never  seen  those  my 
scripts  M'  Cotton  Mather  ma}^  accommodate  your  Honour 
w"'  y"".  Those  my  Chronilogicall  Decads  haue  rings  or 
loops  by  w'"'"  they  may  be  fastened  together  or  hang'd  vp, 
to  preserve  from  mice  or  rats.  Worthy  Sir,  if  you  '1  be 
pleased  to  gratify  me,  who  am  vnworthy  of  y'  least  aspect 
of  such  an  one  as  you  are,  w""  a  line  of  advice  relating 
to  y°  duty  of  our  times,  I  shall  be  exceedingly  beholding 
vnto  you.  1169712 

That  treacherous  &  villanous  complotters  against  our 
most  noble  king  are  discovered  is  God's  signal  favour  to 
vs  &  to  all  that  love  the  Protestant  religion,  but  I  am  not 
a  little  sorry  that  y°  name  of  a  Stow  is  among  them.  If  it 
please  you.  Sir,  y*  I  might  not  be  too  bold,  I  could  wish 
his  gracious  &  royall  Majesty  did  know  what  a  loyal  Stow 
he  hath  in  New  England  at  Connecticut.  If  he  did  know 
my  affections  for  his  Majesties  prosperity  &  for  publick 
works  &  good  designes,  possibly  he  might  promote  out  of 

*  At  its  session  in  May,  1695,  the  General  Court  of  Connecticut  voted  that  "  This  Court 
return  there  thanks  to  M'  Stow  for  his  great  paynes  in  preparing  a  History  of  the  Annalls 
of  New  England."     See  Conn.  Col.  Rec.  1689-1706,  p.  144.  —  Eds. 


36  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1696. 

y'  spoiles  of  his  enemy  es  &  of  Cap'  Stow,  if  he  haue  ought, 
the  publishing  of  som  of  my  labours.  I  leave  the  matter 
as  you  think  good  or  expedient  to  your  Honour's  prudent 
discretion  by  yourselfe  or  honourable  brothei',  our  agent, 
to  move  som  such  thing,  because  it  was  an  vnexpected 
thing  to  me  to  heare  of  y°  name  of  a  Stow  in  England, 
having  had  information  y'  y"  name  was  out,  &  that  there 
were  severall  livings  did  belong  to  y'  name  ther  w*  one 
of  the  Stows  of  Barmoodes  did  look  after,  &  had  halfe,  but 
suing  for  the  other  halfe  lost  all,  and  I  being  a  younger 
brother's  son,  y*  youngest  of  my  father's  family,  did  not 
much  minde  it,  knowing  y'  to  compass  such  matters  was 
difficult.  My  father  had  a  brother  at  Canterbury  that 
was  an  exretainer  of  y*  nobility,  being  a  barber  chyrur- 
gion,  &  his  house  being  the  place  of  their  quai'ters  when 
at  y'  city,  &  his  consort  was  a  curious  sempter  y'  taught 
many  of  their  daughters.  I  suppose  him  to  be  dead  long 
agoe  ;  my  father,  y'  was  younger,  being  dead  above  these 
40  yeares.  My  vncle  had  but  one  son  who  might  be  older 
than  myselfe  or  as  old,  whose  name  was  Antony.  I  men- 
tion these  things,  if  your  Hono''  may  give  me  any  infor- 
mation, tho  my  spirit  riseth  often  against  y°  fact  of 
y°  treachei'ous  Stow.  But  my  prayer  to  God  is  for  his 
precious  soul's  salvation,  &  God,  y'  Saviour  of  our  king's 
Majesties  person,  save  still  w"'  all  manner  of  salvations, 
especially  w*  heavenly,  spirituall,  &  eternall.  Let  all 
the  prayers  of  y*  godly  for  heaven's  blessing  vpon  good 
kings  center  vpon  the  head  &  heart  of  his  present 
Majesty.  I  am  sorry  I  haue  given  you  so  much  trouble 
in  being  so  prolix.  Pray  pardon  my  boldness.  Wishing 
the  blessings  of  y'  Almighty  &  infinitely  wise  God  vpon 
all  3four  consults  &  endeavours  for  y"  good  of  God's  church 
&  people,  I  humbly  take  my  leave  &  rest 

Your  Honour's  tho  vnworthy  yet  cordiall  frcind  and 
humble  servant, 

Samuel  Stow. 


1697.]  SAMUEL   WILLIS.  37 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT   WINTHROP.* 
[Foy  Waite  Winthrop,  Esq:  at  Boston,  New  England. 

Lond:  Jan.  28"i,  1696-7. 

Much  hond.  S"  —  Tho  I  haue  not  y?  honour  to  bee 
knowne  to  you,  yett  I  hear  you  are  soe  true  to  y'  inter- 
ests of  religion  and  your  country  (w°.''  are  twins  &  in- 
seperable  from  each  other),  thatt  I  take  yf  boldness  to 
address  to  you  to  desire  your  freindshipp,  and  to  offer 
my  seruice,  assuring  you  w"euer  caracter  M'  D.  and  his 
agents  are  pleased  to  giue  of  mee,  I  beg  you  to  beleiue 
I  haue  studyed  faithfulness  to  y!  trust  you  haue  reposed 
in  mee,  as  to  my  wife  and  children.  And  desire  to  con- 
tinue noe  longer  in  y'  good  opinion  then  you  find  mee 
soe.  I  am  glad  of  any  oppertunity  to  assure  you  how 
much  I  am 

Y'  most  faithfull  and  affec"  seru". 

Hen.  Ashhuest. 


SAMUEL  WILLIS  TO  WAIT   WINTHROP.f 

Much  hon""  S^,  —  Had  I  imagined  that  your  aboade 
at  New  London  this  winter  would  have  bin  of  soe  longe 
continuance,  it  would  have  bin  a  greate  inducem'  to  mee 
to  have  refreshed  my  self  with  your  good  company  at 
New  London,  but  I  am  glad  to  heare  that  we  are  like  to 

*  For  a  short  biographical  notice  of  Sir  Henry  Ashurst  see  Part  V.  of  the  Winthrop 
Papers  (G  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  p.  19).  He  was  for  many  years  Agent  for  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut,  which  he  served  with  great  zeal  and  fidelity.  From  his  social  tind 
political  connections  he  was  able  to  exert  a  much  larger  influence  than  a  person  of  less 
weight  could  have  done,  as  he  frequently  reminds  his  correspondents.  He  wrote  a  very 
illegible  hand,  and  it  is  with  great  difficulty  that  the  letters  in  his  own  hand  have  been 
deciphered.  Many  of  them,  however,  were  written  by  amanuenses.  It  is  perhaps  unne- 
cessary to  add  that  he  had  an  intense  hatred  of  Joseph  Dudley.  — Eds. 

t  For  a  notice  of  Samuel  Willis,  see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  p.  16  n.,  and  for  a  long 
letter  from  Wait  Winthrop  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Connecticut,  dated  April  8,  1696, 
describing  the  molestation  his  tenants  had  received  from  Captain  Fitch,  see  5  Mass.  Hist. 
Coll.  vol.  viii.  pp.  517-522.  There  are  also  references  to  this  subject  in  the  correspondence 
of  Fitz-John  Winthrop,  passim,  —  Eds. 


38  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1697. 

see  you  at  Hartford  at  the  Court  in  May,  where  your 
company  will  be  much  needed  to  prevent  Capt.  Fitch  his 
makeinge  sale  &  desposinge  away  the  lands  of  this  Colony 
granted  by  the  Charter  w*"  your  hon'*  father  procured,  w" 
lands  were  granted  by  the  Kinge  to  the  patentees  therein 
mentioned  &  theire  heires  &  theire  associates  the  freemen 
of  this  Colony,  of  w""  lands  Capt.  Fitch  hath  made  greate 
markets  to  st[r]angers  &  put  the  mony  into  his  owne 
pocket.  It  is  apprehended  that  he  hath  monopolized  to 
himself  more  of  other  men's  lands  than  ever  any  man  did  in 
the  Kinges  dominions,  w*"  I  suppose  you  are  well  informed 
of,  and  soe  will  much  obstruct  the  settlem*  &  peoplinge  of 
the  Colony,  besides  the  greate  trouble  y'  hee  gives  to  the 
people  settlinge  att  Quinabauge  under  your  incoragem*. 
Yet  Capt.  Fitch  is  one  of  the  three  persons  appointed  to 
reforme  our  lawes,  soe  y'  except  matters  can  be  mended 
at  your  brother's  returne,  the  popularity  hath  put  the  gov- 
ernm'  on  such  that  wee  are  fallinge  into  the  dreges  of  a 
democraticall  anarkie.  S',  there  are  greate  priveleges  in 
the  Charter  w^  j'our  father  obtained  for  this  Colony,  had 
those  concerned  harts  &  wisdome  to  make  a  right  im- 
provem'  of  them  ;  but  hopinge  &  expectinge  shortly  to  see 
you,  I  shall  not  inlarge.  S',  if  you  intend  to  doe  any- 
thinge  at  our  Court,  you  must  be  here  that  weeke  the 
election  is,  for  our  Gen"  Court  never  sitts  but  one  weeke, 
for  when  our  Deputys  haue  spent  theire  salary  w**  the 
country  allowes  them,  they  breake  up  and  leave  all  busi- 
nesse.  The  bearer  herof,  Capt.  William  Whittinge,  will 
be  good  company  upon  your  journey  ;  you  may  ease  your 
journey  by  goeinge  from  New  Roxbury  to  Wendam.  My 
kinde  respects  to  the  gentlewomen,  your  sisters. 
Sr,  I  am  your  respectfull  freind  &  servant, 

Samuell  Willis. 

Harttord,  ApriU  21,  1697. 

S',  I  understand  you  have  obtained  a  patent  from  New 
Yorke  of  some  lands  upon  Longe  Island  ;  if  you  please  to 


1697.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST.  39 

bringe  it,  or  a  coppy  of  it,  with  you,  probably  I  may  offer 
somethinge  to  your  consideration  for  iniproveni'  of  it,  I 
haveinge  also  an  intrest  upon  the  island. 


SIR   HENRY   ASHURST   TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 

London,  the  25"'  August,  1697. 

Hon""  S",  —  I  haue  heard  of  your  great  fidelity  to  your 
countrey  in  the  worst  of  times,  and  of  your  zeale  and 
piety,  w*  makes  me  value  you  much  and  desire  your 
frendshipp.  I  did  in  January  last  give  you  the  trouble  of 
a  letter,  which  I  hope  came  safe  to  your  hands.  I  send 
you  this  p  M''  Jackson,  who  is  nominated  by  mee  one  of 
the  Com"  to  inspect  and  send  specimens  of  navall  stores, 
as  is  alsoe  M"'  Partridge,  with  two  other  persons  nominated 
by  the  navy  board  :  this  I  obtained  as  a  favour  to  avoid 
the  passeing  of  a  patent  which  would  haue  tended  to 
your  ruine,  as  I  haue  told  you  in  my  publick  letter.  I 
desire  you  would  encourage  and  assist  M'  Jackson,  who  I 
haue  allwayes  found  an  honest  man  and  zealous  for  the 
good  of  your  countrey  ;  I  thinke  you  are  highly  con- 
cerned for  your  owne  and  the  interest  of  your  posterity 
to  do  your  vtmost  for  the  establishm'  of  so. great  a  trade, 
w'"  when  effected  will  fill  you  with  riches.  I  do  in  a 
pticuler  manner  referre  the  care  of  my  Lord  Bellamont's 
encouragem'  to  you,  who  I  hope  will  answer  the  character 
I  haue  given  of  him  in  my  publick  letter;  and  I  haue  in 
a  pticuler  manner  recomended  you  to  my  lord,  haue 
told  him  he  may  intirely  trust  you,  and  how  fitt  you  are 
for  the  best  employment  vnder  him.  I  am  nuich  troubled, 
y'  after  all  my  labours,  time,  and  money  spent  in  your 
service,  y'  M'  Byfeild  in  your  Assembly  should  not  thinke 
mee  worthy  to  be  continued  your  agent,  and  Dudley  and 
his  party  in  towne  did  boast  y'  I  should  be  dismiss'd  my 
employment,  and  M'  Blaithwaite  put  in  my  roome  by  a 


40  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1698. 

vote  of  yo'  Assembly  ;  but  I  knowe  you  are  not  of  y'  party, 
and  therefore  I  write  so  freely  to  you.  I  can  truely  say 
you  haue  not  been  more  concerned  for  the  good  of  yo'' 
family  than  I  haue  for  the  good  of  your  countrey  for  these 
8  years.  I  shall  recomend  my  interest  and  service  in  a 
pticuler  manner  to  you,  &  I  desire  an  intimacy  of  friend- 
shipp  &  correspondence  with  you ;  and  when  ever  it  is  iu 
my  power  to  serve  you,  you  may  with  all  freedome  write 
to  mee,  for  I  am 

Yo!  affectionate  friend  &  servant, 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 

sir  henry  ashurst  to  wait  winthrop. 


To  Major  General!  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq'',  att  Boston,  M 

LoND.  th  8  of  May,  1698. 

Hone"^  &  DEARE  S%  —  Y"  of  the  first  of  March  was 
very  welcome  to  mee.  I  cannot  enough  expres  how 
kindly  I  tooke  the  freedome  you  ussed  in  itt,  and  of  all  the 
hints  you  gaue  mee  w'""  I  knew  nothing  of  but  from  you, 
espetialy  of  that  of  By.,  w''''  I  am  amazed  at.  I  am  affraid 
his  preferment  will  influence  the  chois  of  the  Assembly, 
•w"^  will  be  prejuditall  to  the  best  interest  thare,  w"''  with 
out  complement  I  take  you  to  be  in  the  head  of.  In  my 
priuat  leter  to  my  Lord  B.  I  haue  told  him  that  thos  that 
war  good  in  bad  times  and  that  was  alwais  stedy  to  the 
interest  and  religion  of  the  countray,  thos  I  told  him  was 
his  Lords,  his  Majties,  &  my  f rinds ;  itt  is  upon  this 
account  you  are  so  ualuable  to  mee,  and  I  thinke  that 
place  would  beter  become  you  then  Byfeild.  You  may 
bee  sure  to  comand  any  seruice  within  my  power ;  ther- 
for  I  pray  giue  mee  a  perticular  account  of  all  occurances 
with  you  of  momant,  &  upon  yo'  judgment  and  fidelity  I 
shall  depand.  I  wish  when  y"  Parlment  are  assembled 
that  you  could  consider  of  passing  an  act  with  such  penal- 
ties for  breaking  the  act  of  nauigations  that  may  make  yo' 


1698.]  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST.  41 

Brentons  unnecessary  to  you.*  When  I  can  come  from  the 
gouement  with  any  complant  of  Brenton's  comition,  as 
being  contrary  to  y"  charter,  I  will  appear  in  itt  to  oppos 
itt ;  but  the  leter  I  had  from  the  gouerment  takeng  not 
the  least  notice  of  itt,  I  am  affraid  you  haue  some  few  men 
amoung  you  that  are  acted  by  D.,  that  doe  make  yo' 
offences  dificult  &  perplex  them  ;  and  all  the  il  will  I 
haue  from  any  in  yo'  countray  hath  ben  from  my  oppo- 
sition to  him,  whom  I  take  to  bee  the  work  of  men,  the 
Hamond  f  that  hath  designed  yo'  destruction  ;  as  for  my 
self  the  keeping  you  from  patent  to  ruine  you  &  from  D. 
being  y""'  gouerner,  I  haue  spent  many  dayes,  weekes,  & 
much  mony  ;  and  you  ought  to  bee  just  to  mee,  seeing 
y"  countray  hath  the  beneBtt.  I  doe  not  question  but 
you  will  doe  yo'  utmost  both  for  a  gratuity  and  a  salery. 
I  pray,  S",  instruct  mee  how  I  may  serue  you,  and  belieue 
itt,  for  itt  is  uery  true,  you  haue  not  in  England  a  more 
sincere  friend  then 

Yo'  true  friend  &  se",  Hen.  Ashhurst. 

I  agree  with  you  in  all  yo'  sentiments  that  the  factors 
&  strangers  will  ruine  the  interest  of  religion  amoung  you, 
&  I  perceiue  that  yo'  young  men  haue  litle  regai'd  to  the 
old  cause  that  brought  y"?  thar,  but  ar  for  high  church  & 
arbitrary.  0  tempera,  0  mores.  I  shall  be  able  to  stop  the 
tide  but  a  litle  while.  If  you  will  destroy  yo'"selves  you 
can  saue  you.  If  I  could  rid  you  of  yo'  colectors  I  shuld 
doe  something.  Pray  suffer  no  incroachments  upon  yo' 
charter.  My  enemes  among  you  reproach  me  ;  but  the 
seruice  I  haue  done,  I  haue  kept  D.  from  being  gouerner, 
a  patant  to  ruine  yor  traid,  Allin  from  New  Hampshire,  & 
no  good  neighbour  in  New  York  ;  thes  are  my  crimes.  J 

To  Waight  Winthrop,  Esq'. 

•  Jahleel  Brenton  was  appointed  Collector  of  Boston  bj'  William  HI.,  and  held  the 
office  for  many  years.  —  Eds.    • 

t  Haman.  This  was  a  favorite  comparison  of  Sir  Henry  Ashurst.  See  note,  post, 
p.  153.  — Eds. 

}  The  answer  to  this  letter  is  printed  in  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.  pp.  533-535.  —  Eds. 


42  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1698 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hond'^  Waite  Wintlirop,  Esq',  in  Boston,  New  England. 

LoND.,  th  15  Octo.  98. 

Much  hon""  S%  —  Tho  I  haue  had  no  leter  since  my 
two  last  to  you,  yet  I  must  neuer  omitt  and  oppertunity 
of  paying  my  respects  to  you,  being  I  realy  lioner  you 
for  yo'  inflexable  fidelity  to  the  best  interest  of  yo'  coun- 
tray  in  all  times,  and  euer  since  I  had  an  acco.  from  you 
that  Byfiled  was  by  comition  made  Judg  of  the  Admiralty, 
w"""  was  priuatly  done  by  a  party  that  are  neither  frinds 
to  yo''  religous  or  ciuil  interest,  I  was  amazed  at  itt,  and 
haue  presented  you  heer ;  and  M''  Cooke  being  ordered 
by  a  great  minister  to  name  two  persons  out  of  w"''  they 
woidd  choos  one,  so  I  hope  hee  will  not  be  long  lined  in 
that  post.  I  wish  you  could  finde  some  way  to  satisfie 
the  gouerment  that  the  acts  of  nauigation  shall  not  bee 
broken  for  the  futur  in  New  England,  that  you  may  get 
rid  of  thes  fellows  tliat  will  in  time  I  am  afFraid  ruine  you. 
I  am  glad  my  Lord  Belamount  takes  you  into  his  coun- 
sells  &  frindship.  I  am  suer  I  did  recomend  you  to  hira 
with  all  affection.  I  doe  watch  all  oppertunitys  I  can  to 
preuent  mischeifs  to  you.  I  am  now  in  the  Parlment,  and 
if  any  thing  can  bee  done  for  yo''  seruise,  I  pray  aquainte 
mee,  as  also  any  thing  in  w"''  I  may  serue  you  in  perticu- 
lar.  I  haue  intire  confidence  in  yo'  prudence  and  integ- 
rity. I  perceiue  by  M'  Stoughton  that  hee  will  moue  in 
the  next  sesions  for  an  allowance  for  mee  for  the  mony  I 
haue  expended  and  a  salery  befor  my  Lord  Belamount 
com,  all  w"""  I  doe  not  take  to  be  in  kindnes  to  mee ;  but 
no  discouragment  shall  perswad  mee  to  desert  yo'  interest, 
tho  I  thinke  you  ought  to  bee  just  to  mee,  and  the  la- 
borer is  worthy  of  his  hier.  I  am  suer  you  will  doe  euery 
thhig  that  lookes  just  and  kind  to  m.ee.  I  am  alwaise  to 
the  utmost  of  my  power 

Yo'  most  faithfull  k  humble  se".         Hen.  Ashiiurst. 


1699.]  SIR  HENEY   ASHUKST.  43 

Pray,  S%  incourage  my  Lord ;  he  will  be  as  true  to  yo' 
religious  interest  as  any  you  can  haue,  &  he  is  an  honest 
man. 

SIR  HENRY  ASHURST   TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 

May  th  5,  1699. 

Deaee  S",  —  I  haue  yo''s  of  25  July  w"''  lost  itts  con- 
uayance  with  that  w'""  couered  itt  of  the  4""  of  Feb.,*  and 
T  thanke  you  for  itt.  I  haue  considred  itts  contents,  and 
doe  assure  you  I  haue  bin  laboring  to  the  utmost  of  my 
power  to  get  Byfeild's  place  for  you,  and  I  haue  now 
atained  itt  to  my  great  satisfaction,  and  yo'  comition  is  a 
drawing;  and  I  am  glad  I  had  an  oppertunity  to  serue 
so  good  a  man.  I  haue  written  my  mind  fully  to  the 
Gouerner  &  Counsel  and  Assembly,  and  doe  not  doubt 
but  you  will  doe  yo'  utmost  to  doe  mee  justice ;  for  if  you 
will  not  thinke  fitt  to  allow  mee  mony  laid  out  in  yo''  ser- 
uice  I  must  be  forced  to  get  itt  some  other  way.  Pray, 
S',  take  care  that  Major  Walley  bee  paid.  I  pray  giue 
mee  a  uery  perticular  acco.  of  all  occurances  with  you.  I 
doe  not  doubt  you  will  assert  my  interest  to  yo'  power. 
Thos  that  are  against  mee  and  the  Gouerner  are  no  frinds 
to  yo''  countray.     My  true  loue  to  you. 

Yo''  reall  friend  &  se*',         Hen.  AsnnuRST. 

To  'Wait  Winthrop,  Esq'. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. f 

LoND.,  th  6  June,  99. 

Worthy  S",  —  I  haue  T  this  sent  you  yo''  commition 
under  the  great  scale  to  bee  Judge  of  the  Admiralty. 

•  See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.  pp.  5+4,  545.  — Eds. 

t  The  commission  enclosed  in  this  letter  is  engrossed  on  parchment  with  an  engraved 
heading  in  which  are  depicted  a  crowned  lion  rampant,  an  eagle,  a  serpent,  and  various 
birds,  etc. ;  and  in  the  upper  left-hand  corner  is  a  portrait  of  William  III.  It  is  of  consid- 
erable length,  and  is  wholly  in  Latin.  The  jurisdiction  of  the  court  extended  over  the 
Colonies  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  New  York,  and  New  Hampshire.  —  Eds. 


44  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1699. 

What  I  haue  paid  for  itt  you  will  reimburse  mee  at  yo' 
leissure.  I  doe  hope  yo'  Assembly  will  doe  mee  justice, 
and  make  mee  such  acknowledgments  as  may  incourage 
mee  to  continue  in  yo'  seruice  &  scetle  a  constant  salery 
and  send  mee  a  new  deputation.  I  doe  depend  upon  you 
for  a  perticular  account  of  all  occurrances,  and  you  may 
depend  upon  the  frindship  of 

Yo'  affect,  frind  &  humble  se", 

Hen.  AsnnuEST. 


THOMAS  HINCKLEY  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP* 

Baenstable,  June  27"',  1699. 

Mucn  noN^D  Sir,  —  After  my  humble  service  p'sented, 
w*  my  thankfull  acknowledgment  of  all  your  undeserved 
favour  &  respect  from  time  to  time  showne  to  me  vnwor- 
thy,  I  am  bold  to  intreat  y"^  favour  in  behalfe  of  Major 
William  Bradford,  who  hath  been  a  servant  of  God  &  his 
country  for  many  years,  that  you  would  please  (if  it  be 
not  to  late),  to  improve  y'  interest  w""  his  Excelency  y® 
Gou^nor  for  his  continuance  of  the  said  Major  (at  least)  in 
his  coinission  as  Judg  for  y"  Probate  of  Wills,  &c.,  v/"^  may 
be  some  advantage  to  him  in  his  old  age  and  low  out- 
ward conditio,  &  not  p'judiciall  to  those  that  may  be  con- 
cerned therein.  I  remember  in  Sir  Edmond  Androsse 
time  the  like  coinission  to  me  did  afford  some  little  supply 
toward  y^  many  expensive  journeys  &  weeks  spent  w"'  y* 
Councill  then  at  severall  times,  &  that  (as  y"  manner  then 
was)  w"'out  any  allowance  fro  y*  publique,  not  that  I 

*  Thomas  Hinckley,  sixth  Governor  of  the  Plymouth  Colony,  was  born  in  England,  in 
or  about  1G18,  and  probably  came  over  in  1635.  He  tilled  many  positions  of  honor  and  re- 
sponsibility in  the  Colony,  was  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  and  was 
a  Councillor  of  Massachusetts  under  the  Provincial  Charter.  He  died  in  1706.  The  letter 
here  printed  is  written  in  a  very  tremulous  hand.  Major  William  Bradford,  in  whose  interest 
it  was  written,  was  the  son  of  Gov.  William  Bradford,  and  was  born  June  17, 1624.  He  was 
wounded  in  tlie  great  Narragansett  fight,  Dec.  19,  1675,  and  died  Feb.  20, 1704.  See,4 
Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  v.  pp.  xiii-xv;  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  i.  pp.  2.11,  2.32; 
vol.  ii.  p.  42.');  and  for  numerous  letters  and  papers  of  Thomas  Hinckley,  4  M:iss.  HisL 
Coll.  vol.  V.  pp.  1-30S.  —  Eds. 


1699.]  SIR  HENRY   ASHURST.  45 

repent  thereof,  it  being  but  my  duty  not  to  desire  to  swim 
when  y"  pubhque  was  in  danger  to  sink,  &  therefore  to 
vse  my  best  indeavour  according  to  my  poor  weak  abilli- 
ties  to  p''vent  y°  same,  &  to  pmote  y"  pubhk  good.  But 
of  this  only  by  y^  way,  to  show  that  it  may  be  some  little 
help  to  y'  Major,  who  hath  been  willing  to  spend  his  time 
&  strength  &  to  hazard  his  life  in  y'  former  Indyan  warr 
for  y°  safety  &  benifitt  of  y'  publique,  there  remayning 
still  in  his  body  a  bullet  then  shott  into  it,  w''''  many  times 
hath  indisposed  him  for  bodily  labor  ;  but  for  his  capacity, 
fiiithfullnes,  &  care  in  managing  that  office  if  still  con- 
tinued to  him,  I  think  there  is  no  cause  to  doubt ;  nor 
of  your  readines  to  appeare  for  y°  help  of  y^  poor  &  low 
wherein  you  may  in  justice,  notw^'standing  any  opposition 
thereunto  by  y*  rich  &  mighty,  as  I  have  found  by  ex- 
perience, both  fro  your  self  &  divers  other  of  y*  honord 
gentle  w"'  you,  for  w"*"  I  desire  to  renew  my  harty  & 
humble  thanks  both  to  God  &  to  you  all,  w*  my  humble 
supplication  for  his  gracious  p''sence,  good  guidance,  & 
blessing  to  be  w""  you  &  upon  you,  especially  in  all  your 
weighty  concerns  for  his  glory  &  y"  publik  good,  & 
remayn, 

Your  honor's  humble  &  obliged  servant, 

Tnos.  Hinckley. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST   TO  WAIT  WINTIIROP. 

LoND.,  July  26,  99. 

HoNR"?  S",  —  I  did  the  6  of  June  last  send  you  yo' 
comition  under  the  gr.  seale  to  be  Judge  of  the  Admiralty, 
w"'"'  I  hope  is  come  safe  to  yo'  hands.  I  doe  not  question 
you  will  doe  what  becometh  you  in  reference  to  my  self. 
I  haueing  many  dispatches  to  make  shal  be  shorter  now, 
but  beleiue  mee,  I  am  in  great  truth, 

Yo''  most  faithfull  &  humble  ser', 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 

To  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq'. 


46  THE   WIHTTHEOP   PAPERS. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Honr^''  Wait  Witithrop,  Esq'',  these  att  Boston. 

London,  July  31,  99. 

S^  —  I  could  not  satisfie  my  self  with  y'  gen"  lett'  I 
wrote  to  yo"'  goverm',  but  must  apply  my  self  to  my 
freinds  particularly,  not  y'  I  shall  ever  ask  any  thing  of 
them  in  particular,  y'  I  don't  imagine  is  just  &  reasonable 
&  for  y°  gen"  service ;  for  I  think  y'  it  is  for  y'  country's 
advantage  to  give  encouragem'  to  those  y'  serve  them,  & 
what  they  are  oblidg'd  to,  on  y^  ace'  of  coiiion  justice, 
besides  gratitude  ;  for  my  part  I  have  served  them  as 
if  I  subsisted  &  depended  upon  them,  &  I  more  regrett 
y  slight  &  undervaluing  of  my  labour  w"*"  their  not 
thinking  it  worth  paying  for  puts  upon  me,  than  I  desire 
their  mony.  But  I  hope,  S',  in  so  reasonable  a  request 
as  y'  you  would  gratifie  a  gentleman  for  y*  trouble  y*  yo' 
coiiiands  subject  him  to,  you  will  be  hearty,  &  y'  in  y* 
affair  of  solliciting  all  yo'  laws,  screening  you  from  all  ills, 
&  promoting  yo'  welfare  &  happiness,  you  will  not  shew 
yo'selves  niggards  or  venture  to  starve  so  important  a 
cause.  If  it  lies  in  my  power  to  serve  you,  S',  in  yo'  pri- 
vate affairs  here,  I  shall  do  it  with  all  readiness,  &  shall 
with  y"  utmost  gratitude  acknowledge  any  service  you 
shall  do  to  my  interest,  for  I  really  am 

Yo'  countrey's  &  yo'  very  faithfull  humble  servant. 

Hen.  Ashhukst. 


WAIT  -R'lNTHROP  TO   SIR  HENRY  ASHURST.* 

[Boston,  August  or  September,  1699.] 

Much  hon"?  S",  —  Some  time  since  the  last  ships  Fos- 
ter and  Mason  went  hence,  I  had  the  favour  of  your  letter 

•  This  letter  is  printed  from  (i  rough  draft,  without  date  or  signature,  and  is  indorsed 
by  the  writer  "Copy  to  S'  Henry  Ashurst."    The  kinsman  referred  to,  Adam  Winthrop, 


1699.]  WAIT   WINTHKOP.  47 

of  May  5',*  which  Was  a  considerable  time  after  the  arri- 
vall  of  the  ship  that  brought  it.  I  wrote  nothing  to  you 
by  those  ships,  hopeing  I  might  haue  had  a  better  pros- 
pect of  our  affairs  to  giue  you  by  this  conveyance,  which 
I  knew  would  not  be  long  after  the  other,  our  Genl'  Assem- 
bly being  then  in  the  midest  of  their  business.  I  haue, 
with  all  the  industry  we  could,  with  others  of  your  friends 
also,  endevoured  to  obteyn  a  just  satisfaction  for  the  very 
grate  care,  paines  and  cost  you  haue  taken  and  bin  at  to 
preserue  us  from  the  many  inconveniencyes  and  mischiefes 
that  som  imreasonable  men  haue  bin  designing  against 
ns,  but  am  ashamed  I  haue  no  better  account  to  giue  you 
about  that  affaire  ;  such  as  it  is  you  will  see  in  the  letter 
to  you,  therfore  shall  not  need  to  trouble  you  farther 
about  y'  perticular.  The  truth  is  we  haue  a  smale  party, 
and  you  know  who  the  heads  of  them  are,  who  liaue  this 
many  years  don  all  thay  could  against  yom*  interest  and 
ours  too,  hopeing  to  get  their  comrade  M'  D.  to  be  Gov' 
here  and  so  driue  on  their  private  interest  with  the  ruine 
of  this  people's  libertyes,  which  thay  came  hither  for.  Did 
not  the  same  men,  when  thay  were  judges  in  S'  Edmon 
Andross  his  time,  do  so  as  to  our  temporall  concernes 
when  (before  S'  Edmon  would  presume  to  enter  on  our 
estates  and  grant  patents  for  our  houses  and  lands,  and 
issue  out  writs  of  intrusion  against  us  if  we  would  not 
comply  and  giue  nere  the  utmost  value  for  them  our- 
selues),  and  take  it  as  a  favor  too  (which  I  could  giue 
instances  of),  did  not  S'  Edmon,  I  say,  before  all  this  put 
it  as  a  point  in  law  to  those  judges  whether  any  man  had 
right  to  what  he  possessed  here,  —  who  gaue  it  under 
their  hands,  after  the  Gov!  refused  to  take  their  word  for 
it,  that  thay  had  none  ?  And  when  som  began  to  corn- 
was  born  in  Boston,  March  3,  1676-7,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1694,  and  died  Oct. 
2,  1743.  After  filling  various  important  positions,  he  was  made  Chief-Justice  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas,  which  ofiice  he  retained  until  shortly  before  his  death.  He  was  the 
father  of  Prof.  John  Winthrop,  the  learned  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Phi- 
losophy in  Harvard  College.  —  Eds. 
*  See  ante,  p.  43.  —  Eds. 


48  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1699. 

plaine  of  such  hardship,  as  I  remember  particularly  one 
instance  of,  a  poor  widow  woman  of  Charlstown,  which, 
as  I  remember,  was  said  to  be  blind  too,  came  to  the  Gov' 
and  Councill  with  severall  children  with  her,  with  such 
complaint  of  her  land  being  taken  away  by  patent,  she 
and  others  had  a  faire  answare  from  the  Gov'  that  it  was 
by  the  opinion  of  the  judges  that  were  good  men  of  our 
own  people,  &  he  could  say  nothing  to  it,  —  and  did  thay 
not  do  so  likewise  at  the  same  time  as  to  our  spirituall 
concernes  when  the  justices  of  the  peace  had  sent  out 
their  warrant  (notwithstanding  the  then  newly  emitted 
proclamation  for  liberty  of  conscience,  which  yet  we 
thought  not  wanting  here  if  we  had  our  right),  to  all  the 
ministers  and  people  to  keep  a  certaine  day  according  to 
the  statute  ;  *  accordingly  when  the  day  came  the  justices 
went  in  person  and  forced  the  people  to  shut  up  their 
shops,  which  warrant  being  served  upon  me,  being  one  of 
the  Councill,  I  secured  it,  and  w"?  I  had  opertunity  com- 
plained of  such  imposition  to  the  Gov'  and  Councill,  and 
layd  tlie  Justices'  warrant  before  them,  not  that  I  expected 
releife,  but  being  desirous  all  might  know  what  we  must 
trust  to  in  those  points.  At  length  after  severall  councill 
dayes'  delay  (and  being  in  the  meane  time  in  vaine  wrought 
with  by  M'  Dudly,  and  others  to  let  that  matter  fall),  I  ob- 
tej^ned  a  hearing,  and  the  justices  had  notice  to  apear ; 
and  after  som  debate  and  the  proclamation  for  indulgence 
which  I  produced  being  read,  the  matter  was  comited  to 
the  judges  for  their  opinion  in  the  law,  who  after  som 
consideration  returned  that  the  Justices  had  don  their 
duty,  and  accordingly  were  aquited  and  incouraged  be- 
fore the  Councill  by  the  Gov',  telling  them  thay  should  not 
want  his  assistance,  —  all  which  I  expected  would  com  to 
pass  before,  for  I  knew  M'  Bullivant  and  the  rest  of  them 
durst  not  haue  don  what  thay  did  but  by  his  countenance 

•  The  reference  is  probably  to  the  shutting  np  of  the  shops  on  the  anniversary  of  the 
execution  of  Cliarles  I.,  Jan.  30,  1687-8.     See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  v.  p.  201.  —  Eds. 


1699.]  WAIT   WINTHKOP.  49 

and  knowledg,  the  whole  matter  being  contrived  befor- 

hand,  tho  he  was  at  that  time  at  the  eastward,  managing 
the  Indians.  And  you  know  who  of  these  very  judges 
haue  bin  our  managers  ever  since,  who  for  the  sake  of 
their  salaryes,  which  was  120  or  ISO"",  would  thus  be- 
tray the  whole  interest  of  their  country,  temporall  and 
spirituall,  and  if  the  happy  revolution  had  not  iihediatly 
hapned  all  the  acts  of  conformity,  even  from  Rom  it  selfe, 
had  bin  prest  upon  us  with  the  gratest  severity.  It  is 
som  of  these  men,  tho  thay  haue  semed  to  turn  with  the 
tide  a  litle  since,  that  haue  cloged  all  our  affaires,  and  haue 
gained  so  much  by  studied  fair  speaches  and  pretentions 
upon  our  honest  country  representatives,  who  many  of 
them  are  new  every  year  and  haue  not  known  the  old 
entreagues,  that  thay  are  the  more  easily  perswaded  to 
dismiss  their  best  friends  as  usless,  and,  under  the  notion 
of  saving  charges,  will  suffer  themselues  to  be  ruined.  I 
must  now  beg  your  pardon  for  this  long  digression,  and 
return  you  thanks  for  your  kind  letter,  and  for  the  grate 
care  and  paines  you  haue  bin  taking  for  me.  I  know 
not  but  you  haue  don  better  servis  for  the  people  here  in 
geting  the  other  removed  then  in  procuring  me  in  his 
room,  which  might  haue  bin  filled  up  by  one  more  capa- 
ble for  such  an  employ  ;  however,  I  am  no  less  obliged  for 
your  grate  favour  and  respect  to  me,  and  shall  upon  all 
occations  make  you  sincere  return  of  my  acknowledg- 
ments accordingly,  and  since  by  your  kind  recomendation 
I  may  be  thought  fit,  I  shall  with  the  like  duty  endevour 
to  serue  his  Maj'.''  in  that  station  as  I  haue  hitherto  don 
in  others.  This  coms  to  you  by  my  neer  kinsman,  M' 
Adam  Winthrop,  who  has  taken  his  degreese  at  our  col- 
ledg,  and  has  since  betaken  himselfe  to  merchandising  ; 
he  is  .son  to  a  very  honest  good  man,  who  has  a  capable 
estate  to  farther  him  therin  ;  he  has  relations  of  good  con- 
sideration by  his  mother's  side  in  England,  and  is  sober 
and  well  inclined,  and  your  countenance  to  him  (being  a 

7 


50  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1699. 

stranger),  so  far  as  you  shall  observe  he  may  deserue  it, 
will  still  ad  to  the  obligations  I  am  so  deeply  under  alredy. 
I  haue  bin  a  little  the  more  free  in  what  I  haue  writ,  hop- 
ing this  will  not  faile  of  safe  conveyance.  M'  Byfeild  is 
now  of  the  Councill,  and  has  maried  his  daughter  to  M.'. 
Stoughton's  nephew;*  thay  are  fast  to  their  own  interest, 
but  I  know  not  to  whose  else.  I  must  needs  say  I  never 
knew  a  minister  y'  left  preaching  for  the  sake  of  wordly 
interest  ever  good  for  any  thing  after,  and  for  the  sake  of 
two  or  3  such  I  shall  always  haue  a  care  how  I  trust  any 
that  do  so.  I  belieue  it  is  not  my  opinion  alone  that  the 
ruine  of  the  antient  liberty  of  this  country  is  instrumen- 
tally  owing  to  the  pride,  ambition,  avarice,  of  som  such, 
and  I  would  not  be  thoug'  to  be  censorious  in  so  saying, 
and  is  only  to  y'selfe,  that  you  may  haue  a  care  who  you 
trust  and  confide  in. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hoii^  Watte  Winthrop,  Esq',  att  Boston,  New  England. 

LoND.,  th  7  of  9  b.  99. 

Deare  S",  —  Tho  I  haue  no  time  to  write  a  line  to  any- 
body except  two  lines  to  the  gouerment,  yet  I  could  not 
omitt  kindly  to  thanke  you  for  yo''  last  kind  leter  f  yo' 
kinsman,  and  for  yo''  sake  I  shuld  bee  glad  to  doe  him  any 
seruice  in  my  power.  I  wish  you  all  maner  of  hapienes 
in  yo'  new  imployment.  Wliat  mony  I  paid  for  yo''  pat- 
ent &  other  charges  you  will  at  yo'  owne  time  reimbarse 
mee.  You  giue  a  true  stat  of  yo'  affaires,  w""""  I  beleue  to 
bee  exactly  so.  I  hope  tho  the  gouement  will  not  bee  kind 
to  mee  they  will  bee  just  to  mee.  I  doe  not  question  you 
will  doe  yo'  utmost  for  mee.    By  the  inclossed  Gazett  you 

•  Edward  Lyde  married  Deborah,  one  of  the  daughters  of  Nathaniel  Byfield.  Oct.  22, 
1G9G.  Byticld  did  not  become  a  member  of  tlic  Council  until  1699.  We  cannot  find  that 
he  was  "a  minister  that  left  preaching,"  as  was  the  case  with  Stoughton.  —  Eds. 


1699.]  SAIIUEL   WILLIS.  51 

will  see  how  kindly  the  King  tooke  y^  last  Gazett.     My 
true  loue  to  you. 

Yo''  affect,  frind  &  se",  Hen.  Ashhuest. 


SAMUEL  WILLIS  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Much  hon"."  S!",  —  Some  of  on'  neighbours  beinge  bound 
to  Boston  market  w"'  som  ware  in  this  winter  season,  I  was 
willinge  to  salute  you  by  a  few  lynes  and  to  acquaint  you 
with  the  welfaire  of  you''  freinds  in  these  parts,  who  had 
hopes  to  haue  seene  you  last  Octob'  court,  where  Major 
Palmes  waited  all  the  time,  and  seemes  much  inclyned  to 
pick  holes  in  his  neighbours  coates  and  caryes  it  very  dis- 
respectfully to  the  Gov^  But  I  hope  the  court  will  be 
care  full  that  he  may  haue  justice  accordinge  to  law,  and 
then  there  will  be  lesse  danger  of  his  complaints.  I  re- 
member 5'ou  declared  when  you  was  last  at  Hartford, 
that  in  Boston  Colony  the  judges  and  courts  alowed  the 
benefitt  of  the  coinon  law  of  England  to  the  people  there, 
w°^  if  it  were  soe  also  in  this  collony  as  it  is  w""  you,  and 
in  all  the  Kinges  other  plantations  &  colonys,  I  and  others 
also  apprehend  that  it  would  be  very  much  for  the  safty 
of  ou'  charter,  in  such  carpinge  times,  tho  Major  Palmes 
his  case  at  New  Lond.  was  tryd  by  the  statute  law  of  Eng- 
land.* S',  we  are  informed  that  M"'  Stodard  was  cost  by 
M"'  Fitch  his  atturney  neere  a  100£  in  mony  at  the  infe- 
riour  court  at  Boston,  and  at  the  superiour  court  a  130£, 
because  he  omitted  to  indors  some  monys  that  he  received 
it,  w*  noe  rationall  man  can  object  against.  But  for  M' 
Fitch  to  haue  a  130£  more  in  mony  from  M"'  Stodard 
vpon  this  accompt,  when  he  was  paide  his  debt  in  soe 
dead  &  vnprofitable  &  dubeus  estate,  seemes  very  harsh 
&  vnreasonable,  w'^!'  its  concluded  you'  justice  and  wisdoms 

*  Numerous  references  to  Major  Edward  Palmes  and  his  intrigues  and  litigation  may 
be  found  in  the  correspondence  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop, ^Mssim.  —Eds. 


52  -  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1699-1700. 

will  prevent.  S',  there  beinge  onely  my  self  and  one  moi'e 
scriblinge  pattentee  left,*  wee  haue  exhibitted  a  complaint 
against  M''  Fitch  att  the  last  Generall  Court  for  vnjust 
monopolinge  greate  quantytys  of  lands  belonginge  to 
the  pattentees  &  free  men  of  this  colony,  who  haue 
appointed  coinissionrs  to  examin  the  matter  fully,  &  pre- 
pare it  against  May  court,  when  that  title  of  M'  Stodard's 
land  will  be  further  examined  &  lookt  into.  I  suppose 
the  authority  with  you  &  here  may  easyly  order  it  y'  M' 
Stodard  may  pay  the  mony  out  of  that  land,  &  not  be 
more  mony  out  of  pocket  vpon  soe  loosinge  a  bax-gaine. 
S",  M'  Stodard  hath  formerly  writt  to  mee,  how  he  hath 
bin  baffled  about  M''  Fitch  his  debt,  w"^  some  here  are 
very  sensable  of,  w'^'?  makes  mee  the  more  bould  to  coin- 
end  this  matter  to  you''  prudence  &  justice  for  his  releife 
as  farr  as  this  motion  will  goe ;  and  soe  I  humbly  moue 
&  suggest  that  execution  against  M'  Stodard  may  be  re- 
spitted,  soe  that  he  may  haue  liberty  granted  him  to  pay 
that  judgm'  of  court  in  part  of  those  lands  w*"?  he  received 
by  execution  of  M'  Fitch,  in  this  colony. 

S',  you  may  please  to  coinunicate  what  j'^ou  apprehend 
proper  in  this  letter  to  M'  Stodard  y'  is  fit  to  be  imparted 
to  him. 

I  pray  present  my  kinde  respects  to  all  you''  good  sis- 
ters, thus  coinendinge  3^ou  and  all  you'  publiqe  affaires 
to  the  guidance  of  the  Supreme  Gov'  of  all  thinges. 
I  am,  S',  your  affectionate  cordiall  freind, 

Samuell  Willis. 

Hartford,  DecemV  13,  1699. 


WAIT  WINTHROP   TO  FITZ-JOHN  ^MNTIIROP. 

For   the    Hon^'^   John  Winlhrop,  Esq\    Gov',    of  his  MaJ'-'  Collonyc   of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these. 

Boston,  Jan'S'  2Z],  JiJJ. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  had  yours  by  the  post  with 
[a]  little  bundle  which  your  nephue  will  be  very  th[ai;k";- 

•  Capt.  Daniel  Clark  is  the  person  referred  to.  —  Eds. 


1699-1700.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  53 

full  for  when  he  corns  to  town ;  he  has  severall  times 
bin  [to]  enquire  after  the  velvet  engine  of  the  old  Coil- 
direction,  but  the  French  enginere  is  remoued  to  Rox- 
bury,  whither  I  went  yesterday  to  enquire  about  it  and 
found  the  body  of  it  framed,  but  it  seems  he  had  no  linhig 
for  it,  which  I  did  not  know  before ;  therfore  it  cannot 
be  sent  by  this  post,  but  hope  you  will  not  fade  of  it  by 
the  next  if  we  can  get  an  inside  to  it.  Yesterday  came 
in  a  small  ship  from  Holland  who  toucht  at  Plimoth  to 
clear,  has  bin  eight  weeks  from  thence,  says  that  Foster 
came  out  with  her  and  kept  her  company  thre  days  but 
sayled  not  so  well,  and  that  the  day  before  she  came  from 
Plimoth  the  Detford  frigate,  who  was  bound  hither  and 
had  bin  out  a  considerable  time,  came  in  thither,  having 
sprang  all  or  most  of  her  masts;  the  King  was  come 
home,  and  the  Parliament  to  sitt  spedily.  We  look  for 
Foster  every  hower,  but  the  packets  to  the  Gov""  were  in 
the  Detford  and  in  Mason,  who  sayled  a  fortnight  before 
this ;  thre  or  fower  vessells  who  went  out  about  a  fort- 
night since,  the  day  before  the  stoi-m,  are  lost  or  stranded 
about  No-'set,  one  of  them  lost  with  all  the  company,  som 
of  the  others  lost  two  or  thre  men.  Our  Genl'  Court,  which 
was  to  sitt  the  seventh  of  Feb^'',  I  think  will  be  prorogued 
till  March,  that  the  ships  from  England  may  be  here 
before  they  sitt.  Coll.  Tounsend's  mother  was  buried  on 
Fryday  last,  94  years  old  ;  Cap'°  Ball  was  buried  last  Aveek 
likwise.  I  could  not  speak  with  the  fuller  yesterday 
at  Roxbury,  but  he  is  just  now  com  to  me,  and  resolues 
to  be  coming  to  you  the  next  week  ;  his  name  is  Robert 
Luscum ;  by  all  the  advise  I  can  get  he  is  an  excellent 
workman.  M'  Haberfeild,  the  clothier  here,  tells  me  that 
Waldron  that  has  taken  Dane's  mill  knows  nothing  of  the 
trade  but  what  he  got  by  being  a  little  while  imploj'ed  by 
them  here,  and  is  an  idle,  deseitfuU  fellow.  The  stone 
jugg  I  told  you  of  I  beleiue  holds  a  little  more  then  two 
quarts,  and  came  exactly  sealed  up  and  still  remaines  so  ; 


54  THE  WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1699-1700. 

I  doubt  it  will  be  spoiled  to  send  it  by  the  post,  but  must 
stay  for  an  opertunity  by  water.  Not  a  drop  or  jot  more ; 
love  and  servis  to  every  body.     I  am 

Yours,  Wait  Winthrop. 

Our  sister  Ben.  Brown  has  got  a  young  daughter.  As 
I  was  sealing  it  got  a  fire,  and  I  haue  not  time  to  tran- 
scribe least  the  post  be  gone ;  but  you  may  read  it, 
I  think.* 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the   Hon^'.'   John    Winthrope,  Es(f,    Govl  of  his  Majf   Gollonye  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these. 

Boston,  Jan'?  27*  ^^. 

Dear  Brother,  —  The  barer  M!  Luscom  comes  just 
now  to  me  for  a  letter  of  recoinendation,  and  sayes  he 
will  set  forward  next  Munday.  I  think  you  may  depend 
upon  MJ  Haberfeild's  opinion  of  him  that  he  is  a  good 
workman,  and  if  he  will  undertake  the  corn  mill  also, 
I  beleiue  may  do  well.  Here  is  an  other  young  man 
who  is  a  miller,  who  he  sayes  will  joyn  with  him,  if  he 
likes  the  place  when  he  has  seen  it.  Thay  seem  to  be 
honest  west  countrymen  ;  I  know  not  whether  thay  will 
be  for  much  farming,  but  possibly  may  be  able  to  keep 
a  few  sheep,  &c.  I  haue  given  him  no  other  incourag- 
ment  then  that  if  he  will  be  at  the  charg  to  goe  and  see 
the  place,  I  beleiue  he  will  like  it,  and  you  will  be  willing 
to  giue  him  all  the  incouragment  you  can.  Thay  that 
shall  take  the  mills  and  the  whole  farm  too,  will  expect  to 
giue  little  more  then  the  mills  will  be  worth  without  it, 
and  a  little  flock  of  sheep  will  make  the  farm  valuable 
in  a  short  time.  Here  is  no  news  since  my  last  by  the 
post,  only  our  Genii  Assembly  is  prorogued  farther  to 

•  Three  large  holes  were  burned  through  the  paper;  but  the  writer  interlined  most  of 
the  missing  words.  —  Eds. 


1699-1700.]  WAIT  WINTHROP.  55 

the  IS'?  of  March,  and  the  winter  has  bin  so  favorable 
that  they  haue  killed  many  whales  in  Cape  Cod  bay ;  all 
the  boates  round  the  bay  killed  twenty  nine  whales  in 
one  day,  as  som  that  came  this  week  report ;  as  I  came 
by  when  I  was  there  last  one  company  had  killed  thre, 
two  of  which  lay  on  Sandwich  beach,  which  they  kild  the 
day  before,  and  reckned  they  had  kild  another  the  same 
day,  which  they  expected  would  driue  on  shore  in  the 
bay.  I  do  not  think  you  will  meet  with  a  better  man 
for  the  mills,  therfore  it  will  be  best  to  giue  him  what  in- 
couragment  may  be  ;  our  wuttunckses  thereabouts  will 
never  advantage  us  much  in  those  affaires  if  there  should 
be  any  propositions  that  way.  I  forgot  in  my  last  to 
write  about  the  principle  matter,  but  how  to  remit  hither 
I  know  not.  Hanah  Corwin  is  not  well  yet. 
I  am,  with  love  and  servis  to  all,  yours, 

W.    WiNTHROP. 

I  know  not  whether  the  cap  will  be  redy  for  this  man, 
but  will  be  for  the  next  post. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   SAMUEL  READE.* 

Boston,  Feb7  28^  -Hw- 

S»,  —  My  last  was  under  covert  to  my  cousin  Adam 
Winthrop  in  answare  to  yours  of  the  15"^  and  17""  of 
Aug'',  since  which  haue  not  heard  from  you,  Foster,  Ma- 
son, &c.  not  being  yet  arived,  but  supposed  to  be  blown 
off  to  som  of  the  islands.  I  can  say  little  more  to  you 
about  your  concerns  at  Salem  than  what  I  last  wrote  ; 
haue  made  farther  enquirys  as  to  value,  but  can  not  be 
satisfied  so  as  to  give  y'  ace'  of  it  I  could  wish.  The  ten- 
nant  offered  250  pounds,  which  is  very  inconsiderable  to 

*  Samuel  Reade,  a  London  merchant,  was  a  cousin  and  frequent  correspondent  of  Wait 
Winthrop.  —  Eds. 


56  THE   -WIKTHROP   PAPERS.  [1699-1700. 

what  my  thoughts  haue  bin  about  it.  Cousin  Daniell  Eps 
thinks  it  worth  not  above  300^,  and  spake  of  making  pro- 
positions to  you  about  it,  but  1  cannot  think  but  it  must 
be  worth  much  more  for  any  man  that  is  in  a  way  to  im- 
proue  it.  That  which  much  abates  the  value  of  all  lands 
in  this  country  w5  labor  is  dear,  is  seting  up  and  main- 
tayning  fences,  espetially  where  there  is  not  water  to 
fence  a  good  part,  but  must  be  fenced  round,  which 
costs  almost  as  much  as  the  land  is  worth,  but  this  lying 
but  about  two  miles  out  of  Salem  would  be  very  consider- 
able if  it  were  well  fenced.  We  had  formerly  a  coppy  of 
Mf  Wharton's  will,  I  think  sent  by  your  selfe  and  M"^  Whit- 
feild,  attested  only  by  a  publick  notary  which  is  not  ac- 
counted suffitient  here  ;  if  you  could  do  me  the  favour  to 
procure  a  coppy,  under  the  scale  of  the  prerogatiue  office, 
it  might  be  a  kindness  to  the  children  and  to  the  creditors. 
Now  the  warr  is  over  som  of  his  out-lands  may  be  of 
worth  so  as  to  make  the  estate  solvant  and  possibly  saue 
somthing  for  the  children.  M'  Nelson  was  one  of  the 
adm"  formerly  apointed  here,  who  I  suppose  will  write  to 
you,  and  will  also  write  to  M"  Charles  Middleton,  mercW 
on  Tower  Hill,  to  pay  you  the  charg  that  shall  arise  in 
procuring  it.  I  sent  you  a  note  from  my  brother  in  my 
last  letter  to  pay  the  ballance  of  his  ace*  to  me  ;  I  like- 
wise desired  you  would  pay  to  S'  Hennery  Ashurst,  bar- 
ronett,  what  he  has  bin  out  for  me  in  procuring  a  coinis- 
sion  out  of  the  Admirality,  which  he  has  bin  very  kind  in. 
I  knew  not  justly  how  much  it  was,  but  suppose  it  may 
not  be  any  grate  sum.  I  wrote  to  him  that  I  had  desired 
you  to  do  it;  he  will  tell  you  what  it  is.  I  also  desired 
you  to  pay  the  sadler  you  mentioned  twenty  pounds,  if 
so  much  shall  be  in  your  hands  after  S'  Hennery  is  satis- 
fied, which  I  advance  to  him  on  ace'  of  his  goods  sent  by 
my  brother,  hauing  not  yet  rec?  his  effects,  and  shall 
giue  him  ace*  of  the  whole  in  a  little  time.  If  my  other 
letters  should  haue  miscaried  I  desire  you  would  pay  as 


1699-1700.]  WAIT   WIKTHEOP.  57 

above  out  of  that  money  in  your  hands,  espetially  to 
S'  Hennery ;  if  you  pay  any  thing  to  Mf  Garret,  the  Sad- 
ler, please  to  take  his  rec'  for  the  ace'  of  goods  sent  by 
my  brother.  Not  els  but  my  loue  and  servis  to  all  our  good 
freinds.     I  am  your  affectionate  kinsman  and  servant. 

Wait  Wintheop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  March  5',  ^^. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  delivered  your  letters,  after 
I  had  sealed  them,  to  .the  Gov',  who  promises  to  put  that 
to  the  Sec"'^  of  State  up  with  his  own  to  him,  as  also  the 
two  papers  under  the  seale  of  your  gover"'.  The  last 
week  Foster  came  in  from  London,  but  has  toucht  at 
Barbados  and  hears  no  news  of  Mason.  I  had  a  letter 
from  Cousin  Read,  who  says  he  had  rec?  yours  but  could 
not  write  you  now  ;  he  has  sent  a  full  order  to  sell  his 
farm,  either  in  parts  or  the  whole,  and  make  him  returnes 
for  it.  The  inclosed  from  our  little  kinsman  was  brought 
me  with  your  packet  as  coming  from  York,  for  which  he 
had  a  shilling,  but  when  I  opened  it  found  it  for  your 
selfe,  and  then  lookt  farther  on  the  superscription  ;  he 
would  haue  bin  kinder  if  he  had  said  30'!' instead  of  50,  which 
is  all  he  says  he  has  bin  out  on  her ;  however,  if  she  be 
not  old  and  fited  as  he  says,  if  you  are  in  a  capasity  to 
answare  his  expectation  now  she  may  be  worth  that 
mony ;  possibly  it  might  serue  his  turn  as  well  to  haue 
so  much  effects  shiped  to  him  on  his  ace'  to  Jamaica  after 
he  is  gon,  which  I  perceiue  will  not  be  presently.  I  be- 
leiue  I  shall  be  at  New  York  before  he  goes,  which  may 
be  an  advantage  to  you  to  know  whether  she  be  old  and 
crasy ;  if  so,  tis  better  to  giue  a  little  more  for  a  good 
new  one,  but  please  yourselfe  in  the  matter  notwithstand- 
ing what  I  hint.  The  lead  he  speaks  of  is  considerable. 
Yesterday  the  Gov'  and  Councill  met,  and   there   being 


58  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1700. 

about  32*  to  pay  for  bringing  the  prisoners  you  sent  from 
Rehoboth,  Capt°  Gulluck  was  sent  to  pay  so  much  out  of 
the  mouy  had  bin  delivered  to  him,  wliat  had  formerly 
bin  stop't  for  that  use  hauing  bin  all  expended ;  but  he 
returning  an  insolent  answare  in  writing,  with  grate  re- 
flections on  the  Govf  and  Councill,  was  sent  for  and  imme- 
diatly  sent  to  prison  by  a  unanimous  consent ;  how  he  is 
this  morning  I  haue  not  heard.  My  Lord,  as  also  the 
committe  who  took  ace'  of  Kid's  treasure,  offered  their 
oathes,  and  were  accordingly  sworn  that  they  haue  not 
directly  or  indirectly  concealed  or  bin  the  better  for  any 
of  that  treasure,  but  haue  delivered  all  according  to  acct' 
now  to  be  sent  for  England,  and  my  Lord  sayes  it  will  be 
expected  from  all  the  Gov".*  Gulluck  told  me  the  other 
day  that  you  wrote  him  you  had  a  prospect  of  more  mony 
to  be  discovered,  and  I  understood  him  that  he  expected 
you  would  haue  sent  som  in  your  hands  now  before  he 
had  gon,  but  would  order  it  to  M''  Newton,  and  tho  he  spake 
well  to  me  of  yourselfe,  yet  very  ill  of  all  elce  with  you. 
I  spoke  to  the  GovT  about  his  order  for  sending  all  those 
men ;  he  desired  me  to  excuse  him  to  you  that  he  dose 
not  write  now,  hauing  much  to  write  for  the  dispatch  of 
the  frygate,  but  says  he  will  send  you  a  coppy  of  those 
orders  by  the  next  post. 

I  am  your  affectionate  brother,        Wait  Winthrop. 
Postscript,  March  6'*. 

Last  night  the  Gov'  and  Councill  met,  and  Cap'  Gulluck 
upon  his  humble  submission  giuen  in  writing  was  released 
from  his  imprisonment.  One  M'  Prince  of  this  place  sayes 
he  will  put  in  to  N.  London  in  about  a  fortnight,  by  whom 
intend  to  send  the  stone  bottle  and  som  paper. 

*  Under  date  of  February  28,  Judp;e  Sewall  records  :  "  We  ship  off  the  iron  chest  of 
gold,  pearls,  &c.,  40  bails  of  East  India  goods,  13  hogsheads,  chest  and  case,  one  negro 
man,  and  Vcnturo  Resail,  an  East  Indian,  bnrn  at  Ceilon.  .  .  .  Agreed  in  the  weight  of  the 
gold  with  our  former  weight.  .  .  .  Mr,  Bradstreet  and  Capt.  Winn's  clerl<  took  an  account 
at  the  crane;  but  Capt  Winn  would  not  give  a  rec'  till  had  them  on  board  the  sloop  Anto- 
nio, which  ridd  off  just  without  the  outward  wharf.  Gave  a  rec<  for  the  gold  at  Capt. 
Belchar's  as  soon  as  it  was  weighed."    See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi.  p.  7.  —  Eds. 


1700.]  WAIT  WINTHROP.  59 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon''\^  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov:  of  his  Majf  Collonye  of 
Gonecticott,  in  New  London,  these. 

Plimoth,  March  29"",  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  The  court  being  over,  W  Cook  and 
Cap'"  Sewall  are  going  homward,  by  whom  I  send  this  for 
the  next  post,  and  am  going  forward  towards  the  Island, 
and  hope  to  be  at  home  by  the  midle  of  April],  or  sooner 
if  I  can.  I  spake  with  Capt°  Sewall  about  lending  mony 
to  your  collony,  who  says  there  is  one  hundred  pounds  in 
his  hands  to  be  let,  which  he  is  willing  to  accoiiiodate 
them  with  upon  good  security,  if  thay  will  send  about  it. 
We  haue  had  a  very  grate  storm  (of  wind,  raine,  and  this 
morning  snow),  which  has  held  without  intermission  about 
40  howers,  but  now  its  fair,  tho'  the  wind  be  still  high. 
I  wish  we  hear  of  no  shipwrack  after  it ;  if  you  do  any 
thing  about  that  with  Capt°  Sewall,  it  will  be  best  to  write 
to  him  as  soon  as  may  be.  I  inquired  of  Mr  Stoddard  for- 
merly, and  helpt  him  serch  all  his  Stonington  wasteheges, 
but  could  find  nothing  to  that  purpose,  which  I  thought 
I  had  wrote  you  formerly,  but  forgot  to  mention  it  in 
my  last. 

I  am  yours, 

W.  Winthrop. 

On  Munday  last  when  I  came  from  home  I  ordered  the 
guns  with  the  pistolls  to  be  put  on  bord  Carter  Gillum  in 
a  box,  as  also  an  halfe  barrill  of  good  Dutch  ponder,  who 
intended  to  sayle  about  this  time  ;  the  pistoll  barrill  1  saw 
tryed,  and  I  beleiue  is  very  good. 


60  TUE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1700. 

SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

LoND. ,  th  25  Ap.  700. 

Worthy  S",  —  I  am  in  yo''  debt  for  seuerall  of  yo",  and 
was  resolued  not  to  write  to  you  until  I  had  a  perticular 
oppertunity,  that  I  might  conuay  itt  safe  to  you.  I  hope 
you  need  not  fear  M'  Byfeild's  threets,  and  that  you  may 
continue  in  yo"  place.  I  am  sure  I  will  doe  my  utmost 
that  itt  shall  bee  so.  I  haue  taken  but  £10  of  yo'  cossan, 
tho  I  thinke  I  was  out  of  puree  more.  I  take  itt  for 
granted  you  will  make  mee  some  amends,  if  you  can,  in 
the  Counsell  &  Representatiues,  that  they  may  bee  both 
just  and  kind  to  mee,  and  agree  to  make  mee  thar  agent 
&  scetle  a  salery;  for  let  them  not  flater  them  selues, 
nnless  you  desine  to  be  under  the  slauery  of  M''  By.  and 
his  party,  w'^''  I  oppose  alone,  and  haue  done  this  11 
yeares,  I  am  suer  itt  concerns  you  to  doe  itt,  and  that 
speedily,  the  party  at  New  York  and  New  England  being 
inraged  at  what  my  Lord  B.  hath  done  to  deliver  both 
placies  from  the  oppresions  of  thos  that  haue  inslaued 
them  &  murdered.  Others  of  them  haue  by  thar  emis- 
sares  indeavred  to  impeach  my  Lord  B.  in  Pai'liemt,  in- 
deavering  to  sensure  his  being  concerned  with  Kid,  & 
then  to  present  38  articles  in  order  to  impeach  him. 
How  industrious  I  haue  bin  to  put  of[f]  that  &  to  deliver 
my  Lord  is  seffitiently  knowne  heer,  and  you  will  euery 
day  more  and  more  want  my  solicitation.  If  you  are  not 
ini;xtuated  to  yo''  mine,  you  will  both  incourage  my  Lord 
and  my  self  in  yo'  seruice,  w"""  you  will  find  the  best 
mony  you  can  lay  out.  If  you  haue  any  thing  of  the 
product  of  New  England  that  is  not  cranburys,  for  thos  I 
licke  not,  that  is  for  a  garden  here,  or  any  thing  else  that 
you  will  send  me,  &  a  smale  present  of  itt  shall  bee  kindly 
accepted  by 

Yo'  truly  affectionat  frind  &  faithfull  humble  se", 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 

To  Waite  Winthrop,  Esq. 


1700.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  61 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hor^^'  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov':  of  Ms  Maj'^  Collonye  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these. 

Boston,  Aprill  29'",  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  After  a  long  jornye  I  got  hither 
again  on  Saturday  night,  and  haue  yours  by  the  two  last 
posts.  I  perceiue  the  R.  Islanders  hold  on  their  old 
stroake  of  confidence,  by  which  only  thay  haue  twice 
gained  what  footing  thay  haue  in  the  Narraganset,  and 
do  yet  uphold  their  goverment;  thay  think  thay  can  but 
loose  all,  which  I  beleiue  thay  expect,  and  so  will  venture 
at  all.  I  haue  not  seen  the  Gov'  nor  any  body  els  since 
I  came  home,  hauing  not  bin  very  well,  therfore  cannot 
giue  you  his  sence  or  any  others  about  that  matter.  I 
wonder  your  gent"  should  neglect  the  opertunity  of  send- 
ing to  secure  that  with  Cap'°  Sewall  if  thay  want  it ;  *  I 
question  whether  he  may  not  haue  disposed  of  it  before 
now  if  he  had  no  farther  notice  about  it,  and  1  cannot 
speak  with  him  now  least  the  post  be  gon.  About  a  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds,  as  I  told  you,  you  may  depend 
upon,  but  the  other  hundred  pounds  which  I  spake  of  can 
not  be  got  in ;  but  if  your  gent™  dependance  be  upon 
thre  or  fower  hundred  pounds  to  do  their  business  with, 
thay  had  as  good  throw  it  up  at  first  and  submit  to  the 
confidence  of  the  R.  Islanders ;  tis  not  worth  their  while 
to  endever-to  uphold  their  gov™'  if  thay  are  not  able  to 
advance  a  few  hiindreds  of  pounds,  by  their  credit  or  oth- 
erwise, to  saue  themselues  when  there  is  occation.  I  am 
sorry  for  the  accident  about  the  two  Indians,  who  I  sup- 
pose to  be  lost  tho'  you  do  not  say  so,  and  tis  well  the 
others  escaped.  If  there  should  be  any  difference  about 
the  pumme  of  the  whale,  I  doubt  I  must  com  and  hold 
a  court  of  admiralty  about  it.     15  p'^  annum,  if  it  scape 

•  See  ante,  p.  59.  —  Eds. 


62  THE   WINTHROP    PAPERS,  [1700. 

the  hands  of  Mistucksuck  suckers,  will  be  somthing,  but 
whether  it  be  pounds  or  bushels  3-ou  do  not  say.  I  know 
of  no  holsters  that  were  left  here  but  what  belonged  to 
the  sadles  and  were  sold  with  them  and  had  all  caps ; 
them  that  belong  to  my  furniture  haue  no  caps,  and  I 
haue  no  other  either  with  caps  or  without.  If  you  would 
saue  them  I  can  send  them  by  the  post,  but  tis  easy  to 
take  the  caps  off  any  pair  of  holsters  for  the  new  sort  of 
bags  and  put  them  on  again  as  occation  may  be.  We 
are  all  thankfull  for  the  dieses,  and  I  shall  see  the  armes 
fited  I  hope  shortly.  Osenbrigs  is  far  inferior  to  the 
specked  linnen,  but  I  shall  endevour  to  send  som  if  M' 
Christophers  be  not  gon,  unless  I  can  get  som  good  cot- 
ton and  linnen  which  we  buy  for  our  folks,  and  shall  en- 
quire for  vinegar.  I  am  so  ill  I  can  write  no  more  now, 
but  am 

Yours,  W.    "WiNTHKOP. 


WAIT  WIXTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHM  WINTHROP. 

For  the  IIo7i''''  John  Winthrop,  Esq",  Gove''  of  his  Maj'^  Collonye  of 
Conecticoit,  these. 

Boston,  May  ^^,  1700. 
Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  rec?  yours  with  the  papers, 
am  troubled  for  your  indisposition  before  your  jorney,  but 
hope  you  are  now  well  at  Hartford.  I  was  ill  all  the  last 
week,  but  am  now  better  (God  be  thanked).  I  haue  not 
spoke  with  Cap':°  Sewall  about  that  matter  yet,  but  intend 
it  this  day ;  if  your  gent"?  think  150'"'  will  do  their  busi- 
ness, thay  had  as  good  saue  that  too  and  never  send.  The 
R.  Island  agent  has  bin  here  to  take  his  passage ;  he  car- 
ryes  600"'  with  him.*  I  think  his  name  is  Shefeild,  and 
is  to  joyn  with  M'  Brenton,  who  has  charged  a  bill  of 

•  By  an  Act  of  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly,  May  3, 1699,  Jahleel  Brenton  was  appointed 
sole  agent  of  the  Colony  in  England ;  but  as  there  was  some  doubt  whether  he  had  ac- 
cepted this  appointment,  Captain  Joseph  Sheffield  was  appointed  sole  agent  in  the  iol- 


1700.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  63 

exchang  on  that  gov™'  for  250""  (as  M!  Brenlye  informes 
me)  by  the  last  ship  by  way  of  York.  I  beleiue  M'  Bren- 
ton  will  serve  himselfe  whatever  corns  of  them.  I  know 
not  which  way  to  transmit  any  mony  for  England  ;  thay 
must  send  sombody  who  I  will  assist  all  I  can.  Our  Su- 
perior Court  sits  here  to-morrow,  and  next  Thursday  com 
sennit  at  Kittery  beyond  Piscataque,  whether  I  must  be 
going  next  Munday,  and  must  be  at  the  Court  at  Ipswich 
the  Tuesday  following,  which  be  the  21"  of  May,  and 
hope  to  be  at  home  that  week.  Balston  will  be  going  for 
England,  thay  say,  within  two  or  thre  days,  and  Adm" 
Benbo  within  a  week  or  more.  I  know  not  what  ship 
their  agent  goes  in,  or  when  any  other  ship  will  goe.  I 
cannot  tell  whether  any  of  those  papers  can  be  procured 
here  or  not,  but  shall  speak  with  Mf  Brenl}^,  Co":  Hutch- 
inson, and  M":  Saffin,  who  are  to  meet  me  to  day  about 
this  affair.  If  your  Cover"'  tamely  giue  away  this,  or 
loose  it  for  fear  of  a  little  charge,  all  the  rest  will  follow 
by  degrees,  and  then  they  may  pay  as  much  in  one  year 
as  their  charter  has  cost  them  almost  this  forty  years.  I 
hear  Mf  Tyler  is  in  town,  by  whom  I  may  write  farther. 
I  am  your  affectionate  brother, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 

My  servis  to  all  the  gent"  with  you,  and  pray  them 
thay  would  not  dye  to  sane  charges  as  we  did.  I  think 
to  write  to  S'  Hennery  by  this  ship  to  giue  him  notice 
that  your  gov™'  is  sending  to  him,  that  if  thay  are  before 
you  he  may  delay  them  till  your  instructions  com  to  his 
hand.  I  fear  the  post  will  be  gon,  therfore  cannot  write 
to  M'  Saltonstall,  but  hope  he  will  excuse  it.  The  post, 
being  delayed  a  little,  I  spake  with  Co"  Hutchinson,  who 

lowing  February,  provided  Brenton  had  not  acted  under  the  previous  vote.  If  he  had 
accepted  the  appointment,  "then  the  said  Jahleel  Brenton,  Esq'r,  to  he  continued  jointly  in 
the  aforesaid  agency  with  the  aforesaid  Sheffield."  Subsequently  the  authority  granted  to 
ShefiBeld  was  revoked,  and  Brenton  was  continued  as  sole  agent.  See  Rhode  Island  Colony 
Records,  vol.  ui.  pp.  372,  403,  404,  410.  —  Eds. 


64  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [170a 

has  copyes  of  the  inclosed  papers  and  som  others.  Ma- 
son will  sayle  for  England  about  3  weeks  or  a  month 
hence. 

Indorsed  by  Fitz-John  "Wlnthrop  :  "  My  brother.    Acct.  of  papers  about 
the  Naroganset  busines." 


WAIT  WLNTHROP  TO  FITZ^OHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  June  3'*,  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  rec*  yours  by  Cap'.°  Whiting  and 
one  by  the  post,  and  haue  almost  no  patience  to  think 
your  gover™'  should  take  so  little  care  of  its  interest ;  if 
thay  loose  Narraganset,  thay  will  for  the  same  reason 
loose  all  the  rest.  Admirall  Benbow  sayled  this  morning, 
go  your  matters  are  too  late  for  that  opertunity  ;  the  Road 
Islanders  I  heare  haue  given  their  agent  40'''  to  stay  at 
home  since  M"'  Brenton's  bills  of  exchang  haue  com  to 
them,  and  thay  will  improue  him  farther,  but  I  know  not 
whether  thay  haue  yet  sent  their  letters  ;  if  thay  haue, 
here  is  ships  going  every  day,  which  will  be  time  enough 
for  your  business  unless  your  gent™  contriue  to  send  more 
mony.  I  told  you  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  which  is 
redy,  but  how  to  remit  it  I  know  not,  or  where  to  take  up 
more  upon  your  October  court's  credit.  What  writings 
are  here  to  be  had  I  will  get  and  insert  in  your  list  of 
papers  to  S'  Henry.  It  is  the  election  for  the  artillery, 
and  Coll  Hutchinson  is  just  going  to  church  and  it  hin- 
ders all  business,  so  you  must  stay  till  the  next  opertunity 
for  a  farther  account.  I  am  going  to  wait  on  the  Gov! 
with  your  gen'?  (who  are  invited  to  dinner  with  the  Artil- 
lery), and  shall  improue  all  the  interest  I  can  for  their 
sattisfaction.  The  post  is  just  blowing  his  horn,  and  I 
cannot  help  it  that  I  write  no  more  perticularly,  but  shall 
answere  every  word  by  the  next,  but  beleiue  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  get  mony. 

Yours,  W.    WiNTHROP. 


WAIT   WINTHROP.  65 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  June  10'^  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  had  not  time  to  say  more  by  the 
last  post  than  I  did,  but  haue  yours  by  this  post  with  the 
others  before  me,  that  I  may  remember  what  I  should 
haue  writ  the  last  time.  As  to  the  concern  about  the 
papers  to  be  procured  here  in  Coil  Hutchinson's  hands, 
I  think  I  sent  you  account  of  them  formerly  and  thought 
it  was  needless  to  send  coppyes,  but  to  put  them  up  with 
the  other  papers  to  goe  for  England  when  you  haue  sent 
all  the  rest,  and  have  not  yet  got  coppyes,  being  a  little 
straightened  for  time  with  the  Court  and  otherwise  ;  and 
as  to  the  mony  concern  I  cannot  yet  procure  bills,  but 
hear  that  the  Road  Islanders'  bills  which  thay  had  pro- 
cured are  in  town  to  be  sold  and  shall  enquire  after  them. 
M''  Addington  informes  me  that  M"'  Brenton,  who  thay  de- 
pend upon  for  their  agent,  will  be  here  in  the  next  ships ; 
if  so,  you  need  not  be  in  grate  hast,  however  it  will  be 
good  to  be  ready.  Mason  and  Foster  sayle  with  the  first 
wind,  but  severall  others  will  be  going  spedily,  so  that 
you  will  not  want  opertunity.  Tis  Strang  that  thay  should 
want  profe  that  Quinabauge  was  Hiems  his  country.  How 
will  thay  prove  all  the  Indian  or  English  deeds  with  their 
bounds,  when  the  witnesses  are  all  dead,  but  by  tradition? 
You  haue  Mashanshowit's  evidence  and  the  old  man's 
two  sons  at  Pigscomscot  whose  father  shewed  them  the 
bounds.  I  can  say  no  more  then  you  know  about  it ;  you 
haue,  I  think,  all  the  papers.  I  shall  enquire  after  the 
Sudbury  man,  and  get  what  he  can  say,  and  will  contriue 
to  be  at  October  Court  if  I  can,  and  shall  farther  search 
after  that  paper  with  M^  Stoddard.  Upon  your  recoinen- 
dation  Cap'°  Crow  has  bin  to  take  a  cordiall  syllybub  out 
of  the  gold  boule.  I  had  a  letter  from  Cousin  Read,  who 
desired  to  be  excused  that  he  could  not  write  you  then  ; 
he  insists  still  on  the  sale  of  his  farm,  and  Cousin  Daniell 


66  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1700. 

Epps  would  be  his  chapman,  but  I  doubt  he  will  not  giue 
what  it  may  be  worth.  I  hear  nothing  yet  of  any  corn 
from  your  Treasurer ;  if  it  coms,  shall  make  the  best  I  can 
of  it.  I  hear  Jonas  Clark  is  to  put  in  at  N.  London ;  if  I 
can  get  Ozenbrigs  on  bord  him  before  he  be  gon  in  the 
morning,  you  will  haue  it  by  him.  I  am  sorry  my  neice 
should  be  any  ways  indisposed,  and  should  be  glad  I  could 
contribute  any  way  to  her  health.  The  Gov'  speakes  of 
going  to  York  as  soon  as  our  assembly  is  over,  v/!"  may 
be  in  a  fortnight  or  less,  but  I  hope  will  not  goe  till  after 
the  Coinenceraent  and  then  I  may  goe  with  him,  other- 
wise must  goe  after  him ;  he  is  to  meet  the  Indians  at 
Albany  the  10'^  of  August.  Your  nephew  hopes  you  will 
be  here  at  the  Coiiiencment  which  will  be  the  4'^  of  July.* 
John  Elliston  came  home  from  Antegoa  yesterday ;  his 
wife  has  lately  layn  in  with  an  other  boy.  Here  is  no 
news;  pray  giue  my  servis  to  M'  Saltonstall  and  his  lady, 
and  all  friends. 

I  am  your  affectionate  brother,         W.  Winthrop. 

Your  gent"  are  yet  here,  and  I  shall  forward   their 
dispatch  what  I  can. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Honorable  John  Winthrop,  Esq'.,  Gov'  of  his  Maj'f  Gollonye  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these.     Free, 

Boston,  June  17*  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  Although  tho.se  ships  are  gon,  here 
are  more  going  every  day,  two  or  thre  this  week  or  next, 
and  others  as  soon  as  thay  are  gon,  and  where  the  defect 
lyes  I  know  not ;  I  could  do  no  more  then  I  haue  don, 
tho  I  must  confess  I  haue  a  propensity,  as  you  hint,  not 
to  hurry  farther  then  I  can  see  a  thing  feasable  ;  which  I 

•  John  Winthrop,  F.R.S.,  only  surviving  son  of  Wait  Winthrop,  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  in  1700. —Eds. 


1700.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP,  67 

haue  bin  the  apter  to  indulge  my  selfe  in  because  I  haue 
alwayes  found  it  has  hapned  for  the  best,  and  that  preci- 
pitation in  any  matter  of  consequence  is  irretreuable  ;  but 
when  all  is  said,  I  cannot  get  a  lOO"'  more  for  your  gent", 
neither  know  I  how  to  send  this  that  I  promised ;  all  mas- 
ters are  sworn  to  carry  no  mony,  and  bills  of  exchang  are 
not  to  be  had.  Cap'P  Bellcher,  who  went  last  week  to  Hart- 
ford to  see  his  mother  Gilbert  and  will  be  at  home  this  week 
or  next,  gaue  me  som  kind  of  incouragement  about  bills, 
but  would  not  promise  till  he  came  hom  againe.  I  know 
not  whether  the  Road  Islanders  haue  sent  anything  by  the 
ships  alredy  gon,  but,  if  thay  haue,  M!'  Brenton  will,  as  is 
said,  be  here  with  the  first  ships  on  whome  thay  haue  de- 
pendance.  I  cannot  get  Coit  Hutchinson  to  look  over  his 
papers  yet  for  copyes,  and  I  beleiue  there  are  no  grate 
matters  more  then  you  haue  alredy;  but  what  there  is 
may  be  sent  and  aded  to  your  cattalogue,  and  when  you 
haue  sent  all  your  papers  and  mony  is  procured,  you  will 
not  want  a  conveyance,  but  it  will  sertainly  render  your 
govern'  contemptable  and  ridiculous  to  send  no  more  then 
a  150*"  in  this  mony,  which  I  pray  your  gent"  to  consider 
well.  Your  gent"  hei^e  find  a  difficulty  about  their  busi- 
ness. M^  Stoughton  and  others  bare  hard  upon  them,  and 
Coll.  Hutchinson  has  set  men  to  digg  black  lead  som- 
where  about  the  line,  and  just  as  I  am  writing  one  tells 
me  tis  on  our  lead-mine  land.  I  think  you  haue  the  In- 
dian deed  of  ten  miles  every  way  from  the  lead  mines, 
and  it  were  good  to  haue  it  recorded,  there  being  part,  I 
suppose,  in  that  gover"'.  Coli  Hutchinson  has  a  grant  of 
600  acres,  which  I  beleiue  he  intends  to  lay  out  there.  I 
beleiue  your  gent"  will  go  home  re  infcda.  I  shall  en- 
dever  to  get  sayles,  riging,  and  wine,  but  doubt  Smith 
will  be  gon  first,  but  shall  send  by  the  first ;  I  sent  a  little 
water  stuff  by  the  post  last  week.  By  all  means  get  that 
aboue  recorded. 

I  am  your  affectionate  brother,        W.  Winthrop. 


68  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1700. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  T\aNTHROP. 

For  the  Hon^'f  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov',  of  his  Maf?  Gollonye  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  Londxin,  these.    Free. 

Boston,  July  1",  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  much  wonder  Mr  Ozenbrigs  is  not 
arived  yet,  but  I  think  he  was  to  put  into  Road  Island.  I 
shall  take  all  the  care  I  can  about  the  Sudbury  man  and 
M'  Stoddard's  paper,  and  do  what  I  can  to  be  at  Hartford 
in  October,  but  tis  difficult  resolving  so  long  before.  Tis 
a  good  head  of  enquiry  that  M":  Willis  and  Clark  proposes, 
and  I  shall  giue  all  the  light  I  can  about  it.  The  Gov' 
seems  resolved  to  goe  to  York  with  the  two  frygats,  his 
things  are  all  on  bord  Cap'°  Crow,  and  will  sayle  the  next 
week,  I  beleiue,  without  faile ;  if  not,  the  latter  end  of 
this,  when  I  suppose  our  Gen*  Court  will  brake  up.*  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  goe  with  them  by  water,  but  must 
com  your  way  as  soon  as  I  can  after  thay  are  gon.  I 
think  Cap*?  Belcher  will  supply  with  bills  of  exchang,  but 
I  could  not  agre  with  him  till  I  know  what  sum  you  in- 
tend, if  it  be  only  what  you  haue  of  me  you  had  as  good 
do  nothing.  I  shall  be  here,  I  think,  two  posts  at  least  to 
receiue  your  orders.  Here  is  one  Smalage  from  Gilford 
has  brought  rye,  corn,  and  pease,  but  I  fear  I  must  house 
it  for  want  of  a  market,  which  will  be  trouble  and  losse, 
but  shall  avoyd  it  if  I  can.  I  had  ordered  a  cask  of  green 
wine  to  be  put  on  board  Smith  with  the  sayles,  but  he 
could  not  take  it  in  ;  shall  send  it  and  som  glass  by  the 
first.  Your  nephew  will  be  gratly  disapointed  at  your  not 
being  here,  having,  I  suppose,  prepared  a  whole  paragraph 
in  honor  of  the  gov™'  of  Conecticott. 
Yours, 

"W.  Winthrop. 


•  I.iird  Bollomont  sailed  for  New  York  July  17,  according  to  Sewall's  diary,  and  died 
there  early  in  the  following  year.  —  Eds. 


1700.]  WAIT   WINTHROP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ^OHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  July  S'^,  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  am  sorry  for  your  indisposition, 
and  beleiue  a  jorny  hither  this  coole  wether  we  haue 
had  of  late  would  haue  prevented  it.  Your  nephew  was 
forced  to  omit  most  of  his  discours  in  honour  to  that 
gov™'  for  want  of  your  being  here,  but  is  com  off  with  a 
grater  applause  then  I  expected ;  the  Pi'esedent  told  me 
he  was  glad  he  had  appointed  him  to  that  servis.  I  am 
gratly  surprised  to  find  that  the  whole  dependance  of  that 
affair  lyes  on  the  small  sum  I  promised  to  supply.  A  gov- 
er™'  that  will  throw  away  such  an  interest  to  saue  a  little 
mony  deserues  not  to  be  served  by  any  body.  I  can 
supply  with  no  more  then  I  promised  and  bills  are  not  to 
be  had  under  forty  per  cent,  or  very  little  lesse  if  any- 
thing, so  that  what  I  haue  will  procure  but  about  one 
hundred  pounds  there,  and  how  farr  that  will  goe  you 
may  guess.  Cap'"  Belcher  can  draw  bills  for  3  or  400""  if 
he  has  not  disposed  of  them  since  last  week.  I  could  not 
then  agree  with  him  for  any  certain  sum  till  I  heard  from 
you ;  if  your  Councill  would  write  to  him  to  help  them  at 
a  dead  lift,  it  may  be  he  would,  and  I  would  stand  their 
security.  I  will  moue  it  to  him,  and  take  bills  for  what  I 
haue  here,  but  it  will  certainly  be  ridiculous  to  send  that 
alone.  The  Gov'  speakes  of  going  this  week,  but  our 
court  is  not  don ;  he  intends,  I  think,  to  goe  without  all 
to  Sandy-hooke ;  I  beleiue  it  will  be  the  latter  end  of  the 
week  before  he  sayles.  I  shall  be  here  for  the  next  post, 
if  not  longer.  I  haue  put  on  bord  M'  Demmon  a  hW  of 
wine  and  a  crib  of  glass  for  you.  I  cannot  sell  the  pease, 
being  the  worst  that  ever  I  saw,  black  and  worm  eaten, 
and  boil  like  shot ;  about  halfe  the  rye  also  is  landed  for 
the  ratts.  I  shall  do  what  I  can  about  the  Sudbury  man 
and  M^  Stoddard's  paper.  The  dog  dayes  will  not  be  so 
good  to  medle  with  rubila  in,  so  it  must  be  defered  at 


70  THE   WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1700. 

present.  Your  letters  to  the  Lords  are  dated  from  Oc- 
tob'',  which  will  seem  strange.  Here  was  a  ship  last  week 
from  England,  but  brings  no  news  or  letters  considerable  ; 
we  expect  more  every  day.  My  servis  and  loue  to  every 
body. 

I  am  yours,  Wait  Wintheop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon^  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov:  of  his  Maj"  Cottony  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these.     Free. 

Boston,  Aug«»  5'>,  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  Hauing  no  letter  from  you  by  the 
post,  suppose  you  expected  Ave  had  bin  on  our  jorny, 
but  I  could  not  possibly  get  away,  sister  Kichards  falling 
into  a  little  relaps  the  very  hot  wether  the  begining  of 
last  week,  but  is  prety  well  recruted  now ;  sister  Endecot 
also  was  taken  so  bad  with  a  fever  at  the  same  time  that 
we  all  concluded  she  would  not  line,  but  it  has  since 
fallen  with  a  grate  swelling  into  one  of  her  leggs  and  she 
was  in  a  likely  way  to  do  well  the  last  night,  hauing  not 
seen  her  this  morning ;  and  now  I  must  stay  till  the  lat- 
ter end  of  this  weeke.  Cousin  Adam  Winthrop,  hauing 
languished  a  good  while,  did  on  Satturday  about  two  of 
the  clock  take  his  leaue  of  us,  and  we  are  to  attend  his 
f  unerall  on  Wensday  next ;  he  gratly  desired  to  see  his 
son  before  he  died,  who  is  expected  every  day,  but  it 
could  not  be.*  I  intend  if  it  be  possible  to  set  out  this 
week ;  if  not,  the  begining  of  next  at  farthest.  M"  Green 
disapointed,  you,  hauing  his  full  frait  to  R.  Island  and  MT 
Christophers  has  sold  his  sloop,  so  the  boards  must  go  in 

•  Adam  Winthrop,  only  surviving  child  of  Gov.  John  Winthrop's  son  Adam,  was  bom 
in  Boston,  Oct.  15.  1C47,  and  died  there  Aug.  3,  1700.  In  early  life  he  was  in  business  in 
Bristol,  England,  where  he  married  a  Miss  I.uttrell  On  his  return  home  he  served  in  the 
General  Court  and  in  the  Executive  Council.  His  widow  married  Col.  Joseph  Lyude,  of 
Charlestown.  —  Eds. 


1700.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  71 

Simon  Smith  or  Mf  Harris.  I  wonder  you  did  not  send 
halfe  a  year  since,  then  could  haue  sent  to  Piscataque  for 
choyce  and  what  length  I  would  ;  now  must  take  such  as 
can  be  got.  The  Gov!'  got  to  York  in  fiue  or  six  days, 
but  has  a  fit  of  the  gout.  We  haue  nothing  more  of 
news. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Winthrop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST. 

Boston,  Aug^'  lO"",  1700. 

Hon""  S",  —  I  haue  herewith  sent  you  two  bills  of  ex- 
chang  of  one  hundred  pounds  each,  one  payable  at  thirty 
days,  the  other  at  sixty,  by  M'  John  lues,  as  you  Avill  see, 
and  are  for  account  of  the  Collonye  of  Conecticott.  I 
haue  also  sent  you  their  letters  and  other  papers  which 
haue  bin  some  time  here  and  were  not  sent,  partly  be- 
cause severall  overtures  for  an  accommodation  between 
the  gov™^"'  of  Road  Island  and  them  haue  bin  made,  but 
all  to  no  purpose,  thay  of  the  Island  fearing  thay  shall 
loose  their  gover"'  would  sink  the  other  with  them  if 
could.  The  good  servis  you  haue  don  for  the  gover"' 
here  has  drawen  this  farther  trouble  upon  you,  and  though 
thay  are  not  so  grate  as  som  of  y""  neibours,  yet  I  hope 
you  will  find  them  as  willing  to  acknowledg  any  kindness 
you  shall  do  for  them  as  you  can  expect,  and  I  must  be 
bold  perticularly  to  recoiSend  them  and  their  concerns  to 
your  care  hauing  my  selfe  good  reason  to  desire  their 
continuance  in  that  way  of  gover°",  as  being  most  easy 
for  a  poor  people  in  their  minority,  thay  hauing  at  first 
issued  out  from  hence  and  of  the  same  religion  and  way 
in  their  churches  with  vs  here,  and  I  doubt  not  but  God 
will  reward  you  for  any  kindness  you  shall  do  his  people, 
if  thay  should  not.  Our  Gov'  is  gon  to  visit  New  York 
and  meete  with  the  Fiue  Nations  of  Indians  (as  thay  are 
called)  at  Albany.     I  beleiue  we  shall  not  see  him  here 


72  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1700. 

untill  next  spring.  We  haue  grate  apprehentions  of  the 
Indians  eastward  who  are  under  the  influence  of  the 
preists  that  are  amongst  them ;  but  thay  know  we  are 
aware  of  them,  which  I  beleiue  has  kept  them  quiet  hith- 
ertoo.  I  must  again  return  you  thanks  for  your  former 
kindness,  and  hope  ray  kinsman  Read,  to  whom  I  gaue 
full  orders,  has  reimburst  you,  tho  it  has  bin  worth  noth- 
ing to  me  hitherto,  neither  do  I  see  any  grate  prospect, 
yet  it  has  bin  a  kindness  to  the  people  not  to  be  harrassed 
beyound  reason,  as  they  might  haue  bin  and  would,  if  it 
had  remained  where  it  was.  If  the  pirates  and  their 
goods  had  bin  ti-yed  here,  as  som  people  thought  thay 
ought,  there  might  haue  bin  more  advantage  then  ever 
is  like  to  be  again  ;  but  however  I  shall  always  when  op- 
ertunity  olfers  acknowledg  your  respect  therin.  I  know 
you  haue  had  account  of  all  our  affaires  since  the  session 
of  our  Assembly ;  therfore  shall  not  trouble  you  with  any 
thing  of  that  or  other  business  this  time  other  then  to 
assure  you  I  shall  embrace  all  opertunityes  to  serue  you 
to  my  capacity,  and  that  I  am, 

S',  your  faithfuU  humble  servant. 
Indorsed  by  the  writer :  "  Copy  to  S'  Heuery  Ashurst." 


WAIT  WINTHROP   TO  FITZ-JOHN   WINTHROP. 

New  York,  Sept*''  23«,  1700. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  had  yours  by  the  post  on  Sattur- 
day  night ;  am  glad  to  hear  all  are  well  with  you.  Hav- 
ing urged  that  matter  as  far  as  was  convenient  before 
your  letters  came,  nnd  had  an  answare,  which  shall  ac- 
quaint you  with  when  I  see  you,  thought  it  not  convenient 
to  deliver  yours.  The  begining  of  this  last  week  came 
in  the  Advice  frigate  from  England  with  some  stores  and 
a  hundred  Fusileers  for  the  supply  of  these  garisons,  and 
a  hundred  and  fifty  more  are  dayly  expected  from  Irland. 
The  day  after  came  in  Capt.  Jefferys  from  London,  fifteen 


1700.]  LOKD   BELLOMONT.  73 

weeks  passage,  with  whom  came  Coll.  Lodowick,  and  the 
same  day  came  another  ship  from  Holland  and  England. 
The  frjgate  had  but  six  weeks  and  odd  days  passage, 
brings  little  news,  but  coms  to  releive  Capt°  Morris,  who 
is  ordered  home,  and  will  sayle  in  a  little  time.  Saturday 
last  the  companyes  were  in  arms  to  receive  the  southern 
Gover",  the  men  of  wars  both  being  sent  to  Jersye  with 
Colls.  Depoister  &  Courtland  to  compliment  and  receive 
them  at  Elizabethtown  ;  but  Gov''  Blacke,  being  taken  with 
a  fever  and  ague  at  Pensilvania  or  on  this  side  it,  returned 
back,  and  Coll.  Nicolson  being  troubled  with  vomit  and  flux 
stopt  them  till  yesterday  about  noon,  when  Gov''  Penn  and 
he,  with  Coll.  Hambleton,  arived  at  this  place  soon  after 
dinner  time  and  were  saluted  by  the  cannon  from  the  fort 
and  the  men  of  warr.  Coll.  Nicollson  and  Gov'  Pen  en- 
quired after  your  welfare.  This  morning  it  raynes  fast.  I 
intend  to  get  as  far  as  New  Haven  or  Milford  this  week,  if 
God  please,  and  see  you  at  Hartford  the  begining  of  the 
next.  John  is  well,  and  sends  his  duty  to  j'ou  and  love  to 
his  sister  and  cousin.  My  lord  and  lady  and  others  speake 
of  that  matter,  which  is  all  I  know  about  it  yet ;  if  any- 
thing be  mentioned  to  me  from  those  concerned,  shall  use 
all  the  prudence  I  can  about  it.    My  love  and  servis  to  all. 

Yours,  W.   WiNTHEOP. 


.    LORD  BELLOMONT  TO  WAIT   WINTHROP.* 

For  3Taf  Generall  Wait  Winthrop  at  Boston. 

N.  York,  the  26">  Nov',  1700. 

Sir,  —  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  are  safely  return'd  to 
Boston,  I  must  desii'e  you  to  stand  M''  Campbell's  friend 
in  an  employment  I  have  thought  of  for  him,  w"*"  is  the 

•  Richard  Coote,  Earl  of  Bellomont,  was  born  in  1636.    He  was  appointed  Governor  of 

New  York.  New  Jersey,  New  Hampshire,  and  Massachusetts  in  November,  1G97,  and  ar- 

m<"\  at  New  York  in  April,  1698.     He  went  to  Boston  in  May.  1693.  and  spent  about  a 

year  there.     He  then  returned  to  New  York,  where  he  died  March  5,  17U1.  —  Eds. 

10 


74  THE  WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1700. 

place  of  High  Sheriffe  of  SufEolk  County  *  M^  Gookin 
has  ben  long  enough  in  that  office,  unlesse  it  were  to 
be  entail'd  on  hiin ;  besides  he  lives  out  of  the  county. 
You  know  as  well  as  I,  that  M"'  Campell  has  always  been 
zealous  to  serve  that  country  to  the  best  of  his  capacity. 
I  hope  therefore  you  will  not  only  bestow  him  your  own 
interest,  but  that  you  will  also  dispose  all  your  friends  of 
the  Council  to  appoint  him  Sheriflfe.  My  wife's  and  my 
humble  service  to  your  sisters  and  daughter. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

Bellomont. 


THE  METHOD  OF  PROCEEDINGS  IN  THE  TRYAL  OF  ALL 
CAUSES  IN  THE  SEVERAL  COURTS  OP  JUSTICE  ESTAB- 
LISHED WITHIN  HIS  MAJ"s  PROVINCE  OF  THE  MASSA- 
CHUSETTS BAY  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

All  manner  of  debts,  trespasses,  and  other  matters  not 
exceeding  the  value  of  forty  shillings  (wherein  the  title 
of  lands  is  not  concerned)  are  heard,  tryed,  and  determined 
by  any  one  Justice  of  the  Peace,  within  his  precincts 
(without  a  jury),  and  are  brought  forward  either  by  sum- 
mons, capias,  or  attachment,  to  be  granted  either  by  such 
Justice  or  the  Town  Clark  of  the  town  where  the  def  lives, 
directed  to  the  Sheriffe  of  the  county,  or  his  Deputy,  or 
Constable  of  the  same  town,  and  are  to  be  served  and  ex- 
ecuted at  least  seven  days  before  the  time  of  tryall  or 
hearing.  And  from  every  judgment  given  by  a  Justice 
of  Peace  there  lyes  an  appeal  to  the  next  Inferiour  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  within  the  same  county ;  and  if  in  ac- 
tion of  trespass  the  deP  shall  justify  upon  plea  of  title, 

•  Samuel  Gookin  was  appointed  Sheriff  of  Suffolk  County,  May  27,  lfi!)2.  March  6, 
1700-1,  "Duncan  Campbell  was  named  and  rejected"  as  his  successor  (see  Whitmore's 
Mass.  Civil  List,  p.  79).  Campbell  was  a  Scotsman  and  a  bookseller  in  Boston ;  and 
Bsllomont  had  lived  in  his  house  while  in  Boston,  and  had  employed  him  as  an  interme- 
diary in  his  negotiations  with  Captain  Kidd  (see  Memorial  History  of  Boston,  vol.  ii. 
p.  170).  — Eds. 


1700.]  PROCEEDINGS    IN    COURTS    OF   JUSTICE.  75 

the  Justice  is  to  transmit  the  cause  to  the  next  Inferiour 
Court,  and  the  def  to  become  bound  to  the  adverse  party 
in  a  reasonable  sum,  not  exceeding  twenty  pounds,  to  pur- 
sue his  plea  and  bring  forward  a  suit  for  tryall  of  his  title 
at  such  Inferiour  Court. 

All  civill  actions  as  well  real  as  personal  above  the 
value  of  forty  shillings  triable  at  the  common  law  are  ori- 
ginally commenced  and  tryed  in  an  Inferiour  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas  holden  for  and  within  each  respective  county, 
which  Court  is  constituted  of  four  Justices  appointed  and 
commissioned  by  the  Governo''  by  and  with  the  advice 
&  consent  of  the  Council  in  each  county,  any  three  of 
whome  make  a  quorum,  and  have  cogniseance  of  all  pleas 
in  civil  actions  arising  and  hapning  within  the  same  county 
above  the  value  of  forty  shillings  as  aforesaid. 

In  cases  wherein  the  King  is  concerned,  it  is  in  the 
election  of  the  prosecutor  to  begin  his  suit  either  in  the 
Inferiour  Court  or  in  the  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature 
at  his  pleasure. 

The  proper  original  process  in  the  Inferiour  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  is  summons,  capias,  or  attachment,  which 
isues  forth  of  the  Clark's  office  of  such  Court  in  his  Maj""' 
name,  under  the  seal  of  the  Coui-t  bearing  the  teste  of  y* 
first  Justice  named  in  the  commission  for  holding  of  such 
Court,  and  being  directed  to  the  Sheriffe,  his  Under  Sher- 
iffe  or  Deputy,  and  are  to  be  served  and  executed  fourteen 
days  before  the  day  of  the  sitting  of  the  Court  where  the 
same  are  returnable.  And  in  every  such  process  is  con- 
tained and  set  forth  a  declaration  of  the  cause  of  action, 
and  a  coppy  thereof  attested  by  the  Sheriffe  or  his  Deputy 
given  lo  y^  adverse  party  (if  demanded),  when  served  upon 
his  body.  If  his  goods  or  estate  be  attached,  a  summons 
of  like  tenour  in  substance  with  y*  attachment  importing 
the  service  thereof  upon  the  def"  goods  or  estate,  &  re- 
quiring his  appearance  to  answer  the  suit  of  y°  p"'  therein 
named,  is  either  delivered  to  y'  def  or  lef  [t]  at  his  house 


76  THE   -WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1700. 

or  place  of  his  last  and  usual  abode  fourteen  days  before 
the  day  of  the  Court's  sitting. 

Cases  wherein  the  King  is  concerned  are  brought  to 
tryal,  either  by  process  as  aforesaid,  or  by  bill  or  infor- 
mation filled  in  the  Clark's  office  of  the  Court  where  the 
tryal  is  to  be,  and  sunions  issued  for  appearance  of  the 
def  or  claimer. 

All  writs  as  well  original  as  judicial  issuing  out  of  the 
Clark's  office  of  the  Inferiour  Court  of  Common  Pleas 
within  each  county  run  thro'  the  Province. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  Court's  sitting,  or  before  every 
p"^  enters  his  action  with  the  Clark  of  such  Court,  and  the 
Court  being  opened,  the  jurors  returned  upon  the  venires 
issued  by  y°  Clark  to  the  several  towns  within  the  county 
and  respectively  chosen  by  the  freeholders  and  other  in- 
habitants of  such  town  duely  qualified  are  impanaled,  and 
(after  challenges  allowed  to  y°  partys)  are  sworn  that  in 
all  causes  betwixt  party  and  party  that  shall  be  committed 
unto  them,  they  will  give  a  true  verdict  therein  according 
to  law  and  the  evidence  given  them.  The  foreman  being 
appointed  by  the  Justices. 

The  actions  are  usually  tryed  in  the  order  wherein  they 
are  entred,  and  the  partys  being  called,  if  the  def  (upon 
process  duely  served  &  return  thereof  made  into  Court) 
appear  not  by  himself  or  his  attorney,  his  default  is  re- 
corded and  judgement  entred  up  against  him  thereupon, 
unless  before  the  jury  be  dismissed  he  shall  come  into 
Court  and  move  to  have  a  tryall ;  in  which  case  he  is 
admitted  thereunto,  first  paying  down  unto  the  adverse 
party  double  the  cost  he  has  been  at  so  far,  and  y°  plan* 
makes  a  new  entry.  If  y°  p"  appear  not,  he  is  nonesuit, 
and  judgement  is  given  for  y"  def  to  recover  costs.  If 
both  partys  appear  and  answer,  the  process  is  read  and  the 
def  is  heard  upon  any  exception  or  plea  that  he  shall 
offer  in  bar  or  abatement  of  the  process,  which  exceptions 
or  plea  being  judged  insoficient  and  over  ruled  by  the 


1700.]  PROCEEDINGS    IN    COURTS    OF    JUSTICE.  77 

Court,  he  is  required  to  make  an  issuable  plea  or  pleas, 
which  being  joyned  by  y"  pla'  and  recorded,  the  pla'  is 
heard  in  opening  of  his  cause,  and  y"  evidence  on  his  part 
received,  examined,  and  sworn,  being  given  in  writing,  or 
taken  viva  voce  promiscuously  before  y"  Court  and  Jury, 
and  then  impi'oved  by  the  p"  or  his  attorney.  After 
which  the  def  is  admitted  to  his  answer,  and  the  evidence 
on  his  part  alike  examined  and  sworn,  and  both  partj^s 
being  fully  heard,  the  evidence  as  applicable  to  the  matter 
in  issue  are  suiiied  up  by  the  President  of  the  Court  unto 
the  jury,  who  are  afterward  sent  fourth  with  an  officer 
appointed  to  keep  them  untill  they  are  agreed  of  their 
verdict,  and  being  agreed  return  back  into  Court  with 
y^  officer,  and  after  calling  over  and  being  asked  whither 
they  are  agreed,  the  foremand  delivers  their  verdict  in 
open  Court,  which  being  received  by  y"  Court,  recorded, 
and  read  over  to  y"  jury,  judgement  is  afterward  entred 
up  accordingly. 

And  if  either  party  be  agrieved  at  any  such  verdict  and 
judgement  given  in  the  Inferiour  Court,  such  party  agrieved 
may  review  the  same  action  by  a  new  process  at  the  In- 
feriour Court,  and  the  party  agrieved  at  the  judgement 
given  upon  such  trya\  by  review  may  appeal  therefi'om 
unto  the  next  Supei'iour  Court  of  Judicature  to  be  holden 
for  and  within  the  same  county,  or  bring  a  writ  of  error 
for  a  new  tryal  of  the  said  cause  in  the  Superiour  Court  of 
Judicature.  Or  the  party  agrieved  at  the  first  verdict  & 
judgement  given  in  the  Inferiour  Court  may  appeal  there- 
from unto  the  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature  ;  and  in  such 
cases  either  party  not  resting  satisfyed  with  the  judgement 
given  on  the  tryall  of  such  appeal  may  review  the  action 
by  a  new  process  in  y^  Superiour  Court.  Where  there  is 
an  appeal  execution  is  stayed  untill  after  the  tryall  by 
appeal. 

Every  action  of  review  is  to  be  brought  within  y"  space 
of  three  years. 


78  THE   WINTHROP   PAPEES.  [1700. 

In  all  cases  where  either  p?  or  def  shall  have  obtained 
the  number  of  three  judgements  it  is  to  be  a  final  issue  & 
determination  of  such  case. 

Saving  always  the  liberty  of  appeal  unto  his  Majesty  in 
Council,  as  by  his  Majesties  royal  charter  in  that  behalf  is 
provided. 

Every  person  appealing  or  bringing  a  writ  of  error  is  to 
give  sufficient  security  to  prosecute  such  appeal  or  writ  of 
error  respectively  with  effect,  and  upon  a  writ  of  error  to 
abide  the  order  of  the  Court  thereupon. 

The  party  appealing  is  to  file  a  declaration  briefly  set- 
ting fourth  the  reasons  of  his  appeal  in  the  Clark's  office  of 
the  Inferiour  Court  fourteen  days  before  the  day  of  the 
sitting  of  y"'  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature  where  such  ap- 
peal is  to  be  tryed,  to  the  intent  that  the  appealee  may 
•have  a  copy  of  the  same,  and  make  answer  thereto  (if  he 
think  fit) ;  and  such  declaration  is  to  be  transmitted  to  the 
said  Superiour  Court  under  the  seal  of  the  Inferiour  Court, 
with  the  Clark's  certification  thereupon  of  the  day  when 
the  same  was  received  and  filed  in  his  office. 

The  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature  for  the  whole  Pro- 
vince is  constituted  of  a  Chief  Justice  and  foure  other 
Justices  appointed  and  commissioned  by  the  Govern'  by 
and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Council,  any  three 
of  whome  make  a  quorum,  and  sit  in  the  respective  coun- 
ties at  certain  days  and  places  assigned  by  law  for  that 
purpose,  and  have  cognisance  of  all  causes,  real,  per- 
sonal, or  mix't  between  party  and  party,  and  between  his 
Majesty  and  any  of  his  subjects,  brought  before  them  by 
appeal,  review,  or  writ  of  error,  and  when  the  King  is 
concerned,  by  an  original  process,  bill,  or  information. 
And  in  tryals  by  appeal,  review,  or  writ  of  error,  all  of 
the  copies  of  the  process,  record,  verdict,  judgement,  and 
the  whole  proceeding  in  the  former  tryall  are  certifyed 
and  laid  before  the  Court,  and  the  original  deed,  bond,  or 
other  instrument  is  called  for  by  the  Justices  and  laid 


1700.]  PEOCEEDINGS    IN    COURTS    OF   JUSTICE.  79 

before  the  jury  when  any  question  is  moved  requiring  the 
same ;  and  both  partys  have  liberty  to  offer  any  new  and 
further  plea  and  evidence  either  in  writing  or  viva  voce 
promiscuously.  And  in  appeals  or  reviews  the  evidences 
as  applicable  to  the  matter  in  issue  are  suind  up  by  the 
President  of  the  Court  unto  the  jury,  who  are  sent  fourth 
and  kept  by  an  officer  untill  they  are  agreed  on  the  ver- 
dict, and  then  deliver  the  same  by  their  foreman  in  open 
Court,  in  manner  as  in  the  Inferiour  Court,  and  being  re- 
ceived and  recorded  by  y*  Court,  judgement  is  entered  up 
accordingly. 

In  tryals  by  writt  or  error,*  the  error  in  points  of  law 
being  assigned  by  the  p",  and  argued  by  council  on  both 
sides,  the  determination  is  by  Justices  without  a  jury. 

Upon  appeals,  the  former  judgement  is  either  reversed 
and  judgement  given  for  the  def  to  recover  cost,  or 
affirmed  in  whole  or  in  part,  and  some  times  damages 
encreased,  as  the  jury  shall  return  by  their  verdict. 

In  review,  the  verdict  and  judgement  is  either  for  the 
def  to  recover  costs,  if  the  formar  jadgem*  appear  to  be 
right,  or  for  the  pla*  to  recover  back  so  much  as  shall  be 
found  by  the  jury  to  have  been  wrongfully  given  against 
him  in  debt  or  damage  by  the  former  verdict  and  judgem' 
and  cost  of  suit. 

The  Justices  of  the  said  several  Courts,  as  well  of  the  Infe- 
riour Courts  of  Common  Pleas  as  of  the  Superiour  Court  of 
Judicature,  respectively,  are  by  law  impowered  in  all  causes 
brought  for  tryal  before  them,  where  the  forfiture  of  any 
penal  bond  or  the  forfiture  or  penalty  anexed  unto  any 
articles  of  agreement,  covenant,  contract,  charter-party, 
or  other  specialties,  or  forfiture  of  estates  on  conditions 
executed  by  deed  of  mortgage,  or  bargain  and  sale,  which 
defeasance  shall  be  found  by  verdict  of  jury  or  confesion 
of  the  obligor,  mortgager,  or  vender,  to  moderate  the 
rigour  of  y*  law.  And  on  consideration  of  such  cases, 
according  to  equity  &  good  conscience  to  chancer  the  for- 

*  An  obvious  slip  of  the  pen  for  "  writt  of  error."  —  Eds. 


80  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1700-1. 

fiture  and  enter  up  judgement  for  y°  full  debt  and  damages, 
and  to  award  execution  accordingly. 

Only  in  real  actions  upon  mortgage  or  bargain  and  sale 
with  defeasance  the  judgement  to  be  conditional  that  the 
mortgager  or  vender,  or  his  heires,  executoi^s,  or  admin- 
istrators, do  pay  unto  the  p"  such  sum  as  the  Court  shall 
determin  to  be  justly  due  thereupon,  within  two  months' 
time  after  judgement  entred  up,  for  discharging  of  such 
mortgage  or  sale,  or  that  the  p"  recover  possession  of 
the  estate  sued  for,  and  execution  to  be  awarded  for  the 
same. 

Boston,  Dec  18'*',  1700. 

In  obedience  to  the  order  of  the  Hon*"",  the  L'  Gov- 
erno''  and  Counsel  of  the  18""  of  November  last  appointing 
a  Coinittee  to  prepare  a  draught  of  the  method  of  proceed- 
ing in  the  tryal  of  all  sorts  of  causes  in  the  several  Courts 
within  this  Province,  the  aforegoing  is  humbly  presented 
to  the  Board  by  the  s^  Committee. 

Wait  "Winthrop. 

Province  of  the  Boston,  Dec  19'^  1700. 

Massachusetts  Bay. 

The  before  written  being  drawn  up  and  read  in  Council, 
was  approved  by  the  Board  as  an  account  in  particular 
manner  of  the  method  of  proceedings  upon  the  tryal  of 
all  sorts  of  causes  in  the  several  Courts  of  Justice  within 
this  his  Maj'''°  Province,  to  be  transmitted  unto  the  R' 
Hon*''  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  the  Council  for  Trade. 
In  obedience  to  the  order  of  their  Excell"''  the  Lords 
Justices  of  England  in  Council  of  the  18""  of  July  last. 

Is*  Addington,  Sccri/. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

London,  Febr.  5*,  1700[-1]. 

Much  noN""  &  dear  S",  —  I  had  yrs  with  y"  inclosed 
bills  of  exchange  for  200"*,   to  enable  me  to  discharge 


1701.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  81 

y°  service  of  y"  Conecticott  Colony  as  their  agent  here.  I 
believe  yr  kindnesse  to  me  had  a  great  share  in  causing 
this  trust  to  be  reposed  in  mee.  By  y"  inclosed  pacquett 
th6y  will  finde  that  I  've  done  y®  best  I  could  to  serve 
them,  and  I  hope  with  successe.  I  much  wonder  what 
y°  Governour  &  Generall  Assembly  at  Boston  said  to  my 
last  letters  of  30""  of  Aprill  (to  which  I've  had  no  an- 
swers) in  reference  to  having  an  agent  here  under  their 
seal ;  and  also  what  they  thought  of  gratifying  me  for 
y"  many  services  I  have  done  them.  I  'm  enough  assur'd 
of  yr  great  kindnesse  to  me.  I  wish  their  country  do's 
not  suffer  by  throwing  me  off,  and  so  incapacitating  me 
any  further  to  serve  them.  There  is  no  appearing  to  doe 
any  business  for  them  as  their  agent.  My  kind  love  to 
you.  If  my  Lord  yr  Goveneur  had  been  so  much  con- 
cerned for  me  as  in  gratitude  he  was  obliged  to  me,  I 
suppose  matters  in  reference  to  me  had  been  otherwise 
managed.  I  desire  yr  particular  remembrance  wheii  you 
are  alone,  who  am 

Yr  faithfull  friend  &  servant, 

Hen.  Ashhuest. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon'i'  John  Winthrop,  Esq%  Gov',  of  his  Maj"  CoUony  of 
Conecticott,  in  Neio  London,  these. 

Boston,  Aprill  SS"-,  1701. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  yours,  and  am  glad  you  are 
like  to  be  able  to  go  to  Hartford,  and  tho'  I  am  not  very 
well  able  to  travell,  and  our  Superior  Court  sits  here  the 
same  day  with  yours,  and  at  Ipswich  and  Kittery  soon 
after,  yet  I  intend  to  try  to  ride  towards  New  Roxbury  or 
Quabauge  to  morrow  or  next  day  if  I  can.  Yesterday 
came  in  two  ships  from  London  about  seven  weeks  pas- 
sage. Cap'"'  Thomas  and  Rouse,  and  Robinson  came  out 
before  them.     I  had  a  letter  from  Si'  Henry  and  a  packet 


82  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1701. 

for  you,  which  I  send  by  the  post ;  he  says  he  hops  he 
has  don  for  your  gov™'  with  success.  The  news  thay 
bring  is  that  the  Parliament  is  siting,  the  King  in  his 
speech  desires  them  to  take  care  for  a  successor,  and  that 
the  King  of  Spain  being  dead  and  Europe  likely  to  be  in 
trouble  that  thay  would  provide  for  the  safty  of  the  na- 
tion. The  Parliament  thay  say  has  voted  pay  for  forty 
1000  saylers,  and  the  whole  navy,  grate  and  smale,  are  fil- 
ing with  all  speed.  Ad"  Benbo  was  in  the  Downes  with 
15  sayle ;  the  French  haue  taken  possession  of  Namur 
and  most  of  the  strong  places  in  Flanders,  som  by  flattery, 
others  by  threats  ;  the  K.  of  Spaine  claiines  Holland,  &c., 
and  tis  supposed  war  is  proclaimed  before  now.  Cap'" 
Thomas  told  me  that  just  before  he  sayled  out  of  Marget 
Eoad  a  boat  came  on  bord  him,  and  saj'd  that  the  French 
with  ten  or  12  regiments  endevoured  to  surprise  Ghent, 
which  thay  hauing  som  notise  of  before  it  was  too  late 
opened  their  sluces  and  sent  them  hom  by  water,  not  a 
man  escaping;  its  a  place  under  the  States  of  Holland. 
All  freinds  prety  well. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Winthrop. 

The  Portugall  ambassadors  arived  at  London  the  day 
before  Cap'°  Thomas  came  away  to  put  themseleiis  under 
the  protection  of  England,  as  was  said.  Gillam  Avill 
sayle  to-morrow  or  next  day,  by  whom  intend  to  write 
Sf  Henry,  &c. 


WAIT   AVINTHROP  TO   SIR  HENRY  ASHURST. 

Boston,  Aprill  Sg"-,  1701. 

HoN°"  S%  —  I  have  yours  of  y*  5'  of  Feb'''  under  cov- 
ert to  M"'  Sergeant,  and  a  pacquet  to  ray  brother,  w°  I 
sent  by  y"  post  y"  next  day,  w°  will  com  to  theni  very 
opportunely  against  y'  Gen"  Assembly  w"""  is  spedily  to 
meete.     What  share  1  had  in  y°  trouble  put  upon  you  in 


1701.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  83 

y'  matter  I  am  senceable  was  y*  greatest  kindness  to  them, 
and  I  have  rather  cause  to  aske  your  pardon  for  y'  incon- 
venience I  may  have  bin  helpfull  to  occation  you  y"  to  be 
otherwise  taken  notice  of  for  it.  Som  occation  calls  me 
this  week  to  be  at  Hartford,  where  y"'  Assembly  is  to  sitt 
the  next,  &  intend  not  to  forgett  to  put  them  in  mind  of 
their  flirther  regards  both  to  your  selfe  &  y'  owne  intrest 
in  having  a  faithfull  man  to  appear  in  y"'  behalfe  when 
occasion  serves.  About  your  letters  of  y*  30  of  Aprill 
last  you  may  well  wonder  y'  to  this  time  you  have  no 
answer,  for  many  of  us  do  so  here.  Y°  truth  is  I  was 
a  little  surprised  to  see  som  alterations  in  our  Gov"^  ap- 
prehensions (as  they  seemed  to  me  at  least)  before  he 
left  y'  place  &  went  to  N.  Yorke  y°  last  summer,  but  he 
has  since  left  us  all,  w°  doubtless  you  have  notice  of  before 
y'  can  com  to  hand ;  y''fore  shall  only  tell  you  y'  at  two 
sessions  of  our  Gen"  Assembly  some  of  us  have  done  all  we 
could  to  have  at  least  an  answer  to  yours,  but  could  not 
obtayn  it.  You  know  well  who  has  and  dose  obstruct 
every  thing  y'  concerns  y'  selfe,  besides  y*  last  year's 
Speaker,  who  after  y"  example  of  some  others  has  left  y" 
ministry  which  he  had  begun  upon  and  for  wich  those  y* 
were  at  the  charge  of  his  education  had  desighned  him,  and 
is  now  an  atturney ;  *  but  we  hope  our  next  Assembly, 
in  May,  will  take  better  measures.  I  take  you  still  to 
be  our  agent.  I  know  no  act  of  y"  Court  y'  ever  dismist 
you,  w''*'  I  had  occasion  to  assert  at  a  conference  of  both 
Houses  before  the  last  session  was  dissolved.  And  I  hope 
you  will  not  withdraw  from  doing  what  you  can  for  a 
people  who  I  believe  generally  respect  you  (though  som 
may  be   led   asside   by  misreportes  of  your   enemyes). 


*  John  Leverett,  afterward  President  of  Harvard  College.  He  was  born  in  Boston, 
Anffust  25,  1662,  and  graduated  at  Harvard  CoDoge  in  16S0.  In  1692  he  received  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  in  Divinity.  Subsequently  he  studied  law,  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
General  Court,  and  held  other  public  offices.  In  1707  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Col- 
lege. He  died  in  this  office  May  3,  1724.  See  Sibley's  Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  iii. 
pp.  180-198;  Quincy's  History  of  Harvard  University,  vol.  i.  passim.  — Eds. 


84  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPEES.  [1701. 

When  an  other  Gov'  comes  y°  influence  you  may  have  in 
y'  affaire  may  do  y°  people  as  much  service  as  ever  yet 
you  have  don  them.  There  is  an  account  designed  for 
you  by  this  oppertunity  of  y"  management  of  affairs  the 
last  session  of  our  Assembly,  to  w°  I  refer  you.  I  have 
not  rec''  yours  of  September  last  w°  you  mention,  and  do 
not  heare  whether  you  have  mine  of  December  12  last, 
yet  I  heare  y"  ships  arrived  in  w"  were  inclosed  letters 
from  Conecticott.  I  pray  your  remembrance  also  in  your 
retirement,  and  am  your  faithfuU  humble  serv'. 

Indorsed :  "  Coppy  to  S'  Har.  Ashurst." 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST   TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Ilonr^''  Lefienant  Generall  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq'',  at  Boston. 
Kensington,  th  5  of  May,  701. 

Deare  S%  —  I  heer  you  haue  lost  y"  laite  Gouerner 
my  Lord  Belamount  and  y''  friend  M''  D.  is  makeing  inter- 
est to  be  Gouerner.  M'  Bl.  hath  got  one  Atwood  that  my 
Lord  Belamount  desired  might  bee  Cheife  Justice  of  New 
Yorke  to  bee  Judg  Auocate  in  yo'  place  while  I  was  in  the 
countray.*  But  I  sopos  I  shall  er  long  get  you  in  the 
same  post  againe.  I  am  now  so  ingaged  to  hinder  a  bill 
passing  that  takes  away  the  power  of  electing  Gouerners 
in  Connecticot  &  glueing  a  power  to  the  King  to  choose 
a  Gouerner.  I  haue  bin  heard  at  the  Lords  house  upon 
my  petition,  &  they  haue  allowed  mee  to  bee  heard  at 
thar  barr  by  my  counsel  against  the  bill  upon  Thursday 
next ;  and  by  this  you  may  guess  at  the  resons  why  thar 
was  complants  against  that  Colony.  Eandall  told  me 
hee  wondered  I  would  concerne  my  self   aboutt   New 

•  William  Atwood  was  appointed  Cliief  Justice  of  New  York  in  June,  1700.  He  was 
a  violent  partisan,  and  was  finally  arrested,  but  made  his  escape.  See  New  York  Col. 
Docs.  vol.  \v.  passim.  —  Eds. 


1701.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  85 

England  that  had  turned  me  of  so  latly  when  he  could 
witnes  I  had  ten  year  serued  you  as  if  you  had  bin  my 
wife  and  children,  I  will  doe  what  I  can  to  serue  you ; 
and  if  I  had  bin  y'  agent  I  had  an  opportunity  now  to 
haue  done  itt  so  as  I  shal  never  haue  againe.  As  to  yo"^ 
old  charter,  yo''  charter  for  the  coledge  that  I  could  haue 
got,  but  I  am  neither  yor  agent  nor  had  any  mony  to 
gett  itt  out.  My  Lord's  agent  hee  sent  mee  to,  said  hee 
had  none  ;  tho  I  doe  not  care  to  worke  journay  worke 
under  my  Lord's  correspondent.  I  fear  you  will  feele  to 
yo''  loss  the  disgrace  you  haue  put  one  mee  after  all  my 
seruices,  when  none  of  the  plantations  had  a  man  of  my 
quality  to  be  thar  agent.  Send  this  to  yo''  brother  & 
beleive  me  euer  to  bee 

Yo''  true  friend  &  faithfull  humble  se". 

Hen.  Ashhukst. 

Excus  my  hast  becaus  I  am  wholy  taken  up  in  this 
seruice. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon''^  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov''  of  his  Maj"  Cottony  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these. 

Boston,  June  16*  1701. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  am  glad  to  heai'e  my  cousins  are 
got  safe  back  again.  The  voyage  you  mention  will  no 
doubt  yeild  profit  if  they  can  goe  and  return  safe,  which 
no  doubt  they  understood  well  beforehand.  I  have 
spoken  to  Capt"  Belcher,  who  is  willing  you  should  have 
that  mony  for  one  year,  but  says  he  would  not  willingly 
be  out  of  it  longer,  and  will  keep  my  bond  for  it.  The 
sum  is  ISS""'  principle,  with  interest  from  such  a  time, 
which  I  cannot  tell  now,  but  shall  send  by  the  next. 
The  other  was  the  same  sum  w"''  I  paid  Capt?  Belcher 
for  them  in  good   New  England  mony,  for  which  they 


86  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1701. 

ought  to  allow  five  and  a  halfe  '^  C.,,  whicli  is  somthing 
under  the  just  difference  between  the  wayght  of  that 
mony  and  the  currant  mony  here,  but  they  shall  allow 
but  six  pounds  for  the  whole  138"",  which  will  make  the 
principle  144"",  which  the  Treasurer  must  allow  interest 
for  from  the  time  which  I  will  send  you.  I  could  get  but 
twelve  pounds  ten  shiU'  at  Ashbyes,  and  Macarte  has  not 
yet  paid  Walworth's  note,  which  will  very  much  incom- 
mode if  they  do  not  send  more  from  there  in  a  little 
time.  I  think  the  post  will  carry  the  miller's  hors  back. 
Mingo  is  gon  to  Roxbury  to  get  him  redy. 

Here  is  a  report  said  to  com  from  Will  Wharton  *  that 
the  Parliament  has  ordered  M"'  Blathwait  to  bring  in  a  bill 
for  annexing  Road  Island  to  this  Province,  and  Conecticot 
to  New  York,  and  the  Jersyes  to  Pensilvania,  and  that 
M''  Bass  is  the  grate  promoter  of  it ;  but  tis  supposed  the 
Parliament  will  do  nothing  without  grate  consideration. 
If  any  such  thing  should  be  on  foot,  tis  time  for  your 
Gov-,  &  this  too,  to  have  sombody  there  to  speake  [for] 
them. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Winthrop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  July  7'^,  1701. 

Dear  Brother,  —  What  I  mentioned  about  the  Long 
Island  business  was  a  sudden  thing  came  into  my  head  as 
I  was  writing,  but  if  you  think  it  inconvenient  thers  an 
end  of  it.  You  are  gratly  mistiiken  about  its  being  put 
off  till  to-morrow ;  I  did  all  could  be  don  about  it,  and 
I  think  you  could  haue  don  no  more ;  he  would  do  noth- 
ing till  he  heard  whether  the  act  that  made  voyd  ex- 

•  Will  Wharton  was  Richard  Wharton's  son  by  his  first  wife,  and  a  lawyer  in 
London.  See  a  letter  from  him  to  Fitz-John  Winthrop  in  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii. 
pp.  288,  289.  — Eds. 


1701.]  WAIT  WINTHROP.  87 

travagant  grants  was  past  or  not,  which  I  think  is  not ; 
if  so,  it  might  haue  bin  well  not  to  haue  put  it  farther 
off  till  to-morrow.  But  I  haue  now  somthing  farther  to 
ask  your  advice  about,  and  I  desire  you  would  send  me 
your  thoughts  as  soon  as  you  can.  Our  Gen**  Court  has 
(almost  unanimously)  past  a  vote  to  send  me  for  England 
as  their  agent,  which  I  beleiue  will  be  urged  upon  me 
much  at  their  next  meeting,  which  will  be  the  30""  of  this 
month,  to  which  time  thay  are  adjorned,  the  Leif^  Gov' 
being  sick  and  thay  willing  to  hear  from  England.  I  haue 
bin  a  little  surprised  about  it,  being  altogether  without 
my  expectation,  but  concluded  thay  would  haue  sent 
their  old  instruments.  If  the  Leift.  Hues,  which  nobody 
expects,*  he  will  do  all  he  can  to  hinder  any  body's  going ; 
however,  the  advice  of  my  freinds  may  prepare  me  for  an 
answare  in  case.  Letters  from  Newfoundland  say  that  two 
men  of  warr  arrived  there  the  2?  of  June  and  cam  from 
England  the  3"*  of  May,  and  say  there's  like  to  be  no  warr 
this  summer,  which  we  wish  may  be  true.  Cap'°  Collwell 
is  going  down  now,  and  says  if  opertunity  present  he  will 
touch  at  N.  London.  Cousin  Ann  Wharton  speaks  of  giving 
a  vissit  when  company  presents,  which  makes  us  stay  the 
hors  for  her.  I  haue  not  got  the  mony  of  Macharty  yet, 
which  disapoints,  and  know  not  what  to  do ;  he  expects 
Will  Walworth  down  with  sheep.  I  haue  agreed  with 
Daniell  Eps  about  Cous.  Read's  farm  for  350'M  My  servis 
to  every  body. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Winthrop. 

Tis  time  to  think  whether  to  begin  with  Fitch  about 
Quinabauge  at  N.  London  court ;  I  am  apt  to  think  he  is 
inclined  to  an  accomodation  ;  if  it  could  be  well  brought 
about,  it  would  saue  trouble. 

»  Lieut.-Govemor  Stoughton  died  on  the  day  on  which  this  letter  was  written.  —  Eds. 
t  See  ante,  pp.  66,  65.  — Eds. 


88  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1701. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHDRST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

To  y"  ffon''''  Major  Gen  [torn]   Waite  Winthrop,  Esq"".,  in  Boston, 
New  Engl  [torn] . 

LoND.,  July  10,  1701. 

Mr  WORTHY  Friend,  —  I  have  yr  very  obliging  letter 
of  29""  Aprill  last,  and  am  glad  poor  New  England  hath 
so  wise  &  so  good  a  man  as  y'self  to  take  care  of  its  af- 
faires, and  also  D''  Cook  &  M'  Hutchinson.  I  have  in  confu- 
sion &  in  hast  written  to  you  all  four  inclosed.  I  think  if 
ever  you  will  bestirr  y'selves,  now  is  y"  time.  If  I  gett  D. 
out,  I  propose  you  to  be  Leiu'  Governor.  Untill  there  is 
a  Gov'  1  will  allwayes  have  especiall  regard  to  you.  I  per- 
ceive by  my  cousin  Sergeant  Ben  Jackson  hath  taken  up 
100*  of  Major  Brown  upon  my  creditt.  Pray,  S"",  desire 
him  to  pay  him  no  more,  and  read  this  inclosed  letter  to 
Jackson ;  and  gett  him  to  pay  it  in  &  interest.  If  he  doe 
not,  yr  governm'  ought  to  doe  it  for  me.  D.'s  party  (y* 
whole  machine  was  to  gett  me  out  of  y®  agency  to  make 
him  governor  &  to  discourage  me),  they  knew  if  they 
did  that  their  business  was  done.  If  you  knew  what 
enimies  you  were  to  y'selves,  you  would  not  doe  so  much 
to  yr  own  mine.  I  have  inclosed  a  packett  to  yr  brother 
about  their  own  affaires.  The  enemy  is  every  where  at 
worke.  Pray,  S',  bestirr  yrselves  ;  you  must  come  to  some 
speedy  resolutions.     Excuse  my  hast. 

Yr  ever  loving  friend,  Hen.  Ashhurst. 

Copia.     Turue  over. 

Dear  Frnd,  —  I  have  yet  hopes  of  puting  D.  by  and 
of  makeng  you  Left.  Gouener;  but  pray  consider  and 
imediatly  send  y"  agent  over  or  comitionat  mee  under  y" 
seale,  with  mony  &  instructions  befor  itt  bee  to  lait,  and 
use  no  delay.  Itt  is  not  fitt  I  should  take  any  notice  of 
the  goverment  untel  they  answer  my  leters.  I  take  much 
pleasur  in  serueng  you,  for  I  realy  loue  you.     M''  Mather 


1701.]  SIR  nENEY   ASHUEST.  89 

saith  that  Col.  Phylips  is  my  friend ;  pray  kindly  remem- 
ber me  to  him.  Itt  is  you  I  with  al  maner  of  assurance 
confide  in.  You  haue  fine  aromaticke  shrubs  &  plants ; 
pray  send  me  some  for  my  garden. 


SIR  HENEY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP  AND  OTHERS. 

LoND.,  th  10  July,  701. 

Gentlemen  &  my  worthy  Feends,  —  I  haue  y°"  of  the 
29  of  ApriU,  w"!'  hath  occationed  mee  more  trouble  then  I 
wold  haue  ingaged  in  to  a  haue  gott  £1000.  I  haue  har- 
rased  my  body  day  and  night ;  I  know  not  yet  to  what 
purpos,  for  Dudley  was  declared  gouerner  of  New  Eng- 
land &  New  Hampshire  upon  the  newes  of  my  Lord  Bela- 
mount's  death.  Severall  of  the  great  men  that  war  in  the 
Ministrey  in  the  last  raynes  being  his  frinds  and  haue 
effected  itt  at  present,  but  I  haue  yet  hope  I  shall  stop  itt, 
but  you  haue  brought  itt  upon  yorselfs  by  suffering  his 
party  to  undermine  you  to  turne  me  out  of  my  agenc^y, 
for  he  hath  bin  at  the  botome  of  all  the  mischeif  that 
hath  bin  done  you ;  hee  produced  a  leter  to  the  Lord 
Justices  yesterday,  ware  I  appeared  against  him  as  soone 
as  I  heard  he  was  declared  yo"'  Gouerner.  I  was  not  al- 
lowed to  haue  counsel,  but  I  got  all  the  records  &  papers 
I  could  get,  &  the  best  counsell  I  could  get.  I  was  3 
howers  debaitng  the  cause  of  New  England.  I  pi'oduced 
the  records  aboutt  Leisler's  buissnes,  when  I  heard  his 
frnds,  and  he  denyed  hee  had  anything  to  doe  in  that 
triall.  I  did  not  intend  to  haue  exposed  yo'  leter,  but 
because  I  thought  New  England  ruined  &  the  Protestant 
interest  if  hee  came.  I  haue  exposed  my  self  alone  to  the 
rage  of  a  party  that  espouse  him,  and  to  his  malice ;  hee 
put  in  a  memoriall  in  w''''  he  denyed  his  share  of  Leisler. 
At  the  triall  he  produced  this  leter,  said  to  be  signed  by 
Parteridge ;  he  also  produced  a  leter  from  yor  Speaker 

12 


90  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1701. 

that  said  I  was  dismissed  from  my  agency  two  year  agoe, 
and  that  they  had  no  agent,  and  what  seruice  hee  and 
Byfeild  had  done  agenst  mee  in  hindering  my  receiung 
any  mony  since  all  the  countrey  was  for  him,  and  that  the 
cause  of  my  prosicuting  of  him  was  because  I  was  turned 
out  of  my  agency.  I  made  answer,  my  quality  &  con- 
dition in  the  world  was  such  that  I  'had  no  resn  to  be 
proud  of  the  title  of  yo''  agent  unles  itt  was  an  oppertu- 
nity  to  doe  good ;  for  if  I  was  yo'  agent  you  had  such  an 
one  as  no  plantation  had  beside  you.  I  said  I  was  the 
worse  by  £1000  for  atending  yo''  affaires,  and  a  gret  many 
other  things  ;  my  Lord  Cutts  appering  for  him,  honest 
M'  Mason  &  my  Cos.  Thompson  appering  with  mee 
aganst  him.*  I  pray  thanke  them  both  in  a  leter.  I 
could  not  get  a  copie  of  his  memoriall,  itt  being  last  night 
sent  to  the  King,  full  of  reflections  upon  mee  and  his 
being  acceptable  to  the  people.  Hee  produced  an  adres 
signed  by  seuerall,  —  young  Parteridg  &  M'  Richards  & 
Waterhouse,  &  many  others,  desiring  he  might  be  spedily 
sent  away,  all  w*  leters  &  papers  ar  sent  away  to  the 
King  &  culd  not  be  wrote  out,  &  the  next  post  I  shall 
send  to  the  King  a  memorall.  If  I  stop  him  now,  I  hope 
itt  will  be  forever.  Hee  with  Randall  brought  in  a  bill 
into  the  Lords'  house,  w*^"*  I  opposed  w""  all  my  might  & 
interest,  w"*"  would  haue  taken  a  way  y"'  present  charter 
&  left  you  wholy  at  the  King's  \ille(/ible'\  to  gouement 
that  you  would  only  bee  gouerned  as  the  other  planta- 
tions w'^''  certinly  will  bee  set  one  foot  next  sessons  of 
Parliemt.  As  to  the  Coledg  concerne,  if  my  Lord  &  you 
had  followed  my  aduice  you  might  haue  had  itt  confirmed 
by  yo'  law,  w'^.''  is  beter  then  any  charter,  but  you  &  Mr. 
M.  are  of  another  oppin.  My  Lord  directed  me  to  S'  John 
Stanley  for  the  mony,  but  he  had  none  to  pay,  w".''  was 
£500  you  gaue  my  Lord,  so  thar  was  no  mony  to  looke 

•  For  an  amiisinf;  letter  of  Rev.  Godfrey  Dellius  describing  an  interview  with  Lord 
Cutts  on  this  subject,  see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  520-523.  —  Eds. 


1701.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST,  91 

after  itt,  and  so  itt  stands.  I  forgot  to  tel  you  that  M''  D. 
told  the  Lords  Justices,  that  M''  Cooke  was  aganst  the 
King's  gouemeut  &  seting  up  for  the  old  charter,  and  no 
wonder  he  was  aganst  them.  If  you  will  not  dy  to  saue 
charges,  as  M"'  Mather  saith  in  his  inclossed,  you  must  im- 
power  yo'  agent  &  giue  him  a  salery ;  &  hee  that  serues 
you  faithfuly  deserues  abuv  £300  T  anm,  that  hath  any 
interest  and  mony  to  lay  out.  Itt  cost  M'  Pen  £200  in 
defending  his  pretentions  in  the  Lords  house  struke  at  by 
them.  If  your  enemes  perswad  you  not  to  part  with  yo' 
mony,  you  must  prepar  yo'selues  for  what  you  formerly 
felt.  If  I  can  get  any  mony  of  the  corporation,  I  will 
draw  itt  upon  you  for  the  use  of  the  gouerment,  w"''  I  doe 
not  doubt  you  will  see  paid.  Ther  is  one  Crayten  laitly 
beer  that  saith  Dudly  will  be  uery  acceptable  to  you. 
You  must,  gentelmen,  looke  aboutt  you.  I  thinke  yo'' 
all  is  in  danger.  I  am  almost  weary  of  standing  at  the 
sluice  alone  &  fencing  aganst  frinds  and  enemes  in  y°' 
cause.  Itt  is  said  that  M'  Mather  desires  M"'  D.,  but  I 
hope  it  is  not  true,  after  all  he  hath  wrote  and  said  to 
mee.  I  haue  inclossed  you  the  copie  of  his  last  leter,  a 
copie  of  my  memoriall,  a  copie  of  the  bill  in  the  Lords 
house.  I  shall  not  write  much  to  my  Cosen  Serg.,  per- 
ticularly,  becuse  I  expect  him  heer.  Pray,  S'',  looke 
aboutt  you,  as  you  value  any  thing  that  is  dear  to  you. 

Yo"^  truly  aflfec.  frind,  H.  A. 

I  send  this  by  a  spetiall  messenger.  Excus  my  hurry ; 
I  send  this  leter  30  miles  T  a  spetiall  messenger.  If  you 
adress  against  his  coming  spedily,  it  may  prevent  it. 

I  [//%/M']  that  the  Lef.  Gour.  &  B..  &  y"""  Speaker  man- 
aged the  adjournment  &  desolution  of  y"  assembly  [sci'cml 
words  iUcgible]. 

I  send  you,  1,  Partridg's  leter ;  2,  M''  Mather's ;  31y, 
copie  of  the  bill ;  4,  my  memoriall  for  y°  Lord  Justices. 

I  forgot  to  tel  you  my  Lord  Cutis  said  the  B.  of  London 
recomended  him.    Excuse  my  hast. 


92  THE  WINTHKOP  PAPERS.  [1701. 


MEMORIAL  OF  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST. 

To  their  Excellencies  tf.  Lords  Justices  in  Councill,  y.  humble  Memoriall 
ofSrff.  Ashhurst,  Bar'.,  Sheweth : 

That  having  been  for  many  years  concern'd  for  y*  well- 
fare  of  New  England  and  understanding  that  Mr  Jos. 
Dudley  was  designed  for  y?  Gover"'  of  that  country,  I 
did  make  application  to  severall  of  y?  Lords  of  his  Maj- 
esty's Councill,  to  acquaint  them  y'  I  thought  him  y'  most 
unacceptable  to  y'  people,  upon  many  accounts,  but  es- 
pecially for  y?  share  he  had  in  y*  tryall  and  condemnation 
of  Mr  Jacob  Leslier,  sometime  Govf  of  New  York,  and  of 

Milbourne,  his  Secretary,  for  a  pretended  high 

treason,  which  judgement  for  y?  illegalety  of  it,  was  re- 
vers'd  by  Act  Parlimamet.  And  being  inform'd  that  he 
positively  deny'd  y*  fact,  or  that  he  had  any  thing  to  doe 
in  y?  prosecution,  I  most  humbly  beseech  y°""  Excellencies 
yf  I  may  have  leave  by  authentick  recoi'ds  to  make  it 
appeare  before  yo'  Excellencies  in  Councill  y'  he  not  onely 
advised  y'  prosecution,  but  sate  as  judge  upon  y'  triall; 
and  y'  untill  I  make  y'  appeare,  no  further  progress  may 
be  made  in  passing  his  comission.  All  which  is  most 
humbly  submitted  to  yo'  Excellencies  great  wisdome  by 

[No  date.] 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  July  14*,  1701. 

Dear  Brother,  —  Soone  after  my  last  was  written  our 
Leift"  Gov'  dyed,  and  is  to  be  intered  to-morrow  without 
any  millitary  solemnity,  which  we  offered  once  and  againe 
to  the  executors,  who  will  by  no  meanes  admit  of  it,  he 
hauing  strictly  forbid  it  in  his  will,  as  thay  say,  and  tell  us 
if  we  do,  it  must  be  at  our  own  charg ;  so  we  haue  com- 
plyed  with  their  inclinations,  and  there  will  be  only  som 


1701.]  WAIT  WINTHROP.  93 

guns  at  the  Castle  and  the  scons  in  town  and  the  gaily.  I 
know  not  what  will  be  farther  don  when  our  Court  meets, 
but  would  pray  you  to  think  farther  about  that  matter.* 
I  am  very  sensible  it  will  be  a  grate  difficulty  upon  me 
to  undertake,  if  the  supply  be  never  so  good,  which  I 
shall  endevour  to  looke  to  before  I  resolue  on  any  thing. 
I  beleiue  there  will  be  no  difficulty  with  respect  to  their 
former  trustee,  he  having  in  a  manner  dismist  himselfe, 
because  of  the  unkindness  of  those  that  are  lately  gon 
and  two  or  thre  more  here  which  he  knows  of,  and  I  be- 
leiue would  be  as  ready  to  assist  now  as  ever  he  was. 
And  as  to  the  other  I  as  little  regard  what  is  said  of  his 
coming  in  that  post,  as  I  do  his  enmity,  tho  I  shall  always 
be  cautious  of  a  venimous  serpent.f  Those  with  the  old 
wemen  aded  are  little  considerations,  but  there  are  others 
more  to  be  look't  into. 

F."  vapours  about  his  old  deeds  there  can  be  nothing  in, 
and  notwithstanding  his  sales  to  any  I  beleiue  he  would 
be  glad  to  comply ;  if  he  had  bin  resolved  otherwise,  he 
would  not  haue  intimated  to  me  at  N.  London  any  thing 
tending  that  way.  If  you  can  find  any  way  to  dispose  of 
the  negro,  pray  do  for  what  you  can  get,  that  she  may  be 
no  farther  trouble.  Ann  Wharton  intends  to  set  out  to- 
morrow or  next  day  with  M''  Cristophers  and  M'  Green 
and  his  wife.  I  haue  bin  doubtfull  about  her  taking  such 
a  jornye  this  season  of  the  year,  but  she  is  set  upon  it ;  so 
hope  the  wether  will  prone  moderate.  M''  Hamblin  is 
here,  and  says  M"  Stanly  was  at  the  seaside  when  he 
came  from  Hartford,  otherwise  thay  had  drawen  up  their 
report,  which  will  be  don  when  he  goes  back ;  he  says 
F.  is  cras'd,  he  thinks,  and  has  wrot  to  them  as  if  he 
were  so. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Winthkop. 

*  The  reference  is  to  the  proposal  that  Wait  Winthrop  should  go  to  England  as  agent 
for  the  Colony.  — Eds. 

t  It  is  perhaps  needless  to  say  that  Joseph  Dudley  is  here  meant.  —  Eds. 


94  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1701. 

It  will  be  impossible  to  get  that  mony  in  at  present, 
but  if  I  can  go  thither  shortly  will  endeavour  it,  and  hope 
in  the  mean  time  Anthony,  &c.  will  be  doing. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  THE  GENERAL   COURT   OF 
MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston,  August  6"»,  1701. 

In  answer  to  the  motion  of  the  Great  and  Gen!!  Court 
now  siting,  coinunicated  to  me  by  their  hon*!'  coinitt% 
desiring  me  to  goe  for  England  to  negotiate  their  affaires 
there,  it  is  humbly  proposed :  1",  That  I  may  haue  opertu- 
nity  to  sattisfy  myselfe  with  respect  to  the  coiiiission  and 
instructions  to  be  giuen  me;  2'?',  That  the  Hon*!  Court 
will  please  to  repose  an  intire  trust  and  confidence  that  I 
will  with  all  faithfullness  serue  them  to  the  utmost  of  my 
abillity ;  3'*,  That  care  be  taken  to  procure  such  sums  of 
mony  which  I  may  not  faile  of  at  my  arrivall  in  Eng- 
land, as  may  enable  me  not  only  to  appear  there  in  qual- 
lity  of  their  Agent,  but  also  effectually  to  manage  their 
business  committed  to  my  care,  and  that  I  may  not  be 
lyable  to  render  perticular  accounts  of  that  betrustment. 
And  for  as  much  as  our  fathers  and  predecessors  who 
were  the  first  settlers  of  this  country  (som  of  them  more 
espetially)  parted  with  and  spent  grate  estates  for  the 
enjoyment  of  the  pure  order  of  the  Gospell  which  they 
here  set  up,  and  has  been  ever  since  practised  in  the  gen- 
erallity  of  these  churches,  —  if  in  the  judgment  of  those 
who  are  there,  freinds  to  this  country  and  that  interest, 
as  well  as  in  my  own,  there  should  be  a  prospect  of  ob- 
tayning  a  lasting  settlement  on  the  same  foundations, 
I  would  be  enabled  by  credit  from  this  Court  to  effect  the 
same,  let  it  cost  what  it  will  within  the  compass  of  their 
ordinary  ability.  All  which  is  humbly  submitted  to  the 
wisdom  of  this  hon*  Court  to  be  considered,  and  being 
consented  to,  I  shall  apply  myselfe  to  get  ready  for  the 


1701.]  COMMISSION   TO   WAIT  WINTHROP.  95 

first  convenient  opportunity,  sutable  provition  being  made 
for  my  passage,  reseruing  som  convenient  time  for  setle- 
ing  my  own  affairs  here.  ^^^^  Winthkop. 

Presented  6°  Aug'  1701,  Eead  in  Council  and  sent  down. 
Aug*!'  6'",  1701,  Read  in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives. 


COMMISSION  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP  AS  CHIEF  JUSTICE. 

William  the  Third,  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  England, 
Scotland,  France,  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith,  &c.  To  our  trusty  and  wellbeloved  Wait  Win- 
throp,  Esq.,  Greeting.  Whereas,  in  and  by  an  Act  made 
and  passed  by  the  Great  and  General  Court  or  Assembly 
of  our  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England 
at  their  session  begun  and  held  the  thirty-first  day  of  May, 
anno  1699,  intituled  an  Act  for  the  establishing  a  Supe- 
riour  Court  of  Judicature,  Court  of  Assize  and  Genei'al 
Goale  Delivery  within  this  Province,  it  is  enacted  that 
there  shall  be  a  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature,  Court  of 
Assize  and  General  Goale  Delivery  over  the  whole  Prov- 
ince, to  be  held  &  kept  annually  at  the  respective  times 
and  places  in  the  s^  Act  mentioned  &  expressed  by  one 
Chief  Justice  and  four  other  Justices,  to  be  appointed  and 
commissionated  for  the  same.  Any  three  of  whom  to  be  a 
quorum,  who  shall  have  cognizance  of  all  pleas,  real,  per- 
sonal, or  mixt,  as  well  all  pleas  of  the  Crown,  and  all 
matters  relating  to  the  conservation  of  the  peace  and 
punishment  of  offenders  as  civil  causes  or  actions  between 
party  and  party,  and  between  us  and  any  of  our  subjects, 
whether  the  same  do  concern  the  realty  &  relate  to  any 
right  of  freehold  and  inheritance,  or  whether  the  same  do 
concern  the  personalty  and  relate  to  matter  of  debt,  con- 
tract, damage,  or  personal  injury ;  and  also  all  mixt  ac- 
tions which  concern  both  realty  and  personalty,  brought 
before  them  by  appeal,  review,  &  writ  of  error,  or  other- 


96  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1701. 

wise,  as  the  law  directs,  and  generally  of  all  other  matters 
as  fully  and  amply  to  all  intents  and  purposes  whatsoever 
as  the  Courts  of  King's  Bench,  Coiiion  Pleas  &  Exchequer 
within  our  Kingdom  of  England  have  or  ought  to  have. 
And  in  and  by  s^  Act  are  also  impowered  to  give  judge- 
ment therein  and  award  execution  thereupon.  Wee, 
therefore  reposing  special  trust  &  confidence  in  your  loy- 
alty, prudence,  and  ability,  have  assigned,  constituted,  and 
appointed,  and  by  these  presents  do  assign,  constitute, 
and  appoint  you  the  s'*  Wait  Winthrop  to  be  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  our  s^  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature,  Court  of 
Assize  and  General  Goale  Delivery  within  our  Province 
afores"*.  And  do  authorize  and  impower  you  to  have,  use, 
exercise,  and  execute  all  and  singular  the  powers,  author- 
itys,  and  jurisdictions  to  the  Chief  Justice  of  our  s**  Coui't 
belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining.  And  with  other 
our  Justices  of  our  s'^  Court  or  any  two  of  them  to  hear 
and  determin  all  such  causes  and  matters  as  are  by  law 
cognizable  in  the  s'^  Court,  and  to  give  judgement  therein 
&  award  execution  thereupon,  and  to  do  that  which  to 
justice  doth  appertain  according  to  law.  Ix  Testimony 
whereof  wee  have  caused  the  Publick  Seal  of  our  Province 
of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  afores**  to  be  hereunto  affixed. 
Witness  our  Council  of  our  s''  Province  at  the  Council 
Chamber  in  Boston,  the  ninth  day  of  August,  in  the  thir- 
teenth year  of  our  reign,  Annoq^  Domini,  1701. 

John  Foster.  Ja.  Russell. 

Peter  Sergeant.  Elisha  Cooke. 

Joseph  Lynde.  John  Hathorne. 

John  Walley.  W"  Browne. 

E"  Hutchinson.  Elisha  Hutchinson. 

Penn  Townsend.  Sam.  Sewall. 

Benja  Browne.  Jonathan  Corwin. 

Barnabas  Lothrop.    John  Higginson. 

John  Thacher. 
By  the  Council. 

Is^  Addington,  Secrf/. 


1701.J  WAIT   WINTHROP.  97 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  WILLIAM  ATWOOD* 

Boston,  August  ll'h,  1701. 
S",  —  Yours  came  not  to  hand  imtill  it  was  too  late  to 
return  an  answare  by  the  last  post,  but  I  must  now  tell 
you  I  am  extreamly  well  sattisfied  his  Maf7  has  bin 
pleased  to  appoint  a  person  of  such  ability  and  worth  as 
your  caracter  bespeaks  you  to  succeed  in  those  places 
you  mention,  and  wish  you  may  find  more  profitt  then  I 
haue  done,  hauing  never  bin  reimbui'sed  halfe  the  charge 
I  haue  bin  unavoydably  put  upon ;  besides  the  coinisson 
which  was  sent  me  from  England  without  my  knowledg 
or  expectation.  We  haue  no  cause  depending  in  the 
Court  of  Admiralty  either  here  or  at  New  Hampshire  at 
present  that  I  know  of,  but  if  any  such  should  happen  I 
know  you  will  excuse  me  if  I  neglect  not  my  duty  to  his 
Maj'^  in  proceeding  according  to  my  coinission,  untill  an 
other  be  exhibited  to  the  Gover"'  here  that  may  super- 
ceede  it;  which  I  mention,  not  for  any  benifitt  like  to 
accrew,  but  rather  to  excite  you  to  giue  us  the  happiness 
of  your  company  here  the  sooner,  where  you  may  expect 
all  the  freindship  and  respect  I  am  capeable  to  serue  you 
in,  who  am  also  a  lover  of  justice  and  the  true  Protestant 
interest,  and  am,  S", 

Your  very  humble  servant,  W.  W. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  August  ll•^  1701. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  yours  of  the  7'-  instant.  I 
haue  given  our  Court  my  answare  that  if  thay  will  send 
mony  to  enable  me  to  doe  their  business  there  I  will  goe, 
and  thay  haue  voted  500^  to  be  disbursed  presently,  and 
500^  more  if  the  Councill  shall  see  it  needfull ;  but  I  haue 

•  See  note  ante,  p.  U.  —  Eds. 
13 


98  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1701. 

demured  upon  it,  and  told  them  I  cannot  expect  to  do  any 
grate  matter  for  y"  if  I  am  so  stinted,  and  cannot  be 
willing  to  undertake  any  thing  under  1,000*  there  at  my 
arrivall,  and  an  other  1,000  to  be  sequestred  in  sombody's 
hands  for  that  use  (if  there  should  be  occation),  which  a 
coiiiander  in  cheife,  if  one  should  arriue  when  I  am  gon, 
could  not  hinder  me  of,  because  when  any  such  corns  thay 
can  do  nothing  without  his  consent.  The  Court  being  in 
hast  to  be  gon  home,  desired  thay  might  be  prorogued  till 
the  3'^  of  Sept''.''  next  to  look  after  their  harvist,  which  was 
accordingly  don  last  Saturday ;  in  the  meantime  thay  ex- 
pect I  will  get  ready,  and  I  suppose  thay  will  comply 
therabouts ;  otherwise  I  think  1  shall  not  goe.  How- 
ever, it  will  be  necessary  that  I  see  you  here  or  there, 
which  the  time  will  hardly  permit  if  I  should  goe,  unless 
you  could  com  hither  about  a  fortnight  hence,  which  all 
your  freinds  are  very  desirous  of.  I  think  I  must  of  ne- 
cessity goe  this  week  to  the  Island  to  settle  that  affair, 
where  I  intend  not  to  stay  but  a  few  days  ;  however,  you 
may  write  by  the  post,  and  if  any  vessell  coming  that  way 
thay  may  bring  your  letter  hither  if  I  am  not  there.  We 
haue  not  farther  news  from  Por  troy  all,  but  conclude  what 
I  wrote  you  to  be  true,  but  no  certainty  of  warr. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Winthkop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon^\'  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov'  of  his  Maj'f  Collonye  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these. 

Boston,  Septi'  1"',  1701. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  came  home  from  the  Island  on 
Fryday  last,  and  haue  yours  of  14'f'  of  August,  which  I 
think  had  bin  opened  ;  that  way  of  puting  letters  in  a  single 
paper  may  easily  be  lookt  into  unless  the  sides  be  sealed. 
Cousin  Liviston  was  in  such  hast  as  well  as  I  to  get  out 


1701.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  99 

of  town  that  I  could  not  write  by  him.  I  am  sorry  for 
the  mishap  their  being  over  pubUck  has  brought  them 
into.  M^  Borland  procured  an  apprisement  when  I  was 
out  of  town,  and  has  got  the  goods  in  his  hands,  hauing 
deposited  about  120*  as  I  understand.  Capt?  Vetch  in 
his  letter  to  me  desires  I  would  call  a  court  of  Admiralty 
as  soon  as  may  be,  which  I  intend  tomorrow.  I  know 
not  now  what  our  Court  will  do  which  is  to  meet  on 
Wensday.  The  news  which  the  Gosper  frigat  brings, 
which  coms  only  in  a  letter  to  M'  Hutchinson,  about 
M''  D.'s  coming  Govf,  may  alter  y'  minds  about  the 
agency,  tho  their  is  the  same  reason  as  before.  When 
thay  meet  it  will  quickly  be  determined,  and  I  will  en- 
deavour to  send  you  an  account  by  Sam.  Avery,  who 
says  he  will  go  this  week.  I  can  say  no  more  about  the 
matter  of  Plainfeild  then  you  know  has  been  said.  Indian 
testimony  as  to  bounds  of  their  own  lands  which  thay 
convey  must  needs  be  good  ;  all  that  can  be  known  by 
the  English  must  be  from  them,  and  has  hitherto  bin  so  ; 
besides  the  possession  has  bin  in  us  ever  since  the  genl' 
deed,  which  was  but  a  giveing  possession  of  what  was 
conveyed  before.  Walworth  has  bin  here,  I  understand, 
but  has  carried  away  all  his  mony. 

I  am  yours,  W.  W. 

John  was  with  me  at  the  Island.  I  knew  not  that  his 
letter  was  in  Mohawk ;  he  thinks  you  understand  all  lan- 
guages, and  thought,  I  suppose,  to  approve  himselfe  to 
y'  liking  in  order  to  som  preferment. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon'''.''  John  Winthrop,  Esq";  Gov:  of  Ms  Maj'f  Collonye  of 
Conecticott,  in  New  London,  these. 

Boston,  OctV  20,  1701. 
Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  no  letter  from  you  by  the 
last  post,  which  cannot  but  wonder  at.     Our  Court  mett 


100  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1701. 

on  Wensday  last,  and  were  prorogued  again  on  Satturday 
to  the  tenth  of  Decern''.'' ;  haue  only  sent  an  Adress  with  a 
memoriall  in  answare  to  severall  former  letters  from  the 
King.  We  are  so  infatuated  for  fear  of  charg  and  to 
promote  private  interests  that  we  shall  loose  all.  The 
ships  are  just  going  to  sayle,  being  fower  of  them  besides 
Capt°  Crow.  1  haue  writ  to  Sf  Hennery  that  your  Court 
was  siting,  but  I  doubted  their  letters  would  not  get 
hither  before  these  ships  were  gon.  My  sister  Richards 
desires  you  would  signe  to  what  she  and  I  haue  don  on 
the  back  of  the  mortgage  for  the  warehouse,  she  hauing 
received  the  money  due  on  it ;  M'  Minzee  will  bring  it  to 
you  with  this.     All  are  well  here. 

Yours,  "W.  WiNTHROP. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

LoND.,  Nov.  2,701. 

Deare  &  MUCH  HON""  S",  —  I  doe  not  write  to  you  as  I 
would,  having  reason  every  ship  to  expect  you.  I  am 
sorry  you  thinke  of  coming  this  dangerous  season.  I  wish 
these  were  y'  friends  that  were  for  sending  you  out  of 
y^  way  to  be  agent.  I  am  sure  they  were  M'  D.'s  friends. 
Fori  am  makeing  interest  that  you  should  be  Leiu!  GovT, 
and  I  am  opposing  Mf  D.'s  going  to  y*  utmost  of  my  power. 
But  Mr  D.  tells  his  friends  with  you,  I  have  no  interest 
here.  I  am  sure  if  you  would  not  lose  everything  you 
must  get  an  agent  that  hath  interest  here,  in  so  criticall 
a  juncture,  to  serve  you,  or  else  you  will  feel  y'  inconuen- 
iency  of  it  when  'tis  too  late.  I  have  written  to  my  coz. 
Sergeant,  &  drawn  bills  of  y*  corporation-mony  upon  my 
coz.  Sergeant  for  250'  with  y°  ex[change]  at  35'  pr  cent, 
to  oppose  y^  taking  away  y"  new  charter  by  Act  of  Pari. 
Whoever  advised  the  addressing  for  y*  old,  had  a  mind,  in 
my  humble  opinion,  to  ruine  y"'  countrey ;  nothing  could 


1701.]  WAIT    WINTHROP.  101 

further  D.'s  going  more  effectually  than  that.  I  am,  you 
say,  agent ;  I  should  expect  minutes  of  all  that  passed  in 
Councill  &  in  y'  Assembly's,  even  y'^  very  debates.  Let 
all  that  love  y*  same  &  the  wellfare  of  their  country  post- 
pone their  petty  differences  &  unite  to  save  y°  whole. 
I  am,  with  much  affection  &  respect, 

Y"^  reall  friend  &  humble  serv'. 
I   have   wrote  very  largely    to   y'   brother  Winthrop 
y"  5""  May  &  July  p'  severall  conveyances,  &  wonder  I 
heare  nothing  from  them. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon'''.'  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov''  of  his  M/ij'f  Collonye  of 
Conecticott,  in  .New  London,  these. 

Boston,  Nov'"3'1,  1701. 

Dear  Brother,  —  The  brigantine  bound  for  Holland, 
which  is  to  touch  in  England,  slipt  away  the  begining  of  last 
week  before  I  could  get  a  letter  on  bord.  Here  is  but 
one  ship  more  that  I  can  hear  of  that  will  goe  this  winter, 
and  thay  say  will  sayle  this  week  or  next.  I  know  not 
but  you  may  send  before  she  goes.  I  shall  write  by  her, 
but  what  will  my  writing  signifye  if  nothing  goes  from 
your  Gover""'  or  yourselfe  to  stop  any  proceeding  ! 
What  I  wrote  by  the  former  ships  will  do  little  ;  I  could 
not  then  write  what  I  might  haue  don,  because  I  knew 
not  what  your  Govern'  would  do ;  it  will  be  best  not  to 
neglect  this  opertunity.  M^  Atwood  is  here  with  a  coiiiis- 
sion  for  Judg  of  the  Admiralty,  and  just  now  I  hear  he  has 
held  a  court  this  morning,  and  calls  M'  Borland's  case 
over  again,  and  is  adjorned  till  to-morrow.  Our  Superior 
Court  also  meets  to-morrow.  M'  Minett's  was  a  grate 
iron  stove  fi'om  Holland,  and  stood  in  a  chimny  ;  the  little 
ii'on  one  that  I  haue  would  serue  a  little  room,  but  it  must 
stand  in  a  chimny  too,  and  som  peices  of  it  are  wanting, 


102  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1701. 

which  I  think  made  a  tunnel  for  Hude's  vessel!  long  since, 
where  the  bell  went.  If  Harris  be  not  gon,  it  shall  be 
sent.  The  post  will  bring  you  a  pair  of  Simpson's  accord- 
ing to  your  direction.  I  intended  when  the  Court  was 
over  to  haue  com  that  way,  but  going  to  visit  our  neibour 
Brinsdell  (who  is  ill)  last  Thurdsday  night,  his  dogg  bit 
thre  holes  in  the  small  of  my  legg  to  the  bone,  which  has 
bin  so  angry  and  painfull  to  me  I  haue  not  bin  able  to  stir 
since,  and  I  fear  will  lay  me  up  for  all  winter,  tho'  tis  a 
little  easier  to  day.  I  could  not  goe  to  direct  the  man 
about  the  glass,  or  els  it  had  gon  by  this  post.  Minze 
went  no  farther  then  Rhoad  Island,  and  cam  back  again  ; 
one  Eustace  cam  in  a  brigantine  from  England  last  Fri- 
day ;  says  Gillan  and  Robinson,  &c.  were  redy  to  com,  no 
warr  like  to  be  till  spring,  the  Emperor  has  beaten  the 
French  again  in  Italy,  a  100  sayle  of  English  and  Duch 
men  of  warr  gon  on  an  unknown  desine,  the  King  not 
yet  com  home.  M":  D.  not  like  to  com  till  spring.  I 
think  that's  all,  which,  with  loue  and  servis  to  every- 
body, is  all  from 

Yours,  W.  WiNTHROP. 

Atwood  seems  a  civill,  sober  man ;  I  suppose  he  will 
visit  you  with  his  coinission  as  he  returns  to  York.  I 
know  not  whether  it  be  not  best  to  refer  him  to  your 
Gen"  Court,  who  think  thay  haue  that  power  by  their 
charter ;  however,  if  you  should  find  it  needfull  on  any 
other  occation  to  haue  a  Gen"  Court,  this  would  be  a 
good  excuse  to  call  one ;  at  least  you  must  call  a  coun- 
cill  for  him. 


SAMUEL  READE  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

LoNDO,  yo  30  Nov',  1701. 

Couss"  Waite  WiNTHROP  :  S",  —  My  last  to  you  was  y* 
10  Sept'.   Since  have  reed  yours  of  y°  15  Oct'.    Am  obliged 


1701.]  SAMUEL  EEADE.  103 

to  you  for  your  care  &  paines  in  disposall  of  my  f  armes ; 
am  well  satisfied  therein,  &  especially  that  they  passe  into 
the  handes  of  a  relation.  Have  not  for  a  considerable 
time  heard  from  Couss  Epps,  w"''  I  much  desire  &  request 
you  to  presse  him  to  it.  There  are  some  other  ace''  de- 
pending betweene  him  &  mee,  w*  shall  acquaint  you  with, 
&  then  leave  matters  to  your  determination  as  you  shall 
judge  convenient  &  reasonable  betweene  us.  Take  notice 
what  you  write  in  reference  to  returnes,  which  will  bee 
a  difficultie.  Our  new  Parliament  is  to  meete  latter  end 
Decb",  w*  may  give  discoveries  w'*"  way  matters  may  goe 
in  reference  to  peace  or  warr ;  y°  most  intelligent,  con- 
sidering persons  thinke  a  warr  is  unavoidable,  w'^''  will 
make  returnes  in  goods  to  one  place  or  other  hazardous, 
soe  that  my  present  thoughts  are  to  have  returnes  in  bill, 
exch^,  or  specie  as  meete  w"^  convenient  oppertunity. 
W  is  done  in  specie  may  bee  in  parcells  as  any  friend 
comes  over  or  by  a  carefuU  masf.  Must  leave  it  to  your 
manidgment  to  doe  as  you  shall  judge  necessary  as  to 
time  &  manner,  w**"  which  I  shall  rest  satisfied.  Possibly 
some  oppertunities  may  present  of  returnes  by  bills  or 
specie  in  parcells  w"*"  may  be  favourable.  Whatever  way 
you  judge  most  for  my  advantidge  please  to  make  use 
of  it,  referring  it  to  your  selfe.  We  had  some  intima- 
tions of  your  designe  of  comeing  over,  w"""  would  have 
been  very  acceptible  heere ;  you  not  mentioning  it  makes 
us  thinke  you  have  altered  your  resolutions.  Eeturne 
thankes  for  your  kindnesse  in  my  concernes.  If  in  any 
thing  I  may  bee  servisible  heere,  please  freely  to  com- 
mand mee.  W"'  hearty  servise  to  relations,  rest 
Y'  affection'  kinsm"  &  serv', 

Sam.  Eeade, 
Shall  write  againe  T  first  oppertunity. 


104  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1701. 


PETITION  OF  WAIT  WINTHROP  AND  OTHERS. 

To  the  King's  most  ExceW  Maf!  The  humble  Peti'con  of  Wayt  Winthrop, 
Sam"  Sewall,  John  Saffin,  Francis  Brinley,  Thomas  Deane,  William 
Wharton,  and  Benjamin  Lynde,  Esq",  in  hehalfe  of  themselves  and  the 
Rest  of  the  Proprietors  of  a  certain  Tract  of  Land  in  New  England 
called  the  King's  Province,  or  Narragansett  Countrey, 

SheMeth  : 

That  for  a  long  time  there  have  been  and  still  are  dis- 
putes and  diiferances  between  your  Maj'*  Colonies  of 
Connecticott  and  Road  Island  concerning  the  govern- 
ment of  your  Maj''  said  Province,  each  Colony  by  vertue 
of  their  charter  pretending  a  right  thereto,  and  that 
the  said  disputes  have  occasioned  many  disturbances 
amongst  your  Maj*^  subjects  within  the  said  Province,  and 
much  discouraged  the  settlement  thereof  To  the  end 
therefore  that  your  Maj'^  subjects  may  be  freed  from 
those  inconveniences  which  necessarily  attend  such  dis- 
putes, and  may  know  what  government  in  New  England 
to  submit  unto,  your  pet"^  most  humbly  pray  that  your 
Maj'^  would  graciously  please  to  give  such  orders  and 
directions  therein  as  your  Maj'^  in  your  great  wisdome 
shall  think  meet  and  convenient.  And  yo'  pet"  shall 
ever  pray,  &c. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hor^'f  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov'  of  the  Collony  of  Conecticott, 
in  New  London,  these. 

Boston,  Decern''.'  9"',  1701. 

Dear  Brother, — I  am  sorry  for  the  disasters  that 
haue  hap'ned  in  those  parts,  and  am  glad  it  is  no  worse. 
M'  Cambell  came  home  on  Satturday  last  from  York  by 
way  of  Road  Island  in  two  or  thre  days,  says  thay  expect 
the  Lord  Cornbury,  but  his  coinission  was  not  perfected 


1701-2.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  105 

[in  A]ugust,  and  that  one  letter  says  he  was  puting  in 
for  the  gov"'  of  Barbados,  but  I  perceiue  thay  h[ave]  little 
certainty  of  any  thing.  The  Stonington  news  you  wrote 
proues  a  mistake.  M'  Cainbell  says  he  saw  Cap'P  Veche, 
and  he  is  going  to  law  about  his  matters,  and  has  feed 
atturnyes.  M'  Brenly  writes  to  Coll.  Hutchinson  that  he 
understands  there  is  to  be  a  meeting  between  Conecticot 
men  and  Road  Island  at  Newport,  and  that  M""  Mason  and 
thay  haue  concerted  the  matter  already  between  them  to 
out  the  mortgage  men,  and  Conecticot  volunteers  to  settle 
it  forthwith.  I  am  desired  to  inform  you  of  it,  that  nothing 
may  be  don  to  the  prejudice  of  the  Proprietors  by  the 
Mohauke  phlipp  drinkers.  The  ship  is  not  yet  gon,  but 
thay  speak  of  sayling  to-morrow,  and  another  will  goe 
a  week  or  fortnight  after.  I  haue  got  M"'  Cole  to  tran- 
scribe the  adress  and  instructions,  and  iiow  your  Cover"?' 
ows  him  fifty  shilling,  or  3*  at  least,  which  he  is  in  expec- 
tation of,  and  I  haue  told  him  will  be  sent  him.  It  is 
a  shame  to  send  things  so  unpollished.  I  haue  bin  ill 
with  a  grate  cold  and  was  not  out  all  the  last  week,  and 
if  the  man  has  not  don  the  glass  it  must  stay  till  next  post. 
The  inclosed  is  said  to  be  of  nine  weeks  to  this  time. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Wintheop. 

I  send  you  back  the  records  such  as  thay  are,  and  haue 

don  as  well  as  I  could.     M'  Southmeade  had  the  key  with 

him ;  you  send  no  word  in  what  condition  the  bald  ston 

hors  is,  &c. 


WAIT   WINTHROP  TO  .« 

Boston,  Feb7  24'.^,  170J. 
S",  —  I  haue  yours  by  the  post ;  am  much  obliged  to 
you  for  your  freindship  and  care  about  my  brother  in  his 

*  This  letter,  which  is  without  an  address,  was  probably  sent  to  Rev.  James  Noyes  or 
to  Rev.  GurdoQ  Saltonstall.  —  Eds. 

14 


106  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1701-2. 

sickness,  and  am  gratly  concernd  that  I  haue  not  bin 
able  be  with  him,  hauving  scarse  bin  out  of  my  chamber 
since  M"  Rogers  was  here.  I  well  approue  of  what  you 
write  about  and  haue  don  accordingly,  as  you  will  see. 
I  am  doubtful  whether  drawing  his  leggs  to  much  may 
not  be  prejuditiall ;  if  it  could  be  caried  oflf  by  taking  a 
little  rubila,  it  would  be  safer,  if  he  has  strength  to  bare 
it ;  I  remember  M'  Ashbye's  leggs  were  extreemly  sweld 
the  last  year,  and  he  toke  rubila  and  had  releife ;  tho  I 
am  not  for  his  taking  any  thing  that  will  work  much  so 
as  to  debilitate  nature,  but  rather  to  fortifye  it  as  much 
as  may  be  when  the  fever  is  a  little  over ;  if  he  would  be 
perswaded  to  take  rubila  in  such  a  proportion  as  would 
not  work  with  him  tho  the  fever  be  not  over,  and  to  take 
it  every  day  for  som  time,  it  would  insensibly  and  by  de- 
grees take  away  both  the  swelling  and  every  evill  simp- 
tom  ;  he  may  begin  with  a  grain,  or  halfe  a  grain,  and  so 
increase  halfe  a  grain  every  day  till  it  begins  to  make 
him  a  little  quamish,  and  then  the  next  time  decrease 
halfe  a  grain  or  a  grain,  and  then  keep  to  that  propor- 
tion ;  it  would  certainly  be  rather  a  cordiall  to  him  then 
weaken  him,  but  if  he  should  be  costiue  (which  he  may 
be  for  all  that),  then  he  must  take  som  lenitiue  thing 
which  may  not  giue  him  more  then  one  stoole  or  two  at 
the  most  in  24  howers ;  for  if  he  take  so  much  as  may 
purg,  it  will  both  weaken  and  make  him  costiue  after  it. 
A  spoonfull  or  two  of  malassas  alone,  or  mixt  with  a 
spoonful!  of  oyle,  would  be  as  good  as  anything.  Sister 
Richards  urges  much  to  take  rubila  in  a  smale  quantity 
every  now  and  then ;  she  says  she  has  found  it  always 
strengthen  her  when  she  has  taken  it,  tho  it  has  wroug[t] 
a  little,  and  I  am  fully  perswaded  it  would  help  both  his 
swelling  and  his  faintness ;  the  white  cordiall,  if  he  would 
take  it  oftener,  about  a  scruple  (20  gr.)  at  a  time,  might 
help  his  faintness.  I  am  apt  to  think  that  faintness  pro- 
ceeds from  somthing  of  his  old  distemper,  the  gravell ;  I 


1701-2.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  107 

think  he  use  to  be  so  before  he  voyded  gravell.  I  haue 
sent  a  little  glass  of  Rulandus  his  balsam,  which,  tho  it 
smell  not  well,  I  am  shure  must  do  him  good,  both  for  his 
fever  and  faintness.  I  haue  had  grate  experience  of  it, 
both  on  myselfe  and  others.  I  haue  taken  it  the  thre  last 
nights  thus :  I  put  a  little  ponder  shugar  in  a  spoon,  and 
then  dropt  about  16  or  20  drops  of  the  balsom  on  it,  then 
coverd  it  with  sugar  and  took  it  altogether  and  held  it  on 
my  toungue  till  I  took  in  a  mouthfull  of  beer,  and  swal- 
lowed all  together  at  once  and  tasted  nothing  but  the 
sugar.  I  send  also  a  little  bottle  of  a  peculiar  sort  of  oyle 
of  turpentine,  which  I  know  is  good  for  him ;  about  the 
same  quantity  of  drops  as  of  the  balsam,  and  taken  in  the 
same  maner  with  sugar ;  thay  may  be  taken  the  balsam 
at  night  and  the  other  in  the  morning.  There  is  also  a 
bowle  of  Elixir  Proprietatis.  Baum  tee  is  very  good  for 
faintness.  If  it  be  possible  for  me  I  intend  to  get  out 
this  weeke ;  I  desire  the  continuance  of  your  prayers  and 
am,  Sr, 

Your  humble  servant,  Wait  Wintheop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  W^NTHROP. 

Boston,  March  23?,  170f 

My  dear  Brother,  —  I  cannot  express  the  trouble  I 
am  under  that  I  haue  not  bin  able  in  this  long  time  of  your 
grate  sickness  to  com  to  you,  but  so  God  has  seen  good 
it  should  be,  to  whose  holy  will  we  ought  always  patiently 
to  submit.  It  has  bin  hithertoo  utterly  impossible  for  me 
to  haue  held  out  one  halfe  day's  jorny.  I  was  in  hope  to 
haue  heard  by  this  post  of  your  being  almost,  at  least, 
perfectly  recovered,  but  M"'  Noyce  writes  me  that  you 
still  continue  but  vnder  an  ill  habit  of  body,  tho'  I  am 
glad  to  hear  by  M''  Saltonstall's  letter  that  you  were  then 
walking  about  the  chamber;  pray  be  not  any  way  dis- 


108  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1701-2. 

couraged,  but  trust  in  God,  resigning  your  selfe  and  all 
of  us  to  his  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  able  to  raise 
you  up  againe,  in  whom  I  trust  I  shall  yet  see  you  before 
long,  if  he  giue  me  but  strength  to  ride  so  far  and  bare 
the  wether.  I  got  to  meeteing  in  the  afternoon  yester- 
day, but  before  night  the  wether  changed  to  raine  and 
since  to  snow,  and  is  now,  I  think,  as  cold  as  any  time  this 
winter;  otherwise  I  intended  to  haue  set  out  this  day, 
but  I  hope  it  will  not  last  and  shall  take  the  first  tollera- 
ble  day  to  goe  as  farr  as  I  can.  I  send  this  by  the  post, 
not  knowing  what  the  wether  or  my  ability  may  be  upon 
the  jornye.  I  am  sorry  you  haue  not  bin  perswaded  to 
tak  a  grain  or  two  of  rubila ;  one  vomit  with  it  would 
take  away  the  cause  of  that  frothy  flegm  which  M'  Noyce 
speaks  of,  and  two  grains  cannot  hurt  you  if  you  are  but 
able  to  sit  up.  M"  Cook  was  with  me  when  the  letters 
came  to  hand  from  M"'  Noyce  and  M'  Saltonstall,  to  whom 
I  communicated  them,  and  haue  had  his  and  other  advice 
formerly ;  he  says  he  wonderfully  helpt  one  who  raysed 
flegm  in  the  same  manner,  with  the  balsam  of  sulfur  with 
a  few  drops  of  oyle  of  anisseeds  mixt  with  it,  which  I 
intend  to  send,  tho  I  hope  to  be  with  you  before  the  post. 
The  oyle  of  turpentine  must  needs  be  a  good  thing  som- 
times  taken,  as  also  the  oyle  of  sulfur,  but  that  must  be 
taken  not  aboue  thre  or  fower  drops  at  once  if  it  be  taken 
often.  It  was  not  worth  while  to  send  the  chocolata  to 
be  changed ;  M"  Butler,  at  whose  shop  it  was  bought, 
says  she  did  it  her  selfe,  and  that  it  is  very  good  and  noth- 
ing but  the  nut,  which  she  sheld  very  well ;  we  used  som 
that  was  bought  at  the  same  time  of  her,  which  proved 
very  well.  I  shall  bring  that  and  som  more  with  me 
when  I  com.  I  hope  the  last  which  I  sent  for,  to  M'  Gut- 
terige's  coffee  house,  was  liked  better.  I  coiiiit  you  and 
all  of  us  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty,  and  am 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

Wait  Winthrop. 


1702.]  SIR  HENRY  ASHUEST.  109 

SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 
To  y"  Hon.  Major  Gen.  Waite  Winthrop  in  New  England. 

LoND.,  th  25  March,  702. 

My  dear  &  WORTHY  Frind,  —  My  hurries  in  Parlemt, 
and  the  lait  loss  of  our  King,  and  my  owne  indisposition, 
and  the  marradge  of  my  son  haue  hindered  my  answering 
yo"  sooner.  I  am  so  abundantly  satisfied  with  yo!  stedy 
adhering  to  the  true  interest  of  religion  &  of  yo'  countray 
that  haue  allways  made  you  very  valuable  to  mee.  I  had 
procured  you  to  be  Left.  Gouerner,  if  M"^  Dudley  had  not 
produced  leters  that  said  you  moued  in  the  Counsel  that 
now  thare  Gouerner  &  Lef.  Gouerner  was  dead  they  might 
take  upon  them  thar  old  charter,  and  sloped  itt.  Since, 
M""  D.  by  a  great  many  methods  had  attempted  to  make 
Byfeild  be  Lef.,  but  that  I  haue  stopped.  If  M''  D.  doe 
not  pleas  you,  you  may  thanke  yo\selves.  If  either  yo' 
Counsel  or  Representives  had  addressed  against  him  & 
sent  itt  to  mee,  hee  could  not  haue  gon.  Itt  was  esie  to 
see  what  was  intended  by  yo''  il  ussage  of  mee  and  yo' 
throwing  mee  of  when  I  had  deserued  every  thing  from 
you  by  standing  in  the  gap  almost  alone  &  keeping  many 
evills  from  you  &  being  indefaticable  in  yo"'  seruice  for  12 
years  together ;  but  let  that  pass.  I  pray  desire  j'o""  bro. 
Col.  John  Winthrop  and  yo'  self  take  car  the  bill  I  drew 
upon  my  cos.  Sergeant  be  not  sent  back;  itt  was  taken 
up  for  the  seruice  of  Connecticot  &  New  England.  I  doe 
not  mean  that  my  cosen  Sergeant  or  you  shuld  pay  one 
penny  of  itt ;  but  the  Corporation  being  in  no  want  of 
mony,  the  bill  may  stay  until  I  prouide  mony  for  itt. 
Yo'"  brother  hath  £100  to  pay  w°?  I  haue  ordered  him  to 
pay  my  cossan  Sergeant,  &  I  sopos  when  my  leters  come 
hee  will  order  more  to  bee  paid,  and  M'  Parteridg  told  mee 
hee  had  ordered  £100  to  be  paid  mee  by  the  directin  of 
the  Assembly  thare.     I  am  so  troubled  to  thinke  that  so 


110  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPEES.  [1702. 

good  a  people  shuld  bee  so  accesory  to  thare  owne  mine 
that  when  thar  ancestors  with  so  many  hazards  planted 
thare,  thar  successors  shuld  sel  thar  birthright  for  a  mess 
of  pottadge.  I  wish  itt  ware  in  my  power  to  express 
how  much  I  am 

Yo''  indeered  frind  to  serue  you,      Hex.  Ashhurst. 

Pray  giue  yo'  brother  or  send  him  as  soone  as  you  can 
this  inclossed. 

To  Major  General!  "Wait  Winthrope. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST. 

[Extract  from  a  rough  draft.] 

March  — ,  1702. 

Hon""^  S",  —  The  inclosed  is  coppy  of  my  last  by  Turin, 
who  sayled  the  latter  end  of  Decemb',  since  which  nothing 
of  moment  has  occur'd  amongst  us,  only  sora  few  began 
to  be  puft  up  in  expectation  their  freind  Mf  Dudlye  would 
speedily  be  here  with  coiiiission  for  the  Goverment,  and 
say  he  had  been  here  before  now  if  it  had  not  been  for 
yourselfe  &  som  that  wrote  from  hence  who  deserve  to 
be  hang'd  for  their  pains,  &  it  being  coinon  discours  that 
severall  are  beforehand  marked  out  for  displeasure,  at 
least,  if  not  to  be  Leiskrked,  as  they  call  it ;  but  of  late 
they  seem  to  be  more  silent.  What  advice  they  have  I 
know  not ;  but  if  men  of  such  tempers  have  their  will, 
here  is  like  to  be  no  living  for  honest  men  that  may  not  be 
just  of  their  depth  of  understanding.  You  hint  somthing 
of  dislike  about  petitioning  for  the  old  charter.  I  hear 
that  it  has  bin  reported  to  my  prejudice  that  I  with  others 
moved  in  Councill  that  we  might  petition  his  Maj'^  for 
the  old  charter,  &  upon  occation  it  has  been  made  use  of 
against  me  as  not  to  be  trusted ;  for  my  part,  I  never 
made  or  heard  of  such  a  motion,  &  if  M'  Byfield  wrote 
any  such   thing,  or  M'  Dudly  improv'd   it,   they  were 


1702.]  SAMUEL  WILLIS.  Ill 

certainly  more  my  freinds  then  thay  intended,  tho'  it 
were  by  a  wrong  method ;  for,  as  I  never  thought  my- 
selfe  so  much  more  sufficient  than  my  neibours  for  pub- 
lick  imployment,  so  I  never  sought  or  desired  any  (much 
less  have  used  any  sinister  ways  to  procure  one),  but  haue, 
with  all  the  integrity  I  could,  acquitted  myselfe  when  any 
has  been  cast  upon  me,  to  my  uery  great  expence,  &  he 
well  knows  I  never  had  anything  to  do  with  the  old  char- 
ter or  bare  the  least  office,  civill  or  military,  whilst  that 
Gov-  lasted,  or  had  voat  in  any  of  their  elections  ;  whilst 
himself  (after  he  had  left  preaching  at  Roxbury  to  becom 
a  deputy,  or  representative,  &  then  an  assistant)  was  one 
of  the  idolls  to  som  in  that  Gov"'  until  thay  began  to 
think  thay  were  not  all  one  man's  children,  &  then,  I 
think,  dismist  him*  .  .  . 


SAMUEL  WILLIS  TO  WAIT  WINTHROPf 

These  for  the  Honourable  Major  Wait  Winthrope,  Esq^.,  alt  New 
London,  present. 

Much  hon*."  S",  —  I  am  very  glad  to  heare  of  you  and 
you"  famalys  beinge  come  into  this  Colony,  and  you^ 
aboude  and  continuance  here  will  be  much  desired ;  and 
I  am  perswaded  that  as  affaires  are  now  circumstansed  at 
Boston  &  in  this  Colony,  you  may  be  in  a  capacity  &  instru- 
mentall  of  doeinge  much  more  good  and  service  to  God  & 
his  people  in  these  parts  then  in  the  place  from  whence 
you  came,  as  I  shall  fully  demonstrate  to  you  at  our  next 
meetinge.  The  charter  w"''  your  hon"'*  father  procured  for 
this  Colony,  w".''  is  in  its  self  an  excellent  instrument  of  gov- 
erm^  if  well  improued,  is  in  the  opinion  of  some  prudent 
men  now  much  managed  by  a  caball  of  three  men,  Capt. 
Fitch,  M'  Elliott,  and  Doctor  Hooker,  who  much  influence 

*  Joseph  DiuUej-was  educated  for  the  ministry;  but  he  soon  left  it  for  a  more  congenial 
field  of  labor.  —  Eds. 

t  See  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  p.  16  n.  —  Eds. 


112  THE  WINTHROP   PAPEES.  [1702. 

the  affaires  of  the  vper  &  lower  house  at  the  Gen"  Court, 
with  whose  quallitys  &  tempers  you  are  well  acquainted. 
And  M''  Fitch,  not  withstandinge  his  continuall  makinge 
his  market  of  the  lands  of  this  charter  granted  by  the 
Kinge  to  the  free  men  of  this  Colony,  yet  he  is  soe  expert 
in  the  act  of  flatery  that  he  makes  many  of  the  people 
beleive  that  he  is  the  cheife  patron  of  theire  charter  priv- 
elages  ;  thus  are  this  people  guld  &  deceiued  by  him.  And 
yet,  by  reason  of  the  Gov's  sundry  times  absence  in  the 
time  of  the  Gen"  Court  &  Assistants  Court,  by  reason  of 
his  indisposition  of  body,  and  the  Deputy  Gov''  beinge 
superanuated,  M''  Fitch  grows  the  dictator  of  both  those 
Courts,  w"''  increaseth  the  dissatisfactions  of  the  most  pru- 
dent sort  of  men  in  the  Colony.  But  I  suppose  your 
Quinabague  businesse  will  call  you  to  the  Gen"  Court  in 
May.  And  some  of  M"  Danes  good  f reinds  att  Hartford 
thinke  that  there  is  greate  need  of  M"'  Soltinstoll's  speedy 
cominge  to  Hartford  to  looke  after  her  rights  in  M"'  Rich- 
ard's lands  in  this  place  &  in  England.  And  there  is  greate 
need  of  you  and  him  both  to  be  at  the  Generall  Court  to 
continue  some  way  to  aleviate  some  growinge  difficultys, 
especially  if  the  Gov'  and  M'  Woodbridge  should  be  ab- 
sent, lest  the  number  of  Palmits  &  Holomits*  should 
increase ;  for  vnlesse  there  may  be  some  men  of  otlier 
spirits  then  the  aboue  mentioned  that  may  be  impowered 
in  some  equitable  way  to  releiue  present  oppressions  w"."* 
sundry  lye  vnder,  and  provision  of  that  nature  for  redresse 
for  the  future,  it  is  thought  there  will  be  applycation  to 
the  Kinge  to  errect  a  Court  of  Appeales  in  these  parts,  to 
redresse  the  grievances  in  this  and  Rode  Island  govermts, 
by  reason  of  the  greate  distance  from  England,  w""*  is  an 
argumt  that  will  easyly  induce  the  Kinge  and  Councill  to 
that  w"?"  they  soe  redyly  inclyne  vnto,  w"".*"  would  much 
weaken  the  charter  goverra'.     But  I  know  the   greate 

*  Snpiiorters  of  Eilward  Palmes  and  the  brothers  Hallam.     See  the  Correspondence  of 
Fitz-Johu  Winthrop,  0  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  63-06.  —Eds. 


1702.]  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST.  113 

respect  w°?  you  beare  to  the  people  in  this  Colony  will 
induce  you  to  improue  your  intrest  to  promote  theire 
prosperity,  in  w"'^  I  shall  always  rejoyce.  I  hope  shortly 
to  see  you  at  Hartford. 

Sy,  I  am  you'  cordiall  freind  &  servant, 

Samuell  Willis. 

Hartford,  Aprill  22,  1702. 

My  kinde  respects  to  the  Gov^  I  am  glad  to  heare 
that  he  is  in  a  recoveringe  way.  My  respects  also  to 
M"  Soltinstoll.  To  both  you  may  please  to  impart  what 
you  thinke  fitt  in  this  letter.  S'',  if  you  inclyne  to  dwell 
att  Hartford,  where  you  will  bee  very  hartyly  welcome, 
here  is  one  of  the  best  houses  in  the  towne,  where  old 
M"  Gilbert  dwelt,  to  be  let  or  bought  att  a  very  reason- 
able rate.  Eemember  my  love  also  to  M"'  Witherell  & 
your  sonn. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 
For  the  Hon.  Waite  Winthrop,  Esq',  att  Boston. 

Dear  S",  —  I  cannot  tell  how  to  write  to  New  England 
and  not  to  addresse  to  you.  I  am  sure  I  need  not  to  ex- 
hort you  to  keepe  y'  integrity  that  have  allwaies  done  it. 
If  there  be  any  oppertunity  of  showing  y'  respect  to  me, 
I  doe  not  doubt  of  y'  friendship.  I  pray  send  these  in- 
closed to  y'  brother;  and  use  y'  interest  to  procure  y° 
payment  of  y"  mony,  or  else  let  me  not  have  y'  name  of 
Agent,  without  knowing  upon  what  termes  I  am  so.  I 
pray,  S^  get  me  a  speedy  answer  to  all  y"  inclosed  letters. 
I  kept  them  from  an  attack  that  would  have  cost  them 
money  to  defend,  unless  they  intend  to  give  up  ;  I  pray 
persuade  them  to  be  speedy  in  their  resolutions. 

I  am  y'  most  faithful!  frd  &  humble  servant, 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 

LoND.,  th  26  June,  702. 

16 


114  THE  WINTHEOP  PAPEES.  [1702. 


SAilUEL  READE   TO  WAIT   WINTHROP. 

To  the  Honorable  Wait  Winthrop.  Esq.,  in  Boston,  in  New  England, 
?  f  Portsmoiith  Galley,   Q.  D.  G. 

London,  24"'  Sep„  1702. 

Cousin  Wait  'Wi:n^throp  :  S",  —  I  have  received  two 
letters  from  y",  both  dated  y'  3"  Aiig^  w'"  first  &  third  bill 
for  two  hundred  pounds  drawne  by  M'  W""  Wallis  on 
Mess"  Nathaniell  &  John  Gould,  w*  are  accepted.  I  re- 
turn thanks  for  y'  care  herein.  I  do  approve  of  return- 
ing y"  remainder  by  M'  Wallis.  If  y'  should  fail,  may  do 
it  any  other  way  shall  see  meet ;  as  allso  y"  other  fifty 
pounds  y"  shall  receive  from  Cousin  Epps.  Do  much 
desire  to  hear  from  him.  Am  glad  to  hear  of  yours  & 
Cousin's,  your  brother's,  recovery.  My  service  to  rela- 
tions. Shall  write  again  suddenly ;  this  being  to  advise 
y"  receipt  of  yours.     I  rest. 

Y"  10  Apll,  1703. 

S",  —  The  foregoing  coppy  of  last.  Since,  have  reed 
yours  of  y"  20  Aug',  w**"  an  inclosed  receipte  for  sixty 
ps.  1 :  4?  on  M'  W"  Wallis,  who  hath  beene  arrived  a  con- 
siderable time,  but  detained  in  west  country,  soe  have  not 
yet  reed  y"  mony,  but  exspect  it  in  a  few  dayes;  shall  waite 
to  hear  of  recovery  of  remaining  fifety  poundes  from  Couss" 
Epps.  Have  not  heard  from  him  a  long  time  ;  desire  j^ou 
will  presse  him  to  give  answer  to  y"  severall  letters  sent 
him.  I  am  desired  by  M"  Eliz""  Barker,  daughter  to  M' 
Hugh  Peters,  to  write  you  in  her  favour,  in  reference  to 
a  concerne  to  bee  transacted  there  in  recoverie  of  her 
father's  lands  &  estate.  It  hath  beene  so  long  delaied 
already,  &  if  not  speedily  donne  will  be  shorte  of  y'  time 
of  your  country  limitations.  Have  taken  much  paines  in 
examining  her  papers  &  letters  from  thence,  w'^''  directed 
her  to  send  over  letter  of  atturny ;  was  w""  her  before  y* 
Lord  Major  of  thise  citty,  where  oathe  was  made  of  her 
being  y*  reputed  daughter  of  M'  Peters.     Some  New  Eng** 


1702.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  115 

men  were  alsoe  present  to  attest  &  witnesse  it  w""  y^  letter 
of  atturny.  I  doe  not  remember  all  y°  persons'  names  to 
whome  letter  atturny  was  made ;  but  M''  Sewell  was  one, 
who  can  informe  you  more  perticularly  about  it.  She  is 
a  widow,  &  in  low  circumstances.  If  you  can  bee  servisi- 
ble  to  her,  it  will  bee  a  greate  kindnesse  &  respect  to 
memory  of  her  father  soe  well  knowne  in  New  Eng'*. 
There  is  alsoe  another  concerne  that  must  desire  of  you  ; 
'tis  a  case  of  a  widow,  Mrs.  Haynes.     Her  husband 

was  Major  Hezekia  Haynes,  formerly  was  in  your  countrey, 
a  very  worthy  person.  There  are  two  bonds  due  from 
M''  Samuel  Willis,  who  is  willing  to  pay  y*  mony  (either 
him  selfe  or  executors,  for  I  know  not  whether  hee  bee 
living).  'Tis  desired  that  the  bonds  may  bee  lodged  in 
some  hand  heere  that  they  are  satisfied  w"'.  She  hath 
left  them  w""  mee,  w"''  shall  bee  forth  comeing  when  there 
is  occation  to  deliver  them  to  their  order  &  appointment. 
Y"  bonds  are  as  followeth,  signed  by  Samuel  Willis,  of 
Hartford,  in  New  Eng**, 

Bond  for  fifty  pound,  dated  y*  first  May,  1669. 

Bond  for  twenty-seaven  poundes,  y"  20  Oct',  1669, 

Your  favour  is  desired  to  signifie  to  them  that  they  are 
in  my  handes.  I  suppose  there  is  a  letter  of  atturny  & 
advises  sent  over  about  it.  Shall  not  further  trouble 
you  at  present,  but  give  tender  of  servise  to  relations ; 
rest,  S% 

Y'  affection'  kinsman  &  serv',  Sam.  Eeade. 

Shall  write  againe  Y  next  oppertunity  shipping. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon'''.'  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov'  of  the  Cottony  of  Conedicott, 
in  New  London,  these.     Free. 

Boston,  Sepf"  28'\  1702. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  got  home  on  Saturday  night  late, 
and  am  a  little  indisposed  after  my  jorny.     I  find  all  our 


116  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1702. 

freinds  in  health  (God  be  thanked),  but  it  is  said  to  be  a 
sickly  time  here  with  the  sinale  pox  and  fever.  Here  are 
seven  ships  lately  from  England,  but  bring  little  news ; 
the  last  which  was  Turin  came  yesterday,  says  he  came 
out  with  a  fleet  of  fiue  hundred  sayle  of  men  of  warr 
and  transport  ships,  hauing  on  bord  15  or  20,000  hors 
and  foote,  and  abundance  of  hors  furniture  besides,  with 
severall  Spanish  Donns  supposed  to  be  bound  for  Lisbon. 
The  Emperer's  army  in  Italy  has  done  but  little  since  last 
year,  only  beseiged  Mantua  ;  the  confederates  in  Flanders 
haue  taken  a  place  there,  whose  name  I  haue  forgot ;  the 
King  of  Sweeden  makes  a  grate  stirr  in  Poland,  and  would 
haue  them  depose  their  King  ;  this  is  what  Coll.  Foster 
told  me  last  night,  and  is  all  I  can  now  write,  being 
grately  troubled  with  my  old  pain  in  my  temple  and  side 
of  my  head.  John  told  me  you  were  enquiring  about 
goats,  and  haue  ordered  the  folkes  at  the  Island  to  send  a 
score  by  the  first  vessell  that  puts  in  there  and  will  take 
them  on  bord,  no  opertunity  offering  whilst  I  was  there. 
I  haue  not  else,  but  loue  and  servis  to  every  body. 
I  am  your  affectionate  brother, 

W.    WiNTHROP. 

I  haue  no  letters  from  England  yet,  but  suppose  M' 
Sergeant  may  haue  som  for  me.  I  cannot  get  in  that 
100*  which  I  put  out. 


WAIT  WINTHROP   TO   FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Nov'"  IS*  1702. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  at  last  got  M'  Horton's 
papers,  and  haue  given  him  my  bond  for  the  mony  to  be 
paid  in  May  or  before,  which  I  told  him  he  might  expect 
if  mony  com  in  to  incourage  him,  but  whence  it  will  com 
I  know  not  yet.  I  did  not  know  Horton  was  to  remove, 
but  if  I  had  I  could  doe  no  more  then  I  did.     I  haue  bin 


1702-3.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  117 

ill,  and  liaue  not  bin  yet  abroad,  and  am  so  still.  John  is 
not  yet  well,  and  Anna  has  bin  very  ill  again  ever  since 
Sabothday  last ;  and  sister  Richards  not  well,  nor  scarce 
any  body  els.  My  poor  vncle  *  has  lost  all  his  children  : 
Cousin  Jose  and  his  other  daughter,  Hoffe,  dyed  of  the 
small  pox  since  my  last  to  you.  I  am  gratly  troubled  I 
haue  not  bin  able  to  goe  to  him ;  pore  Jose  sent  for  me 
and  Cosin  Adam,  but  neither  of  us  could  goe.  M''  Adams 
is  ill  of  it  there  also.  Enclosed  is  the  mortgage  and 
Uncas  his  worn  out  deed,  w**  must  be  starched  on  a  paper, 
and  six  papers  more.  I  am  sorry  the  delay  should  be  any 
dainage ;  I  saw  the  deputy  the  beging  of  the  court,  but 
know  not  whether  he  has  bin  there  lately  ;  he  is  removed, 
I  think,  to  Cape  Ann.  I  think  we  are  resolved  to  stick  to 
Wood  word's  old  line  ;  I  hope  Will  Latham  will  performe 
and  out  doe  S?  Antonia.  Two  of  the  Councill  were  to  visit 
me  but  now  and  say  thay  heard  nothing  yet  about  the 
Albany  releife,  but  that  a  letter  was  gon  to  y^  GovT  which 
came  by  the  post,  and  thay  suppose  thay  may  hear  to- 
morrow more  of  it.  I  beleive  thay  will  make  many  ex- 
cuses here,  and  if  you  are  not  in  hast  you  will  haue  ace' 
about  it.  Wentworth  is  here  from  England,  but  I  haue 
had  little  news,  and  not  letter  yet.     My  respects  to  all. 

Yours,  W.    WiNTHEOP. 

If  Sudance  can  bundle  up  John's  freise  jacket  and  Min- 
goe's  cloth  jacket  in  an  old  towell,  pray  let  the  post  bring 
them  ;  there  is  all  could  be  got  for  the  mony. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Jan'y  12'.'>,  1702  [-3]. 

Dear  Brother,  —  Here  is  not  a  word  of  news  but 
what  coms  from  York,  which  I  suppose  you  may  haue, 

*  Deane  Winthrop.  His  son  Jose"'  died  Nov.  15, 1702.  His  daughter  Mercy,  who  died 
the  following  day,  was  the  wife  nf  the  second  Athertoa  Hough.  "M'  Adams  "  was  Eliab 
Adams,  the  husband  of  another  daughter.  —  Eds. 


118  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1703. 

about  the  arrivall  of  a  vessell  from  Bristoll  last  week  or  be- 
fore, which  contradicts  what  we  heard  about  the  taking  of 
Itoni]  and  that  only  S'  Marye's  is  burnt,  &c.  His  Worship 
is  still  at  Piscataque.  Ab[out]  ten  aclock  last  Lord's  day 
night  a  fire  broke  out  behind  the  manifesto  meeti[nge]- 
house  in  Cable's  stable  and  cow  house,  w[here]  was  neer 
sixty  loades  of  hay,  which  gra[tely]  endangered  all  that 
part  of  the  town  by  t[he]  Dock ;  but  Prouidence  ordered 
it  so  that  [no]  wind  was  stiring,  so  it  burnt  only  the  stables 
and  little  house  adjoyning  wherein  Tuckerman  lived.  We 
are  sorry  for  Cousin  Hanah's  illness,  but  hope  by  this  time 
she  may  be  got  over  it ;  all  freinds  here  are  prety  well 
(God  be  thanked  !).  The  smale  pox  I  think  is  almost  gou 
through  tlie  town,  and  I  hope  will  quite  sease  by  spring. 
Young  Turfery*  that  used  to  write  for  M'  Addington 
was  buried  of  it  [on]  Satturday  last,  the  most  ingenuouse 
penman  in  this  country.  It  may  be  a  cuping  glass  or 
a  plaister  of  black  salve  might  help  Cousin  Hanah.  I 
shall  enquire  against  next  post  about  the  prise  of  pork 
and  beife  for  Will.  Latham;  I  know  not  but  it  will  be  in 
good  demand.     So  with  recoinendations  to  all,  I  am 

Yours,  W.  WiNTHROP. 

My  sister  and  every  body  would  be  glad  to  see  you. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

LoND.,  th  25  July,  703. 

Mt  dear  &  TRUE  Frend,  —  I  had  y"  of  the  20  of 
May,  w"''  was  uery  welcome  to  mee.  You  I  haue  found 
in  an  age  of  apostacy  a  true  Nathaniell  without  guile. 

•  Edward  Turfrey.  Judge  Sewall,  in  his  Diary,  writes  :  "  He  was  a  person  of  great 
abilities.  His  death  is  a  great  loss  to  the  town  and  Prorince  ;  but  more  especiall.v  to  Mr. 
Addington,  to  whom  Mr.  Turfrey  was  extraordinarily  serviceable,  having  liv'd  with  him 
above  ten  years.  If  real  worth  and  serviceableness  and  youth  wont  give  a  discharge 
in  this  warfare,  what  shall  ?  He  U  universally  lamented."  See  5  Mass.  Hist.  ColL 
vol.  iii.  p.  71.  —  Eds. 


1703-4.]  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST.  119 

Alas !  S',  I  heer  nothing  of  New  England  but  from  you ; 
and  when  you  haue  a  safe  convayence,  bee  full  and  par- 
ticular, w*  will  much  oblige  mee.  I  am  wel  satisfide  that 
Hallum's  pretences  are  al  ouer  knauish ;  yet  they  cannot 
be  opposed  without  yo'  bro.  or  some  other  persons  ap- 
pear. Affidauids  will  not  doe,  &  he  is  supported  I  cannot 
tel  for  what  resson.  I  beleiue  y"  Charter  will  by  Act  of 
Parlemt  be  atempted  next  sessions;  I  mean  Connecti- 
cott,  for  the  car  of  New  England  is  in  other  hands.  Ther- 
for  I  pray  hasten  some  persons  to  bee  joint  agents  with 
mee.  Itt  is  absolutly  necessary  some  persons  shuld 
bee  heer  against  the  sitting  of  the  Parlment.  I  thinke 
some  mens  subscribing  is  extreordinary  after  what  they 
haue  writen  to  me  and  others.  You  need  not  wonder 
who  forged  that  lie ;  you  may  find  him  out  by  consider- 
ing whose  interest  itt  was  to  tel  itt.  As  to  thar  laying 
mee  aside,  I  would  not  haue  them  doe  itt  by  sending 
others  heither.  Dear  S'',  wheneuer  it  is  in  my  power 
you  shall  know  how  much  I  esteeme  you,  being  in  great 
sincerity 

Yo'  true  frind  &  se",  Hen.  Ashhurst. 


[There  are  two  copies  of  the  foregoing  letter  in  the  Winthrop  Papers. 
At  the  foot  of  the  second  copy,  which  has  a  few  verbal  variations  from  the 
one  here  printed,  is  the  following  addition.] 

Jan.  10,  1703/4. 
Dear  S'',  —  The  aboue  was  sent  you  by  honest  Major 
Vaughan,  who  was  taken  by  y*  French,  his  letters  all 
seazed,  and  hee  returned  back ;  and  Vsher,  y'  went  in  an 
other  ship,  had  a  prosperous  voage.  Thus  none  heard 
good  or  euill  by  any  thing  before  him.  Your  brol'  Win- 
throp is  much  to  blame  nott  to  answer  my  letters ;  hee 
sent  mee  Examinacions  by  Hallam,  butt  noe  ansuer  to 
any  thing  I  said.  Your  assuring  mee  y'  Hallam's  preten- 
cions  were  vnjust  ingaged  mee  to  use  my  vtmost  interest 


120  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1703. 

to  serue  your  brof.  I  haue  sent  all  my  letters  to  him  to 
you,  y'  you  may  read  them,  and  w°  you  haue  done  to  send 
them  by  some  safe  hand,  and  take  care  y'  I  haue  a  per- 
ticular  and  speedy  ansuer,  if  they  haue  any  regard  to 
the  welfare  of  there  country ;  butt  I  am  discouraged  att 
yf  brother  not  ansuering  mine,  but  only  2  or  3  lines  w"* 
his  papers.  I  haue  nott  a  line  from  any  of  y'  aflaires  of 
New  England.  I  should  bee  glad  to  hear  from  you  att 
large  by  some  safe  hand.  My  dear  loue  to  you.  I  am 
y  true  freind  and  faithfuU  seru', 

Hen^.  Ashhurst. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST. 

[Extract  from  a  rough  draft.] 

Sept.  13,  1703. 

.  .  .  We  flattered  ourselves  with  y"  notion  of  a  pro- 
found peace  with  the  Eastern  Indians,  &  haue  caressed 
them  at  a  Strang  rate,  notwithstanding  their  being  gov- 
erned by  the  French  preists,  who  they  always  kept 
amongst  them  in  despite  of  us,  after  all  our  endevours  to 
have  them  dismist,  &  at  length  have,  with  the  assistance 
of  20  or  30  French  (amongst  which  were  those  preists), 
fallen  upon  many  poor,  scattering  familys,  &  barbarously 
murthered  &  destroyed  men,  women,  &  children,  to  the 
number  of  about  75  persons,  and  carried  away  about  90 
captives,  many  of  which,  no  doubt,  they  will  roast  &  de- 
stroy with  unheard-of  cruelty,  as  their  manner  is.*  How 
those  poor  people  cam  to  be  lul'd  into  such  a  security,  I 
know  not.  They  had  all  the  reason  in  the  world  never 
to  trust  an  Indian  more,  if  they  had  remembred  the  last 
warr.  For  my  part,  after  we  heard  of  warr  with  France, 
I  expected  whenever  the  French  coiiianded  them  to  come 
upon  us  they  would  certainly  do  it,  notwithstanding  their 

•  Several  bands  of  Indians,  some  of  them  headed  by  French  officers,  fell  on  the  Eastern 
settlements  in  August,  1703,  and  massacred  or  carried  away  captive  a  considerable  number 
of  their  inhabitants.     See  Palfrey's  History  of  New  England,  vol.  iv.  pp.  259, 2G0.  —  Ens. 


1703.]  WAIT    WINTHKOP.  121 

pretences  of.  peace.  The  perfidious  temper  of  all  Indians, 
as  well  among  themselves  as  to  the  Europeans,  no  longer 
keeps  their  words  or  promise  than  thay  have  opportunity 
to  brake  them  with  advantage  (it  being  a  maxim  in  their 
politicks  as  well  as  among  the  French).  I  concluded  the 
French,  &  espetially  the  preists  who  live  amongst  them, 
would  not  faile  to  exhort  them  to  destroy  heriticks,  & 
piously  assist  them  in  it ;  besides,  the  French,  by  mary- 
ing  or  mixing  with  them,  which  they  frequently  do,  have 
a  tye  upon  them  beyond  anything  we  can  pretend  to, 
and  which  they  value  beyond  anything  else,  and  which 
thay  know  an  Englishman  hates  the  thoughts  of.  And 
that  which  makes  them  the  more  fond  of  the  preists  is 
their  being  supplied  with  crusifixes  and  beads  and  many 
fine  trinkets  &  baubles ;  and  thay  are  after  a  sort  prosi- 
lized  to  a  crossing  themselves,  with  other  fopperys,  which, 
with  other  things  too  numerous  to  write,  gave  me  reason 
to  expect  mischief  from  them,  whatever  others'  sentiments 
were  .  .  . 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTIIROP. 

For  the  Hon''\'  John  Winthrop,  Esq'',  Gov''  of  Oonecticott,  New-London, 

Boston,  Octt'  12'>,  1703. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  am  sorry  for  your  indisposition, 
but  hope  it's  over  before  now ;  if  it  should  continue,  you 
could  take  nothing  better  then  two  grains  of  rubila  in  a 
pill  don  up  with  bread,  and  the  next  day  at  night  fower 
grains  of  black  powder.  I  haue  bin  very  ill  since  my  last, 
and  tooke  rubila,  and  hope  I  may  be  able  to  travell  next 
week,  but  my  coffe  still  holds  me,  tho'  not  so  bad.  I  got 
abroad  this  afternoon  to  enquire  news,  but  can  know  little 
till  tomorrow  ;  two  vessells  came  in  just  before  night  from 
England,  and  parted  with  the  mast  ships  and  severall 
others  a  few  days  since.  I  hear  the  Gov'  is  com  home 
this  night,  and  tis  said  the  Indians  haue  kil'd  one  Hony- 


122  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1703-4. 

well,  and  about  18  men  more  at  Black  Point  last  Saboth 
day.*  I  heard  it  but  now,  and  possibly  it  may  not  be  so 
many,  but  I  doubt  the  substance  is  true.  That  about 
shiping  off  Netops  t  is  utterly  falce,  for  we  can  get  none 
but  a  Conecticot  Indian  or  two,  and  it  was  said  thay 
should  be  sent  home  by  water  before  the  Gov'  went  east- 
ward, but  what  order  was  left  about  them  I  know  not.  If 
those  you  mention  be  of  Naraquabin,  it  may  be  best  thay 
be  not  let  loose,  for  our  safty  and  their  own  too.  My 
love  and  servis  to  every  body. 

Yours,  W.   WlNTHROP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   SAMUEL  READE.J 

[Extract.] 

Boston,  Feb'y  29'S  UOj^. 

...  As  to  what  you  write  about  M"  Barker,  I  am  sorry 
I  cannot  doe  the  servis  you  desire  for  reasons  too  long 
now  to  be  written.  I  have  an  ace'  by  me  of  five  or  six 
hundred  pounds  written  by  my  father's  own  hand,  lent  to 
flr  Peters  §  on  severall  occations  in  y"  begining  of  these 

*  See  3  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi.  p.  250.  The  commander's  name  was  Hunnewell.  — 
Eds. 

t  Friendly  Indians.  —  Eds. 

J  For  tlie  letter  to  which  this  is  an  answer,  see  ante,  p.  114.  —  Eds. 

§  Hugh  Peters  married  the  widow  Keade,  mother  of  Mrs.  John  Winthrop,  Jr.  In  con- 
nection with  this  allusion  to  the  sums  of  money  ad\-anced  by  Winthrop  to  his  wife's 
step-father  soon  after  their  emigration  to  New  England,  the  following  memorandum  in 
Winthrop's  hand  may  be  of  interest  :  — 

"  Lent  M'  Hugh  Peters  when  the  ship  called  the  Pide  Cow  went  to  sea  to  goe  to  Ireland 
for  provitions  :  — 

For  M'  Endecot  for  him,  for  the  house  in  part  wcli  he  bought  of  him  at  Salem  1  .^^^ 

for  S' Arthur  Haselrick  )"     ' 

More  to  himselfe Sib. 

More  to  Capt.  Underbill  for  M'  Peters 20"'. 

Item  to  M'  Endecott 20lt's. 

It :  to  M'  Peirse 50»>». 

ToM'Tho.  Read 25. 

In  Adventure  in  the  Pide  Cow 150. 

In  Adventure  to  Bermudah 50. 

To  H'  Humphries  in  potatoes  and  a  coat  for  some  Indian 10. 

It:  when  we  lived  at  Salem,  about  the  glasshouse,  and  when  he  built  the  ship,  j      r(o,.„-]  >i 
«nd  other  occasions  he  had  for  mony  .  j  •    l       J- 


1703-4.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP,  123 

plantations,  besides  more  then  as  much  more  w"*"  he  had 
of  mony  belonging  to  my  mother,  for  w"''  he  ordered  & 
desired  his  estate  here  should  make  som  sattisfaction  ;  and 
accordingly  I  have  severall  writings  under  his  hand  to  my 
father,  and  his  orders  to  IVr  Got,  his  agent  here,  to  deliver 
all  his  estate  here  to  my  father,  but  M''  Got  (as  is  said)  had 
made  away  and  sold  most  of  it  before  it  was  lookt  after, 
so  that  my  father,  nor  any  of  his,  has  ever  had  any  of  it, 
except  a  peice  of  wilderness  out-land  not  worth  five 
pounds  in  the  time  of  it,  w"*"  M'  Corwin,  who  married  one 
of  my  sisters,  had  &  since  his  death  is  sold  by  my  sister 
for  a  small  matter,  I  cannot  tell  the  just  sum  ;  but  y^ 
other  lands  are  now  considerable,  and  would  have  bin  som 
recompence  if  we  had  received  them ;  but  my  father  nor 
we  were  not  willing  to  trouble  ourselves  in  the  law  to  get 
them,  and  those  that  had  possession  would  not  part  w**" 
them,  and  all  things  considered  we  saw  cause  to  let  that 
whole  matter  alone.  However,  I  thinck  they  that  enjoy 
som  of  those  lands  have  little  right  to  them,  and  I  would 
rather  M"  Barker  had  them ;  but  my  sister  is  a  poor  wid- 
dow  w""  many  children,  and  if  she  be  troubled  I  must  in- 
deavour  to  defend  her ;  but  if  they  let  her  alone,  I  may  be 
helpfiiU  in  som  other  matters.  As  to  y"  other  matter  of 
M"  Haynes,  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  serve  her  or  any  of 
Maj'  Haynes  his  family,  having  perfect  remembrance  of  old 
Gov'  Haynes  and  his  sons  here,  and  himselfe  when  I  was 
in  England  long  since.  M'  WilHs  is  yet  living,  and  no 
doubt  will  be  sattisfied  to  know  his  bonds  are  in  yo' 
hands.  I  intend  a  journey  to  Connecticott  this  spring, 
when  I  hope  to  speak  w""  him,  but  have  heard  nothing 
of  the  letter  of  atturney  you  mention. 

I  am  yo'  affec'  kinsman. 


124  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [170^-4. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ^OHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  March  iV-,  1703-4. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  yours  with  the  seeds  inclosed, 
but  nothing  farther  about  a  miller.  Since  my  last,  sister 
Richards  was  taken  very  bad  with  a  fever  and  the  yellow 
jandase,  so  that  we  almost  dispaired  of  her  life,  but  (I 
thank  God)  she  now  seems  to  be  a  little  better,  and  the 
distemper,  we  hope,  is  broke,  and  the  fever  mittigated  ; 
but  yet  she  is  very  weak  and  low,  and  has  not  bin  out  of 
her  bed  this  thre  days,  the  wether  being  very  cold.  I 
think  I  haue  never  seen  her  weaker  then  she  has  bin  this 
illness ;  if  it  please  God  she  be  a  little  better,  and  the 
wether  permit,  I  hope  to  get  away  to  Tarpolin  so  as  to  be 
back  to  Plimoth  Superior  Court  the  latter  end  of  this 
month.  I  but  now  hear  of  som  assault  upon  Dearfeild, 
and  that  the  Gov'  has  a  letter  from  Co*  Patrick,  but 
know  not  the  contents.  Our  men  haue  bin  at  the  Indians 
Fort  at  Pigwakit,  eastward,  but  found  no  Indians,  but  a 
large  fort  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  good  bark  wig- 
wams, w'^  thay  left  all  standing,  being  so  ordered  not  to 
destroy  the  fort,  &c.  If  your  Indians  could  get  into  it, 
and  could  be  supplyed,  somthing  might  be  don.  Som  of 
the  same  men  are  gon  out  again  to  an  other  place.  The 
man  of  warr  with  about  14  sayle  lye  at  Nantasket  for  a 
wind,  or  for  too  much  wind  rather.  S'  H.  will  wonder  he 
hears  nothing  from  you  by  this  fleet.  I  thought  it  would 
be  less  hazard  to  put  corn  on  bord  there,  then  venture  it 
about  hither,  and  somthing  less  charg,  besides  the  cer- 
tainty of  a  market.  It  caia  not  be  supposed  to  yeild  two 
shillings  here.  Cap'"  Belcher  told  me  he  had  wrote  to 
M'  Chambers  to  speak  with  you  about  it ;  but  if  there  be 
trouble  in  it  and  it  can  not  be  don  in  time,  it  must  be  as  it 
will.  Cap*°  Belcher  will  pay  down  his  mony  for  it  if  he 
has  it ;  if  you  should  haue  any  from  Norwich  or  those 


1703-4.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  l25 

towns,  it  would  saue  frait.  It  were  better  to  reraoue  the 
house  at  the  farm  then  add  to  it  there,  but  it  may  serue 
them  well  enugh  where  it  stands.  Fine  load  of  grass  is 
too  little  if  you  could  get  more  ;  there  is  no  orchard.  I 
suppose  he  pays  interest  for  the  stock,  as  you  wrote  for- 
merly. If  William  Latham  dose  not  pay  mony,  but  sends 
pork  or  any  thing  hither  for  a  market,  let  him  do  it  by  the 
first,  before  it  stinks  as  the  last  did.  What  is  aboue  about 
Dearfeild  was  wrote  on  Saturday,  but  now  it  is  Monday, 
March  6*.  We  hear  that  fifty  seven  persons  are  killed, 
and  about  ninty  caried  away,  and  thirty  of  the  enemy- 
killed  ;  this  is  sayd,  but  I  suppose  the  Gov!  will  be  in  town 
today  and  we  shall  haue  the  certainty,  which  it  may  be 
you  may  haue  already  from  thence.  Tis  said  ours  are  in 
persuit  of  them.  M'  Williams,  the  minister,  and  his  fam- 
ily, are  caryed  away.*  The  fleet  sayled  yesterday  from 
Nantasket.  Sister  Richards  got  up  yesterday,  and,  I  hope, 
is  a  little  better  to-day,  but  very  faint.  Love  and  respects 
to  every  body. 

Yours,  Wait  Winthrop. 

You  sent  no  pumpions  seeds,  nor  watermillions. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO    FITZ-JOHN   WINTHROP. 

Boston,  March  20"?,  1703-4. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  hope  this  will  find  you  returned 
home  from  Hartford,  where  I  suppose  you  will  make  no 
long  stay.  I  haue  read  all  the  perticulars  in  yours,  and 
perceive  Ant.  has  bin  too  hard,  but  so  much  for  that. 
Since  mj'^last,  sister  Richards  has  continued  extream  weak; 
and  tho'  the  jandise  seem  to  be  gon,  yet  a  slow  fever  con- 
tinues, and  she  takes  not  suffitient  to  sustain  her  life.  I 
pray  God  prepare  her  and  us  for  his  good  pleasure.     My 

»  For  a  fuller  account  nf  the  attack  on  Dcerfield,  see  letter  of  William  Whiting  to  Fitz- 
John  Winthroii,  in  6  Mass. Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  176,  177.  —Eds. 


126  THE  WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1704. 

poore  Uncle  Wintlirop  was  well  as  usuall  on  Tuesday  last, 
and  was  taken  with  a  fainting  fit  at  night,  and  tho  he 
came  to  himselfe  again,  yet  he  went  away  in  a  few  howers 
without  much  pain  or  sickness,*  and  we  are  now  going  to 
his  funerall,  where  his  children  were  buried  the  last  year. 
He  was  eighty  one  years  old,  I  think,  that  day  he  dyed. 
If  my  sister  be  any  thing  better,  I  must  goe  to  Pliraoth 
som  time  this  week,  and  from  thence  I  think  to  goe  to 
the  island  for  a  day  or  two.  My  loue  and  servis  to  every 
body.     I  am  yours, 

Wait  Winthrop. 

The  trunk  will  take  no  hurt  till  the  key  corns  to  it. 


ISAAC  ADDINGTON  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  HonoraUe  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq:,  at  New-London. 

Boston,  May  8*  1704. 

S",  —  This  accompanys  the  inclosed  directed  to  the 
Hono'"'*  Governo''  Winthrop,  which  comes  open  for  your 
perusal ;  after  which  you'le  please  to  seale  and  deliver  it.t 

Your  selfe  being  now  in  those  parts,  his  Excellency  and 
Council  thought  fit,  considering  the  part  you  bear  in  this 
Governm'  and  the  influence  which  you  may  probably  have 
upon  the  gentlemen  of  Connecticut,  to  let  you  under- 
stand the  import  of  the  inclosed  letter  and  the  just  argu- 
ments wherewith  it  is  enforced,  that  so  you  may  improve 
your  interest  there  to  bring  the  matter  complained  of  to 
a  just  accommodation,  by  an  immediate  release  of  the 
prisoners,  and  puting  a  stop  to  all  future  such  illegal  and 
extrajudicial  captions  and  restraints,  which  will  not  onely 
be  a  releife  to  the  present  sufferers,  but  may  also  prevent 

*  Uenne  Winthrop,  sixth  and  last  survivinjj  son  of  Gov.  John  Winthrop,  died  March 
16,  1704.  For  an  account  of  his  funeral,  see  Sewall'a  diarj-,  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi. 
p.  9G.  —  Eds. 

t  The  letter  here  referred  to  is  from  .Joseph  Dudley  to  Fitz-John  Winthrop,  and  is 
printed  in  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  198,  199.  —  Eds. 


1704.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  127 

the  inconveniences  which  may  otherwise  probably  come 

upon  that  Government  by  an  obstinate  persisting  in  their 

unjustifiable  method  of  proceeding.     I  am,  with  regard, 

S',  your  very  humble  serv'. 

Is*  Addington. 
Please  to  let  the  inclosed  directed  to  the  prisoners  be 
safely  conveyed  to  them. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  ISAAC  ADDINGTON.* 

New-London,  May  31??,  1704. 

S^.,  —  I  rec"*  yours  som  time  since  at  Hartford,  and  de- 
livered that  inclosed  from  his  Ex"?''  to  the  Govf  as  di- 
rected, which  I  understand  was  coinunicated  the  Gen'.' 
Assembly ;  but  the  other  I  kept,  not  finding  the  persons 
where  it  was  directed,  but  was  told  thay  would  be  at  the 
Court  of  Assistants  which  was  adjorned  for  about  a  fort- 
night (where  I  also  had  business).  Coll.  Patrick  and  M' 
Hawly  hauing  engaged  for  their  appearance ;  but  when 
y*  Court  came  nobody  answared,  and  I  was  informed  thay 
were  gon  to  Boston,  so  thought  it  best  to  send  back  the 
inclosed.  If  thay  had  bin  there,  I  beleive  I  might  haue 
bin  instrumentall  to  have  composed  that  matter,  but  no 
body  appearing  made  me  uncapable  of  that  servis.  I  was 
not  prepared  to  say  any  thing  as  to  the  matter  between 
Govern"  farther  then  to  reenforce  the  arguments  in  his 
Ex"°^'  letter,  which  I  did  as  well  as  I  could.  I  had  re- 
turned an  answer  sooner,  but  could  not  till  after  Court. 
Thay  seem  to  reflect  on  Co*  Patrick  and  M"'  Hawly 
for  not  taking  notice  of  them  after  thay  had  dismist 
the  two  men  upon  their  reputation,  which  I  also  in- 
devored  to  excuse,  not  knowing  what  difficultys  thay 
might  then   be    encountering  with    from  the    barbarous 

•  This  letter  is  printed  from  a  rough  draft,  not  signed,  preserved  by  Wait  Winthrop. 
—  Eds. 


128  THE  WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1704. 

enimy;  but  since  naming  the  enimy  giues  me  occation 
(notwithstanding  all  their  omissions  and  commissions, 
which  I  thinli  are  enough),  I  can  not  avoyd  doing  that  jus- 
tice both  to  the  Gov™'  and  people  as  to  observe  (being  at 
Hart,  when  the  first  post  came  from  N.  Hampton  with 
the  account  of  w?  was  don,  and  thinking  it  my  duty  to 
apply  for  assistance  to  be  sent  forthwith)  that  the  alarm 
being  given  all  w'  imployed  to  forward  y"  matter ;  and 
while  orders  were  preparing  for  Maj''  Whiting,  all  the  brisk 
able  men  as  far  as  Wethersfield,  being  then  in  the  feilds, 
left  their  plows  and  other  occations  and  came  mounted  as 
volunteires  with  long  arms,  and  marcht  away  iiiiediatly, 
and  were  followed  by  more  from  as  farr  as  Midleton  and 
Farmington  in  3  or  4  howrs  after,  or  litle  more,  when  we 
could  hardly  haue  thought  thay  had  yet  had  notice.  I 
never  saw  anything  more  expeditious  or  don  with  grater 
freedom  and  courage,  which,  notwithstanding  thay  came 
not  up  with  the  enemy,  ought  to  be  taken  notice  of. 
Pray  give  my  humble  servis  to  his  Ex'',  &c. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   SIR   HENRY   ASHURST. 

New  London,  June,  1704. 

Hon'"-''  and  worthy  S",  —  Before  I  came  from  Boston 
to  this  place  I  rec'^  yours  of  10*?  Jan.  f ,  with  letters  in- 
closed for  my  brother,  which  I  sent  by  the  next  post,  and 
came  myselfe  hither  quickly  after  and  accompanied  him 
to  the  Gen"  Court  of  Election  at  Hartford,  hopeing  to 
moue  them  to  y°  consideration  of  what  was  necessary  for 
their  owne  safty,  as  well  as  the  preservation  and  contin- 
uance of  the  libertyes  thay  (only,  1  think  of  all  the  Eng- 
lish nation)  doe  by  her  Maj'!°  favour  enjoy  ;  which  I  was 
not  wanting  to  observe  to  them  as  I  had  opertunity  and 
prest  a  coinplyance  with  what  you  wrote  to  them,  but  thay 
seem  to  be  cautious  of  seting  annuall  stipends  least  it 


1704.]  WAIT   WINTHEOr,  129 

prove  presedentiall  hereafter  to  oblige  them  to  keep  an 
agent  there,  which  I  beleiue  thay  will  never  be  safe  with- 
out. The  truth  is,  it  was  not  the  best  time  to  moue  in 
that  affair,  thay  hauving  been  at  very  grate  charge  in  as- 
sisting the  vper  townes  upon  the  river  belonging  to  the 
Massachusets  Gov™',  which  lye  about  thirty  or  forty  miles 
aboue  them  and  haue  been  assaulted  this  spring,  and  one 
town,  Dearfeild,  most  of  them  destroyed  and  caried  cap- 
tiue  by  the  barbarous  French  and  Indians ;  and  while  the 
Court  was  now  siting  at  Hartford,  an  assault  was  made 
upon  an  other  of  those  townes,  Northhampton,  and  many 
women  and  children  destroyed,  wherupon  tliere  is  fower 
hundred  men  more  which  are  imployed  for  the  security 
of  those  poor  people,  who  indeed  are  fronteires  to  their 
gov™'  and  would  before  now  in  liklihood  haue  been 
destroyed  without  their  assistance,  Boston  being  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  or  40  miles  from  them  cross  the  wilder- 
ness, and  not  capable  to  send  them  seasonable  releife. 
Thay  sent  likewise  about  a  hundred  English  and  freind 
Indians  in  the  spring  from  about  this  place  to  our  assist- 
ance at  the  eastward  in  the  Province  of  Mayne,  and  at 
Piscataque,  which  are  still  out,  besids  60  more  in  the  uper 
towns ;  all  this  has  occationed  a  very  grate  charg  upon 
them,  w"""  I  know  not  how  thay  would  comport  with  if  the 
warr  should  hold  long ;  however,  thay  haue  voted  one 
hundred  pounds  per  annum  to  be  paid  to  your  order  at 
Boston  during  the  time  of  your  agency,  which  thay  hope 
you  will  accept  till  thay  may  be  in  better  capacity.  I  also 
am  bold  to  wish  you  would  continue  your  favour  to  them 
now  thay  seem  to  haue  most  need  of  it.  As  to  the  busi- 
ness with  Hallara,  every  body  wonders  the  cause  should 
not  draw  costs ;  the  pretence  alleaged  that  the  executors 
did  not  pay  the  charg  of  the  reexamination  of  witnesses 
is  so  farr  falce  as  that  the  exec''  paid  the  charg  of  two 
courts  that  were  called  according  to  her  Maj'f  directions  to 
reexainine  evidences,  and  would  haue  paid  Hallam's  charg 


130  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1704. 

and  the  evidences  he  brought  if  he  would  haue  given 
in  his  bill  of  costs,  to  be  allowed  by  the  Court ;  but,  in- 
stead of  that,  he  went  to  the  ex"  and  demanded  many- 
hundred  pounds  which  he  pretended  he  had  expended  in 
that  matter,  which  was  ordered  by  nobody,  and  could  not 
possibly  be  the  meaning  of  her  Maj*''  or  yf  Lordships,  he 
being  all  that  while  in  his  imployment  as  a  seaman  and 
mate  of  a  ship,  and  stayd  there  in  persuit  of  a  wife,  w"? 
he  married  and  brought  over  with  him,  and  would  haue 
the  ex":*  bare  the  charg  of.  Your  bill  of  exchang  for  sixty 
eight  pounds,  charged  on  my  brother,  payable  to  M''  Ste- 
phen Mason  or  order,  I  haue  paid  upon  sight  to  M'"^" 
Brumfeild  and  Burroughs,  and  it  is  not  doubted  but  when 
her  Maj'^  and  their  Lordships  are  rightly  informed  w'  was 
don  here  as  to  costs,  order  will  be  given  that  Hallam  shall 
pay  so  much  as  you  were  out  on  that  account.  As  to  the 
other  business  of  his  complaint  in  behalfe  of  the  Indians, 
you  will  find  as  greate  a  peice  of  knavery  in  it  as  in  the 
former,  when  it  coms  to  be  looked  into,  and  nothing  but 
malice  and  selfe  interest  has  moved  him  and  his  complices 
to  appear  in  that  matter.  The  Court  has  ordered  a  coin- 
itte  to  enquire  into  it  and  make  their  report  to  them  next 
October,  when  I  suppose  thay  will  send  you  a  full  account 
of  it  to  be  laide  before  her  Map,  v/"^  could  not  well  be 
don  sooner  by  reason  of  the  warr  and  many  of  the  Indians 
being  out  in  that  servis.  As  to  the  perticular  affairs  of 
the  Massachusets,  I  must  say  but  little  by  this  opertu- 
nity ;  this  whole  country  is  under  very  difficult  circum- 
stances in  many  respects,  and  if  the  warr  continues  will 
be  utterly  impoverished.  The  times  are  so  hazardous 
that  I  can  not  giue  you  account  of  many  things  as  I 
would,  therfore  must  be  excused. 


1704.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST.  131 


ISAAC   ADDINGTON  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  June  12'.^  1704. 

HoNO^  S"^  —  I  received  yours  by  the  last  post,  the 
hurry's  I  being  then  in  not  allowing  me  to  answer  the 
same,  the  General  Assembly  being  sitting,  and  the  buis- 
ness  relating  to  the  piracy  &  the  affairs  of  the  war  take- 
ing  up  my  whole  time.  We  are  alarm'd  from  all  parts 
with  reports  of  the  enemy's  preparations  and  design'g 
ag'  us,  both  in  the  East  and  West.  Our  forces  gone 
eastward  under  the  comand  of  Col?  Church  have  insulted 
and  laid  waste  the  French  settlements  as  far  as  Mount 
Desart,  have  sent  home  fourteen  or  fifteen  prisoners, 
taken  considerable  booty,  and  were  going  over  from 
thence  to  Port  Royal  side ;  being  joyned  by  her  Maj*'?' 
ships,  the  Gosport  and  Jersey.  I  pray  God  give  them 
success.  We  have  no  intelligence  of  any  action  in 
Europe.  I  should  before  have  intimated  to  you  your 
being  anew  elected  of  her  Maj"''  Council  within  this 
Province,  and  shall  be  glad  to  see  you  present  again 
at  the  Board.     I  am,  with  respect,  S"", 

Your  affectionate  humble  servant. 

Is-  Addington". 

W.  Winthrop,  Esq^ 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

LoND  th  28.  Aug.  704. 

Much  esteemed  S^  —  I  did  but  just  now  receiue 
yo"  by  M"'  Samuell  Mulford,  who  hath  bin  taken  by  the 
French,  &  hath  but  an  howar  time  to  stay.  Seuerall 
papers  ware  taken  away  w"**  war  directed  to  mee ;  how- 
euer  I  haue  enouge  to  read  y"  sinceir  kindnes  to  mee, 
•w'^  1  shall  alwaise  remember  with  a  gratitud  becomeing 
mee.  I  am  wel  contented,  considering  the  condition 
of  the  Colony,  to  accept  of  £100   f   annum,  w"*"  I  will 


132  THE  WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1704. 

indeauer  to  deserue.  I  can  not  tel  whether  my  papers 
and  leters  came  safe  to  y"  hands  or  to  y"  brother's,  and 
so  know  not  what  in  this  hurry  to  say ;  yet  not  knowing 
whether  I  may  haue  so  suer  an  oppertunity,  I  will  write 
my  thoughts  to  you.  I  can  guesse  from  what  spring  all 
y"  troubles  come.  You  needed  not  haue  sent  any  men 
to  guard  yo'  people ;  this  only  is  to  put  mony  into  y" 
Gouerner's  pockett.  I  hope  to  haue  things  altered  in 
New  England,  &  that  God  hath  reserued  mee  to  defend 
you  from  oppresion.  I  know  nothing  of  New  England, 
Thar  is  litle  couradge  amounge  3'ou  ;  if  you  boldly  oppos, 
D.  could  doe  you  no  harme ;  but  if,  hke  true  Demos, 
you  are  affraid  to  appear  you  will  haue  no  comfort  in 
itt.  I  speake  not  this  in  reference  to  you,  for  I  know  you 
are  bold  an  honest.  You  judg  rite  ;  if  they  will  not  bee 
at  the  charge  to  defend  themselues,  they  will  loose  thare 
Charter,  w''''  by  all  Halum's  trickes  is  the  thing  amed  att. 
As  to  his  charges,  my  oppinion  is  to  let  it  rest  at  present ; 
but  thar  is  no  charges  ment  but  the  charge  of  examining 
interogatiues  in  order  to  the  second  heering ;  but  how- 
euer  let  mee  haue  all  the  proufe  you  can,  and  I  will  doe 
my  utmost.  Indeed  they  proued  such  practices  in  make- 
ing  the  will,  whether  true  or  fauls,  that  made  soine  of  the 
Lords  cal  my  integrity  in  question  for  appering  in  so  bad 
a  cause.  When  I  say  I  will  take  £100,  I  mean  £100 
ster.  heer.  As  to  the  perticulers  of  Halum's  charge  of  the 
suite,  itt  shal  come  to  you.  Howeuer  I  haue  not  had 
aboue  100*  ^  annum  reconing  all  the  charg  since  I  was 
concerned  for  them.  I  shuld  bee  glad  f  a  safe  hand  to 
haue  the  acco.  of  all  D.  proceedings  in  New  England ; 
for  no  body  sends  mee  any  perticlers.  I  haue  no  time  to 
say  any  thing  more,  but  you  will  heer  soone  from  mee, 
but  to  assure  you  I  am  and  euer  will  be,  in  the  gretest 
sincerity. 

Your  true  frind, 

Hejt.  Ashhuest. 


1704.]  SIR  HENRY  ASHURST.  133 

I  pray  send  all  the  perticlars  relating  to  the  charge, 
to  inable  me  to  petition  &  to  make  out  my  petition ;  but 
thar  shuld  be  a  living  witness  to  proue  some  things. 

I  doe  hope  to  see  you  Leftenant  Gouerner  in  N. 
England. 

The  complant  of  the  Indians  is  all  rogery ;  if  you  haue 
my  memoriall  to  the  Lords  of  the  Trade  about  itt,  you 
would  be  conuinced.  I  did  what  I  could ;  and  all  thes 
trickes  and  contriuences  by  some  greter  then  Hallum  to 
rob  you  of  yo'  Charter.  The  £140  bill  payable  to  the 
Corporation  for  £100  heer  at  4  months  after  sight  I  hope 
you  will  get  accepted  &  paid. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  Maj.  Generall  Waite  Winthrop. 

Kensington,  16  Sept.  704. 

Deare  &  MUCH  HON*°  S*,  —  You  will  see  by  what  I 
haue  inclossed  you  how  implacable  some  are  to  ruine  the 
interest  of  Connecticott,  and  how  truly  you  told  the  peo- 
ple thar  that  this  was  the  junctur  for  them  to  put  forth 
thare  whol  interest  for  thar  one  preseruation.  I  haue 
inclossed  you  a  chois  leter  of  M'  D.  son's  heer,  by  w°'* 
you  may  see  how  true  hee  is  to  the  interest  of  his  coun- 
tray.  My  last  writen  to  you  ^  the  worthy  gentleman, 
M''  Mulford,  possably  will  come  to  you  with  this.  1  can 
say  no  more  to  you  then  what  is  included  in  thes  9  pa- 
pers, only  this  that  I  shall  alwaise  retaine  a  most  sinceer 
frindship  for  you,  and  shall  neuer  be  easie  until  I  haue 
made  you  more  then  a  uerbal  acknowledgment  for  yo' 
kindnes  to  mee,  and  yo'  loue  to  yo'  countrey. 

Yo'  reall  frind  to  serue  you,  H.  A. 

I  pray  sho  Cos.  Sergant  by  my  directions,  &  also  M' 
Mathers,  M""  Dud.  leter,  and  any  of  the  papers,  but  not  my 
generall  leter  to  yo''  bro. 


134  THE  WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1705. 


SIK  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  Maf  GeneraU  White  Winthrop,  Esq'',  in  Boston. 

Waterstock,  th  7  July,  705. 

My  deer  Frend,  —  I  haue  yo"  of  th  21  of  March, 
with  the  litle  scrip  inclossed,  and  you  may  wel  wonder 
that  a  common  sailer  shuld  haue  such  credditt,  but  the 
hand  of  Joab  is  in  itt.  Kemember  good  Jacob.  All  thes 
things  are  against  me.  He  did  not  know  that  al  was  for 
him.  You  might  haue  chossen  an  abler  agent,  but  none 
shall  be  more  faithfull  and  zealious  for  yo"  seruice  then  my 
self.  If  I  had  thought  itt  would  taken  up  so  much  time 
and  so  much  trouble,  I  would  not  haue  undertaken  itt  for 
£500  ^  annum.  You  must  bee  sure  to  get  authentick 
proufes  of  all  you  send  aboutt  the  Indians  and  aboutt  the 
complant  aboutt  the  ship,  and  that  hee  hath  giuen  no 
security  to  pay  the  charges  with  you.  I  pray  take  care 
of  the  inclossures.  I  haue  atended  6  weekes  upon  petition 
&  complants  of  the  Quakers  heer  against  an  act  made  in 
Connecticott  Colony,  and  1  shall  haue  worke  all  the  win- 
ter. I  doe  not  question  I  am  at  worke  to  serue  you,  and 
I  alwais  remember  you  with  kindnes.  When  something 
is  done,  you  shall  heer  more  from 

Yo'  sinceer  fi'ind,  Hen.  Ashhurst. 


SAMUEL  SEWALL  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Sepf:  7"",  1705. 
Sir,  —  Tho  you  have  much  good  company  in  the 
Province  of  Connecticut,  yet  I  presume  M'  Easterbrooks 
will  be  wellcom  to  you,  and  therefore  I  have  sent  him  to 
you  "^  Mrs.  Raymond.  The  Gen'  Court  is  sitting  ;  depu- 
ties have  sent  in  a  vote  to  be  excus'd  from  answering  the 
Queen's  demands  till  the  October  sessions ;  but  the  Gov' 


1705.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  135 

sent  this  morning  to  the  Deputies  to  urge  them  to  answer 
presently,  that  an  acc°  may  be  sent  ^  the  Jersy  frigot 
put  in  here  by  a  vehement  storm,  Aug'  18,  Lat.  38,  going 
home  from  Jamaica.  The  Governour  bound  on  the  busi- 
ness very  tort  &  tight  in  his  speech,  w"''  I  think  will  not  be 
printed.  The  building  Peilaquid  Fort,  helping  to  build 
Piscataqua  Fort,  and  stating  salaries  for  the  Gov"  &  Lieut. 
Gov!',  are  the  things  required.  I  have  sometime  heard 
you  mention  M""  Doel,  of  Newbury.  He  lay  speechless 
many  years,  died  this  last  suiiier.  We  are  generally  in 
health.  My  service  to  the  Governour.  I  reed  his  letter 
of  the  ninth  of  August.  I  knew  not  of  the  messenger's 
going  till  just  now;  she  stays,  &  I  can  only  assure  you 
that  I  am,  Sir,  your  most  humble  serv', 

Samuel  Sewall. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Dec"'  10'^,  1705. 

Dear  Brother,  —  The  post  came  for  mony  for  bring- 
ing my  portm"%  and  told  me  he  had  no  letter  for  me  ;  and 
being  then  under  an  extream  fit  of  my  old  distemper  in 
my  temple,  I  could  not  write  untill  he  was  gon,  but  after- 
wards I  found  your  letter  at  the  post-house.  There  was 
no  need  to  accept  the  bill  of  exchang  before  the  Councill 
mett,  and  then  the  Treasurer  should  haue  excepted  it.  I 
reckon  thay  will  play  som  trick  with  you  and  bring  mis- 
cheife  on  us  at  last.  We  haue  searcht  the  whole  town, 
and  can  find  nothing  better  then  the  patternes  inclosed  ; 
the  cloath  is  20',  the  frise  8',  the  camlet  5^  the  yard ; 
and  the  camlet  but  halfe  yard  wide.  I  was  going  to  send 
a  coate  of  the  camlet,  which  would  haue  served  in  the 
spring  (for  I  think  you  haue  better  then  the  other  al- 
ready), but  I  was  doubtfull  whether  it  would  please; 
therfore  haue  sent  the  patternes,  the  camlet  lined  with 
a  sort  of  ratteen  might  look  well  if  you  like  it  (the  red 


136  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1705-6. 

stripe  is  only  the  fagg  end) ;  if  you  like  it,  send  word  ;  if 
not,  hei'e  is  nothing  yet  that  you  will.  I  meet  with  noth- 
ing for  my  selfe,  so  must  cover  my  old  ones  with  my  cloake 
this  winter  unless  any  ships  com  in.  If  the  six  load  of  hay 
be  eaten  up,  there  is  60  more  which  M"'  Ashbyes  cattle  will 
eate.  The  horses  were  in  good  likeing  when  Cap'P  Veach 
went  away,  and  if  it  be  impossible  for  them  to  be  kept  so 
still,  let  them  be  dispatched  to  saue  charges.  John  Gallup 
stays  for  this,  so  I  can  write  no  more.  Pray  send  word 
about  the  coate.  I  remember  3  deer  skins  severall  years 
agoe,  Belknap  drest  them  to  the  halves  ;  it  was  very  thick 
corse  leather,  and  I  think  a  pair  of  briches  was  made  of 
them  which  were  fitt  for  nobody  but  the  negro  that  had 
them.  Yours, 

W.    WiNTHROP. 

SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Kensington,  Feb.  2,  170f. 

HoNNOURED  S^,  —  I  did  but  2  hours  agoe  hear  of  a 
safe  conveyance  to  send  you  this,  and  to  tell  you  that 
your  long  letter  is  in  my  counsell's  hands,  and  I  have  no 
time  to  send  for  it  to  give  a  particular  account,  but  refer 
you  to  what  I  have  said  in  my  letter  to  your  brother  in- 
closed. I  am  very  sorry  that  your  brother  nor  you  did 
not  send,  since  Palmes  come  over,  a  sufficient  person  fully 
instructed  with  evidences  under  your  great  seal.  I  will 
do  as  much  for  you  with  all  the  interest  I  can  possibly 
make  as  I  can.  I  hope  your  cause  will  appear  such  as  I 
shall  not  be  ashamed  to  appear  in  it.  The  cause  of  all 
your  trouble  is  from  M'  D.  You  may  be  sure  I  do  not 
forget  my  old  kindness  to  you,  but  I  wonder  that  you  take 
no  more  care  to  accept,  and  punctually  to  pay  my  bills 
drawn  on  you,  w''*'  I  shall  desire  your  care  in  for  the  fu- 
ture. I  have  scarce  time  to  tell  you  how  much  I  am 
Your  real  friend  &  faithfull  servant, 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 


1706.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  137 

I  do  not  send  the  inclosed  to  your  brother,  that  so  you 
may  read  it  and  seal  it  and  send  it  him.  I  did  expos  my 
self  to  the  hatred  of  some  great  men  by  my  zeale  for  New 
England  &  Connecticott ;  thei-for  it  is  hard  upon  mee 
for  all  my  expence  and  trouble  that  you  shuld  not  pay 
my  bills  of  expences,  w"''  are  not  what  I  lay  out  by  my 
being  in  towne  vpon  yo'  seruice. 
To  Major  Generall  Waite  Winthrop. 


WAIT   WINTHROP   TO   SIR  HENRY  ASHURST.* 

Boston,  May  6'^,  1706. 

HoNR"'  Si,  —  Mr  Sergeant  sent  me  yo"  of  Feb''  2'*  three 
or  4  dayes  since,  and  I  now  hear  of  this  oportunity,  but 
know  not  whether  I  shall  get  this  on  board  before  the 
vessel  be  gon.  I  much  wonder  any  body  should  write 
any  thing  discouraging  about  yol"  bills  of  exchange ;  they 
were  accepted  w'l"  all  readyness,  and  because  they  could 
not  procure  mony  just  at  y'  time  of  payment,  there  was 
bond  given  for  y°  payment  of  it,  w*  interest  in  y'  mean 
time,  to  the  sattisfaction  of  Capt°  Sewall  &  the  gent"? 
concerned  here  in  the  Indian  affaire.  Their  Gen"  Court 
is  now  in  being,  and  as  they  did  yf  last  Octobf,  as  I  under- 
stood, order  the  payment  of  what  was  then  drawne  on 
them,  so  I  doubt  not  but  they  will  take  farther  care  to 
pay  what  shall  farther  be  drawne  on  them,  which  is 
easyer  for  them  then  to  procure  mony  to  send  over  to 
you.  If  those  causes  be  rightly  understood,  M"'  Palmes 
and  those  that  incourage  him  here  will  appear  in  their 
coulers,  and  I  hope  you  will  meet  with  no  discredit  by 
appearing  in  so  just  a  cause.  The  times  are  so  hazardous 
&  difficult,  and  no  persons  sutable  to  be  had,  and  mony  not 
to  be  procured  almost  on  any  termes  in  England,  that  to 
send  any  body  over  to  answer  in  perticuler  causes  one 

*  This  letter  is  printed  from  a  draft  in  the  hand  of  the  writer's  sch  John. .—  Eds. 
18 


138  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1706. 

had  as  good  loose  all  almost,  as  be  obliged  to  answer 
there,  unless  it  be  by  a  friend  on  y'  place,  all  which  shows 
farther  how  much  we  are  obliged  to  yo'  self  for  the  fa- 
vour you  do  us  in  standing  for  those  that  otherwise  must 
needes  be  oppressed  without  remedy  by  the  misrepre- 
sentations of  wicked  and  desining  men.  The  inclosed 
coppy  was  thought  to  have  been  gon  long  since,  but  find- 
ing it  here  I  thought  it  best  to  send  it,  yet  hope  you  have 
the  originall  long  before  now.  Connecticott  are  very 
sensible  who  has  and  still  endeavours  to  hurt  them  on 
both  sides,  but  there  being  a  great  many  good  people 
amongst  them,  I  hope  God  will  preserve  them  and  make 
their  enemys  ashamed,  and  I  beleive  you  will  have  no 
cause  to  repent  your  being  an  instrument  in  it.  Here  has 
been  great  expectation  of  Sf  Charles  Hobbye,  but  this 
ship  brings  us  little  about  hhn.  Yo"  letter  to  Connecticott 
will  com  to  them  in  good  time  for  their  Gerf-'  Assembly ; 
but  I  must  not  enlarge,  but  with  the  tender  of  my  ser- 
vice, I  am,  S', 

Yo''  faithfull  humble  serv'. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

To  Maj.  Generall  Waite  Winlhrop,  Esq". 

LoND.,  th  21  May,  1706. 

Dear  &  hon"^  S",  —  I  bane  seene  yor  name  in  the 
company  of  yo'  frinds  this  year,  wh'"  is  all  the  leters  I 
haue  had  from  you.  I  haue  labored  in  the  affaires  of 
Connecticott  for  6  months ;  if  I  had  not  they  would  haue 
bin  in  a  sad  condition  by  the  contrivance  of  that  exelent 
man  whom  I  heer  you  haue  a  great  carracter  of  by  the 
Leftenant  Gouerner,  I  doe  hope  you  will  see  a  new 
Gouernour,  but  you  deserue  none  for  being  so  poor  spir- 
ited. I  shall  never  forgett  to  seme  yon  when  I  can. 
I  hope  to  haue  you  restored  to  yor  old  imployment.     I 


1706.]  WAIT   WINTUKOP.  139 

haue  not  time  to  say  what  I  would  doe.  I  pray  for- 
ward tlies  leters  T  some  safe  hand ;  I  think  you  must 
send  a  spetiall  messenger  with  them  to  yor  brother,  they 
being  of  greet  moment.  I  hope  I  shall  not  need  yor 
recomending  S"'  Cha.  Hobby;  but  if  you  had  number 
would  priuatly  send  to  mee  under  thar  hands  the  greui- 
ances  you  sustaine  that  you  can  cleerly  make  out  under 
D.  gouernment,  itt  might  be  a  seruice.  I  am  euer,  S', 
Yo'  true  frind, 

Hen.  Ashhuest. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

"  LoND?,  22?''  of  May,  1706. 
"  Being  come  to  towne  for  a  few  dayes  out  of  Cambredgshire, 
found  S^  Hen.  Asbhurst  engaged  in  a  very  troublesome  affaire 
for  tbe  Goverment  of  tbe  Colloney  of  Conecticot,  &  I  was  psent 
at  two  heareings  before  tbe  Committee  of  tbe  Counsell,  tbe  one 
on  Friday  last  &  tbe  other  yesterday,  where  there  was  sucb  things 
suggested  ag'  yo'  Gov'  Dudlye  that  greatly  reflect  on  Lira  as  to 
his  carriage  &  contrivance  ag'  that  Colloney,  as  much  lessens 
him  in  the  opinion  of  most  of  the  Lords  ;  tbo  it  plainly  appeares 
that  be  bath  many  friends  about  court  that  shew  to  me  a  great 
inclination  to  skrcen  him.  Want  of  legall  proof  bath  p'vented 
tbe  setting  aside  <fe  declareing  tbe  comission  illegall,  but  so  much 
was  alledged  as  to  tbe  mafler  &  cercumstances  of  its  procurem'  & 
execution  that  a  stopp  is  put  to  it,  &  there  will  be  another  coinis- 
sion  to  enquire  into  tbe  matter  complained  of  by  y*  Indian  sa- 
chem, where  tbe  comission"  will  be  persons  indifferent  &  tbe 
gov'm'  have  both  time  &  oppertunity  to  defend  themselves  &  to 
make  legal  proofe  to  be  transmitted  hither  at  tbe  returne  of  tbe 
comission.  This  I  perceive  is  intended,  if  y°  sachem*  or  those 
who  have  him  in  their  hands  &  make  vse  of  bis  name  will  prose- 
cute this  matter  further.  Tbe  truth  is,  S'  Hen.  Asbhurst  bath 
strangely  bestirred  himselfe  in  this  matter,  &  surmounted  those 
difficulties  &  opossission,  that  I  tbouglit  he  never  would  been  able 
to  have  don,  &  I  may  tell  y°  be  is  not  without  hope  of  doeing 

•  The  sachem  referred  to  was  O-n-aneco,  sachem  of  the  Mohefrans.    For  a  statement  of 
the  grounds  of  defence  against  his  claims,  see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  304-310.  — Eds. 


140  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1706. 

further  services  for  New  Engl*.  I  have  only  this  to  observe  that 
whatever  complaints  there  may  be  reason  to  be  made,  letters  will 
be  of  no  availe  nor  suffered  to  be  read  here  ;  but  it  will  be  nesse- 
sary  that  matters  of  fact  be  proved  by  oath  <fe  attested,  &  in 
momentoas  matters  some  able  person  be  sent  over  w'""  any  such 
complaints,  who  may  help  to  soUicite  as  ocation  may  require." 

This  is  a  coppy  of  a  letter  from  a  gen'  learned  in  the 
law,  noe  manner  of  way  conserned  or  imploied,  only  pres- 
ent at  the  hearing  the  matter  debated,  which  he  writes  to 
his  friend  in  Boston,  not  imageing  any  gentlemen  of  y" 
Gov'm'  of  Conecticott  should  ever  heare  of  it.* 

I  by  som  meanes  had  a  sight  of  this  letter  and  pro- 
cured this  coppy,  which  you  may  take  notice  of  as  you 
see  cause. 

W.    WiNTHROP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  June  10*,  1706. 

Dear  Brother,  —  "We  had  the  news  of  Maj"'  Wanton's 
expedition  the  day  after  he  got  into  Rhoad  Island ;  it 
was  very  expeditious  and  the  best  thing  that  ever  thay 
did ;  t  but  I  think  the  honest  Maj'  should  haue  sent  his 
boate  ashore  to  Besters,  that  the  poor  man's  wife  might 
not  haue  been  frighted  so  as  to  raise  all  the  old  women 
in  the  regiment.  We  heare  that  two  men  were  missing 
at  Kittery,  who  rode  out  on  som  occasion  and  their  horses 
came  home  bloody  the  last  week.  I  doubt  it  is  som  of 
the  Scatacook  Indians  that  did  the  mischeife  a  while  since 
and  now  too,  and  tis  well  if  som  of  the  Molieegs  be  not 

•  This  paragraph  is  in  the  handwriting  of  the  copyist.  Only  the  last  paragraph  is  ia 
the  hand  of  Wait  Winthrop  —  Eds. 

t  Arnold  in  his  History  of  Rhode  Island,  vol.  ii.  p.  25,  gives  the  following  account  of 
this  expedition:  "  A  sloop  loaded  with  provisions  was  taken  by  a  French  privateer  near 
Block  Island.  The  news  reached  the  Governor  the  ne.^t  day.  Proclamation  for  volunteers 
was  forthwith  issued,  two  sloops  were  taken  up  for  the  expedition,  and  within  two  hours' 
time  were  manned  by  a  hundred  and  twenty  men,  under  command  of  Capt.  John  Wanton, 
and  in  less  than  three  hours  afterward  captured  the  privateer,  retook  her  prize,  and  brought 
them  into  Newport."  —  Eoa. 


1706.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  141 

out  that  way  hunting.  I  think  thay  should  make  their 
appearance  before  som  honest  man  every  week  or  fort- 
night, that  it  may  be  known  thay  do  not  ramble.  I  was 
the  more  solicitous  about  the  bills,  that  we  might  not  loose 
the  little  credit  we  haue  in  England  by  their  being 
protested.  I  wonder  after  black  James  his  so  publik  ap- 
pearing and  swareing  against  the  Gov™'  as  he  did  at  Sto- 
nington  he  should  be  admited  to  any  place ;  he  will  be 
allways  plauging  his  neibours  under  countenance  of  his 
magistratship.*  Havens  greatly  mistakes  that  he  is  to 
send  any  thing  hither  on  his  own  head  at  our  riske,  for 
so  he  may  send  any  thing  for  his  own  occation ;  and  if 
it  be  lost  it  must  be  ours,  but  if  it  comes  safe  we  may 
never  hear  of  it.  If  you  consult  the  lease  you'le  find  that 
he  is  to  pay  so  much  lawfuU  mony,  &c.  at  Boston,  and  in 
case  he  sends  any  of  the  produce  of  the  island  hither  by 
our  order,  then  we  are  to  run  the  riske  and  he  to  pay  the 
frait.  It  will  not  be  safe  for  them  to  keep  the  woole 
at  the  Island  ;  and  if  it  be  sent  hither  it  may  be  taken,  or 
will  be  seased  if  it  should  escape !  The  cloathiers  here 
haue  already  bought  at  Ehoad  Island  and  transport  it 
hither  by  land,  yet  I  know  not  but  it  would  fetch  eleven 
pence  the  pound.  I  could  wish  it  were  here,  for  I  want 
som  of  it  extreamly,  but  dare  not  venture  it  yet ;  thay 
say  it  is  worth  much  more  at  York.  If  Havens  would 
look  out  som  of  those  merchants  would  send  their  mony 
and  take  it  in  at  N.  London,  but  its  said  here  the  upland 
people  want  it  much  and  will  bring  their  mony.  I  think 
it  will  not  be  best  for  him  or  anybody  els  to  trust  the 
Yorkers ;  finally,  if  no  opertunity  for  him  to  make  mony 
of  it,  it  may  be  secured,  and  I  will  treat  with  som  of  the 
clothiers  or  merchants  about  it,  for  I  haue  a  great  depen- 
dance  on  the  produce  of  som  of  it.  If  Anthony  has  lam'd 
the  horses,  he  may  dispatch  them  quite,  that  they  may  be 

*  Major  James  Fitch  was  one  of  the  Assistants  of  Connecticut  for  many  years,  and  was 
re-elected  in  May,  1706.  —  Eds. 


142  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1706. 

no  farther  trouble  ;  but  if  their  legs  are  fit  to  bring  them, 
I  desire  thay  may  be  sent  by  the  post,  unless  som  safer 
opertunity  present  in  two  or  3  days. 

Yours,  W. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  June  24"",  1706. 

Dear  Brother,  —  The  great  cry  here  is  at  present 
about  the  Indian  traders.  Cap'  Veach  and  Cap'P  Rouse 
were  coiilitted  by  the  House  of  Representatiues  the  be- 
ginning of  the  last  week ;  and  M"'  Boreland  and  M"'  Lawson, 
his  brother  in  law,  are  since  coiiiitted  by  them.  On 
Satturday  last  thay  sent  up  an  impeachment  against 
Cap'  Veach  and  Rouse  for  traiterously  supplying  the 
French  and  Indian  enemyes  with  aiiiunition,  &c.,  con- 
trary to  the  statute,  and  desire  thay  may  be  proceeded 
against  according  to  law,  and  tis  supposed  thay  will  im- 
peach the  others  also.  Coll.  Phillips's  son  of  Charles- 
town  and  others  are  now  at  the  eastw'd  trading  with  the 
enemy,  and  the  gaily  and  two  sloopes  are  gon  to  bi-ing 
them  in.  Cap'P  Cawly  of  Marblehead,  who  is  one  of  the 
House  (and  was  sent  to  sease  the  other  sloops  who  put  in 
to  Plimoth  to  leaue  their  bever,  &c.,  with  one  Murdoc, 
a  Scotch  trader,  who  dwells  there,  and  brought  them  in 
here),  is  gon  with  the  gaily  and  sloope,  and  Cap'°  South- 
wick  is  to  follow  his  orders  and  doe  as  he  directs.  It 
is  said  here  that  Mr.  Livingston  *  is  gon  on  the  same  de- 
sine  of  trade  in  a  vessell  from  New  Haven,  which  I  hope 
is  not  soe,  yet  people  will  not  beleiue  otherwise ;  if  he 
be  at  N.  London,  let  him  write  to  sombody  here,  that 
the  discours  may  be  stopt.  I  am  sorry  for  Cap'."  Veach 
and  the  rest,  but  know  not  how  to  help  it.t     I  had  the 

•  John  Livingston, -who  had  married  Mary,  only  daughter  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop. — Eds. 
t  For  a  fuller  account  of  the  proceedings  against  Captain  Vetch,  see  a  letter  from  the 
writer'3  son  to  Fitz-John  Winthrop,  in  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  .333-336.  — Eds. 


1706.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  143 

enclosed  from  M"  Havens  and  her  son ;  thay  are  to  pay 
their  rent  here  at  Boston,  but  M""  Havens  did  not  sup- 
pose to  send  woole  hither,  which  would  be  a  loss  to  him, 
but  said  he  should  make  more  of  it  otherwhere ;  he  knew 
it  could  not  conveniently  be  sent  hither  as  well  as  we.  I 
can  not  write  to  them  by  this  post,  but  may  the  next ; 
pray  stir  up  Anthony,  for  I  know  not  what  to  do  about 
that  matter.  I  intended  to  enclose  y'  letter,  but  shall 
send  it  when  I  write  to  them. 

Yours,  W. 

John  has  sent  4  y^!'  and  halfe  for  jacket  and  briches, 
and  fine  and  halfe  of  hollon  for  lineing;  the  buttons 
must  be  couered  with  the  same,  any  old  button  moulds 
will  do ;  the  hollon  is  thre  shill.  a  y'?,  the  other  six  shill. 
It  was  taken  up  at  Mr.  Savage's,  who  I  think  will  take  a 
100*  worth  of  woole  thare  if  I  can  agree  with  him  at  a 
price,  and  I  shall  send  word  next  post;  the  stuff  will 
wash  well  when  foule. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  July  1",  1706. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  yours  by  the  Frenchman 
and  by  the  post ;  he  said  nothing  to  me  about  his  buying 
woole,  but  if  he  would  advance  for  it  he  might  do  well. 
The  French  minister  here  *  brought  two  Frenchmen, 
brothers,  whose  names  are  Poyson ;  one  or  both  are  doc- 
tors, are  going  to  live  at  Wethersfeild,  and  desire  to  be 
recoinended  to  you.  I  told  them  I  would  write  to  you. 
I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  what  button-holes  you  make  in 
that  was  sent,  must  not  be  don  with  silk  or  thred,  but 
must  be  layed  round  with  an  edging  of  the  same  sewed 
down  in  this  maner  |,,|;;|;,|;|  which  will  look  well.  John 
was  taken  with  an  agueish  fit  on  Saturday  night  was  sen- 

*  Rev.  Pierre  Daill^',  minister  of  the  French  Protestant  church  in  School  Street.  —Eds. 


144  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1706. 

nite,  and  has  been  very  ill  ever  since,  tho  he  tooke  rubila, 
which  wrought  well;  he  was  almost  overcom  with  his 
ilness  and  the  heat,  which  lasted  thre  days  very  extream, 
that  has  made  him  very  weake,  but  I  hope  he  is  a  little 
better  to  day.  I  cannot  write  to  Mrs.  Havens  now,  but 
shall  send  an  account  book  thay  sent  for  spedily.  I  could 
not  speake  with  Tom  Savage  about  the  woole  yet.  The 
hors  had  need  be  quite  well  before  he  travells,  for  there 
is  no  accoinodations  for  lame  ones  here.  The  cocoa  will 
be  welcom  if  it  scapes  the  privateers ;  I  hope  Anth.  will 
bring  hony  out  of  the  hollow  tree  quickly,  or  els  sombody 
will  want  sweetening. 

Yours,  W. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN    WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Sep"'  17"",  1706. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  yours  with  the  account  of 
Plainfeild  expedition.  Most  of  the  Gov™*  haue  been 
tardy  about  that  business,  and  thay  foster  a  snake  in  their 
bosoms  that  would  sting  them  to  death  if  he  could.  If 
the  coinittee  confirm  the  bounds  the  other  did,  it  may  be 
well ;  if  I  could  haue  been  there,  I  should  haue  given 
them  a  little  more  light.  As  to  Fellows,  I  wish  thay 
were  all  such  fellows ;  and  as  to  the  widow,  as  I  remember, 
thay  offered  fiue  pounds  when  I  demanded  ten  of  som  of 
the  rest,  which  was  all  the  promise  I  made  that  I  know  of. 
Hude  is  here,  but  I  haue  not  spoke  with  him ;  *  I  hear  he 
says  the  Indian  business  will  be  refer'd  to  the  Lord  Corn- 
bury.  The  fleet  will  sayle  from  Piscatoque  about  the 
midle  of  next  month ;  if  your  Gov™'  do  not  meet  and 
send  by  them,  thay  may  yet  be  ruined  ;  let  them  not 
saue  their  mony  to  enslaue  us  all  to  the  malice  of  thre 

•  The  person  here  meant  was  probably  Major  Edward  Palmes.  See  note  in  6  Mass. 
Hist.  Coll.  vol.  lii  p.  iah.  -  Ei>3. 


1700]  WAIT    WINTHROP.  145 

or  fower  base  fellows.  I  don't  suppose  that  if  you  giue 
them  a  deed  we  should  goe  to  each  perticular  person  for 
the  mony,  but  thay  must  get  it  together  from  all  but  such 
as  we  shall  giue  notes  to  favour.  The  enclosed  from  S' 
Harry  came  enclosed  to  the  Lady  Hobby,  and  the  enclosed 
bill  of  exchang  M"'  Sergeant  desired  me  to  send  you  for 
acceptance ;  tis  directed  to  you  and  Councill ;  tis  best  to 
call  the  Councill.  John  is  still  but  weak,  and  is  not  able 
to  goe  out  of  the  chamber,  but  is  better  (God  be  thanked), 
and  I  hope  will  be  able  to  get  abroad  before  it  be  too 
cold.  I  know  not  what  to  doe  if  Anthony  and  others 
faile  me. 

I  am  yours,  W. 

If  the  brown  hors  be  not  disposed  of,  I  would  be  glad 
he  were  put  out  to  breake  ;  and  if  he  prove  well,  as  I 
think  he  may,  I  would  be  glad  of  him. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Sep""  Z0%  1706. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  haue  spoke  with  M'  Tayler,  and 
would  haue  accepted  the  bill  if  he  would  haue  taken  bond 
for  it  with  interest  after  the  time  of  payment ;  but  he  says 
he  is  only  to  remit  the  mony  to  S'  Harry,  and  is  not 
willing  to  concern  himselfe  in  it ;  however,  he  will  defer 
writing  about  it  till  the  next  week  that  he  hears  from 
you  what  can  be  don  about  it.  I  know  not  you  must 
write  him  word  that  you  accept  the  bill,  and  before  the 
thre  months  com  som  way  must  be  found  to  pay  it,  for  he 
must  send  advice  if  it  be  accepted  or  not.  I  know  not 
why  S'  Harry  sent  not  the  order  of  Queen  and  Councill ; 
possibly  he  had  not  time  to  get  it  out,  or  was  not  willing 
to  be  at  a  needless  charge,  or  might  mistake  in  puting  it 
up,  but  Hude  must  shew  it  if  he  would  haue  any  thing ; 
no  doubt  it  was  som  mistake.     Its  more  then  a  rattle  to 

19 


146  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1706. 

haue  the  Indian  judgment  set  aside,  and  that  you  are 
freed  from  the  2,500*  action;  and  his  administration  is  but 
a  rattle,  I  am  certain,  only  he  would  make  a  noise  to  cover 
his  folly.  The  cattle  that  came  down  last  fall  were  as 
unmerchantable  as  the  other ;  and  if  the  overseers  at  the 
almshows  had  not  taken  som  of  it  at  l"*  the  pound,  it  must 
haue  hung  in  the  slaughter-house  all  winter  to  dry,  ex- 
cept som  part  given  away,  because  it  would  not  sell ;  the 
butcher  would  not  take  them  for  what  was  oweing,  but 
rather  stayd  till  it  can  be  got.  John  was  abroad  at  meet- 
ing in  the  afternoon  yesterday,  but  was  almost  spent 
before  he  got  home;  but  he  gets  strength  a  little  (I  thank 
God).  If  he  be  not  able  to  ride  before  it  be  cold,  I  shall 
not  know  what  to  do. 

Yours,  W. 


WAIT   WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Oof"  7'.^  1706. 

Dear  Brother,  —  M'  Dyer  just  now  brought  me  the 
roule  of  papers  directed  to  me  at  Stonington  instead  of 
Boston  ;  I  shall  take  all  the  care  I  can  about  them.  I  am 
glad  thay  are  ready  for  this  opertunity,  tho  I  hope  the 
ships  will  stay  so  long  that  your  Court  may  write  by  them, 
which  thay  must  by  no  means  neglect,  but  do  no  other 
business  till  that  be  don.  The  merchants  say  thay  will 
not  sayle  till  this  month  be  out,  but  no  doubt  there  will 
be  time  to  write  by  them  if  thay  suffer  not  other  business 
to  divert  them.  It  was  next  to  impossible  for  S'  Henery 
to  send  the  orders  of  Councill,  as  you  will  see  by  the 
coppy  of  a  letter  I  sent  you,  which  was  dated  the  22'*  of 
May,*  which  was  the  day  after  the  hearing,  and  I  think 
S"  Henery's  were  dated  the  same  day,  and  you  may  see 
by  my  cousin  Read's  letter,  which  I  here  enclose,  that  the 

•  See  ante,  p.  139.  —  Ed3. 


1706.]  SAMUEL    SEWALL.  147 

hearing  was  the  21°'.  You  may  shew  so  much  of  it  as 
concerns  your  affairs,  and  it  must  be  returned  by  the 
next,  if  it  may  be.  I  think  I  can  procure  the  originall 
deed  to  the  thirteen  persons,  and,  if  I  can,  shall  get  your 
coppy  strengthened  by  sending  an  attested  one  from 
hence.  My  son  was  a  little  out  last  week,  and  got  a  little 
cold  which  discomposed  him  much,  but  he  is  a  little  better 
(God  be  praised).  I  hope  I  shall  hear  from  Havens  and 
Eldredg,  as  you  say. 

I  am  yours,  W.  Winthrop. 


SAMUEL  SEWALL  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 
For  the  Honorable  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq',  Boston. 

Boston,  Novr  10,  1706. 
Sir,  —  I  know  not  whether  I  may  return  from  Salem 
before  the  Court  rises.  There  are  two  things  of  very 
great  moment  now  before  them,  viz.  :  that  of  Gov''  Bel- 
lingham's  will,*  and  whether  a  bond  of  administration 
when  sued  out  ought  not  to  be  chancered.  It  seems 
plain  to  me  that  it  ought ;  for  none  else  can  chancer  it, 
and  the  party  lyes  open  to  the  whole  sum.  Malum  est 
posse  malum.  If  the  Judge  of  the  Probat  be  a  party,  as  some 
would  have  it,  it  looks  illfavourdly  for  him  also  to  be 
judge  whether  any  tiling  of  the  rigorous  penalty  shall  be 
abated  or  no.  I  discoursed  with  Mr.  Secretary  before  I 
went  to  Bristol  Court,  and  he  was  then  of  the  opinion  an 
administration  bond  ought  to  be  chancerd  by  the  Court ; 
and  it  was  so  done  in  Grigg's  case  in  Boston  Inferiour 
Court,  wherein  M^  Addington's  name  was  used  as  Judg 

*  After  the  death  of  Governor  Bellingham,  Dec.  7,  1672,  there  was  a  protracted  dispute 
between  his  only  surviving  son,  Samuel,  and  the  executors  and  trustees  of  his  will,  which 
was  finally  settled  by  an  order  of  the  General  Court,  Sept.  6,  1676,  declaring  the  will  "  ille- 
gal, and  so  null  and  void  in  law."  Governor  Bellingh.am's  widow,  Penelope,  did  not  die 
until  May  28,  1702 ;  and  after  her  death  the  dispute  was  revived,  as  is  here  stated  by  Judge 
Sewall.  See  Mass.  Coll.  Rec.  vol.  v.  pp.  24,  25,  56,  105  ;  5  Mass,  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi.  pp. 
56, 197.    See  also  Winthrop's  Hist,  of  New  Eng.  vol.  ii.  p.  43,  —Eds. 


148  THE   WINTHKOP  PAPERS.  [1706. 

of  the  Probat.  As  to  M'  Bellmgham's  will,  M'  Allen 
seems  to  insinuat  it  was  written  by  himself,  whereas  it  is 
M'  Allen's  own  hand  ;  and  there  is  a  base  reflection  upon 
M^  Sam'  Bellingham,  a  worthy  gent.  Indeed  I  have  pur- 
chased a  small  peice  of  land  y'  was  Gov''  Bellingham's ;  but 
it  is  not  mentioned  in  y*  will  at  all,  and  I  hold  it  of  the 
heir.  However,  it  would  be  much  more  for  my  interest 
to  have  y°  Winisimet  lands  go  to  settle  a  minister  there 
than  otherwise,  tho  I  should  lose  my  purchase  ;  and  yet  I 
caiiot  see  with  what  face  we  can  go  about  now  to  set  up 
that  will,  thirty  years  after  its  being  declared  null  by  the 
Gen^  Court  that  then  was.  That  is  most  certain  which  by 
contest,  &  after  contest  (ex  dubio),  is  made  certain.  I 
fear  it  would  be  much  to  the  dishonor  of  God,  as  things 
now  stand  with  us,  to  undo  that  w"*"  was  done  in  1676,  when 
parties  and  witnesses  were  alive.  It  would  in  probability 
create  a  great  deal  of  trouble  to  the  Province,  and  come 
to  nothing  in  the  end.  We  should  be  thought  unjustly 
selfish,  unwilling  y*  estate  should  go  to  persons  in  Eng- 
land. As  to  that  of  y°  administration  bond,  if  y°  Gov' 
would  condescend,  I  could  be  glad  there  might  be  a  full 
Council  when  that  is  voted.  Shall  hasten  from  Salem  as 
fast  as  may  be,  and  Mr  Brattle  &  his  sister  may  be  notified 
in  the  mean  time.  It  will  be  good  to  guard  that  bill  about 
ministers,  as  fond  as  some  are  of  it.  I  fear  a  State- 
ministry. 

Sir,  your  humble  serv',  Samuel  Sewall. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Nov»"  25',  1706. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  am  sorry  to  hear  you  are  ill.  and 
wish  I  could  be  with  you.  I  hope  it  is  gon  off  without 
much  pain  ;  if  you  use  fumitary  tea,  it  may  giue  you 
ease.  If  John  grow  throughly  well  and  I  find  my  selfe 
hardy  when  the  cold  is  com,  I  would  endeaver  to  see  you. 


1706.]  WAIT  WINTHROP.  149 

unless  you  could  com  liitlier  where  every  body  wants  to  see 
you.  I  know  not  how  I  could  get  more  of  Sabin  then  he 
would  pay.  If  I  hear  of  Anthony  I  will  indeaver  to 
perswade  him,  which  is  all  I  am  able  to  doe  ;  and  if  El- 
drige  coms,  he  will  be  welcom.  I  am  doubtfuU  about  the 
widdow's  bargain  with  Havens,  and  know  not  that  we  shall 
be  ever  the  more  secure  unless  she  will  becom  bound  to 
us  to  see  his  rent  paid,  for  we  can  demand  nothing  of  her, 
and  I  am  doubtfull  of  her  leting  in  her  New  York  man,  but 
I  think  there  is  a  clause  in  the  lease  that  thay  shall  not 
assigne  it  without  our  consent ;  or  at  least  it  is  let  only 
to  them  and  their  heirs,  not  to  assignes,  which  was  dis- 
coursed of  and  so  don  because  thay  should  not  put  in 
any  body  that  might  damnifye  us.  I  haue  not  seen  the 
watch  yet,  but  shall  call  presently  to  see  if  it  be  don. 
And  now  comes  a  new  story.  Hude  is  here,  and  has 
put  in  a  petition  to  M''  Addington,  Juclg  of  the  Probate, 
for  administration  upon  his  wife's  estate.  M''  Addington 
has  advised  with  the  Gov''  and  Councill  about  it ;  the 
Gov'  says  the  Queen's  coiuands  must  not  be  put  off,  and  I 
beleiue  thay  will  grant  it.  I  told  them  the  direction  was 
not  to  this  Gov™',  but  to  Conecticot  Court  and  the  partyes 
concerned,  and  that  I  must  not  be  surprised,  but  must 
haue  time  to  send  to  you  who  are  concerned  with  me,  and 
that  you  must  haue  time  to  send  to  Hartford,  &c.,  for 
papers,  &c.  I  know  not  whether  M'  Addington  writes  to 
you ;  it  will  be  best  to  giue  all  the  delay  you  can  with 
reasonable  excuses ;  he  cannot  stay  long  here,  and  winter 
will  set  in,  and  I  think  here  is  late  advice  about  another 
coming  in  the  spring,  and  that  he  has  his  coiTiission.  I 
know  not  what  Palms'  desine  is ;  tis  contrary  to  our  law 
and  practice  for  adm"  to  medle  with  reall  estates,  and 
here  was  little  elce.  I  beleiue  we  may  do  somthing  with 
him  about  the  farm  at  Nahantick,  notwithstanding  his 
deed,  by  the  words  of  it,  and  I  am  of  the  mind  to  try.  I 
am  certain  there   was  a  cheat  in  it ;   my  father  would 


150  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1707. 

never  haue  signed  to  such  nonsence.  Pray  send  a  coppy  of 
his  deed,  that  I  may  take  advice  upon  it ;  M''  Witherly  can 
take  it  out  of  the  records. 

Yours,  W.  WiKTHEOP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  AND  OTHERS  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

To  the  Bon"'  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  Gov'  of  her  Maf  Cottony  of 
Connecticott, 

Boston,  April  30,  1707. 

S%  —  Wee  wrote  you  by  last  post  to  enfornie  you  that 
we  are  obstructed  in  our  affaiers  of  the  Naroganset 
Country  by  Rhode  Isl^  Gourem",  in  that  they  do  not 
take  effectual  care  to  preserve  property  w"''  they  have 
owned  to  be  in  Maj'  Atherton  and  his  associates  by  an  act 
of  their  Assembly  many  years  since.  But  they  suffor 
their  towne  of  Westerly  and  Warwick  men  to  run  lines 
and  divide  our  lands  amongst  them  selus,  by  w"*"  they 
breake  their  articles  made  and  agreed  on  by  a  coinittee 
of  yo'  CoUony  &  theirs.  They  have  sent  prohibitions  to 
forbid  their  people  runing  lines ;  but  y*  people  take  no 
notis  thereof,  but  go  on  as  they  please,  and  y*  Goverm" 
doth  not  call  them  to  acco"  for  such  actions.  Co*  Hutch- 
inson hath  a  sone  now  going  to  England  in  Cap'  Pitts, 
by  whome  y°  propriet"  intend  to  send  complaint  against 
s"*  Goverm"  of  Rhode  Island  and  address  her  Maj"'  for 
reliefe,  as  also  to  persue  the  report  made  by  Gov! 
Cranfield,  &c.,  CoiTiissin"  for  enquiry  into  the  claimes 
boath  of  goverm"  and  propriaty  of  soyle,  w"*"  report  was 
that  the  Goverm"  they  apprehended  belonged  to  Con- 
necticott, &  the  soyle  to  Maj''  Atherton  and  his  associates. 
Now,  if  we  can  obtaine  a  confirmation  of  that  report, 
we  hope  it  may  issue  our  long  debates  and  be  of  greate 
benifit  to  yo'  collony.  Tlierefore  if  yo'  Gen''  Assembly 
will  be  pleased  to  give  instructions  to  yo'  agent,  S'  Hen. 


1707.]  SIR   HENRT   ASHURST.  151 

Ashurst,  to  persue  thcat  report  with  s*  Hutchinson,  it's 
not  improbable  but  it  may  be  obtained.  We  wil  take 
care  to  send  the  report  well  attested,  and  get  recoiiien- 
dations  from  sum  considorable  persons  here  to  further 
the  same  there,  and  we  know  of  nothing  that  can  doe 
yo""  Goverm"  greater  servis,  which  is  humbly  offered  by, 
S',  yo'  most  humble  servants, 

Wait  WiNTnEOP. 

Elisha  Hutcuinson. 

J.  Leverett. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

London,  th.  17  July,  707. 

HoNR^°  S",  —  I  haue  writen  to  you  ^  this  shipp,  and 
hoped  befor  now  to  haue  sent  you  the  newes  that  M'  D. 
was  dismissed  ;  but  I  hope  it  will  not  be  long  first  if  you 
continue  firme  one  to  another,  and  neither  be  flatered 
or  frighted  out  of  yor  properties  &  interest.  The  next 
shipps  I  beleiue  will  bring  you  the  newes  of  his  dismition  ; 
also  that  I  had  drawne  one  hundred  pounds  with  the 
exchang,  w"''  if  not  expended  heer  for  yo'  us  shall  be  paid 
you  with  interest.  I  doe  hope  to  send  you  a  comition  to 
be  Leftenant  Gouerner.  I  send  you  this  "^  M""  Parteridge, 
who  hath  appeared  strenniously  against  M'  D.,  and  hath 
exposed  him  self  to  his  rage  for  so  doeing.  I  pray,  S'',  will 
you  countenance  and  assist  him  all  you  [can  ?],  and  ingage 
all  yo''  frinds  to  doe  so,  that  people  may  not  be  discouraged 
to  serue  thare  countrey  in  time  of  danger?  I  haue  told 
the  great  men  heer  that  you  ar  my  Lord  Russel  in  litle, 
&  that  you  haue  the  religion  of  S'  Mat.  Hale.  I  doe 
not  doe  this  to  flater  you,  but  because  I  belieue  so.  I 
can  say  no  mor,  but  to  assure  you  have  the  affection  & 
frindship  of 

Yo'  sincere  frind, 

Hen.  Ashhukst. 


152  THE  WINTHKOP  PAPERS.  [1707. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

[Extract.] 

Boston,  Sept"",  1707. 

...  I  HAVE  spok  with  Mountseer*  about  John,  who 
seems  plausible  enough  about  it,  but  have  not  coin  to  the 
matter  of  difficulty  as  yet,  having  but  a  few  minits  with 
him  this  afternoon.  If  you  would  write  to  him  to  let  him 
know  your  approbation  of  it,  &  expectation  that  he  will 
do  sorathing  considerable  for  her  at  present,  he  being 
of  some  considerable  expectation  hereafter,  it  might  be 
best.  Our  Port  Royall  gent""  are  this  day  com  hom,  & 
had  better  never  have  gon.f     All  here  are  well. 

Yours,  W.  W. 

I  never  wrote  in  grater  hast,  having  been  hindred  by 
the  Councill's  meeting  till  post  is  just  going. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon^^'  Ma'or  Generall  Waite  Winthrop,  Esq.,  at  Boston. 

L:  th  29  Sep.  707. 

Deare  &  honr""  S%  —  I  haue  but  just  time  to  tel  you 
the  joyfull  newes  that  I  haue,  after  all  my  paines,  ex- 
pence,  &  labor  for  so  many  yeares  remoued  for-euer  from 
being  yo'  oppresiue  Gouerner  M""  D.  I  doe  hope  to  send 
you  a  new  comition  to  bee  Left.  Gouerner  of  New  Eng- 

*  Wait  Winthrop'3  favorite  nickname  for  Gov,  Joseph  Dudley;  had  he  been  a  Shak- 
spearian  student  he  would  probably  in  this  letter  have  styled  him  Capulet,  as  ilie  passage 
refers  to  his  son's  engagement  to  Anne  Dudley,  for  particulars  of  which  see  6  Mass.  Hist. 
Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  396-398.  —  Eds. 

t  The  reference  is  to  the  disastrous  failure  of  the  expedition  against  T'ort  Royal  which 
sailed  from  Boston  in  the  preceding  May.  (See  Hutchinson's  History  of  Massachusetts, 
vol.  ii.  pp.  165-171.)  For  letters  to  Fitz-.Iohn  Winthrop  describing  in  detail  the  misfor- 
tunes of  the  soldiers  and  their  return  to  Boston,  see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  387- 
392.  — Eds. 


1707.]  WAIT  WINTHROP.  153 

land  &  New  Hampshire.  "Within  a  month  I  hope  to  haue 
all  redie  and  Dud.  dismition.  The  ministers  in  London 
haue  meet  to  rejoice  with  me  upon  a  ueneson  entertane- 
ment.  The  uiliany  against  Connecticott  was  contriued 
by  Belsibub.  Itt  was  time  for  me  to  stir,  when  his  agents 
had  got  a  new  comition  to  make  my  Lord  Cornbury  & 
his  Counsel  to  be  judges.  Itt  will  be  a  comfort  to  mee 
befor  I  dy  that  I  haue  bin  an  instrument  to  deliuer  thes 
poor  countreys  from  such  a  Hamon ;  *  but  the  enemies 
you  haue  scene  to  day  you  will  see  no  more  for  euer.  I 
pray  honor  my  bill  with  acceptance,  &  pay  the  bill  drawne 
upon  M"'  Noies,  for  itt  will  be  expended  &  much  more.  I 
pray  send  the  inclosed  to  yo'  brother,  and  belieue  mee  to 
bee,  in  great  sincerity, 

Yo''  truly  affect,  frind. 

Hen.  AsnnuRST. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  FITZ-JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Nov''.'  S'.^,  1707, 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  am  glad  you  are  better,  and  that 
sister  Curwen  got  well  there.  Those  difficultyes  you 
mention  against  your  coming  I  hope  will  be  removed  ;  if 
your  ability  to  travell  do  not  hinder  you,  I  see  not  why 
the  other  should ;  the  Gen'.'  Court  may  do  once  without 
you,  and  if  there  be  any  perticular  business  that  requires 
your  being  there,  you  may  pray  that  it  may  be  defered. 
There  is  som  in  the  world  that  would  find  business  with 
a  neibour  gov™''"'  in  time  of  warr,  and  haue  their  charg 
borne ;  however,  let  not  that  article  hinder.  What  you 
can  want  here  will  be  supplyed ;  therfore  let  not  that 
hinder.     It  is  a  seasonable  time  of  year ;  and  when  there 

•  See  the  Book  of  Esther.  In  a  letter  from  Sir  Henrii-  Ashurst  to  the  Governor  and 
Council  of  Connecticut,  dated  April  24,  1707,  he  writes  :  "  I  mean  the  two  hammonds 
of  each  side  of  you."  The  original  is  not  in  Sir  Henry's  own  hand,  but  in  that  of  an 
amanuensis,  and  is  perfectly  legible.  The  comparison  in  that  uncouth  spelling  is,  no  doubly 
also  to  the  "wicked  Haman."  — Eds. 

20 


15-i  THE   WINTHROP  PAPEKS.  [1707. 

will  be  so  convenient  an  opertunity  again  I  know  not, 
and  every  body  is  desirous  to  see  you.  It's  not  much 
farther  then  Newhaven ;  the  Councill  might  advise  som 
business  to  be  concerted  with  us  which  might  please  them 
at  Newhaven.  However,  let  that  be  as  it  will,  pray  com, 
and  let  us  know  by  the  next  when.  The  Scotch  pad  has 
promised  every  day  since  the  last  post  about  the  watch ; 
he  had  made  what  was  wanting  and  lost  it  again.  I  was 
with  him  but  now ;  he  says  it  shall  be  ready  for  the  post, 
but  I  do  not  beleiue  it,  for  I  hear  he  is  gon  into  the  feild, 
it  being  training  day.     Madam  presents  her  servis. 

I  am  yours,  W.   W. 


MARRIAGE   SETTLEMENT    OF    WAIT    WINTHROP    AND 
KATHARINE   EYRE. 

To  all  people  unto  whom  this  present  writeing  shall 
come  or  may  concern,  greeting :  Know  yee  that  whereas 
John  Eyre,  late  of  Boston  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  in  New- 
England,  Esq',  deced,  in  &  by  his  last  will  &  testam'  bear- 
ing date  the  seventeenth  day  of  June,  anno  Diii  one 
thousand  seven  hundred,  &  one  duely  proved,  approved,  & 
of  record,  amongst  other  things  therein  contained,  did 
give  &  bequeath  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say : 
"  In  token  of  my  dear  love  &  affection  unto  Katharine, 
my  welbeloved  wife,  who  has  ever  obliged  me  by  her 
tender  love  and  care  of  me  &  mine,  I  give  &  bequeath 
unto  the  s''  Katharine  my  wife  y"  sum  of  one  thous'' 
pounds  to  imploy  and  dispose  of  as  she  shall  thinke  fit. 
Item,  I  give  &  bequeath  unto  each  of  my  children  (as 
well  that  my  wife  is  now  bigg  with,  as  those  already 
borne,  namely,  Katharine  &  Bethiah)  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  pounds  apiece.  And  if  it  please  God  that  my 
child  yet  unborne  should  be  a  son,  then  I  give,  devise,  & 
bequeath  unto  him  &  his  heires  (over  &  above  the  thou- 


1707.]  MARRIAGE    SETTLEMENT.  155 

sand  pounds  aforementioned)  all  that  my  present  dwell- 
ing house,  messuage,  or  tenement,  with  the  yard,  garden, 
&  accommodations  thereto  belonging,  situate  in  Boston 
afores?  Item,  I  give  uiato  my  neice  Martha  Ruggles,  wife 
of  John  Ruggles  of  Boston,  mariner,  the  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred pounds.  All  the  residue  &  remainder  of  my  estate, 
as  well  real  as  personal  &  of  what  nature  or  kind  soever 
&  wheresoever  lying  or  found,  I  give  &  bequeath  unto 
my  afores**  wife  and  my  three  children  aforementioned, 
the  same  in  four  parts  to  be  equally  divided  between 
them,  part  and  part  alike.  And  I  will  that  my  wife 
do  improve  the  estate  during  my  children's  minority  to 
the  best  profit  &  advantage  that  she  can,  for  their  good 
education  &  maintenance  &  her  own  comfortable  support ; 
their  portions  to  be  paid  unto  them  as  they  respectively 
come  of  age  or  be  marryed,  which  shall  fii'st  happen,  and 
in  case  either  of  them  dye  before,  the  survivour  or  survi- 
vours  of  my  said  children  equally  to  have  &  enjoy  the 
part  &  portion  belonging  to  y"  child  or  children  that  shall 
decease.  Item,  I  do  nominate,  make,  &  constitute  Kath- 
arine, my  s'*  dear  &  loveing  wife,  the  sole  executrix  of  this 
my  s*^  last  will  and  testament,  very  much  confiding  in  her 
prudence  &  tender  love  to  &  care  of  my  s*  children.  And 
what  estate  I  have  in  shipping  I  leave  it  to  her  discretion 
to  continue  to  imploy  or  to  dispose  of  them,  as  she  shall 
thinke  best "  ;  —  as  in  &  by  the  s*^  will  or  the  record  there- 
of, relation  being  thereto  had,  will  more  fully  &  at  large 
appear.  And  whereas  the  aforenamed  Katharine  Eyre, 
legatee  &  sole  executrix  as  afores'*,  is  ab'  to  intermarry 
with  "Wait  Still  Winthrop  of  Boston  afores*,  Esq',  and  be- 
ing desirous  that  the  will  of  her  s^  late  husband  should  be 
duely  observed  &  well  and  faithfully  performed  in  all 
respects  according  to  the  true  intent  &  meaning  thereof, 
also  desiring  faithfully  to  discharge  the  trust  in  her  re- 
posed by  her  s'*  husband  w""  reference  to  his  children, 
hath  by  contract  &  agreement  w*  the  s**  Wait  Still  Win- 


156  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1707. 

throp  before  marriage,  and  in  case  the  same  do  take  effect, 
hereby  provided  for  the  secureing  of  the  s'*  children's  por- 
tions, and  of  their  good  education  &  maintenance  without 
any  diminution  of  their  portions,  as  also  for  the  securing 
of  the  portion,  right,  and  interest  of  her  the  s*  Katharine  of 
&  in  the  estate  of  her  s*  late  husband,  and  that  she  may 
have  &  retain  in  her  selfe  a  power  to  give,  bestow,  & 
dispose  of  her  own  full  particular  part,  share,  and  portion 
thereof,  according  to  her  free  will  &  pleasure,  either  by 
her  last  will  and  testament,  nuncupative  or  written,  or 
otherwise  &  in  any  other  manner  to  have  effect  at  her 
death,  her  intermarriage  &  coverture  notwithstanding, 
without  any  interruption,  contradiction,  denyal,  hinder- 
ance,  claim,  or  challange  of  the  s**  Wait  Still  Winthrop, 
his  heires,  exec",  or  admin". 

And  the  s**  Wait  Still  Winthrop  for  himself e,  his  heires, 
exec",  &  admin"  doth  by  these  presents  consent,  covenant, 
grant,  &  agree  to  &  w""  William  Brattle  of  Cambridge,  cler., 
&  Joseph  Parson  of  Boston,  merch',  feoffees  in  trust  to  & 
for  the  s*  Katharine  Eyre,  their  exec"  &  administrators,  that 
she,  the  s'^  Katharine,  her  intermarriage  and  coverture  not- 
withstanding, shall  have  &  retain  to  her  own  free  disposal 
by  her  last  will  all  her  part,  portion,  right,  &  interest  of 
and  in  the  estate  of  her  s'^  late  husband,  John  Eyre.  And 
that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  s'^  Katharine 
Eyre,  and  the  s"*  Katharine  shall  have  full  power,  liberty,  & 
authority  at  any  time  or  times  during  her  s''  coverture,  and 
that  notwithstanding,  to  make  and  publish  her  last  will  & 
testament,  by  word  or  writeing,  or  to  execute  any  .act  or 
instrument  purporting  to  be  her  last  will,  to  have  effect  at 
her  deatli,  and  therein  &  thereby  to  imploy,  give,  dispose, 
and  bestow  all  her  estate  herein  and  hereby  intended  to 
be  secured  and  reserved  to  herselfe  (being  included  in  the 
inventory  or  schedule  annexed)  according  to  her  own  free 
will  &  good  pleasure.  And  that  the  s*  Wait  Still  Winthrop 
shall  and  will  permit  &  suffer  such  will,  nuncupative  or 


1707.]  MAEPJAGE    SETTLEMENT.  157 

written,  or  instrum'  to  be  by  her  executed  purporting  to 
be  her  last  will,  to  be  duely  proved  and  to  have  full  force 
&  effect  in  the  law,  and  in  case  no  such  will  or  disposition 
of  her  particular  estate  be  by  her  made,  that  then  the 
same  shall  wholey  descend,  accrue,  and  come  to  her  chil- 
dren, as  the  law  provides  for  intestates.  And  the  s*  Wait 
Still  Winthrop  for  himselfe,  his  heires,  exec",  &  admin'', 
doth  further  covenant,  grant,  &  agree  to  &  w**"  the  s*  Wil- 
liam Brattle  &  Joseph  Parson,  their  exec"  &  admin",  to 
accompt  for,  surrender,  and  deliver  up  all  &  singular  the 
whole  estate  contained  &  mentioned  in  a  schedule  or  in- 
ventory thereof  hereto  affixed,  amounting  to  the  sum  of 
five  thousand  three  hundred  twenty  eight  pounds  twelve 
shillings  &  two  pence  in  specie,  as  therein  expressed.  And 
the  due  &  just  value  of  anything  that  may  be  disposed  of 
(fire,  roberys,  &  other  inevitable  cassualtys  excepted)  unto 
the  s*  Katharine  in  case  she  survive  him,  or  unto  her 
heires,  exec",  or  adm"  within  the  space  of  six  months  next 
after  her  decease ;  so  much  of  y"  children's  portions  as 
shall  before  have  been  paid  thereout  to  them,  or  either  of 
them,  to  be  discounted.  The  several  parts  and  portions 
accrueing  to  the  children  of  the  s"*  John  Eyre  out  of  his 
estate  to  be  deliver'd  &  paid  unto  them  respectively  as 
they  come  of  age  or  be  marryed,  according  to  the  tenour 
&  direction  of  the  will  of  their  s"*  father,  the  survival  of 
their  mother  notwithstanding. 

To  the  true  and  faithful  keeping,  observance,  and  per- 
formance of  all  and  singular  the  covenants,  grants,  arti- 
cles, &  things  before  herein  contain'd,  I,  the  s*  Wait  Still 
Winthrop,  do  bind  &  oblige  myselfe,  my  heires,  exec", 
&  adm",  unto  the  s**  William  Brattle  &  Joseph  Parson, 
feoffees  in  trust  as  aforesaid,  their  exec",  adm",  &  as- 
signes,  in  the  sura  of  eleven  thousand  pounds  in  curr' 
lawful  money  of  New-England,  to  be  well  &  truely  paid 
by  virtue  of  these  presents.  In  witness  whereof  I,  the 
s''  Wait  Still  Winthrop,  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal 


158  THE   WINTHROP    PAPERS.  [1707. 

the  thirteenth  day  of  Novem'',  1707.  In  the  sixth  year 
of  the  reign  of  our  Soveraign  Lady,  Queen  Anne. 

Wait  Winthrop. 
Sign'd,  seal'd,  &  deliv'*  in  presence  of  us  : 

Will"  Clarke. 

Mary  Clarke. 

Suffolk  ss.  Boston,  13"'  Novemb',  1707. 

This  instrum'  of  feoffement  was  acknowledge  by  Wait 
Winthrop,  Esq'',  therein  named,  to  be  his  act  and  deed. 
Cor.  me.    1st  Addington,  J.  Pac. 

[Schedule  Annexed.] 
A  list  of  sundry  things,  &c. :  1  doz.  damasque  napkins  &  table 
cloth,  ^£4;  9  damasque  d?  &  table  cloth,  £2.10;  10  fine  diaper 
ditto  &  table  cloth,  .£3;  1  large  damask  table  cloth,  £2.10;  1 
fine  diaper  &  one  old  damask  d."  £1.5 ;  1  lai-ge  hukkebuck  table 
cloth  &  2  doz.  napkins  &  2  towells,  £4.10 ;  common  napkins, 
towels,  k  table  cloths,  £3.10;  1  p'  fine  hoUand  sheets,  £4.10; 

1  p'  ditto,  £2.10  ;  3  ditto,  £2.10  ;   16  p"-  common  sheets,  £16  ; 

2  p'  fine  pillow-beers,  £1.10 ;  2  p'  ditto,  14' ;  5  p''  ordinary  hol- 
land  d?,  £1.10 ;  1  suit  white  callicoe  curtains  &  vallens,  lac'd, 
£3;  3  p' window  curtains  &  vallens,  £1.10;  3  suits  old  white 
curtains  &  vallens,  £3  ;  2  white  quilts,  1  twilight,  £7.10.  Total : 
£65.9. 

In  y"  chamb'  ov'  the  kitchen  chamber  :  1  bedsted,  feath'  bed  & 
bolst',  £5 ;  1  suit  green  large  curtains,  1  rugg,  1  p'  blanketts, 
£6  ;  1  p'  andirons,  10^     Total :  £11.10. 

In  tiie  second  chamb'  ov'  little  room :  1  feath''  bed  &  bolster, 
£4.10  ;  1  rugg,  1  p'  blank'.%  coverlid,  &c.,  £3.5.    Total:  £7.15. 

In  the  hall  chamber:  1  fcath'  bed  &  bolster,  £7  ;  1  suit  China 
curtains  trim'd  w"^  India  silk,  k  quilt  of  y°  same,  w"*  bedsted, 
£20  ;  1  p'  fine  large  blank'%  £3 ;  6  Turkey  chairs,  £5  ;  1  cane 
couch,  £2;  1  table  k  looking  glass,  £6  ;  1  olive  wood  cabonct, 
£5  ;  brass  andirons,  tongs,  fircshovels,  fend',  bellows,  candlesf", 
£6  ;  books  apprized  at  £15.     Total :  £69. 

In  the  kitchin  chamb':  1  bedsted,  1  feath'bed  &  bolster,  £7 ; 
1  suit  searge  curtains  &  vallens,  £4 ;  1  quilt,  1  p'  blanketts, 
£3  ;  1  chest  w'"  drawers,  £7  ;  7  cane  chairs  k  couch,  £6.10 ;  1 
looking  glass,  andirons,  tongs,  shovel,  £2.    Total :  £29.10. 


1707.]  MARRIAGE    SETTLEMENT.  159 

In  the  little  chamb' :  1  bedstcd,  feath'bed  &  bolstr,  £1  ;  1  suit 
searge  curtains  &  vail  ens,  £3 ;  1  p^  blank*'  &  quilt,  £2;  Q  Tur- 
key chairs  &  a  table,  .£2.10  ;  andirons,  5\     Total :  £14.15. 

In  the  entry  chamb? :  1  little  bed  &  bolster,  £4 ;  1  rugg, 
blank'^  &  curtains,  £2.10.     Total :  £6.10. 

In  the  hall :  2  oval  tables,  £5  ;  1  doz.  cane  chairs,  1  great 
chair,  £7  ;  1  couch  &  quilt,  £2.10  ;  1  clock,  £12  ;  one  looking 
glass,  30' ;  brass  tongs,  shovel,  &  andirons,  £2.5.    Total :  £30.5. 

In  f  little  roome  :  2  little  tables  &  looking  glass,  £3.10 ;  9 
cane  chairs,  tongs  &  andirons,  £3.10.     Total :  £7. 

In  the  kitchen :  265'"  pewter  @  18«,  £19.17.6  ;  candlesticks, 
andirons,  jacks,  spitts,  guns,  kettles,  skilletts,  &c.,  £15  ;  Juno,  a 
negro  woman,  £30.     Total:  £64.4.6. 

Debts:  In  Jamaica  in  John  Broadstreet's  hands,  £25.10; 
William  Turner  of  Boston,  £6.5;  Dorothy  Hawkins,  £10.1.4; 
Eliz»  Powning,  £25.10.2  ;  in  Engl"  in  Taylor's  hands,  £30  ;  John 
Brooker  of  Plymoutli,  £167.9  ;  Jeremiah  Osburne,  £50  ;  John 
Draper,  £7.1.7  ;  "Walter  Newberry,  £14.9.2  ;  John  Pynchon,  jun'', 
£3.7.6;  Wills  Crow,  £4;  Tho'  Smith,  £10;  David  Melvell, 
£3.18;  Duncan  Campbel,  £6.8.3;  Richard  Draper,  £50;  Si- 
mon Willard,  £7.0.4;  Major  Walley,  £6.9.5;  Samuel  Prince, 
£3.6.2.    Total:  £480.15.11. 

Mortgages :  Judith  Allen,  £30  ;  M"  Maccarty,  £560,  reduc'd 
to  15  penny  w'  is  £634.13.8.     Total :  £664.13.8. 

Bonds  :  James  Whippo,  £68.10  ;  Nathan'  By  field,  £162  ;  John 
Thwing,  Green,  &  Odell,  £80  ;  David  Jeffries  &  Shepreeve,  £500  ; 
Joshua  Lamb  <fe  Alcock,  £50;  Joshua  Stedman,  £12;  Daniel 
Epps,  £25;  Rich*  Procter,  £121;  Jahlcel  Brenton,  £200,  17 
pny  ^t  reduc'd  to  15,  £226.13.4  ;  Edw-^  Boylston  &  Grant,  £80  ; 
John  Hodson,  £23.2.10. 

Plate,  124i  ounces  @  8/,  £169.16  ;  cash,  £800  ;  house  & 
ground,  £900;  warehouse,  £300;  John  Mico,  £111.11.11; 
David  Jeffries,  £30;  W  Maccarty,  £52.19;  4  tons  logg- 
wood  &  charges,  £41.10;  oyle,  3  tuns,  £54;  bills  of  exchange 
gone  to  Engll,  £150.  Total:  £3,958.3.1.  Grand  total: 
£5,328.12.2. 

Accepted  as  the  schedule  or  inventory  of  the  estate, 
mentioned  &  referr'd  to  in  the  Avithin  instrum',  amounting 
to  the  sum  of  five  thousand  three  hundred  twenty-eight 
pounds  twelve  shillings  &  twopence,  which  I  am  by  the  s^ 


160  THE  WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1707. 

instrum'  or  writeing  to  accompt  for,  surrender  and  deliver 
up  as  in  the  said  in  strum'  is  express'd.  What  money  is 
now  in  hand,  or  shall  be  received  in  of  that  standing  out 
&  lett  out  again  upon  good  security  w""  y"  advice  of  y°  s'* 
Katharine,  such  security  to  be  accepted  in  bonds  or  mort- 
gages, so  given  in  part  of  y*  sum  I  am  to  be  answerable 


for. 


Wait  Winthrop. 
I  am  content :     Katharine  Eyre. 


The  writeing  on  the  two  other  sides  of  this  sheet  con- 
tains a  schedule  or  inventory  of  the  estate  of  John  Eyre, 
late  of  Boston,  Esq',  dece'd,  under  the  administration  of 
Katharine,  his  relict  and  executrix,  as  it  stands  this  day 
of  November,  1707.  Ruggles  legacy,  funeral,  and  debts 
being  already  paid  and  discharged.  The  clear  estate 
amounting  to  five  thousand  three  hundred  twenty-eight 
pounds  twelve  shillings  &  twopence.  In  which  is  included 
the  particular  part,  portion,  and  interest  therein  accrue- 
ing  to  the  s''  widow  executrix  according  to  the  will  of  the 
deceased.  There  is  also  some  money  in  England,  the 
quantity  not  exactly  known ;  if  the  proceeds  thereof  ar- 
rive safe,  the  amount  of  the  same  is  to  be  added  to  y*  sum 
of  this  inventory  and  to  be  accompted  for.  It  is  likewise 
to  be  noted  that  the  estate  has  suffered  three  hundred 
pounds  loss  by  sea  this  year.  Katharine  Eyre.* 


GURDON   SALTONSTALL   TO  WAIT  -WINTHROP.t 

N.  LoxD.,  Decemb'  9'>,  1707. 

Honb''  S",  —  I  reed  yours  by  the  post  yesterday,  w' 
confirms  the  sorrowfull  news  of  both  your  and  our  bereav- 
ment.:}:     The  Lord  in  mercy  support  both  you  &  us.     I 

*  In  consideration  of  this  settlement  and  an  annuity  of  i:.30  during  widowhood,  or 
its  equivalent  in  cash,  Mrs.  Eyre  released  her  dower  in  Wait  Winthrop's  estate.  —  Eds. 
t  For  a  notice  of  Gurdnn  Saltonstall,  see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  p.  3  n.  —  Ei>3. 
J  Gov.  I'ilz-Iohn  Winthrop  died  in  Boston,  Nov.  25,  1707,  and  nas  buried  in  the  King's 


1707.]  GUEDON   SALTONSTALL.  161 

wish  I  were  able  to  informe  the  gentlemen  left  in  y* 
governm't  of  your  Hon"'"  inclination  to  settle  in  these 
parts ;  so  I  should  hope  our  publique  loss  would  be  re- 
paired ;  for  I  am  truly  afraid  what  will  become  of  us. 
According  to  y'  direction  I  have  sent  you  a  copy  of  the 
Govt's  will,  w"  I  reed  from  Madam  Winthrop,  sealed  up 
w""  his  Hon"  seal.  I  understand  there  are  2  later  deeds, 
w"  he  has  made  of  Massapeag,  &  half  the  neck  in  town 
w*""  y"  houses  upon  it,  &  half  y^  land  y'  Horton  lived  on, 
to  M?  Winthrop  &  Levingstone,  and  I  know  not  of  any 
more ;  I  beleive  I  may  procure  copies  of  them  if  yr  Hon' 
desires  it.  You  will  find  in  the  Gov"  papers,  a  late  letf 
of  mine,  w""  an  acct  of  w'  was  due  to  mee  fro  M"'  Liveen's 
estate  ;  of  w°  I  had  an  answer  from  his  Hon'',  who  told  mee 
that  he  had  not  yet  perused  y°  ace''  of  y'  money,  but 
would  do  it,  and  take  care  of  w'  I  wrote  to  him ;  but 
Divine  Providence  has  prevented.  I  desired  him  to  pay 
20"'  of  y'  money  to  my  Ladie  Davie.  If  yr  Hon''  please  to 
befriend  me  so  much  as  to  pay  her  y'  sum,  which  I  must 
remitt  to  her,  I  shall  acknowledge  it  a  favour.  Nor  should 
I  trouble  you  thus  at  this  time,  but  that  I  have  a  message 
from  her  about  it.  I  doubt  not  but  yr  Hon'  remembers 
the  settlement  of  the  money  remaining  for  y"  ministry 
some  y"  since  by  the  Gov',  &  the rf ore  need  not  write 
about  it.  Mad.  Corwin  has  a  great  desire  to  come  down. 
I  tell  her  I  doubt  it  will  be  too  hard  for  her ;  but  she  still 
continues  her  inclination  to  come  down,  &  Capt  Leving- 
ston  has  promised  her,  when  he  has  dispatched  his  sloop, 
to  waite  upon  her,  and  he  hopes  it  will  be  in  a  few  days. 
I  have  only  farther  to  condole  w'^  yr  Hon'  &  yr  good 
lady  with  all  y"  branches  of  yr  family,  under  the  afflict- 
ing hand  of  God,  to  w"  we  owe  a  profound  submission,  & 
remain,  Hon*"'  S', 

Yr  most  humble  serv*,         G.  Saltonstall. 

Chapel  graveyard.     For  a  toiichin.s  letter  of  condolence  from  Saltonstall  to  John  Winthrop. 
see  G  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  p.  411.  —  Eds. 


1G2  THE    WIXTHROP   PAPEES.  [1707 


GURDON  SALTONSTALL  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

N.  LoxD.,  Dec.  17*    1707. 

Hoxb''  S%  —  I  have  been  this  day  to  waite  upon  Mad"" 
Corwin,  whom  I  find  determined  to  set  out  for  Boston  to- 
morrow. I  must  confess  I  am  afraid  it  is  too  hard  a 
journey  for  her,  &  disswaded  from  it;  but  she  has  too 
earnest  a  desire  to  be  prevailed  w""  to  stay  till  spring.  I 
therfore  take  this  opportunity  to  signifie  the  recp'  of  y" 
by  Mad.  Livingstone,  w""  what  you  were  pleased  to  send 
by  her,  and  acknowledge  the  hon'  you  have  done  mee  to 
reckon  mee  among  the  sorrowful!  friends  of  yr  deceased 
broth".  I  have  done  as  you  directed  to  Capt  Witherell  & 
M"'  Christophers,  who  went  on  Munday  last  to  a  Gen"  As- 
sembly w"  meets  this  day  at  N.  Haven.  The  L'  Gov',  on 
y'  news  of  the  Gov"  death,  sent  to  y^  gentlemen  of  the 
Councill  here,  to  attend  y'  Assembly,  and  bring  w"'  y"  y' 
lett"  &  publique  papers  lodged  in  y*  Gov™  hands ;  who 
made  the  motion  to  Mad.  Winthrop.  The  caution  you 
gave  her  about  his  Hon"  papers  made  her  loth,  &  I  also 
acquainted  them  w""  y^  same  you  wrote  to  mee ;  but  sup- 
posing you  might  have  reference  to  his  private  papers 
only,  their  opportunity  prevailed  so  far  y'  Mad  Winthrop 
desired  mee  to  look  into  y'  Gov"  closet,  where  were  sev- 
erall  bundles  of  writings,  but  none  (that  I  saw)  w"  were 
not  concerning  the  affairs  of  y^  publique  (and  I  suppose 
his  own  papers  are  by  themselves  in  some  other  room  or 
trunk).  I  took  and  sent  to  the  Assembly  4  antient  lett" 
from  y"  Court,  y'  were  among  the  rest,  and  w°  were  all  y* 
lett"  I  could  readily  find  (&  I  have  kept  a  distinct  acct  of 
them).  I  give  you  this  acct  bee.  I  beleive  3''  Government 
will  spedily  be  urgent  for  the  remaining  publique  pnpers, 
&  Madam  Winthrop  will  be  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  w"*  out 
yr  Hon"  direction.  I  conclude  y"  Govermt.  will  write  for 
England    by  the  mast  fleet,  w°  they  will  not  be  able  to  do 


1707-8.]  JOSEPH   DUDLEY.  163 

w""  out  perusing  the  copies  of  y'  last  lett^  I  sent  w'  you 
desired,  by  the  last  post.  w°  I  hope  came  safe.  I  only  add 
my  humble  service  to  y'  Hon"  &  y"  Lady,  &  prayers  that 
God  would  support  y""  Hon'  (and  all  of  us)  in  those  depths 
of  sorrow  into  w°  his  unerring  providence  has  reduced  us, 
and  am,  Honb'  S"", 

Your  most  himible  serv', 

G.  Saltoi^stall. 

N.  LoND.,  Dec.  22,  1707. 

Mad  Corwin  thought  not  good  to  proceed  upon  her 
journey  to  Boston ;  wherfore  I  open  this  to  renew  what 
I  have  mentioned  above  concerning  yr  Hon™  direction 
about  y"  publique  papers,  bee.  I  understand  severall  gen- 
tlemen of  y°  Councill  are  to  be  here  on  Tuesday  next 
sevonnight  (as  I  suppose  in  order  to  write  for  England). 
Mr.  Robes,  who  brings  this,  has  promised  mee  to  bring 
y''  directions,  &  he  returns  this  week. 

Yr  humble  s',  G.  S. 

Maj'  Winthrop. 


JOSEPH  DUDLEY  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 
To  the  Honorable  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq",  Boston. 

RoxBURT,  Febr.  11,  1707[-8]. 

S",  —  I  have  a  favour  to  ask  of  you.  Every  body  is 
sensible  how  I  am  persued  by  W.  Mather,  and  I  expect 
much  more  of  it  in  England  then  here.  If  you  will 
favour  mee  with  a  letter  to  Sr  Henry  Ashurst,  I  do  not 
vnderstand  that  he  is  engaged  in  this  persuit  of  mee,  & 
M""  Mather  lately  told  mee  that  he  was  quite  one  with 
S''  Ch.  Hobby.  You  must  needs  know  that  any  thing  that 
could  be  greivous  to  Governour  Winthrop  in  the  business 
of  Connecticut  was  done  by  coiiiand  from  her  Majesty 
vnder  the  Great  Seal,  of  which  I  knew  nothing  till  it  lay 
upon  \\\y  table,  &  which  I  could  not  refuse  to  obey.     If 


164  THE   WINTHROP   PAPEKS.  [1707-8. 

he  had  lived  as  I  earnestly  pray*,  or  you  would  think  of 
dweling  in  that  country,  where  I  am  well  assured  the 
Goverment  would  be  given  you,  I  would  repay  that  sup- 
posed injury  by  all  possible  means,  &  I  shall  not  want 
freinds  at  Whitehall  in  a  private  capacity  when  her  Majes- 
tye  pleases  to  direct  me  to  it.  S"'  Hary  would  beleive  your 
representation  of  mee  as  an  honest  man.  I  am  \bloitcd'\ 
also  in  your  own  afFayres,  taking  leave  sometimes  to  talk  of 
them  with  Mr.  Winthrop  (for  whom  I  thank  you),  to  advise 
if  possible  that  you  will  spend  the  spring  at  New  London 
as  early  as  may  be,  &  in  the  mean  time  prevent  the  pro- 
bate of  a  supposed  will  of  Governour  Winthrop  by  your 
letter  &  chalenge  to  the  judge  of  that  court;  &  since 
we  have  not  long  to  live,  it  is  alwayes  best  to  keep  a 
firm  authentick  will  executed  by  us,  so  as  those  that 
do  not  love  us  have  a  right  to  make  it  to  the  mind  of 
a  family. 

Your  most  humble  servant,  J.  Dudley. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  SAMUEL  READE.* 

Boston,  March  5',  170J. 

Dear  Cousin,  —  I  haue  rec'^  yours  of  the  last  of  Aprill 
and  lO"'  of  June,  and  rejoyce  in  your  continued  health  and 
prosperity.  It  has  pleased  God  to  bring  great  changes  in 
a  little  time  on  us  here.  I  haue  lived  a  widower  manj^ 
years,  and  my  son  and  daughter  being  grown  up,  I  haue 
upon  good  consideration  altered  my  condition,  and  am 
marryed  to  one  M"  Ej-re,  a  virtuous  and  religious  woman, 
whose  former  husband  was  a  merchant  of  note  in  this 
placet  My  son  was  also  married  a  little  after  to  our 
Gov"  daughter ;t  and  while  these  matters  were  depending, 

*  This  letter  is  printed  from  a  copy  in  the  handwriting  of  Wait  Winthrop's  son.  —  Eds. 
t  Wait  M'inthrop  was  married  to  Katharine  Eyre,  Nov.  13,  1707.  —  Eds. 
X  John  Winthrop  was  married  to  Anne  Dudley,  Dec.  IG,  1707.  —  Eds. 


1707-8.]  WAIT    WINTHROP.  165 

my  brother,  who  had  not  been  here  in  8  or  nine  years, 
came  to  visit  his  freincls,  and  being  ready  to  return  was 
talven  with  a  cold  and  paine  in  his  brest  and  side,  and 
a  fever  followed  which  left  him  not  untill  he  dyed,  which 
was  the  25'  of  Nov**'.  I  hope  he  is  gon  to  rest.  The  Lord 
prepare  us  also,  that  we  may  be  ready  when  he  shall  call 
for  us,  and  help  us  to  submit  to  his  good  pleasure  in  all 
things.  I  haue  been  greatly  perplexed  that  I  haue  not 
been  able  to  send  you  the  fifty  pounds  I  rec?  of  Cousin 
Eps.  I  must  confess  I  coiTiitted  a  mistake.  The  Province 
bills  I  rec''  used  to  go  currant  as  peices  of  8,  at  17''  waight 
the  peice  for  six  shill. ;  but  our  merchants,  in  spite  of  the 
law  (which  says  peices  of  8  shall  go  at  that  rate  still), 
haue  brought  all  mony  to  goe  at  8  shillings  the  ounce,  or 
peices  of  8  at  15  peny  wait  for  six  shillings,  which  is 
upward  of  13  T  cent  diffei'ence ;  and  I  doubt  I  shall  not 
perswad  my  cousin  Eps  to  rectifye  my  mistake.  But  that 
was  not  the  reason  I  haue  not  sent  it  all  this  while,  but 
merely  want  of  opertunity  to  invest  it  in  somthing  that 
you  might  not  loose  by  it.  As  for  bills  of  exchang,  thay 
are  at  upward  of  50  per  cent,  but  I  could  get  none  ;  and 
for  other  returnes  here  is  so  many  merchants  and  fac- 
tors clutching  at  them  that  I  could  get  nothing  but  what 
would  proue  wors  then  bills ;  so  that,  understanding  by 
your  letter  that  you  are  concerned  in  the  Corporation  for 
the  Indian  affair,  I  am  advised  by  som  of  the  merchants 
here  to  advise  you,  as  your  best  way,  to  take  mony  of 
that  corporation  on  the  best  terms  you  can  (thay  hauing 
occation  to  remit  mony  hither),  and  draw  bills  on  me 
here,  which  if  you  please  to  do  for  that  fifty  pounds  your 
mony  lyes  ready  here,  and  your  bills  shall  be  well  paid  ; 
and  becaus  I  coiTiitted  an  error  your  mony  shall  be  made 
good  at  17?  waight  for  six  shillings.  If  I  can  perswade 
Cousin  Eps  to  rectify  it,  I  will ;  however  I  am  not  will- 
ing you  should  lose  under  my  management.  S""  Henry 
Ashurst  has    been    so  kind  as   to  propose  the  place  of 


166  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1708. 

Leiftenant  Gov'  for  me  here,  w*  will  be  a  charge  and  no 
profit  if  a  GovT  be  here  also ;  if  I  am  fit  for  that,  I  am  as 
fit  for  y°  other,  if  the  charge  of  procuring  it  be  not  over 
great.  I  haue  wrot  to  him  my  thoughts  about  it.  My 
son  desires  the  books  mentiou'd  in  the  inclosed  note,  w".'' 
shews  where  they  are  to  be  had.  If  they  could  be  pro- 
cured and  sent  by  the  first,  in  case  you  draw  upon  me, 
please  to  draw  so  much  the  more,  v/"^  shall  fiirther  obhge 
Yo!  aff?  kinsman  and  humbl'  serv'. 

Please  to  give  my  service  to  all  my  dear  relations,  who 
I  should  be  glad  to  see  if  it  were  possible. 


JOSEPH   DUDLEY   TO   THE    GENERAL    COURT    OF 
MASSACHUSETTS.* 

Portsmouth,  6  May,  1708. 

Gentlehex,  —  The  winter  is  past  without  any  incon- 
venience from  the  enemy,  unles  it  be  that  it  has  made  us 
more  careless  of  danger,  &  some  of  our  people  thereupon 
presume  to  necglect  their  watches  &  caution,  which  must 
be  reformed  every  where,  least  we  be  surprised  into  some 
great  mischeife.  The  officers  &  soldiers  in  the  last  years 
service  should  have  been  provided  for  before  this  time,  & 
a  fund  set  for  their  payment ;  but  it  must  be  no  longer 
delayed,  &  the  other  debts  of  the  Province  shall  be  layd 
before  you  by  the  Treasurer.  I  desire  &  expect  that  the 
gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Repi-esentatives  will  take 
care  that  we  be  just  in  our  payments,  that  we  may  ob- 
tayn  the  favour  of  God,  &  maintain  her  Majestyes  honour 
and  our  just  reputation,  &  prevent  the  complaints  of  any 
of  her  Majestyes  subjects  to  whom  we  are  indebted.  We 
are  alwayes  during  the  warr  in  necessity  to  rayse  men  for 
our  defence,  &  we  must  take  care  there  be  that  in  the 

•  This  letter  is  printed  from  a  rough  draft,  in  Dudley's  hand,  found  among  the  papers 
of  his  son-in-law,  John  Winthrop.  —  Eds. 


1708.]  JOSEPH    DUDLEY.  167 

treasury  that  will  support  us.  I  shall  do  my  duty  in  plac- 
ing so  many  men  at  the  fort  as  are  necessary  for  the  pres- 
ent service,  &  we  must  have  a  small  party  for  a  distant 
scout  and  discovery,  &  there  must  be  provisions  for  them, 
and  you  must  not  forget  your  agent  that  you  have  lately 
sent  hence.  I  desire  the  gentlemen  of  the  Representa- 
tives that  they  will  proceed  herein  with  all  good  agree- 
ment, and  as  soon  as  the}^  may ;  the  session  need  not  be 
long.  I  have  alwayes  seen  so  much  freindship  and  una- 
nimity in  the  Assembly  of  this  Province  that  I  doubt 
not  of  your  doing  your  duty  herein,  &  the  good  provi- 
dence of  Almighty  God  will  still  protect  us,  &  I  shall  not 
fayle  at  all  times  to  represent  you  well  to  her  Majestyes 
protection  &  favour. 


JOSEPH    DUDLEY  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.* 

RoxBURY,  2i  May,  1708. 
S?,  —  I  alwayes  expected  yo'  stay  would  necessarily  be 
longer  then  at  first  you  thought,  you  having  been  so  long 
absent  from  yo'  affairs.  I  am  sorrey  you  have  any  dif&- 
culty  in  the  settlement  of  any  estate  belonging  to  GovernT 
Winthrop,  yo"'  father ;  it  is  so  contrary  to  what  I  have  a 
long  time  been  assured  was  allwayes  by  yo'  brother  in- 
tended to  be  kept  intire  &  inviolate  for  the  heir  of  yo' 
family.  It  is  thirty  years  I  have  heard  him  frequently  say 
that  the  estate  of  his  father  should  never  be  divided, 
that  he  did  but  desire  to  eate  there,  &  his  brother  might 
afterwards  do  as  he  pleased.  And  last  of  all,  when  he  did 
me  the  honour  to  speak  to  mee  about  the  marriage  of  his 
nephew,  he  told  me  he  was  y^  best  heir  in  these  Provinces, 
and  that  all  that  he  had,  as  well  as  what  his  father  had, 
was  for  him ;  he  must  be  content  to  let  him  have  his  life 

*  For  an  affidavit  to  the  same  purport  as  this  letter,  but  sworn  to  in  October,  1710,  see 
6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  419,  420.  See  also  the  will  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop  in  the 
same  volume,  pp.  413-417.  —  Eds. 


168  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [IToS. 

&  it  was  his  owne,  &  that  he  desired  to  rayse  a  family. 
And  once  more  perticularly  told  mee  that  when  M'  John 
Winthrop  was  sick  last  year  he  was  fearfall  of  his  death, 
and  then  in  his  own  mind  he  determined  to  send  for  his 
kinsman,  Maj"  Adam  Winthrop,  &  give  him  all  his  lands 
to  bear  up  y°  name  of  the  family.  These  things  and 
many  like  he  said  to  mee  in  his  last  two  monthes  conver- 
sation. I  pretend  to  know  Govf  Winthrop,  yo^  brother,  as 
much  as  any  body  but  yo"  selfe,  &  I  know  very  well  this 
was  his  constant,  steady  resolution ;  and  in  the  last  week 
of  his  life  he  inveyed  against  y*  division  of  an  estate  near 
us  as  the  ruin  of  the  estate  &  family.  And  am  therefore 
the  more  surprized  that  any  good  divines  should  labour  to 
perswade  any  body  that  he  was  ever,  in  health,  of  any 
other  mind ;  but  if  by  there  perswation,  and  the  fitt  of  a 
feavo'',  he  ever  projected  an  other  thing  so  contrary  to  the 
whole  teuour  of  his  life,  you  are  to  be  thankful!  that  it 
was  done  by  an  instrument  in  law  w".""  will  not  dispose  of 
one  penny  of  an  estate  in  joynt  tenancy  if  the  text  of  the 
law  be  true.  I  heartily  wish  yo''  health,  &  yo!'  dear  son 
I  pray  you  to  regard  him  above  any  thing,  and  we  will  be 
patrons;  my  daughter  offers  her  duty  to  her  father  & 
husband,  and  I  am,  S', 

YoT  very  humb'  serv', 

J.  Dudley. 

To  the  Honorable  Wait  Wiuthrop,  Esqr,  New-London, 


JOHN  LEVERETT  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  May  24,  1703. 

S^,  —  The  Governm'  of  Rhode  Island  has  at  last  in- 
vaded the  Narraganset  countrey  with  an  Act  of  their 
Assembly  w'^.''  will  prove  fatal  to  the  interest  of  the 
Propriet"  of  that  countrey  if  not  timously  &  vigorously 
repulsed.  The  Coinittee  appointed  the  last  Octob'  for  a 
survey  have  made  their  return  to  the  Session  now  just 


1708.]  JOSEPH   DUDLEY.  169 

past  this  moneth,  and  in  the  survey  they  have  not  onely 
taken  the  mortgage-lands,  but  the  surplusage-lands  too, 
as  they  are  calP.  You  being  at  Coiiecticot,  you  wil  have 
opportunity  to  engage  that  Governm'  to  enter  into  y* 
alfaii',  in  securing  property,  w''.''  is  a  main  article  in  the 
agreem'  between  the  two  Colonys.  Your  own  interest  is 
doubly  concerned,  and  we  hope  you  will  be  vigourous  in 
asserting  it ;  and  this  will  advance,  or  at  least  put  some 
check  to,  w'  may  be  destructive  to  the  coinon  interest. 
We  pray  you  to  exert  yo'self,  and  this  is  what  is  needfull 
at  present  from,  S% 

Yo'  humble  serv%  J.  Leyeeett.* 


JOSEPH  DUDLEY  TO   GURDON  SALTONSTALL.f 

[May,  1708.] 
S%  —  I  want  Maj''  Generall  Winthrop's  assistance  here 
in  ol"  affaires,  and  am  surprized  to  hear  of  any  difficulty 
referring  to  Gov!"  Winthrop's  estate  (y*  first  Gov'),  w".''  I 
perceive,  by  his  will  &  y''  purchas  of  y"  two  brothers,  was 
alwayes  in  joynt  tenancy  ;  &  it  is  y*  text  of  y**  law  that  no 
such  estate,  nor  any  part  of  it,  is  devisable  by  any  joynt 
tenant,  all  such  will  &  disposition  is  voyd  of  it  self  I  am 
very  loath  to  hear  any  I'eflections  upon  y'^  late  Gov!"  Win- 
throp,  who  has  often  said  to  me,  and  lastly  upon  his  treaty 
of  marriage  in  my  family,  that  whatsoever  belonged  to  his 
father,  himself,  &  his  brother  was  for  his  nephew,  &  in  case 
his  nephew  had  dyed  last  year  he  declared  freely  y'  if  he 
had  been  alive  he  would  have  sent  for  Adam  Winthrop  & 
given  him  ail.  However  his  will  will  prevaile  no  farther 
then  his  owne  separate  estate ;  and  by  my  best  guess,  when 

*  A  blank  space  is  left  for  other  signatures;  but  the  letter  is  in  the  handwritins  of  Lev- 
erett,  who,  after  having  been  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  a  Judge,  had 
then  recently  been  made  President  of  Harvard  College.  — Eds. 

t  This  letter  is  a  copy  without  date,  but  it  was  probably  written  at  the  same  time  as  the 
letter  from  Dudley  to  Wiuthrop  which  precedes  it.  —  Eds. 
22 


170  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1708. 

y'  has  paid  his  funerall  &  debts,  w*  out  any  consideration 
of  y°  halfe  rents  due  to  his  brother  for  thirty  years  past,  I 
can  tell  what  will  be  left  for  his  legacyes.  8%  you  will 
give  me  leave  to  tell  you  that  is  y"  first  family  in  this 
Province,  and  more  then  y*  first  in  yo'  Collony,  and  if  a 
stranger  shall  hamp"  &  hurt  y*  estate  it  will  be  no  honour 
to  Connecticot  Goverm',  &  y'  poorest  gound  in  y""  Temple 
will  do  their  business  at  home.  We  are  some  of  us  Eng- 
lish gentlemen,  &  such  is  yoT  owne  family ;  &  we  should 
labo'  to  support  such  famalyes  because  truly  we  want 
them.  You  will  pardon  ray  freedom,  because  I  know  this 
matter  must  needs  be  undf  yoT  influence,  &  because  I 
am,  Sf, 

YoT  very  humble  serv', 

J.  Dudley. 

To  Gov'  Saltonstall,  N.  London, 


SAMUEL  READE   TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

LoN'D?,15  iu  July,  1708. 

Cousin  Wait  Winthrop,  —  I  rec'^  y'  two  letters,  both 
of  y^  5""  March  past,  w'l"  y"  inclosed  to  S!'  Henry  Asshurst, 
w".''  were  delivered ;  doe  heartily  condole  y"  death  of  my 
dear  cousin  y!"  bro'',  w'!"  whome  I  may  say  I  had  acquaint- 
ance w'?  from  my  youthe,  while  he  was  w'?  my  fatlier  in 
Scotland,  &  for  whome  had  a  reall  respect;  and  as  Provi- 
dence hath  directed  you  to  a  new  settlement,  I  do  con- 
gratulate you  thereon,  as  also  in  disposall  of  cousin  j". 
son ;  doe  wish  success  &  satisfaction  to  both  on  all  ace**. 
My  eldest  son  is  at  present  beyond  y  seas.  He  went  last 
May  to  Holland  &  Flanders ;  there  in  comp.  w'."  him  M' 
Walker,  who  came  from  yf  partes  last  year.  They  returne, 
I  suppose,  w'Mn  a  monthe ;  then  shall  take  care  to  pro- 
vide those  books  you  desire  for  cousin  yf  son,  &  may  goe 
over  w""  M'  Walker,  who  designes  to  return  home  y? 
latter    end    of   yf  year.      I  find  you  could  not  procure 


1708.]  SAMUEL    EEADE.  171 

returnes  for  Cousin  Epps  mony ;  could  wish  it  liad  beene 
donne  from  thence,  either  in  pte  or  any  way,  for  do  not 
find  any  probabiUty  of  doing  it  from  hence  but  at  much 
disadvantage.  Y?  Corporation  met  yesterday,  but  find 
nothing  can  be  donne  y'  way,  having  remitted  more  then 
they  are  hke  to  be  in  cash  for  some  time ;  soe  must  con- 
sult some  other  way  &  shall  write  you  further  about  it. 
Since  I  began  this  letter  there  is  just  come  to  himd  a 
letter  from  you  to  S''  Henry  Asshurst,  w"''  have  forwarded 
to  him,  being  at  Tunbridge,  whether  I  designe  to  goe  in 
few  days,  to  spend  a  month  at  yf  waters.  Shall  not  at 
present  inlarge,' designing  to  write  again  suddenly;  w'!^ 
tender  of  service  to  y^  self  &  all  relations,  I  desire  you 
would  advise  w?  years  yf  bro.  was  of  when  departed. 

Y"  12  Octob',  1708. 

S%  —  The  foregoeing  is  coppy  of  my  last  T  ship  Nep- 
tune, who  hath  waited  for  convoy  longer  then  expected,  & 
is  but  lately  departed.  My  sonne  after  his  returne  from 
Holland  made  inquiry  after  bookes  you  desired.  Y"  per- 
son you  mention  that  did  collect  those  bookes  hath  been 
dead  many  yeares,  &  none  hath  succeeded  him  in  that 
curiosity  ;  y*^  bookes  almost  out  of  printe,  &  upon  inquiry 
of  severall  bookesellers  cannot  heare  of  but  very  few,  & 
those  of  soe  considerable  value  that  thinke  it  not  worthe 
while  to  send  any  w^ut  further  order ;  doe  not  find 
above  4  to  be  procured.  Have  had  noe  meeting  of  y' 
Corporation  since  last  wrot  you,  but  as  I  intimated  to 
you,  have  noe  expectation  from  thence.  Soe  must  leave 
it  to  you  to  make  returnes  of  Couss°  Eppes  monyes  in 
your  handes  according  as  you  find  conveniencie  &  opper- 
tunity  either  in  pte  or  y"  whole,  as  you  judge  for  my  ad- 
vantige  ;  if  have  oppertunity,  may  write  again  this  season, 
w*''  due  remembrance  to  relations  rest  in  hast,  S"", 
Yr  affection'  kinsm°  &  serv', 

Sam.  Reade. 


172  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPEES.  [1708. 


JOHN  BOULT  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

London,  August  the  23'^,  1708. 

Honoured  S",  —  With  hope  of  your  good  health  I 
sail  net  you  and  yo"'  beloued  ladey,  euer  wishing  youre 
health  and  hapines.  Oure  departure  from  Nantasket 
the  18  of  March.  Oure  ship  Swallow  prise  toke  2  French 
marchant  men  laden  with  salt,  brandie,  &  French  winds, 
berthen  betwen  2  &  3  hund  tuns,  the  first  12  guns  &  55 
men,  the  other  18  guns  and  85  men.  This  last  one  the 
26  of  Aprill ;  haueing  persude  her  all  the  afternond, 
being  almost  out  of  sight  of  the  fleet,  the  comadore 
turnd  back  without  making  any  signall.  We  persude 
our  chase,  &  abought  10  at  night  came  up  with  her. 
After  the  firing  5  guns,  became  ours,  but  neuer  after 
had  any  sight  of  the  fleet;  soe  the  Swallow  prise  &  this 
her  last  prise  by  the  good  hand  of  God,  in  8  weeks,  one 
the  18  day  of  May,  got  safe  into  Plymouth  harbor.  I 
wayted  here  7  weeks,  hoping  to  haue  a  pasage  by  water, 
but  at  last  was  forst  to  make  the  best  of  my  way  by  land 
in  a  coach  200  miles.  I  tould  the  cap'  he  was  to  deliuer 
my  mony  in  London,  soe  he  tould  me  he  would  if  I  would 
stay  till  he  came  there,  but  he  had  order  to  goe  a  crues- 
ing  &  soe  might  lose  y^  ship  &  mony  to ;  soe  I  was  forst 
to  take  the  mony  and  rune  y*  risk  ouer  land.  All  the 
fleet  got  wel  into  Kings  sayle  in  Ireland ;  &  abought  my 
coming  away  I  herd  thay  were  all  comming  into  Plymouth. 
Here  Spanish  mony  would  not  bring  aboue  5  shilling 
p  ounc.  I  had  not  bene  longe  in  London  before  I  was 
taken  extreamly  ill,  soe  that  it  was  concluded  by  all  that 
I  was  a  dead  man ;  but  blesed  be  God  I  am  yet  aliue,  and 
hope  I  shall  [y]it  line  to  see  Glocester  shore.  I  here 
my  sister  is  [y]it  aliue.  My  cozen  Robart  Ollif  is  dead, 
to  wliome  I  think  I  ordered  you  to  direct ;  but  he  hath 
left  a  sone  in  his  place.    You  may  direct  to  mee,  to  be  left 


1708.]  SIR   HENRY    ASHURST.  173 

with  M"'  John  Ollif,  coachmaker  in  Alldersgate  Street  nere 
the  3  Tups.  S',  I  haue  but  a  littl  receipt  for  that  mony 
I  left  with  you ;  &  I  know  you  will  not  pay  it  without 
that  receipt.  Now  what  if  it  should  be  lost  by  the  way  ? 
I  pray  consider  of  it,  &  own  it  before  sum  persons,  &  let 
me  here  of  it  by  yo"  first.  I  cannot  find  out  any  way  at 
present  how  to  haue  it  returnd,  and  am  sorry  I  cannot 
answer  your  sonns  expectation.  Pray  let  the  mony  1  had 
of  him  be  paid  to  him  out  of  that  mony  I  left  in  yo''  hand, 
haueing  no  order  to  leaue  his  w""  any  person.  Humbly 
craning  leaue  to  subscribe  my  selfe  yours  in  all  humble 
saruis  to  command,  j^^^  ^^^^^^ 

8',  I  deliuerd  yo'  letters  w*""  my  own  hand.     Pray  pies 
to  send  this  I  haue  inclosed. 


SIR  HENRY   ASHURST  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 

To  the  Hon^^'  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq'',  at  Boston  in  Neio  England.      Copie- 
The  originall  sent  by  Lord  Lovelace. 

London,  August  24,  1708. 

Much  hon""  &  dear  S",  —  I  had  great  reason  to  hope 
that  ere  this  I  should  have  sent  you  a  coiTiission  to  be 
Leiu'  Gov',  with  the  power  &  authority  of  a  Goveruour  ; 
but  am  strangely  disappointed.  After  all  my  expensive 
journe3's  to  Windsor  and  back  and  my  attendance,  it  is 
yet  delayed  ;  but  I  hope  it  will  not  be  long  before  I  shall 
sende  you  the  wellcome  newes.  For  if  the  Lord  spare 
my  life,  I  doe  not  despaire  of  doing  it.  The  removing 
him  will  stop  yr  complaints  ;  and  in  some  little  time  things 
will  come  right  again.  But  there  is  not  one  stone  he 
hath  left  unturn'd  to  keepe  him  in.  He  is  a  person  of 
such  insinuation,  such  parts,  that  only  Satan  himself  hath 
greater.  If  mony,  if  persons  sent  hither  of  both  sexes, 
if  lies  &  letters  to  great  persons.     A  certain  great  Duke 


174  THE   WIXTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1708. 

hath  told  me  he  hath  had  several!  letters,  but  would  never 
take  notice  of  one  from  him.  By  these  methods  he  keeps 
in.  Believe  it,  S%  ever  since  I  knew  N.  England  I  have 
had  the  highest  value  for  you.  I  confesse,  yr  son's  mar- 
rying D.'s  daughter  did  code  &  startle  me ;  but  yr  letter 
hath  fully  satisfied  me.  And  when  I  looke  home  in  the 
marriage  of  my  own  children,  I  am  very  silent.  I  have 
sent  you  my  wife's  funerall  sermon.  I  have  seen  the 
immortall  print  of  M""  Sewall,  which  showes  him  to  be  an 
honest  as  well  as  a  wise  man.  It  is  an  amazing  thing  to 
me  that  yr  Councill  should  agree  to  call  a  petition  scan- 
dalous &  wicked,  supported  with  so  many  allegations 
upon  oath.  Will  ever  any  after  such  a  precedent  be  con- 
cern'd  to  save  you  from  mine  ?  Is  there  no  courage 
left  ?  The  fearfuU  in  the  Revelations  are  the  first  named 
that  goe  to  Hell.  You  know  somthing  of  what  he  hath 
done  on  yr  side,  but  not  half  the  villany  that  I  have 
known,  and  at  great  expences  prevented.  He  is  con- 
tinually by  his  agents  contriving  mischief,  and  I  am  as 
often  detecting  him.  I  have  drawn  100*  which  I  receiv'd 
here  towards  the  expence  and  paying  for  your  patent. 
I  have  not  had  a  shilling  for  all  the  money  I  've  laid  out 
in  the  service  of  the  Massachusetts.  I  believe  he  had 
obtain'd  a  Coart  of  Chancery  &  destroy'd  yr  Charter,  if 
it  had  not  been  for  me.  I  desire  some  that  are  concern'd 
for  the  good  of  New  England  will  meet  together  to  pay 
that  bill.  It  is  not  reasonable  that  I  should  serve  a  great 
body  of  people  at  my  own  expence.  I  hope  to  effect 
every  thing  you  desire.  I  doe  not  need  to  desire  you 
to  promote  the  payment  of  my  bills  allready  drawn  on 
Connecticutt,  which  I  have  paid  out  of  my  own  purse, 
and  been  hindered  from  my  family  so  many  summers,  and 
taken  so  much  paines,  and  done  them  service  for  so  little. 
I  consider  how  they  have  been  exhausted,  and  I  have 
but  100"'  pr  an  for  all  my  trouble  these  two  last  yeares 
in  their  service  for  all  the  service  I  have  done  them, 


170S.]  GURDOX   SALTONSTALL.  175 

which  is  very  considerable.  You  may  be  sure  out  of  love 
to  your  person  I  will  doe  you  as  much  service  as  if  I  were 
your  father.  And  if  you  had  sent  yr  son  to  me,  he  should 
have  lived  in  my  family,  and  I  would  have  married  him 
to  a  godly  &  handsome  woman,  that  hath  3,000*  estate. 
S""  Charles  Hobby  is  coming  over.  If  you  love  New 
England,  treate  him  well.  I  know  his  faults,  but  the 
earth  must  helpe  the  woman.  If  you  joyne  with  him, 
you  will  finde  him  serviceable  in  order  to  yr  deliver- 
ance. This  I  recoiiiend  to  M"'  Cook,  to  M'  Mather,  to 
all  my  friends.  I  perceive  my  coz.  Sergeant  is  gone  off.* 
I  say  nothing  of  him.  The  Lord  blesse  you  &  yrs.  I  'm 
satisfied  I  serve  a  good  God  in  a  good  cause.  Therefore 
I  give  not  over.  You  may  be  sure  I  will  watch  all  opper- 
tunities  to  serve  New  England,  &  you  in  particular. 
I  am  with  great  sincerity  &  respect  yr  most  reall  friend 

&  faithfull  sei'vant,  tt         a 

'  Hen.  Ashhukst. 

I  doe  with  the  greatest  sincerity  condole  with  you  for 
the  death  of  yr  excellent  brother,  who  was  a  true  descend- 
ant from  Romulus,  yr  renowned  grandfather,  the  founder 
of  Connecticutt  &  my  true  friend.  New  England  has 
a  losse,  &  I  have  a  losse.  Oh  that  we  could  prepare  to 
follow  him  !  I  hope  you  will  soone  heer  of  another 
Governer,  w*  may  bee  yor  sell  Let  none  of  D.  friends 
se  my  leters.  I  had  4  to  dine  with  me  to-day.  Com""^  from 
the  Kirke  of  Scotland  tel  mee  hee  will  not  be  long  in  his 
Gouer :  thes  amoung  others  I  haue  imployed  about  yo' 
busines. 


GUKDON  SALTONSTALL  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

N.  LoND.,  Nov.  5*  1708. 

Honb''  S^,  —  I  reed  y'  Hon",  with  y'  enclosed  petition 
to  y*  Gen"  Assembly,   relating   to   the   action   wherein 

*  This  was  probably  a  brother  of  Peter  Sergeant,  who  is  several  times  mentioned  by 
Ashurst  .as  cousin,  and  who  did  not  die  until  Feb.  8,  1713-14.  —  Eds. 


176  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1708. 

y^  farm  is  concerned  at  the  suit  of  this  town,  while  I 
was  at  N.  Haven.  The  petition  was  considered  at  both 
Houses ;  y"  Judge  of  our  County  Court  certified  y'  y'  was 
no  judghment  entred  in  y'  case,  nor  could  be  till  next 
sessions,  in  June,  1709,  by  w°  time  it  was  thought  y' 
Hon""  would  have  time  to  inspect  that  aifair.  This  was 
all  y'  was  done  in  it,  or  w°  1  could  get  done  at  N.  Haven. 
For  y"  new  plantation  above  Plainfield,  y'  is  nothing 
more  done  than  when  you  were  here.  I  believe  they 
will  urge  hard  for  a  pattent ;  and  1  could  wish  y'  Hon'' 
had  settled  that  affair  at  our  last  Gen"  Assembly.  There 
will  be  great  objection  if  a  pattent  be  denied ;  but  I  shall 
endeavour,  so  far  as  I  may  be  concernd  in  it,  that  no 
wrong  be  done  to  any,  &  particularly  none  to  y'  Hon^ 
As  for  N.  London  case,  I  could  wish  to  see  y''  Hon''  here, 
&  that  you  would  let  the  contenders  understand  how  y' 
money  yy  pretend  to  has  been  drawn  from  you.  I  am 
as  much  a  stranger  to  y''  counsell  &  managem'  in  y*  affair 
as  y'  Hon'  is.  I  am  well  satisfied  y'  neithr  y''  Hon''  nor 
Gov'  Winthrop's  estate  ought  to  answer  for  a  quarter  so 
much  money  as  they  have  recovered,  if  all  y'  ever  you 
i-ecd  were  still  in  y'  hands.  I  am  heartily  sorry  for  the 
noise  this  action  makes ;  and  if  I  had  known  the  least  of 
it,  before  commenc'd,  they  should  have  had  my  counsell 
agt  such  a  project.  I  have,  S',  you  know,  my  self  been 
too  much  concerned  in  y'  action  ever  to  be  a  judge  in  it. 
And  therfore  as  I  am  not  otherwise  ingaged,  so  am  free 
to  be  retain'd  on  y'  Hon'''  side,  if  there  be  occasion  ;  and 
I  have  a  great  deall  more  reason  for  it,  on  one  account 
especially ;  for  I  think,  if  y'  Hon'  does  not  find  a  way 
for  mee  to  have  y°  just  recompence  of  my  labour  in 
recovering  the  whole  money,  w°  they  pretend  to  (&  w" 
was  all  along  promised  mee  by  Gov'  Winthrop,  &  now 
when  he  was  last  at  Boston,  by  left'  und'  his  hand,  upon 
my  sending  to  him  my  accts  of  time  &  charge  in  y'  ser- 
vice), I  shall  certainly  loose  it.    If  I  should  loose  it,  I  dare 


1708.]  GURDON    SALTONSTALL.  177 

assure  y'  Hon'  it  shall  be  no  fault  of  mine  ;  which  is  one 
reason  of  my  mentioning  it  now  to  y'  Hon"',  who  know, 
as  well  as  any  man,  that  the  trouble  of  saving  that  money 
was  mine,  tho  y^  profit  was  y"  Gov'ts,  and  that  therfore 
I  ought  to  be  satisfied  for  it.  I  believe  your  Hon'  will 
easyly  put  an  end  to  y'  case  &  controversy  upon  y'  com- 
ing hither,  which  I  hope  will  be  spedily.  I  am,  HonW 
S',  with  a  very  sincere  regard, 

Yr  very  humble  serv',        G.  Saltonstall. 

The  post  is  too  much  in  hast  for  me  to  write  to 
M'  Winthrop,  y'  son.  I  ask  y'  Hon'  to  give  him  my  ser- 
vice &  thanks  for  his  letf.  I  shall  observe  the  contents, 
&  give  order  y'  y°  negro  come  by  y"  first. 


gurdojST  saltonstall  to  wait  winthrop. 

For  the  HonV  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq': 

N.-LoND.,  Nov.  26*  1708. 

Honb''  S%  —  I  should  be  heartily  glad  if  the  season 
would  permitt  y'  journey  hither,  as  you  mention  in  y' 
letf  of  y"  13""  currant,  when  I  doubt  not  y'  Hon'  might 
soon  put  an  end  to  the  action  commenced  by  this  town  for 
y'  recovery  of  their  money  (as  they  call  it)  given  by  M' 
Liveen  to  y^  ministry  of  this  town.  But  at  present  it's 
likely  to  make  more  trouble.  I  told  y'  Hon'  formerly,  y* 
Cap'  Witherell  informd  y"  Gen"  Assembly  that  judghment 
was  not  entred  agt  you,  living  out  of  y"  Colony,  nor  could 
be  entred,  till  y"  next  session  of  y'  court  y*  had  y"  action. 
But,  a  few  days  since,  he  came  to  mee  to  confess  he  was 
mistaken,  and  pleads  y'  he  was  not  judge  in  y'  case,  but 
took  his  information  from  Cap'  Ely,  who  was  judge  in  it. 
The  agents  for  y°  town,  as  Cap'  Witherell  informs  mee, 
press  the  Clerk  for  an  execution,  &  threaten  to  sue  him 
if  he  will  not  grant  it.     Cap'  Witherell  desires  my  advice. 


178  THE   TVIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1708. 

I  could  not  but  find  fault  -w""  y"  Court  for  entring  judgli- 
ment.  If  y"  action  was  commenc'd  agt  y'  Hon'  (for  as 
yet  I  have  never  seen  y®  originall  writt),  and  tho'  accord- 
ing to  practice  here,  execution  cant  be  denied  when 
demanded,  after  judghment,  I  gave  my  advice  ag'  the 
execution.  I  know  not  what  service  it  will  do;  and 
cant  but  observe  to  y'  Hon'  that  there  is  such  a  temper 
at  y^  head  of  this  management  as  renders  it  very  unlikely 
that  they  will  have  any  regard  to  my  advice,  which  never 
has  been,  by  the  town  or  their  agents,  so  much  as  once 
desired.  I  believe  one  reason  of  it  is  bee.  they  think 
they  should  not  very  ,well  like  it,  if  it  were  given.  And 
for  my  part,  if  I  hant  as  mean  an  esteem  of  it  as  they 
y'  decline  it,  yet  I  am  loth  to  make  it  cheaper  still,  by 
forcing  it  upon  them ;  especially  considering  they  may 
be  so  fond  of  their  own  opinion  as  not  to  be  brought  off 
from  it  till  they  have  made  the  experiment.  I  do  not  as 
yet  see  reason  to  conclude  y'  y*  town  has  any  action  agt 
y'  Hon'  or  any  body  else  for  y°  recovering  of  y'  money, 
w"  they  sue  for,  and  therfore  cannot  but  esteem  the  pro- 
cess voidable.  For  this  reason,  among  others,  I  gave  advice 
to  Cap'  Witherell  about  y"  execution  as  above  ;  but  that 
is  a  reason  w°  y'  Hon'  must  conclude  will  never  take 
w""  the  plaintiffs.  A  lett'  from  y'  Hon'  to  Cap'  Wither- 
ell,  &  perhaps  to  y*  town,  might  possibly  abate  their 
vigour.  For  my  own  part  I  should  be  willing  to  serve 
you  in  this  affair,  &  shall  as  opportunity  presents  ;  but 
I  meet  with  y'  common  fortune  of  almost  all  concerned 
for  y°  publique.  And  tho  I  did,  at  y°  town's  desire,  re- 
cover y*  money  for  them,  after  they  had  tried  themselves 
in  vain ;  yet  my  very  doing  this  has,  I  think,  made  them 
jealous  of  so  much  as  asking  my  opinion  upon  their  pres- 
ent attempt  to  possess  themselves  of  it ;  principally,  to 
keep  themselves  at  a  greater  distance  (for  ought  I  can 
see)  from  being  concerned  in  the  satisfaction  y'  has  been 
engaged  &  ought  to  be  made  mee.     I  thought  it  proper 


1708-9.]  WAIT   WIKTHEOP.  179 

to  let  y'  Hon""  understand  thus  much,  that  you  may  not 
expect  I  should  have  a  greater  influence  in  this  affaire 
than  is  likely.  For  the  other  of  Quinibaug,  I  wish  y' 
Hon'  had  moved  it  effectually  at  y°  last  Gen"  Court.  I 
believe  there  will  be  hard  urging  for  a  patent.  Patents 
have  been  in  some  former  times  so  easyly  obtained  y' 
it  will  be  thought  a  hardship  to  delay  it  in  this  case. 
I  shall  be  very  unwilling  that  y'  Hoxf  should  suffer  y* 
least  wrong  by  any  concern  that  I  have  in  that  affair, 
and  will  carefully  avoid  it.  I  did  defere  a  patent  till  y° 
last  Gen"  Assembly,  at  y^  motion  of  Plainfield  select  men  ; 
but  yy  neglected  to  prosecute  their  caution  there ;  and 
as  I  am  well  satisfied  y"  Gen"  Assembly  never  imagined 
their  graunt  of  a  township  in  y'  part  of  y"  Government 
would  be  any  prejudice  to  y''  right,  so  I  shall,  in  the 
best  method  I  can,  take  care  that  it  prove  not  so  in  y* 
issue. 

I  am,  y'  Hon'^  very  humble  serv*, 

G.  Saltonstall. 

There  is  no  opportunity  to  send  Lillee,  &  I  doubt  y" 
will  be  none  this  winter.  Capt.  Livingstone  is  not  yet 
returned  from  N.  York. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   SIR  HENRY  ASHURST* 

March  22*,  170|. 

HoN^^  S",  —  I  wrote  you  by  the  last  shipps,  but  had 
then  scarce  time  to  looke  over  your  letter  by  S''  Charles 
Hobby,  w"**  came  to  hand  just  as  I  was  sending  mine  away, 
and  could  only  obserue  to  you  the  rec'  of  it;  and  though 
it  be  severall  months  since  the  Lord  Lovelace  arrived  at 
N.  York,  yet  I  had  not  the  originall  you  hinted  to  be  sent 
by  him  untill  a  few  days  since,  in  which  was  the  sermon 
you  ware  pleased  to  favour  me  with,  w"?'  I  read  with  a 

*  This  letter  is  printed  from  the  writer's  original  rough  draft.  —  Eds. 


180  THE    WINTIIROP   PAPERS.  [1708-9. 

sincere  simpathy  with  you  in  so  great  a  losse  (which  I 
hartily  condole),  as  also  with  an  inward  sattisfaction  in 
the  choyce  character  there  giuen  of  so  noble  and  excel- 
lent a  lady.*  And  because  you  know  where  tis  said,  Not 
many  noble,  &c.,  give  me  leave  to  remind  you  what 
cause  you  haue  to  rejoyce  in  the  salvation  of  God,  that  he 
has  chosen  her  to  be  one  of  that  Not  many ;  and  doubt- 
less it  has  been  and  will  be  a  comforting  consideration  to 
you  that  you  shall  at  length  meet  her  again  in  a  better 
place.     I  pray  God  we  may  be  all  likwise  ready. 

As  to  other  concernes  you  write  about,  I  am  in  the 
first  place  thankfully  to  acknowledg  your  great  kindness 
yet  continued  for  me,  and  can  only  wish  I  wear  able  to 
return  a  sutable  resentment  of  it,  which  if  that  matter  be 
accomplished,  I  may  be  in  a  better  capacity  to  performe ; 
in  the  mean  time  I  must  refer  you  to  what  I  wrote  this 
time  twelue  month  as  to  that  affiiir,  and  hope  you  will  be- 
leive  me  to  be  the  same  man  you  haue  supposed  me  for- 
merly. Though  I  dare  not  pretend  to  com  within  any 
degrees  of  y"  perfection  of  y"  great  examples  you  haue  som- 
times  been  pleased  to  name  to  me,  I  hope  and  pray  y'  God 
will  never  leade  me  into  the  temptation  of  apostacy  for  any 
worldly  interest  whatsoever.  If  I  had  taken  the  method 
som  others  haue  don,  instead  of  spending  a  considerable 
estate  to  serue  my  country  I  might  haue  gotten  many 
thousands.  I  beleiue,  as  you  say,  that  no  stone  has  been 
left  unturned,  &c.,  and  you  haue  a  right  apprehention 
therof  in  what  you  expresse  as  to  that  of  the  petition. 
You  had,  as  I  remember,  in  my  former  letters  what  I 
could  say  about  it,  which  I  think  was  suffitient  for  ray 
selfe ;  I  cannot  answare  for  others.  I  could  not  haue 
thought  what  I  dayly  see  som  men  do  in  several!  respects. 
I  am  wholly  ignorant  as  to  the  affairs  of  Conecticott  since 
my  brother  left  them,  but  hope  thay  will  do  Avhat  thay 
ought.     I  haue  not  been  mistaken  hitherto  in  any  that 

•  Tbe  reference  is  to  the  receut  death  of  Lady  Ashurst,  wife  of  Sir  Ilcury  Ashurst.— Eds. 


170S-9.]  WAIT    WINTHEOP.  181 

have  left  the  ministry  for  other  preferment.  I  haue  not 
seen  or  heard  of  the  bill  of  exchang  you  mention,  or  know 
who  it  is  charged  upon  ;  but  the  persons  you  recomend  to 
me  to  help  to  pay  it,  tho  thay  may  be  more  able,  yet  I  be- 
leiue  will  be  much  more  unwilling  to  advance  any  thing 
towards  it  then  myselfe  ;  and  for  others  I  know  not  where 
to  find  them,  unless  there  were  an  alteration ;  then  it 
may  be  som  would  fall  in.  However,  I  should  be  loath 
your  bill  should  not  be  honoured  tho'  I  borrow  the  mony 
for  it,  being  ashured  you  would  not  let  me  suffer  by  it ;  but 
if  the  affair  you  haue  been  pleased  to  propose  be  accom- 
plished, that  matter  will  be  easy.  But  I  must  tell  you 
that  som  here  that  you  haue  made  aquainted  with  that 
affair  (who  haue  been  and  I  beleiue  are  my  good  freinds 
in  other  respects)  are,  I  doubt,  still  desining  another  in- 
terest, which  thay  be  as  much  deseived  in  as  formerly,  and 
will  not  take  here  according  to  their  expectation ;  most 
people,  tho'  desirous  of  a  chang,  seming  to  be  satisfied 
that  it  has  not  happened  as  som  here  did  expect.  I  am 
afraid  you  are  mistaken  in  som  you  think  your  good 
freinds,  who  haue  spoken  very  slightly  of  the  interest  you 
haue  there  to  do  any  considerable  thing  for  us,  and  tho', 
as  you  say,  the  earth  must  help  the  woman,  yet  the  man 
may  be  left  with  his  faults  still.  In  a  former  letter  I  de- 
sired your  or  any  of  your  freinds  recomendation  of  me  to 
the  Lord  Lovelace,  which  may  be  a  kindness  to  me  if 
I  should  haue  opertunity  to  see  him.  I  also  praj^ed  you 
would  let  me  know  whether  your  last  bill  of  exchang 
charged  on  my  brother,  which  I  paid  to  M''  Tayler,  were 
not  wholy  on  the  ace'  of  M"'  Leveen's  business  for  defending 
that,  because  Maj''  Palmes  did  not  complaine  of  my  brother 
in  the  other  cause  of  administration  last  time  he  was  in 
England,  but  of  the  Govei""'  for  not  granting  him  admin- 
istration according  to  the  order  of  the  Queen  in  Councill, 
w"''  my  brother  did  not  hinder  them  in ;  and  yet  those 
concerned  in  that  mony  of  M'"  Leveen's  will  not  allow  me 


182  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

for  that  bill  of  excbang,  so  that  I  haue  paid  it  in  my  own 
wrong,  unless  you  please  to  clear  it  up  for  me,  which  I 
desire  you  would  do  by  the  first  opertunity.  The  former 
bill  of  exchang  som  years  since  of  sixty  eight  pounds, 
which  I  also  paid  to  M"^'  Broomfeild  and  Burroughs,  was 
only  on  the  account  of  Leveen's  business  when  Ilallam 
was  in  England,  there  being  nothing  about  My  Palmes' 
administration  on  foote  than  this  last  bill,  being  nere  the 
same  sum,  I  judg  was  all  on  the  same  ace'.  What  you 
hint  to  me  about  exposeing  your  letters  you  need  not  fear 
my  doing  it  to  any,  much  less  to  those  you  mention,  and 
hope  you  will  use  the  same  caution  as  to  mine  where  it 
may  be  inconvenient.  I  am,  with  greatest  sincerity,  &c., 
Yours,  &c. 


WILLIAM  WILLIAMS   TO  JOHN   WINTHROP.* 

New  London,  April  7%  1709. 

Sir,  —  I  remember  my  promise  to  write  to  you  from 
hence,  but  you'l  be  surpriz'd  to  find  my  letf^  of  so  late  a 
date  here,  if  you  computed  for  us  as  we  did  for  o'selves, 
till  I  tell  you  of  our  hindrances  by  the  weather,  &c.  Tues- 
day, when  we  parted  from  you,  we  reached  Seaconck ; 
from  thence  to  Updicks  on  Wednesday.  Thursday  it 
snow'd  and  rain'd  till  2  or  3  of  the  clock,  p.  m.  Friday 
we  reach'd  Stoningtown ;  were  kept  there  on  Satturday 

*  This  letter  and  the  one  which  immediately  follows  were  addressed  to  Wait  Winthrop's 
son;  but  as  they  relate  mainly  to  the  movements  of  the  father  and  to  the  differences  lictween 
him  and  Livingston, it  has  been  thought  best  to  insert  them  here.  Rev.  William  Williams, 
of  llattield,  was  one  of  the  best  known  clergymen  of  his  time  in  New  England,  and  many  of 
his  sermons  are  in  print.  Jon-athan  Edwards  speaks  of  him  as  a  man  of  uncommon  ability  and 
distinguished  learning.  See  Sibley's  Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  iii.  p.  2G.3.  He  was  a  partic- 
ular friend  of  the  Winthrop  family,  and  accompanied  Wait  Winthrop  on  this  journey  to 
New  York,  whither  the  latter  went  partly  on  public  business,  and  partly  to  arrange  some 
complicated  matters  connected  with  the  settlement  of  his  brother's  estate.  The  "  Cap'  Lev- 
ingstone  "  mentioned  was  John  Livingston,  Fitz-John  Winthrop's  son-in-law.  For  a  bio- 
graphical notice  and  letters  from  him,  see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  208,  297,  321  n. 


1709.]  WILLIAM    WILLIAMS.  183 

by  a  N.  E.  storm.  We  kept  Sabbath  there,  where  my 
service  was  possibly  acceptable  to  the  people,  M"  Noyes 
being  absent.  Monday  being  fair  weather,  we  set  out  for 
N.  London ;  stop'd  at  Ashby's,  where  we  din'd.  Honest 
Anthony  made  us  a  thousand  cringes,  was  exceeding  glad 
to  see  his  good  landlord,  and  the  more  for  that  Cap'  Lev- 
ingstoue  had  taken  the  opp'?'  of  a  special  court,  call'd  by 
some  other  psons  here  in  the  Colony  design^^  to  sue  him 
and  I  can't  tell  who  others  of  the  tenants.  I  hope  the 
Maj''  Gen'I's  being  here  so  seasonably  may  prevent  it.  The 
Court  was  to  have  sat  on  Tuesday ;  but  the  countrey  jus- 
tices were  neglecting  to  come,  that  the  Court  was  not 
open'd  &  Jewry  empanel'd  till  just  night,  and  then  soon 
adjourn'd  till  Thursday  morning,  8  of  the  clock,  it  being 
publ.  fast  on  Wednesday.  Cap*  L.  had  got  M''  Reed  for 
his  lawyer.  On  Tuesday  Gov"'  Saltonstal,  M'  Leverett, 
&  M"  Reed  were  endeav''g  to  bring  the  Maj":  Gen"  &  Cap'  L. 
to  a  good  agreem',  but  the  matter  was  not  effected.  They 
were  further  concocting  it  the  last  night,  and  'twas  hop'd 
it  would  be  effectuall.  The  Maj''  Gen'!  went  to  see  Madam 
Winthrop  &  M"  Levingst".  M'  Leverett  was  drawing  up 
some  further  articles  that  were  to  be  proposed  &  dis- 
coursed this  morning,  which  I  hope  Cap'  L.  will  be  so  wise 
as  to  comply  with,  tho'  all  the  world  here,  as  they  say,  think 
he  has  right  on  his  side  and  a  sufficient  title  to  what  he 
claims  by  vertue  of  Gov^  Winthrop's  will,  because  they 
imderstand  no  better. 

We  are  designing  onward  this  morning.  The  gentlemen 
would  fain  have  gone  over  to  the  Island,  but  there  is 
no  boat  can  be  had  to  carry  us  and  o'  eleven  hoi'ses. 
Maj'  Winthrop  has  had  his  health  well,  saving  somew' 
troubled  with  his  pain  in  his  temple  ;  and  we  are  all, 
thro'  Divine  favour,  in  comfortable  health,  have  had 
good  entertainm'.  But  'tis  time  for  me  now  to  think  of 
Seneca's  rule  that  the  epistle  sli**  not  manimi  legentis  im- 
plere,  and  I  fear  I  have  transgress'd  it  already  ;  therefore 


184  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

conclude  with  ray  humble  service  to  y'self  and  Mad? 
Winthrop,  and  all  good  friends  y'  enq'"  of  o!  wellfare. 
I  am,  S"",  y''  very  humble  serv', 

W"  Williams. 

Please  to  give  my  humble  duty  to  his  ExcelP'^.     Pray 
pardon  my  hasty  writinge. 


WILLIAM  WILLIAMS  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
To  M''  John  Winthrop,  in  Boston. 

N.  York,  April  25*,  1709. 
S",  —  I  take  this  opp*?',  vi"^  is  the  last  I  shall  haue  from 
this  city,  humbly  to  thank  you  for  y?  of  the  11'.''  ins',  and 
to  ask  your  pardon  that  I  troubled  you  last  week  to  pay 
for  a  bare  superscript"  of  a  lett'.  Shall  now,  by  Majf 
Winthrop's  leave,  inclose  this  in  the  pacq'  to  his  Excell7, 
and,  as  you  have  intimated  to  me,  give  you  a  particuly  but 
short  ace'  of  o'  journey,  which  I  had  not  a  minute's  time 
to  do  when  I  wrote  my  last.  The  last  ace'  bro't  us  to  N. 
London,  and  I  think  I  acquainted  you  of  the  fast  w°? 
hindred  us  of  travelling  (Apr.  5"").  Thursday  morning 
Maj"  Winthi'op  &  y*  gent°  &  Mr  Levingst"  conferr'd  to- 
gether about  an  agreem';  M";  L.  was  very  placid  and 
handsom.  There  were  such  articles  drawn  up  w'^''  both 
sign'd,  and  all  papers  and  instrum'.^  referring  thereto  to 
be  p'fected  at  Majf  Winthrop's  return  from  hence.  Aft'^ 
that,  o''  horses  were  got  ready ;  and  as  we  were  mounting, 
Cap'  Prentice's  boat,  which  was  large  and  sufficient  to 
carry  us  all  over  to  L.  Island,  came  up  y"  river ;  whei'e- 
upon  the  gent"  tho't  best,  and  were  advised  by  every 
body,  to  tarry  till  next  morning  for  a  north'^  wind,  w"!" 
thay  usually  have  there  at  that  season  of  the  year,  and 
so  sh*  redeem  o''  lost  time  by  y°  much  better  travelling 
upon  y°  island;  so  our  horses  were  put  out.  That  night 
Capf  L.  treated  y"  whole  comp"?',  Gov.  Saltonst!,  jVP  Adams, 


1709.]  WILLIAM   WILLIAMS.  185 

&c.,  with  a  handsome  supper.  Next  morning,  y*  wind 
faihng,  were  forc'd  to  stand  along  upon  the  main ;  reach'd 
Guildford  that  day.  Satturday  came  to  Milford,  where 
Ave  kept  Sabbath,  where  I  preach'd  one  part  of  the  day 
for  M"'  Andrew.  Monday,  y'  poor  people  came  flocking  to 
Majf  W.  at  o''  lodgings  like  y°  poor  cripples  to  y**  Pool  of 
Bethesda,  that  'twas  pretty  late  before  we  sat  out,  and  had 
Stratford  ferry  to  pass,  yet  reach'd  Fairfield  little  after  12, 
Avhere  we  din'd.  Twas  pretty  late  when  we  rose  from 
table,  and  there  not  being  any  lodging  and  entertainm' 
further  on  so  convenient  for  ©''selves  and  horses,  'twas 
concluded  to  tarry  that  night.  Next  day  we  reach'd 
Rye ;  Wednesday  came  to  N.  York  between  7  &  8  in  y° 
evening. 

S%  I  ask  yT  pardon  for  this  scribble ;  'tis  like  Campbell 
continuing  the  journall  of  the  siege  of  L'Isle  letf  w°  we 
have  heard  y"  city  is  taken.  I  think  I  intimated  to  you 
in  my  last*  that,  the  gent°  having  obtained  liberty,  I 
preach'd  at  French  ch''  in  y*  afternoon  last  Lord's  day, 
having  in  the  forenoon  heard  M"'  Veazy ;  went  to  ch''  aftf 
service  was  over,  entertained  us  with  a  very  good  sermon. 
Last  week  Dom  Du  Bois,  y^  Dutch  ministf,  asked  me  to 
preach  for  him  (for  most  of  his  Dutch  congregation  un- 
derstand English) ;  so  in  y'  forenoon  we  went  to  see  M"  Du 
Bois  preach.  In  the  afternoon  the  ch""  was  full  as  it  could 
hold  (as  we  say)  of  English,  French,  &  Dutch,  to  hear  a 
young  Presbyterian  preacher ;  what  their  resentm"  Avere 
I  cant  tell,  but  hope  they  remember  something  of  what 
they  heard. 

The  people  here  have  been  very  free  and  generous. 
L'^.  Lovelace,  L"*  Cornbury,  W  Mayor  Wilson,  Cap*  Pro- 
voost.  Cap'  Theobald,  the  Dutch  Dom'!',  haue  treated  us 
very  generously,  besides  Col.  Redknap,  M"'  Glencross, 
MT  Wendall,  &c.  My  L**  Lovelace  continues  very  much 
indisposed,  w""  has  much  retarded  the  affair  of  the  gent" 


186  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

coiuiss"  but  they  are  designing  to  set  out  to-morrow  [Deo 
aspirantc).  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  go  by  N.  London  to 
wait  upon  Majf  Winthrop,  who  has  been  very  free  and 
friendly  and  generous  to  me,  and  whom  I  shall  always 
honour  and  his  family.  I  never  haue  receiv'd  y°  letter 
w''?  you  acq'  me,  in  y"  of  y°  11'?,  y'  you  had  wrote  y°  post 
before ;  must  be  patient  of  my  misfortune ;  hope  to  meet 
with  one  from  you  by  the  next  post  on  the  road.  Must 
only  add  my  humble  service  to  Mad?  Winthrop  &  Mad"? 
Anne,  and  everybody  so  friendly  as  to  enq":'  concern?  me, 
and  am,  ST, 

Yr  most  oblidged  humble  serv', 

W"  Williams. 

P.  S.  S',  please  to  give  my  humble  duty  to  his  ExcelP^. 
Sh"^  have  said  before,  M''  Andrew  and  M'  Pierpont  give 
their  humble  service  to  him.  M"'  Buckingham  of  Sea- 
brook  was  buried  y'  week  we  came  to  N.  London.  M' 
Jeffries  and  Prescot  offer  their  humble  service  to  you,  y' 
lady,  &  M"  Anne.  Pray  M"  Winthrop  to  kiss  her  little 
bird  for  me. 

/(/"  quijmd.         W.  W. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 

The  Honourable  Maf.   Gen'}  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq';  att  New  Yorh. 
If  come  away,  to  be  returned. 

[May,  1709.] 

Hon"'"-'^  S^  —  I  writt  to  you  by  y"  last  post,  w'=l'  I  hope 
met  you  on  y"  roade.  Since  y'  here  is  y"  Dragon  frigott 
from  England  in  7  weekes  passage,  who  brings  Coll. 
Nicollson,  y"  late  Gov!"  of  Virginia,  hither,  and  Coll.  Veach, 
with  20  officers  more,  upon  an  expedition  to  reduce  Can- 
ady.*  Veach  is  Adjutant  Generall,  Coll.  Nicollson  is  only 
a  volunteer  in  this  unexpected  expedition,  w'l"  is  a  mis- 

•  The  Dragon  arrived  at  Nantasket,  April  29, 1709.  See  Sewall's  diary  in  6  Mass.  Hist. 
Coll.  vol.  vi.  p.  251.  —  Eds. 


1709.]  JOHN   WINTHROP.  187 

tery  to  every  body.  There  is  certainly  more  in  y'  wind 
J?  wee  yet  know  of.  Y"  ship  has  brought  all  sorts  of  war- 
like stores  for  y"  people  y'  are  to  be  raised  in  these  prov- 
inces ;  y''  officers  are  all  N.  Brittans.  They  say  there  was 
an  other  frigott  to  saile  10  dayes  after  this,  for  fear  of 
miscarriage,  &  a  fortnight  after  that  8  saile  of  men  of 
warr,  &  tenders,  &c.  Y"  fleet  amounts  to  40  saile,  bring- 
ing 3,000  land-souldiers,  &c.,  to  be  under  Brigadeer  Mack- 
artney  as  Command'  in  cheife.  Cap?  CoUwell,  who  married 
y"  Lady  Belloinont,  to  be  y°  flagg-ship  ;  they  are  every 
day  expected.  Coll.  Nicollson  askt  after  you  severall 
times.  He  tells  me  M'  Higginson  *  dy'd  a  very  poor 
man  in  England  last  Novemb',  a  month  before  his  father, 
&  left  90  thousand  pounds  in  money  ;  so  there's  an  end 
of  M"'  I.  &  C.  M.'s  designes  about  him,  wl''  I  understand  y* 
last  fleet  was  full  of.  M-"  I.  &  C.  M.  w'!'  M'  Bridge  din'd 
at  y"."'  house  y°  last  Thursday.  Will  Wharton  is  also  dead. 
M'  Walker's  son  is  come  passenger,  but  no  letters,  nor 
them  things  o""  kinsman  Read  writt  about.  M"  Vaughn,  y* 
agent  of  N.  Hampshire,  is  returned,  and  has  finished  his 
business  about  New  Hampshire.  He  was  to  see  me  on  Sat- 
turday,  and  told  me  he  had  bad  newes  for  me  ;  y'  y^  Duke 
Hambleton  was  sending  an  attorney  over  in  y"  fleet  to 
demand  his  pretensions  to  o'  estate  in  perticuler.  M"  Bel- 
cher, M"'  Dyer's  son,  M""  Walley,  &  M""  Bill,  who  is  to  have 
Coll.  Alford's  kinswoman,  are  come  passengers ;  but  I 
heare  no  newes  of  y''  old  Bolt,  who  carried  my  small  venter, 
nor  no  letters  for  you  from  anybody.  M'  Belcher  &  sev- 
erall others  have  brought  new  cloathes  for  themselves. 
S'  Charles  Hobby  &  M"  Nellson  are  listed  volunteers  in  y® 
expedition.  This  frigott  was  designed  to  N.  York  w" 
they  came  out,  and  was  sent  over  to  wait  on  Coll.  Veach; 
but  y"  N.  England  passengers  perswaded  to  put  in  here 

*  Natlianiel  Higginson,  a  son  of  Rev.  John  Higginson.  afterward  Governor  of  Fort  St. 
George,  Madras,  died  in  London,  of  small-pox,  November,  1708.  See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet, 
vol.  ii.  p.  414.  Judge  Sewall  and  others  had  been  desirous  of  his  appointment  as  Governor 
of  Massachusetts.  —  Eds. 


188  THE   WmXHEOP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

as  y*  center  of  business.  They  sent  posts  away  imme- 
diately upon  y'  arrivall  to  y*  severall  Governments.  Coll. 
Nicollson,  Veach,  and  most  of  y°  officers  are  this  day  gon 
to  Hampton ;  but  no  mortall  knows  y°  meening  of  it. 
They  go  no  farther,  but  returne  on  Thursday.  Munday 
next  they  design  to  New  London,  and  then  to  N.  York, 
and  then  hither  againe.  The  sooner  you  conclude  y"."" 
business  there  y°  better,  for  I  know  not  what  bad  coun- 
sells  may  be  given  in  a  day  or  two.  What  y°  issue  of 
these  great  &  unexpected  things  will  be  God  only  knows, 
or  if  they  may  end  in  peace  &  quiet  to  this  poor  country, 
and  advantage  to  us  in  p'ticuler.  It  will  be  safe  sending 
anything  by  y'  coasters,  &  y°  sooner  everything  is  sent  y* 
better.  Y'  God  of  heaven  keep  you  in  y""  absence,  and 
give  us  occasion  of  publick  rejoycing  on  y™  account. 

Y"."  Hono"  dutifull  son  &  humble  serv',  J.  W. 

This  goes  inclosed  to  M'  Adams,  least  you  should  not  be 
there  yet.  I  shall  be  glad  to  know  wether  you  receiv'd 
my  letter  by  y*  last  post,  &  this.  Yol'  letters  will  come 
sooner  &  safer  if  they  are  directed  to  my  mother  or  me. 
My  service  to  M"'  Williams ;  I  hope  he  will  not  leave  you 
till  yo''  business  is  over.  I  am  in  such  hast  y'  I  must  be 
excused  writing  to  him  by  this  conveyance.  Coll.  Nicoll- 
son put  5  guineas  into  y''  contribution  at  y'  church  last 
Lord's  day,  M""  Belcher  one  into  o".  M'  Russell,  of 
Charlestowne,*  was  buryed  last  Satturday.  Campbell 
prints  no  more  newes. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO   WAIT   WINTHROP. 
To  the  Honr*^^  Maf  Gener'!  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq',  att  New  London. 
[Boston],  May  y^  18'f,  1709. 
HoxR°"  S!",  —  I  haue  yo'  letter  by  M'  Leverett,  and  am 
glad  you  are  well  return'd  from  N.  York ;  hope  yo'  stay 

*  Hon.  James  Russell,  of  Charlestown,  died  April  28,  1709.    See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet. 


1709]  JOnX   WINTHROP.  189 

at  Hartford  will  be  short,  and  this  meet  you  at  N.  London. 
Y"  last  letter  I  sent  to  New  York  was  return'd  by  reason 
of  yo"'  being  come  aAvay,  and  I  had  no  opportunity  to 
salute  you  at  Hartford.  The  great  God  keep  you  in 
yo'  absence,  give  a  happy  issue  in  yo''  affairs,  and  returne 
you  safe  to  us  againe.  I  writt  you  by  y"  last  post,  and 
enclosed  it  to  M''  Adams ;  then  gave  you  an  account  of 
y"  arrivall  of  y"  fi'igott  from  England,  &c.  Since  y'  we 
hear  of  y^  melancholy  news,  of  y'  Lord  Lovelace's  death. 
It  is  very  unhappy  for  y^  poor  gentleman  to  bury  liim- 
selfe  &  son  so  soone  after  his  coming.  Y*  last  print  we 
have  had  gave  us  his  speech  to  y°  Assembly,  w''''  is  gener- 
ous &  brave ;  it  raised  y*  expectation  of  everybody  y'  he 
would  have  been  a  patron  to  all  good  men  and  y"  best  in- 
terests, but  Death  has  put  his  period.  Sic  voliiit  sajncns 
siiperi  regnator  Ol//mpi.  M"'  Bridge  was  w*  me  t'other  day, 
and  told  me  he  had  writt  to  a  gentleman  in  y"  Jerseys  to 
wait  on  you  w""  some  samples  of  minerals,  w'^''  he  says  is 
of  value.  I  have  taken  a  reem  of  Corporation  paper,  w°? 
proves  but  badly.  M"'  Dennis  has  left  about  17£  w""  me 
for  you  from  Yeomans.  Domestick  news  is  of  such  vari- 
ety y'  I  know  not  where  to  begin.  S''  Charles  is  recon- 
cil'd  to  y"  Gov',  and  is  going  one  of  y^  ColP  to  Canady. 
M"  Russell  of  Charlestowne  is  also  dead,  &  M'  Spencer,  y° 
gunsmith.  M'  Loyd  has  buryed  an  other  of  his  children. 
My  uncle  Browne  lodged  at  o""  house  last  week.  Here  is 
a  pamphlet  lately  come  from  England,  y°  title  I  have  in- 
closed, w""  Coll.  Vetch's  proclamation.  Coll.  Nicollson  bid 
me  present  his  service  to  you  w?  he  learnt  you  were  out 
of  towne.  Cap?  Belcher  has  been  very  ill,  but  is  some- 
thing better.  It  is  sickly  in  towne  ;  yo'  man  Ben  has  had 
a  bad  feavour,  but  is  getting  up  againe,  &  his  brother  y' 
lived  w""  Belknap  y"  joiner  is  dead.  M'  Sergeant  is  gott 
into  his  old-new  house,  and  M'  Stoddard  is  to  be  marry'd 
next  week.  Sam  Browne's  wife  has  brought  him  an  other 
son.     0'  poor  baby  has  gott  a  bad  cough,  and  my  mother 


190  THE   ■mNTHROr    PAPERS.  [1709. 

has  been  ill  w*  a  cold,  but  is  pi'etty  well  againe.  "We 
hea-r  y'  M!'  L.  [Livingston]  is  going  to  Canady ;  it  is  best 
to  finish  w"'  him  before  he  goes.  W'  you  have  to  send 
will  be  best  to  come  by  y"  first  sloope.  0!  maide  is  gon 
home,  and  we  have  no  body,  nor  can't  get  help  for  mony. 
I  hope  you  will  not  forgett  the  things  y'  are  mention'd  in 
y'  little  paper  I  gave  you ;  M"'  Coe  will  put  them  on  board 
any  vessel  y'  is  bound  hither.  It  will  be  safe  sending  by 
reason  of  y*  man  of  war  sloope,  gaily  &  friggott's  being 
out;  one  of  y'  fishing  vessels  has  brought  in  a  prize.  Y^ 
Gov''  came  home  from  Piscataqua  yesterday.  M!"  Camp- 
bell's not  printing  his  news  now  makes  me  thus  perticuler 
&  tedious.  My  service  to  Coll.  Alford,  M"'  Adams,  &c. ; 
and  bless  me  also,  oh  my  father ! 

Yo'  most  obedient  son,  J.  W.. 

Capt.  Sewall  went  to  keep  Court  this  day  at  Ipswich. 
The  Ehoad  Islanders  has  play'd  a  fine  trick  about  y'  Nar- 
raganset  lands.  I  have  a  letter  directed  to  you  &  M"'  Lev- 
erett  from  M"  Adolph  Philips,  at  N.  York,  w"''  is  to  informe 
you  of  y^  Lord  Lovelace's  death,  &  to  acquaint  you  he  in- 
tends to  spend  y'  mony  you  left  w"*  him  w"  their  Leift. 
Gov5  comes  to  towne,  and  he  says  by  that  time  Coll.  Nic- 
oUson  &  Vetch  will  be  there,  whome  he  shall  ask  to  y* 
spending  of  it. 

WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   HIS   SON  JOHN. 

For  M'  John  Winthrop,  in  Boston. 

New  London,  June  1^,  1709. 

My  dear  Son,  —  I  haue  had  all  the  letters  you  men- 
tion ;  am  glad  to  hear  you  are  all  well,  and  that  God  has 
preserved  you  all  in  the  sickly  time  wc  hear  has  been  at 
Boston.  I  pray  he  may  still  continue  his  preservations 
and  blessings  on  you  all.  I  shall  do  what  I  can  to  get 
every  thing  right  here  ;  it's  Strang  there  is  no  letters  from 


1709.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST.  191 

S""  H.  M''  Christophers  and  Saxton's  new  brigantine  and 
a  new  sloop  who  went  hence  for  the  West  Indies  above  a 
week  since  are  taken  by  a  privateer,  who  has  taken  thir- 
teen in  all  between  Virginia  and  this.  They  haue  carried 
M"'  Christophers'  son  and  Prentis,  who  were  the  masters, 
and  som  others  away,  and  put  the  rest  with  Peter  Christo- 
phers in  the  boat  out  of  sight  of  land,  who  is  got  hither 
two  days  since ;  thay  say  thre  or  fower  more  from  Mar- 
tineco  were  bound  on  this  coast.  Eeccommend  me  suta- 
bly  to  every  body.  I  hear  nothing  from  your  sister  nor 
little  Mary.  I  pray  God  to  bless  and  keep  you  all. 
Your  loving  father, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  AND  COUNCIL 
OF  CONNECTICUT. 

To  the  Hon'^hle  Garden  Saltingstall,  Govr,  and  to  ^  Deputy   Govr  and 
Councell  of  Connecticolt  Colony. 

London,  Gi*  June,  709. 

Gentlemen  &  hon""  8"^  —  Yors  of  y*  20  of  Jan'y 
came  lately  to  my  hand,  being  y°  first  lettr  y'  I  have 
rec*  from  you  since  y"  death  of  yor  worthy  Govr  Win- 
throp  ;  and  seeing  a  copy  from  New  England  of  a  funerall 
sermon  preached  upon  y'  occasion  of  his  death,  y'  I  may 
doe  honr  to  his  memory,  I  have  printed  at  my  own 
charg,  and  have  written  an  epistle  dedicatory  to  it, 
directed  to  my  Lady  Russell,  mothr  to  y"  present  Duke 
of  Bedfoi-d,  to  y"  Dutches  of  Devonshire,  and  to  Marchion- 
esse  of  Granby,  to  whom  I  have  presented  this  sermon, 
and  doe  by  this  conveyance  send  one  to  y"  Govr  &  Dep- 
uty Govr  and  to  y'  Councell.*     I  send  twenty  of  them. 

*  The  reference  is  to  Cotton  Mather's  sermon  at  the  funeral  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop. 
A  copy  of  the  London  reprint  is  in  the  library  of  the  Historical  Society.  In  his  dedication 
to  Lady  Rachel  Russell,  Sir  Henry  Ashurst  describes  the  late  Governor  as  "an  honourable 
person  .  .  .  who  filled  up  that  place  with  great  reputation  to  himsfelf,  and  honour  to  his 
country,  and  loyalty  to  our  most  gracious  Queen  ...  at  a  time  when  a  design  was  formed 
by  a  neighbour  Governour,  with  great  art  and  cunning,  to  destroy  their  most  valuable 


192  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [I'OS. 

I  am  very  glad  you  have  mine  of  y*  25  of  Aug.  by  my 
Lord  Lovelace.*  I  hope  he  will  carry  it  w*  all  kindness 
&  respect  to  you ;  if  he  doth  otherwise,  I  desire  to  be 
inform'd.  I  advised  you  to  present  him  w""  something 
w'"  I  think  it  much  yor  intrest  to  do ;  if  you  will  follow 
my  advice,  I  hope  while  I  live  to  keep  you  safe  and  easie, 
w""  y°  blessing  of  y"  great  God  upon  my  endeavr ;  and 
desire  you  wou'd  recomend  me  to  yor  severall  ministrs 
y'  I  may  have  their  prayrs,  not  for  ostentation,  but  y' 
I  may  succeed  in  my  endeavr  in  yor  service.  Y"  second 
designe  upon  yor  liberties  by  setting  up  yor  Indian  prince 
I  hope  I  have  at  present  stop'd  ;  but  if  I  am  labouring 
to  preserve  you  and  you  will  give  up  yor  own  liberties, 
none  will  pitty  you ;  and  if  you  will  not  thro  a  little  ovr 
board  to  preserve  y°  whole  cargoe,  you  are  very  unwise. 
I  am  strangly  surpris'd  when  you  are  at  6,000""  charge 
to  support  yorselfe  against  y°  Indians  and  French ;  is  this 
charge  necessary  for  yor  preservation,  and  did  you  do  it 
w""  yor  own  consent  ?  for  by  yor  chartr  you  have  powr 
of  yor  own  militia,  and  you  are  not  to  march  out  of  yor 
own  country  without  y""  own  consent.  Yet  I  would  have 
you  carry  it  w""  all  dutyfull  respect  to  yor  Queen,  who  is 
so  gratious  y'  she  wou'd  have  all  her  subjects  in  y'  most 
remote  parts  of  her  dominions  easie  and  happy  ;  but  if 
you  give  up  yor  Chartr  previlidges,  yor  children  will  have 
cause  to  curse  you.  And  while  I  am  speaking  this,  I  cannot 
forbeare  putting  you  in  mind  y'  you  do  not  considr  how 
much  y"  state  of  things  are  alter'd  from  yor  first  settle- 
ment ;  and  if  you  value  yor  Chartr  you  must  make  yor 
Governm?  bear  a  greatr  figure  y°  hee  doth.     You  cannot 

priviledRos,  granted  by  our  most  gracious  Queen's  royal  predecessor,  King  Charles  the 
Second,"  and  who  "was  instrumental,  not  long  before  hisdeath,  to  rescue  them  from  utmost 
ruin."  —  Eds. 

•  The  letter  here  referred  to  is  not  among  the  Winthrop  Papers;  but  a  letter  to  Wait 
Winthrop,  dated  August  2-t,  1708,  was  sent  by  the  same  hand.  Lord  Lovelace  was  ap- 
pointed Governor  of  Xew  York  in  March,  1708,  but  did  not  arrive  until  December.  He 
died  Jlay  G,  1709,  having  filled  the  office  less  than  five  months.  See  N.  Y.  Col.  Docs.  vol. 
V.  pp.  J'.),  G7,  80.  —  Ed3. 


1709.]  SIR   HENUY    ASnURST.  193 

give  yor  Govr  less  than  200""  ^  annum  and  yor  Leiftenant 
Govr  100"',  and  you  must  give  persons  incouragment  to 
leave  there  private  affaires  to  attend  y°  publicke.  I  think 
this  advice  absolutely  necessary  to  yor  being  a  Chartr 
Governm'.  I  will  assure  you  I  nevr  had  y"  least  hint  of 
this  mattr  from  yor  present  worthy  Govr.,  but  out  of  pure 
conscience  and  duty  I  give  you  this  advice.  As  to  y° 
payment  of  my  bills  you  cannot  possibly  believe  y'  I 
would  give  my  self  so  much  trouble  in  my  declining  age, 
and  be  at  charge  for  100"'  a  year,  but  y'  I  take  pleasure 
in  y°  worke  in  serving  so  great  a  numbr  of  Protestants, 
and  do  hope  you  will  take  care  y'  my  bills  drawn  on  you 
be  punctually  comply'd  w"".  I  have  deliverd  myself  yor 
lettr  to  y"  Lords  of  y^  Trade  and  also  y'  to  y""  Comitirs  of 
y°  Costome.  You  were  short  in  both  yor  lettrs,  not  to 
tell  y'  Lords  of  y°  Trade  in  yor  two  lettrs  to  y"  and  y' 
to  y^  Comitirs  of  y^  Customs  y'  I  did  you  y°  hour  to  be 
yor  publicke  agent ;  and  if  they  had  any  complaints  by 
any  persons  against  yor  Governra'  I  was  ready  to  make 
answrs  to  y".  While  I  waited  on  y°  Comitirs  of  y^  Cus- 
toms, they  told  me  they  had  reed  a  lettr  from  Coll.  Quary 
complaining  much  of  you  ;  and  they  were  so  sincer  to  me 
to  ordr  one  of  y°  Comitirs  to  waite  on  me  w""  Coll.  Quary's 
lettr  of  complaint,  who  allow'd  me  to  transcribe  it,  and  I 
here  inclose  it  to  you.  I  told  y"  y'  you  being  a  charter 
govrment  had  many  enimies,  and  I  pray'd  them  that  you 
might  not  be  condemned  unhear'd,  and  I  assur'd  them 
I  would  give  you  notice  what  this  Coll.  Quarj'  said 
against  you,  and  I  did  not  doubt  but  you  would  give  mee 
a  satisfactory  answr,  w"*"  I  pray  do.  I  have  sent  you 
both  his  lettrs  at  large  transcribed,*  because  I  did  not 
know  but  what  he  said  of  othr  places  might  be  of  ad- 
vantage to  you.  And  now.  Gentlemen,  I  shall  give  my 
thoughts  about  y°  paprs  sent  to  me  in  relation  to  yor 

*  One  of  the  two  letters  here  referred  to  was  probably  the  report  on  the  trade  of  the 
Colonies,  printed  in  2  Proceedings,  vol.  iv.  pp.  149-155.     The  other  letter  has  not  been 


194  THE  WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

boundaries  w"'  y'  Massicusetts.  I  have  bin  at  all  y" 
offices,  and  I  did  not  finde  y'  there  is  y"  least  word  from 
D.  about  it,  and  therefore  I  did  not  think  fitt  to  stirr  in  it 
untill  he  is  remov'd;  because  if  I  did  y"  Councell  wou'd, 
I  am  sure,  do  nothing  untill  they  had  sent  to  Govr.  Dud- 
ley for  his  opinion.  You  have  sent  me  some  tooles  to 
work  with,  and  when  there  is  occasion  I  will  serve  you 
to  y°  best  of  my  skill.  I  have  nothing  more  to  add, 
but  once  againe  to  tell  you  y°  Cannanite  is  in  y°  land 
&  watches  for  yor  halting.  If  you  act  w*in  y'  compasse 
of  y°  Chartr,  and  y°  enimy  have  nothing  to  say  to  you 
but  only  in  y*  mattr  of  yor  God,  I  hope  I  shall  have 
courage  and  intrest  to  support  you.  What  relates  to  my 
Lord  Lovelace  and  M'  Cockerill  I  referr  you  to  my  formr 
lettrs.  I  am  with  much  respect  and  sincerity,  Gentlemen 
and  much  hon'd  S''^ 

Yor  faithfull  and  affect,  serv', 

Hex.  Ashhurst. 

Let  not  Quary  know  I  sent  you  both  his  lettrs,  but  only 
what  relates  to  his  complaints  against  you. 

To  y"  Hon"".'"  Goarden  Saltingstall  Govr  and  to  y°  Deputy  Gov'  and 
Councell  of  Connecticott  Colony. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  GURDON  SALTONSTALL.* 

To  f  Hon^^'  Gordon  Saltonstall,  Esqr,  Govr  of  Conecticott  Colony. 
LoND.,  June  27,  1709. 

Much  hon""  S%  —  I  had  yrs  of  21  Feb.,  28  Feb.  1708, 
30  of  Sept.,  IB"*  March,  all  to  be  for  me  to  returne  answrs 
to,  besides  that  of  28  Jan.  from  the  Coimcill,  unto  which 
I  have  written  a  large  answer,  and  sent  it  by  this  convey- 
ance by  my  Ld  Lovelace.    I  hope  my  letter  to  y"  Councill 

•  There  are  two  copies  of  this  letter  in  the  Winthrop  Papers,  with  sliRht  variations. 
They  were  probably  made  from  a  rough  draft  not  easily  deciphered,  and  were  sent  by 
different  ships.    See  post,  p.  198.  —  Eds. 


1709.]  SIR   HENKT   ASHUKST.  195 

will  be  satisfactory  to  you.  And  now  what  concerns 
yrself ;  I  immediately  sent  yrs  inclos'd  to  M""  Horsey, 
which  was  delive'd  by  my  servant  into  his  own  hands. 
In  answer  to  yrs  of  21  of  Feb.,  I  am  glad  that  what  I 
have  done  in  yr  service  meets  with  yr  approbation.  I 
have  serv'd  you  with  all  my  heart.  As  to  y"  particulars 
about  y°  boundaries,  they  are  come  safe  to  ray  hands.  In 
my  letter  to  you  &  the  Councill  I  give  you  my  reasons 
why  I  think  not  fit  to  stirr  in  it  at  present.  As  to  Quary, 
you  will  perceive,  by  the  letter  I  sent  to  y*  Councill,  the 
malice  of  y°  man.  He  is  one  of  D.'s  creatures,  and  he 
setts  him  on.  Besides,  he  is  in  his  own  temper  a  hater  ot 
religion.  I  came  with  y"  Governm'^  letter  very  opper- 
tunely  to  hinder  the  Comissr's  representing  you  to  y* 
Queen  &  Councill,  which  might  have  occasion'd  you  new 
vexations.  I  did  acquaint  the  Coiiiissrs  of  y°  Customes 
that  you  only  desir'd  to  see  his  comission  by  which 
he  was  impower'd  to  make  officers ;  but  they  refused  it. 
This  I  omitted  to  write  in  y"  generall  letter,  because  they 
said  nothing  to  me  about  it;  but  only  in  yr  particular 
letter  to  me.  You  are  in  the  right.  My  Lord  Treasurer 
should  grant  comitions,  but  he  hath  by  warrant  author- 
iz'd  the  Coihissrs  of  y"  Customes  to  doe  it;  but  I  don't 
finde  that  y'  Coiiiissrs  have  given  any  such  comission.  I 
shall  inclose  in  this  another  letter  about  yr  naval  officers, 
before  I  scale  it  up.  Yrs  of  16""  March  requires  no  an- 
swer, being  a  short  letter  to  tell  me  you  had  by  M'' 
Holland  sent  me  the  roll ;  which  was  deliver'd  me.  Now 
to  yrs  of  28  Feb.  You  need  not  so  much  as  mention  any 
services  I  can  doe  you  in  yr  own  particular  about  yr  land, 
or  any  thing  else  in  my  power.  I  really  esteeme  you, 
and  should  have  more  pleasure  in  serving  you  than  you 
would  have  in  receiving  service  from  me.  I  pray  let  no 
discouragem"  suffer  you  to  entertaine  a  thought  of  leav- 
ing y"  governm'  God  hath  call'd  you  to.  By  what  I  have 
heard  there  are  none  to  supply  yr  room.  I  am  sure  yr 
country  is  undone ;    if  they  thinke   their  libities  worth 


196  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

any  thing,  they  can  never  answer  it  to  God  or  their  con- 
sciences to  discourage  any  in  their  service.  I  will  be 
bold  to  say,  you  had  been  in  a  worse  condition  than  any 
of  her  Majesty's  plantations,  if  God  had  not  stirred  me  up 
to  be  an  instrument  to  preserve  you  ;  and  you  will  never 
be  safe  so  long  as  one  man  is  so  near  you.  As  to  yr  lib- 
erties &  schooles,  I  would  willingly  be  a  benefactor,  when 
I  see  a  publick  spirit  amongst  you  to  support  yr  own  lib- 
erties, which  cannot  be  taken  from  you  but  by  cowardice. 
Those  that  tell  you  y°  charge  is  too  great  are  the  persons 
that  would  have  you  give  up  your  liberties,  and  be  slaves 
to  some  oppressing  gov"  to  flay  you  at  their  pleasure.  I 
would  send  M"  Baxter's  practicall  volumes,  which  are  a 
whole  library  of  practicall  divinity,  if  they  would  be 
acceptable  to  you.  But  really  Boston  University  by 
D.'s  managem'  is  perverting  yf  Colledge,  bringing  up 
a  strange  generation  there,  that  I  am  not  willing  to 
doe  any  thing  untill  I  see  a  better  spirit  among  you.  I 
believe  M'  Winthrop  hath  but  little  influence  upon  D. 
But  I  have  told  his  agents  that  if  he  had  left  Conecticott 
alone,  I  had  not  endeavor'd  his  being  turn'd  out  so  vig- 
orously ;  and  y'  stopped  him.  Palmes  was  instigated  by  D. 
When  he  doth  not  animate  him,  he  hath  nothing  to  say. 
I  thanke  you  for  yr  kind  sympathizing  with  me  for  y' 
losse  of  my  wife.  I  have  writt  a  short  letter  to  yr  Deputy 
Govr  inclos'd  with  20  sermons  tliat  I  sent,  which  I  thought 
would  be  a  service  to  you,  and  ingage  these  great  persons 
to  yr  protection ;  or  else  I  would  not  have  been  at  the 
charge  of  printing  it.  Besides,  it  doth  honour  to  y'  mem- 
ory of  yr  late  Governour.  I  shall  take  it  kindly  if  you 
will  ingage  y'  ministers  of  yr  severall  pai-ishes  to  pray 
particularly  for  me,  that  I  may  be  supported  under  my 
bodily  infirmities,  and  more  usefull  in  yr  service,  and  may 
be  ripening  for  Heaven  ;  that  my  children  may  not  for- 
sake the  way  of  y*  worships  of  their  fathers.  I  am,  with 
much  affection  and  esteem, 

Yr  reall  friend  &  servant,  H.  A. 


GUKDON    SALTONSTALL.  197 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  NATHAN  GOLD. 
To  y'  Hon"  Nathan  Gold,  Esq',  Deputy  Govern':  of  Gonnecticott. 
London,  27  June,  709. 

HoN^  S%  —  Tho  I  have  not  y°  hon'  to  know  you,  yet, 
understanding  you  are  Deputy  Govern!"  and  I  being  yor 
publick  agent,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  present  you  w"'  my 
affect,  service,  and  perticlarly  to  recomend  w'  I  have 
said  in  my  publick  lettr  and  in  my  private  one  to  your 
Governor,  haveing  said  nothing  but  what  I  sincerely  think 
is  for  y°  good  of  y°  Colony.  I  have  printed  a  sermon 
preached  at  Boston,  and  printed  thereat  at  y"  f  unerall  of 
yor  late  Govern'  I  have  added  a  preface  to  it,  and  I  pre- 
sent you  w*  one  inclos'd.  I  thought  it  for  y°  service 
of  yo''  country  so  to  do.  I  am,  with  respect, 
Yor  affect,  friend  and  serv*. 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 


GDRDON  SALTONSTALL  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

N.  LoND.,  Sept.  5,  1709. 

Honb'  S",  —  I  find  our  select  men  are  at  last  disposed 
to  come  to  a  ballance  of  accounts  with  mee,  so  that  I 
shall  have  occasion  for  the  recpts  of  money  in  yr  hands. 
I  therfore  desire  y'  favour  only  of  a  copy  of  that  of  25"' 
with  8""  to  M"'  Coite  indorsed.  They  tell  me  they  have  in 
their  accounts  w""  yv  Hon""  allowed  you  the  whole  three 
years  interest  of  M''  Liveen's  money,  as  paid  to  mee,  which 
is  4"*  more  than  I  reed,  and  w"  I  shall  consider  in  making 
up  my  accounts  with  them;  but  I  think  if  they  have 
allowed  y°  whole  to  yr  Hon',  I  ought  to  have  the  recept 
up  which  I  gave  yr  Hon"  broth',  Gov'  Winthrop,  and  pray 
yr  Hon'  to  inclose  it  by  the  post,  when  he  returns  next ; 
for  I  would  not  be  unprovided  to  meet  them  on  so  good 
a  design  as  that  of  making  up  their  accounts  with  mee. 


198  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

We  are  under  y"  greatest  sorrow  here,  for  y"  disappoint- 
ment of  the  fleet,*  but  hope  you  will  take  sufficient  care 
of  Port  Royall  this  fall.  I  am,  w""  all  possible  respect  to 
yr  Hon'  &  Lady, 

Yr  very  humble  serv', 

G.  Saltonstall. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO   GURDON  SALTONSTALL. 

London,  Oct.  10,  1709. 

Hon"""  S%  —  Yrs  of  20*  Jan.  from  yr  self,  Councill,  & 
Assembl}',  I  receiv'd.  Yrs  of  Nov.  21  &  28  Feb.  and 
of  16"^  March  all  came  safe  to  my  hands.  Unto  all 
which  by  two  severall  conveyances  of  27  June  I  returned 
answer,  which  I  hope  you  have  long  since  receiv'd  ;  and 
hope  what  I  then  said  do's  not  only  shew  my  zeal  &  faith- 
fullnesse  in  yr  service,  but  how  much  I  desire  y°  prosper- 
ity of  yr  country,  and  doubt  not  but  you'l  observe  the 
wholsome  advice  I  there  gave  you ;  for  as  the  Apostle 
sayes,  none  can  harme  you  if  you  be  followers  of  that 
which  is  good.  So  you,  if  you  stand  upon  y'  foundation 
of  yr  Charter,  by  which  you  injoy  many  priviledges,  which 
all  men  envy  you,  and  will  doe  all  in  their  power  to 
deprive  you  of.  But  so  long  as  you  resolve  to  support 
yrselves  under  it,  and  avoid  faction  &  parties,  and  the 
craft  of  designing  men,  you  are  sure  to  injoy,  yea,  you 
can't  be  ruin'd  in  yr  dear  priviledges,  unless  you  betray 
them  yrselves.  You  may  thanke  yrselves  if  you  are 
ruin'd  ;  which  I  don't  say  it  boastingly  but  humbly,  you  had 
effectually  been  if  it  had  not  been  for  mee.  I  send  this 
by  way  of  N.  York,  to  acquaint  you  that  there  is  a  very 
worthy  person  appointed  to  be  Govf  there  ;  his  name  is 

•  Eariy  in  1709  a  plan  was  formed  for  the  conquest  of  New  France,  but  in  consequence 
of  the  failure  of  the  help  expected  from  England  the  proposed  expedition  came  to  naught. 
In  the  following  year  it  was  renewed,  and  the  whole  of  Nova  Scotia  fell  into  the  liands  of 
the  English  and  the  Provincial  troops.  See  Palfrey's  History  of  New  England,  vol.  iv. 
pp.  275-278.  —  Ed3. 


1V09.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST.  199 

Col.  Hunter,  my  particular  friend.*  I  have  already 
recoinended  you  to  his  kindnesse  &  the  Colony.  You'l 
finde  him  a  good  neighbour.  You  need  not  feare  Col. 
Quary.  I  believe  there  will  be  no  measures  taken  to  yr 
prejudice,  till  I  am  acquainted  with  it.  I  sende  you  at 
large  his  letter  of  complaint  against  you  to  y'  Coiniss''s  of 
y*  Customes,  to  which  in  y'  next  you  will  inclose  an  an- 
swer. I  doubt  not  yr  justice  in  paying  y"  bills  that  are 
drawn  on  you,  and  I  am 

Yr  reall  friend  &  servant, 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 

To  the  Honr""  Gorden  Saltingstall,  Esq. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST   TO   INCREASE  MATHER.f 

London,  Oct.  10,  1709. 

Reverend  S%  —  I  have  of  24'"  June  written  you  at 
large  by  severall  conveyances,  unto  which  I  referr  you. 
I  send  this  by  way  of  N.  York,  to  tell  you  that  if  I  can 
believe  those  y'  have  power,  yr  Gov'  has  but  a  short  time 
to  reigne.  I  heare  S"  Ch H is  come  into  his  inter- 
est. As  for  his  being  Generall  of  y*  Army,  when  I  was  told 
of  the  design  upon  Nova  Scotia  &  Quebeck,  it  was  I  that 
mov'd  y'  he  Avhom  I  knew  to  be  a  man  of  courage  should 
be  appointed  Generall,  viz.  Wait  Winthrop.  I  take  all 
my  measures  from  you  &  yr  son  in  reference  to  N.  Eng- 
land, and  you  may  be  sure  I'le  doe  all  in  my  power  for 
the  good  of  that  country.  It  is  much  upon  my  spirit, 
what  you  hinted  to  me  about  yr  University ;  and  when 
ever  you  have  a  new  Govf  I  hope  you  will  use  yr  endeav- 
ors by  an  Act  of  yr  Assembly  to  settle  y'  University  upon 
so  sure  a  foundation  y'  it  shall  not  be  in  the  power  of  any 

•  Robert  Hunter  was  appointed  Governor  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  in  September, 
1709;  but  he  did  not  arrive  in  New  Yorlc  until  June,  1710.  See  N.  Y.  Col.  Docs.  vol.  v. 
pp.91.  165,  — Ens. 

t  Printed  from  an  original  or  copy  found  among  the  Winthrop  Papers.  —  Eds. 


200  THE   WINTHROP   TAPERS.  [1709. 

succeeding  Gov!  to  defeate  y'  religious  designs  of  found- 
ers &  benefactors,  but  that  it  may  be  a  nursery  of  religion 
&  godlinesse.  The  finishing  of  this  noble  work  will  well 
become  you,  as  the  last  act  of  yr  life ;  and  if  the  Lord 
spare  me  my  life,  I  shall  make  it  my  businesse  to  gett  it 
confirm'd  here.  I  intend  to  reprint  yr  meditations  on 
Death  here ;  and  I  have  some  thoughts  of  dedicating  it 
to  the  Queen.  I  doe  not  doubt  but  you  will  keepe  yr  in- 
tegrity, and  not  by  any  flatteries  or  threats  come  into  any 

interest  with  M'  D against  yr  country.     Here  is  one 

M'  Emerson,  minister  of  New  Castle  in  N.  England,  but 
has  no  letters  of  recomendation  from  you  or  yr  son  to 
me  ;  *  if  he  had  I  would  have  shown  him  more  respect. 
He  goes  about  coiiiending  y*  Gov"^,  and  is  one  of  those 
that  signed  y'  Addresse  to  the  Queen  to  pray  for  his  con- 
tinuance. Yr  son  in  my  country  is  not  so  kind  as  to  come  to 
mee,  tho'  I  have  very  often  invited  him.f  But  I  heare  he 
is  marryed  to  a  rich  widow,  and  I  heartily  wish  him  &  you 
joy.  I  hope  when  you  are  alone  you  will  remember  me 
particularly  in  yr  prayers  ;  and  likewise  recomend  me  & 
my  family  to  yr  congregation.  Rev?  &  dear  Sr,  when- 
ever it  is  in  my  power  to  serve  you,  you  may  require  it 
with  as  much  freedom  as  if  you  were  my  father.  Being 
with  much  respect  &  affection,  in  all  places  and  at  all 
times,  dear  Sr, 

Yr  faithful!  friend  &  servant,  H.  A. 

To  D'  Increase  Mather. 


•  Rev.  John  Emerson  was  a  son  of  Rev.  John  Emerson  of  Gloucester,  and  was  born 
May  14,  1670.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1G89,  and  preached  for  a  few  years  at 
Manchester.  In  1704  he  was  ordahied  as  the  first  minister  in  Newcastle,  N.  H.  In  1708 
he  went  to  England  for  the  benefit  of  his  health.  Subsequently  he  was  for  sixteen  years 
minister  of  the  South  Church  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  He  died  June  21,  1732.  See  Sibley's 
Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  iii.  pp.  418-421.  —Eds. 

t  Probably  Rev.  Samuel  Mather,  third  son  of  Increase  Mather.  He  was  born  in  1C74, 
graduated  in  1690,  and  went  to  England,  where  he  died.  Almost  nothing  is  known  about 
him.  —  Ed3. 


1709.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  201 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  SAMUEL  READE.* 

Boston  in  New  England,  OctT  22? ,  1709 

S%  —  I  haue  yours  of  23*  of  June  last  under  covert  of 
M''  Samuell  Sevvall,  which  he  brought  to  me  a  few  days 
since,  and  shewed  me  your  bill  of  exchang  drawn  on  me 
for  fifty  fiue  pounds  two  shill^.'  sixpence,  which  I  readily 
accepted,  and  told  him  it  should  haue  been  drawn  upon 
sight  and  not  at  thre  months,  your  mony  hauing  been  by 
me  a  great  while,  and  that  when  he  pleased  to  call  for  it 
he  should  haue  it,  which  he  has  not  yet  don.  I  am  sorry 
it  has  layn  so  long  here,  it  was  no  advantage  to  me  ;  but 
the  delay  has  been  only  for  want  of  opertunity  to  invest 
it  in  somthing  that  might  haue  been  to  your  advantage. 
I  advised  with  those  that  haue  been  used  to  make  re- 
turnes  from  hence,  but  could  not  hear  of  anything  but 
what  there  would  haue  been  more  losse  upon  than  by 
bills  the  way  you  haue  taken,  besides  the  adventure  by 
sending  from  hence.  I  received  a  smale  matter  of  it  of 
Cousin  Eps  in  the  runing  cash  here ;  the  rest  was  in  Pro- 
vince bills,  which  use  to  goe  equall  to  peicess  of  eight  of 
seventeen  penny  waight  for  six  shillings ;  but  a  little  be- 
fore that  time  the  merchants,  who  govern  the  valine  of 
mony  and  everything  elce  contrary  to  our  express  law 
here,  had  forced  the  mony  to  pass  at  fifteen  penny  waight 
for  six  shillings,  and  would  receive  it  so  of  the  shopkeep- 
ers, and  that  brought  everybody  to  pass  it  so,  which  is 
two  penny  waight  ods  in  six  shillings,  and  Province  bills 
fell  accordingly.  All  which  I  was  not  so  well  aware  of, 
notwithstanding  I  had  got  waighty  mony,  and  intended  to 
ship  it  for  your  account  on  bord  the  man  of  warr,  Cap'° 
Kiddle,  commander,  who  lay  at  Piscataque  with  the  mast 
ships ;  but  he  going  in  another  vessell  from  hence  would 

*  This  letter  is  printed  from  a  draft  indorsed  by  Wait  Winthrop  :  "Substance  of  my 
letter  to  Cous.  Read.,  Oct.,  1709."  —  Eds. 


202  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1T09. 

make  all  who  sliiped  mony  by  him  stand  to  the  hazard 
from  this  place  to  Piscataque,  which  I  was  advised  not  to 
do,  that  hazard  being  as  much  at  that  time  as  all  the  rest 
of  the  voyage  ;  and  finding  in  your  letter  that  you  would 
send  farther  about  it,  which  I  expected  spedily,  I  was 
advised  not  to  send  untill  I  heard  farther,  which  was  the 
reason  it  went  not  with  him.  There  will  be  fiue  pou[nds] 
two  shill.  and  six  pence  at  seventeen  penny  waight  for  six 
shilling  due  to  me.  I  haue  not  heard  from  you  a  consid- 
erable while,  neither  haue  I  written  lately,  hauing  been  at 
N.  L.,  120  miles  from  hence,  all  the  last  suiner  with  my 
wife  and  most  of  my  family,  my  occations  there  hauing 
been  more  then  ordinary,  the  greatest  part  of  my  estate 
being  therabout. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  GURDON  SALTONSTALL. 

Boston,  Jan-y  23'',  l'7?J. 
Hon'!''  S',  —  Yours  came  not  to  my  hand  in  time  for 
me  to  acknowledg  it  by  the  last  post.  As  to  M'  Leviston, 
it  is  not  my  fault  there  has  not  been  an  agrement.*  I 
declared  before  the  Court  of  Probate,  I  was  then  ready  to 
comply  with,  and  make  good  on  my  part,  what  was  then 
written  in  the  paper  in  your  hands,  a  coppy  of  which 
taken  by  M'  Leviston  (which  is  now  in  my  hands),  was 
there  shewed.  He  said  he  was  willing  to  comply,  pro- 
vided your  selfe  and  M'  Leveret  might  interpret  the  sence 
of  it  or  to  that  purpose.  I  found  no  clause  in  it  that  did 
oblige  me  beyond  what  was  written,  and  I  knew  well 
Avhat  I  set  my  hand  to  when  I  did  it,  though  I  knew  not 
then  what  sence  your  Hon'  and  M'  Leveret  might  haue 

•  Col.  John  Livingston  had  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop,  and  wa8 
one  of  the  execnfors  of  his  will,  with  Wait  Winthrop,  Giirdon  Saltonstall,  and  others. 
Fitz-.Iohn  and  Wait  Winthrop  owned  a  large  quantity  of  real  estate  in  common,  and  after 
the  decease  of  the  former,  disputes  arose  between  his  brother  and  his  son-in-law  in  regard 
to  the  settlement  of  the  estate.  —  Eds. 


1709.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  203 

of  it ;  but  I  know  neither  of  you  can  say  that  I  ever 
offered  to  dispose  of  the  homstead  or  neck  to  him,  or  any 
body  elce.  My  circumstances  are  not  altogether  as  thay 
ware  then,  so  that  I  know  not  whether  I  am  so  capable  of 
complying  with  that  writing  now  as  I  was  then  if  I  were 
now  willing ;  but  however,  I  am  yet  willing  to  com  to 
any  reasonable  coinplyance,  and  that  it  was  not  don  before 
was  his  fault  and  not  mine,  and  though  I  would  haue  made 
som  proposalls  if  he  had  seen  me  again  as  he  promised, 
yet  he  could  not  haue  finished  with  me  unless  the  con- 
sent of  his  wife  and  mother  had  been  obtayned,  which 
could  not  be  don  here.  I  know  not  what  he  would  haue  ; 
as  to  the  debts,  there  are  none  considerable  besides  what  is 
owing  to  myselfe,  not  one  hundred  pound  in  all  to  any  body 
else,  and  he  has  one  hundred  pounds  he  rec?  of  the  trea- 
surer, due  to  my  brother,  which  he  has  inventoryed,  besides 
one  hundred  pounds  in  mony  lent  him,  which  I  haue  his 
letter  to  my  brother  to  shew  for,  besides  horses  and  other 
things  he  has  disposed  of  to  a  considerable  value.  I  am 
told  by  one  and  another  of  his  calling  a  court  to  sue  the 
tennants  if  thay  were  lyable  to  be  sued  by  him,  which 
I  know  no  law  of  your  Goverment  makes  them  ;  yet  call- 
ing such  courts  is  altogether  unaccountable,  and  your 
Hon'  and  the  judges  know  it  is  directly  contrary  both 
to  the  common  laws  and  statute  laws  of  England.  I 
know  no  law  of  your  Gov"*  that  alters  the  nature  of  joint 
tenancy.  I  think  your  law  allows  an  exf  to  inventory  the 
estate ;  and  if  he  dose  it  not,  the  townsmen,  as  I  take  it, 
may  do  the  same.  I  know  no  power  it  giues  to  medle 
with  lands  belonging  to  me  or  the  rents.  I  beleiue  it  is 
highly  incumbent  upon  your  Hon',  as  you  are  Gov',  as 
well  as  the  judges,  to  consider  whether  the  intention  of 
the  law  for  calling  spetiall  courts  be  not  with  respect  to 
strangers  in  extraordinary  cases,  and  no  way  intended 
that  any  inhabitant  should  be  surprised  and  taken  from 
the  oi'dinary  stated  courts  and  course  of  the  law.     I  am 


201  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

certain  if  som  that  care  not  for  your  Gov™'  should  haue 
cause  to  complaine  of  any  such  cours,  it  would  be  thought 
an  intollerable  greivance  on  the  subject,  as  it  was  in  Eng- 
land, in  old  time,  when  the  courts  were  uncertain  untill 
the  statutes  made  them  certain.  Every  body  here  knows 
it  is  much  in  your  Hon"  power  to  compose  this  matter. 


GURDON  SALTONSTALL  TO   SIR  HENRY  ASHURST* 

New  London,  Jan.  30,  170^. 

Hon""  S",  —  Yrs  of  25'"  August,  1708,  I  answer'd  by 
the  mast  fleet,  which  sailed  from  Piscataqua  in  March 
last ;  and  therewith  I  sent  yr  Hon'  a  memoriall  relating  to 
the  controversy  between  this  Governm'  and  the  Massa- 
chusetts, about  the  dividend  line  between  us.  Since  which 
I  had  the  favour  of  another  letter  from  you,  of  May  18, 
1709,  directed  also  to  y°  Councill  &  Generall  Assembly. 
But  because  you  mention  in  it  nothing  concerning  that 
memoriall,  I  conclude  y"  mast  fleet  was  not  yet  arriv'd, 
as  it  did  soon  afterwards ;  so  that  I  hope  y'  pacquett  I 
sent  you,  including  y'  memoriall,  came  safe  to  yr  hands, 
as  I  conclude  a  duplicate  of  it  did,  which  I  directed  to 
M"'  Cockerill,  at  New  York,  according  to  yr  Hon"  advice, 
and  which  (I  conclude)  came  to  you  by  y®  man-of-war 
which  carryed  back  my  Lady  Lovelace,  and  which  arrived 
safe  some  time,  as  I  suppose,  before  the  last  mast  fleet 
came  out  from  England. 

This  made  it  a  surprize  to  me  that  I  should  not  have 
any  account  from  yr  Hon''  concerning  y'  affair  of  y"  line, 
which  has  cost  us  very  much  trouble,  and  which  we  hoped 
would  without  much  difficulty  have  been  brought  to  a 
speedy  issue  by  an  order  from  her  Majesty,  for  the  run- 

•  Neither  this  letter  nor  the  letter  of  the  sfime  date  which  immediately  follows  is  in 
Saltonstall's  handwriting;  but  each  is  indorsed  "Copy  from  the  Govr  &  Councill  of  Con- 
necticut to  S'  Henry  Ashurst."  The  copies  were  no  doubt  sent  by  Governor  Saltoiistall  to 
Wait  Winthrop  tor  his  information.  —  Eds. 


1709.]  GUEDON   SALTONSTALL.  205 

ning  &  stating  of  it  by  some  skillfull  &  disinterested  artists. 
I  confesse  this  made  me  feare  y'  yr  Hon'''''  sicknesse,  if  not 
worse  &  more  to  be  feared  by  us,  was  y'  true  reason  of 
my  not  receiving  a  line  from  you  by  that  ojipertunity ; 
but  my  feares  were  suppressed  when  I  consider'd  that 
y^  news  of  so  sad  a  providence  as  that  (the  death  of  gen- 
tleman of  so  hon^'°  a  figure,  and  so  well  known  in  N.  Eng- 
land) must  needs  have  been  brought  to  us  by  that  fleet, 
had  any  such  thing  happen'd  ;  upon  w"'''  I  flatter'd  myself 
that  some  other  accident  might  prevent  yr  sending  us  an 
account  of  that  affair,  and  that  y"  next  ships  would  assure 
us  of  yr  health  &  good  successe  in  that  concern  for  this 
Governm' ;  which  I  still  expect  &  hope  for. 

The  copy  of  my  answer  to  yr  Hon'''^  foremention'd 
letter  of  25""  Aug.  happens  at  this  time  to  be  lodged 
in  the  Secretary's  office,  50  miles  distance  from  me;  so 
that  I  cannot  exactly  tell  the  severalls  contained  in  it, 
and  I  have  not  time  to  send  for  it  soon  enough  to  be 
ready  for  the  mast  fleet,  which  as  I  am  informed  intends 
to  saile  in  a  few  days. 

I  recollect  as  well  as  I  can,  and  believe  yr  Hon'  will 
finde,  that  I  had  accepted  yr  bifl  of  160*'  N.  E.  money, 
payable  to  Samuell  Sewall,  Esqr.,  at  Boston  ;  and  20"'^  to 
M"'  Noyes,  besides  y°  exchange.  That  to  M.  Noyes  (it 
being  to  be  paid  in  this  Colony)  was  soon  done,  and  I  am 
very  much  concern'd  that,  all  y°  paines  I  have  taken,  I 
must  tell  yr  Hon'  that  to  M'  Sewall  is  not  yet  discharg'd, 
tho  the  Generall  Assembly  in  May  last  (which  was  y° 
next  after  my  receipt  of  it)  did  readily  confirme  my  ac- 
ceptance of  it ;  and  the  treasurer  had  orders  to  pay  it. 
But  yr  Hon'  will  consider  how  hard  it  is  to  make  money 
in  this  country;  and  more  especially  the  extraordinary 
occasions  of  last  summer,  and  the  vast  charge  we  were 
obliged  to  be  at  (as  y^  brief  memoriall  herewith  annexed 
will  informe  yr  Honour)  I  hope  will  be  some  excuse  for 
that  omission.     I  am  still  pressing  (in  the  midst  of  other 


206  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709. 

vast  payments)  to  have  that  bill  answer'd,  and  am  not 
without  hope  speedily  to  accomplish  it. 

Yr  Hon''^  other  letter  of  May  18,  1709,  giving  an  ac- 
count of  another  bill  for  147*'  N.  E.  money,  payable  to  y° 
same  gent,  (a  copy  of  which  I  also  receiv'd  from  him  at 
the  same  time,  or  soon  after),  I  coinunicated  to  the  Gen- 
erall  Assembly  in  October  last,  just  at  y°  time  when  we 
were  lamenting  our  great  disappointm'  in  y"  expedition 
against  Canada  (which  y"  annex'd  memoriall  mentions) 
and  were  taking  care  for  our  broken  troops,  many  of 
which  dyed,  and  more  were  dangerously  ill.  We  then 
could  give  some  guesse  at  y"  charge  that  fruitlesse  expe- 
dition would  stand  us  in,  and  which  still  increasing  by  y° 
great  numbers  of  our  sick  men.  Upon  which,  and  consider- 
ing, moreover,  y'  y'  treasurer's  accounts  of  what  been  paid 
yr  Hon'  since  yr  agency  for  us,  were  then  at  Hartford, 
and  could  not  be  laid  before  the  Assembly,  the  Assembly 
thought  in  a  manner  necessary  to  referr  the  consideration 
of  that  bill  of  147"'^  to  their  next  sessions,  which  will  be 
at  Hartford  in  May  next ;  when  I  shall  not  faile  to  press 
them  upon  that  head. 

I  cannot  but  upon  this  occasion  call  to  minde  (what  you 
had  oftentimes  given  us  reason  to  conclude)  that  your 
generous  undertaking  to  improve  yr  intrest  at  Court  to 
the  advantage  &  benefit  of  this  poor  Colony,  was  chiefly 
owing  to  yr  own  vertuous  inclination  to  doe  good  (which 
we  must  alwayes  mention  with  honour),  and  not  to  any 
prospect  you  could  have  of  other  gain  ;  and  tho  I  am  very 
far  from  thinking  that  this  should  excuse  us  from  any 
retribution  within  the  compasse  of  our  ability,  yet  I 
have  y"  satisfaction  from  thence  to  believe  that  yr  Hon'' 
Avill  y"  more  easily  dispence  with  our  not  so  speedily  an- 
swering what  you  might  expect,  in  y"  foremention'd  let- 
ters w'^''  you  wrote  to  us ;  especially  considering  the  vast 
trouble  and  charge  in  which  we  have  been  involv'd,  soon 
after  the  first  of  them  came  to  our  hands. 


1709-10.]  GTJRDON    SALTONSTALL.  207 

I  shall  not  need  to  presse  yr  Hon'',  on  y"  behalf  of  this 
Governm',  that  you  would  be  solicitous  for  us ;  and  par- 
ticularly in  the  controversy  already  mentioned,  about  y" 
line  between  us  and  y°  Massachusett's  Governm',  if  her 
Majesty's  order  be  n't  obtain'd  before  this  arrives  ;  as  also 
upon  some  particulars  which  yr  Hon"'  will  take  notice  of 
in  the  annexed  memoriall.  You  will  greatly  increase 
the  obligations  you  have  formerly  laid  upon  us ;  which 
will  ever  be  acknowledg'd  by  the  Councill  &  the  Assembly 
here  (as  I  doe  now  in  their  names  &  by  their  direction), 
as  well  as  by 

Yr  Hour's  very  humble  servant, 

G.  Saltonstall. 

I  inclose  2  letters,  one  to  my  Lord  Sunderland  (a  dupli- 
cate of  which  I  have  also  sent  to  Col.  Nicholson,  who 
carryed  y'  addresse),  and  another  to  the  Lords  of  y"  Coiii- 
itee  of  Trade  ;  both  open  for  y''  perusall. 

S'  Henry  Ashhurst. 


GUKDON   saltonstall   TO   SIR  HENRY  ASHURST.* 

New  London,  Jan.  30,  17^%. 

S",  —  My  letter  to  y'  Hon'  of  the  same  date  with  this 
mentions  a  memoriall  annexed  to  it  relating  to  y°  affaires 
of  this  Government ;  and  I  could  not  but  judge  it  for 
the  interest  of  y^  Governm'  that  you  who  have  so  long 
done  us  the  honour  to  be  our  agent,  should  be  acquainted 
with  them.  This  is  the  reason  why  I  send  y'  Hon'  the 
brief  account  that  follows. 

If  I  remember  right,  I  gave  y'  Hon'  account  by  the 
mast  fleet  that  sailed  towards  the  latter  end  of  March 
last  from  Piscataqua  to  Great  Britain,  of  an  expedition 
w"""  we  were  obliged  to  make  the  summer  before  into  the 
county  of  Hampshire,  in  the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts. 

*  See  note,  ante,  p.  204.  —  Eds. 


208  THE  WINTHEOP  PAPERS.         [1709-10. 

It  was  occasion'd  by  the  certain  intelligence  we  had  of  a 
great  number  of  French  &  Indians  that  were  design'd  to 
make  a  descent,  either  upon  that  county,  or  some  of  the 
northern  towns  of  this  Colony,  which  lie  exposed  to  their 
insults. 

We  had  but  a  very  little  warning  ;  yet  besides  the  care 
we  were  oblig'd  to  take  of  our  own  frontiers,  we  marched 
into  that  county  in  less  than  3  dayes  time  1,000  men, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  William  Whiting. 

It  pleased  God  to  prevent  y'  designs  of  the  enemy;  so 
that  but  one  party  of  them  of  160  fell  upon  Haverill,  in 
the  Massachusetts  Province,  about  100  miles  to  the  east- 
ward of  y°  county  of  Hampshire,  so  that  our  troops 
returned  under  the  disappointm'  of  not  meeting  with 
them.  The  suddenness  of  this  expedition  made  it  to  be 
the  more  chargeable  to  us;  and  tho'  it  did  not  last  very 
long,  yet  it  cost  us  severall  1,000  pounds  ;  but  because  I 
have  not  the  computation  by  me,  I  will  not  be  positive  as 
to  the  charge. 

We  were  but  just  gott  clear  of  this,  when  we  received, 
the  beginning  of  May  last,  her  Majesty's  orders  by  the 
Hon'""  Col.  Francis  Nicholson  and  Col.  Sam"  Vetch,  to 
joyne  the  neighbour-Governments  with  a  stated  quota  of 
our  men,  in  an  expedition  against  Canada,  which  her 
Majesty  had  been  pleased  to  order  the  Assembly. 

The  Assembly  mett  in  a  few  days  after,  viz.,  on  May 
the  12"",  and  being  very  sensible  of  her  Majesty's  tender 
regard  to  these  Provinces,  in  designing  the  removall  of 
y°  French  in  Canada  &  Nova  Scotia  from  their  neighbour- 
hood, ordered  an  Addresse  to  her  Majesty  on  that  occasion, 
which  Col.  Vetch  took  care  of  &  inclosed  in  his  pacquett 
to  the  Right  Hon"''  y°  Earl  of  Sunderland.  They  also  at 
the  same  time  took  all  possible  care  that  their  quota  of 
men,  and  every  thing  else  in  their  part  of  y"  expedition 
should  be  provided  according  to  her  Majesty's  instructions 
communicated  to  us  by  these  gentlemen. 


1709-10.]  GURDON   SALTONSTALL.  209 

When  this  was  done,  I  was  obliged  to  leave  y°  Assem- 
bly and  goe  post  to  New  York,  there  to  concert  with  y® 
L'  Gov',  Col.  Richard  Ingoldsby  (my  L''  Lovelace,  to  the 
great  losse  of  that  Province,  and  generall  sorrow  of  the 
neighbouring  Governm*',  being  dead  a  few  days  before), 
and  Col.  Nicholson  &  Vetch,  what  might  be  proper  for 
the  said  expedition  ;  our  forces  being  expressly  ordered 
to  joyne  with  those  of  New  York  &  Jersey's  and  Pensilva- 
nia,  and  march  to  Canada  by  way  of  the  Lake. 

There  it  was  agreed  Col.  Nicholson  should  have  the 
generall  command  of  those  troops  that  were  to  march 
that  way  ;  which  he  discharg'd  with  great  honour.  And 
severall  other  things  were  agreed  for  the  forwarding 
of  y°  expedition.  I  returned  from  New  York  and  met 
the  Assembly  at  New  Haven  ;  which  I  could  not  avoid  the 
convening  of,  there  being  severall  things  concerted  at 
New  York  which  required  their  resolves. 

We  made  all  possible  hast  to  have  our  troops  upon 
their  march  to  the  generall  rendezvous  at  Albany,  in 
y°  Province  of  New  York,  where  we  were  as  soon  (and 
before)  the  rest  of  the  Governm"  concerned  with  us,  with 
our  full  quota  &  some  over.  This  hast  was  occasioned 
by  y"  expectation  of  y"  fleet  which  her  Majesty  proposed 
to  send  to  Boston,  and  to  goe  from  thence  to  Quebeck. 
And  before  we  could  be  ready  for  that,  we  were  to  march 
80  miles  north  of  Albany,  build  a  fort  at  a  place  call'd 
Woodcreek  (a  creek  that  leades  into  y"  lake  passable  with 
canoes),  store-houses,  make  canoes  &  battoes  to  trans- 
port our  men  over  the  lake,  and  to  carry  up  all  y^  provi- 
sion necessary  for  our  troops  to  carry  over  with  them  into 
y*  enemies  country.  This  was  indeed  a  very  hard  &  dif- 
ficult service ;  but  the  troops  surmounted  it,  and  waited 
with  great  impatience  for  the  arrival  of  y"  fleet,  which 
never  came.  Hereupon  the  forts  which  they  had  erected 
(in  the  fall  of  the  year)  were  demolished,  y°  canoes  de- 
stroyed, the  remaining  stores  brought  down  to  Albany. 

27 


210  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709-10. 

Tho'  before  this  such  a  generall  sicknesse  had  seised  the 
troops  that  many  of  them  dyed,  and  the  rest  so  very 
weak  that  they  were  putt  to  great  difficulty  in  bringing 
off  these  stores. 

Of  our  350  effective  men,  and  officers,  makeing  up  400 
(as  near  as  I  can  compute),  above  70  dyed  at  the  camp  at 
Wood  Creek  in  their  march  home,  and  since  their  return ; 
many  more  continuing  ill  a  long  time  after  they  reached 
home. 

This  was  a  very  sorrowfull  conclusion  of  the  summer 
expedition  on  our  part ;  and  besides  the  losse  of  our  men, 
it  has  involved  us  in  such  a  vast  charge  that  I  know  not 
when  we  shall  gett  out  of  it. 

I  am  not  able  to  account  to  you  the  severall  wayes  by 
which  y°  charge  rises  so  high  ;  these  accounts  being  now 
under  the  consideration  of  a  committee  to  adjust  them.  But 
one  way  was  the  additionall  wages  which  our  Assembly 
gave  their  troops  for  their  incouragem'  to  y'  hard  service ; 
advanceing  the  pay  of  a  private  sentinell  6'  pr  diem  more 
than  ever  they  had  given  formerly,  and  the  pay  of  the 
officers  in  proportion.  We  easily  saw  this  would  increase 
our  charge,  but  were  willing  to  straine  ourselves  to  y'  ut- 
most that  we  might  be  ready  with  the  first  in  obeying  her 
Majesty's  orders.  We  were  also  obliged  to  procure  stores 
and  some  other  necessaries  for  the  expedition  at  Boston  ; 
and  for  y'  end  ship'd  our  grain  for  that  port,  to  purchase 
us  what  we  wanted,  most  of  which  was  taken  by  the 
enemy.  The  transporting  of  our  pork  &  bread,  &c.,  from 
Albany  to  the  Wood  Creek,  after  we  had  been  at  the 
charge  of  carrying  it  a  100  leagues  from  this  Govern m'  to 
Albany  was  so  very  great,  that  it's  thought  it  stands  us 
not  in  lesse  than  the  first  cost  of  it.  The  horses  neces- 
sarily imploy'd  (kill'd)  lost  in  y'  service,  is  another  great 
article.  All  which  (with  severall  other  particulars  of 
charge,  which  I  cannot  now  call  to  mind)  it  is  generally 
thought  by  those  who  have  had  the  most  advantage  to 


1709-10]  GURDON   SALTONSTALL.  211 

make  a  conjecture  upon  it,  will  not  amount  to  lesse  than 
20,000'^  We  shall  in  a  little  time  have  y"=  ace'  stated ; 
but  I  rather  thinke  it  will  exceed  than  come  behind  that 
sume. 

It  has  been  thought  that  since  the  Govern"'  hath  been 
at  this  whole  charge  upon  her  Majesty's  positive  orders 
to  them,  her  Majesty  will  be  graciously  pleased  to  con- 
sider them  ;  and  I  am  pretty  well  assured  y'  our  neigh- 
bor-Governments will  ask  her  Majesty's  favour  in  that 
kind. 

I  doubt  not  but  this  hint  to  y'  Hon''  will  be  sufficient  to 
induce  you,  if  a  favourable  oppertunity  presents,  to  ad- 
dresse  her  Majesty  for  us  on  that  behalf,  since  you  cannot 
be  unsensible  how  hard  it  will  be  for  us  to  raise  so  great 
a  suihe. 

In  the  beginning  of  October  last,  at  y"  desire  of  Col. 
Vetch,  and  pursuant  to  her  Majesty's  instructions  to  us, 
I  met  Gov"  Dudley,  Col.  Cranston,  Gov'  of  Rhoad-Island, 
Col.  Moody,  appointed  to  be  Gov''  of  Newfoundland,  with 
Col.  Nicholson  &  Vetch  at  Rehoboth  in  the  Massachusetts 
Province,  to  consider  what  might  be  proper  for  us  to  doe 
under  the  disappointm'^  we  had  met  with.  At  which  Con- 
gresse  we  had,  by  a  packett  from  my  Lord  Sunderland  to 
Col.  Vetch,  advice  that  the  fleet  designed  for  the  expedi- 
tion against  Canada  had  been  otherwise  ordered. 

At  which  Congresse  an  Addi-esse  was  drawn  up  to  her 
Majesty  ;  the  substance  of  which  was  to  intreate  her 
Majesty's  favour  with  relation  to  the  vast  charge  we  had 
been  at,  and  to  pray  that  if  a  peace  should  happen  to  be 
made  this  winter,  the  French  might  be  obliged  to  surren- 
der Canada  &  Nova  Scotia  to  her  Majesty  ;  or  if  the  war 
continued,  that  those  countryes  might  be  recovered  by 
her  Majesty's  armes  next  summer. 

This  Addresse  I  signed  with  Col"  Dudley,  Cranston,  and 
Moody ;  and  Col.  Nicholson  went  directly  from  Rehoboth 
to  Boston,  where  in  a  little  time  after  he  took  passage  for 


212  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1709-10. 

England,  being  desired  at  the  Congresse  to  present  y* 
Addresse  drawn  up  there  to  her  Majesty. 

I  return'd  from  that  Congresse  to  an  Assembly  at  New 
Haven  then  sitting,  who  desir'd  me  to  goe  over  with  Col. 
Nicholson  on  y"  same  en-and ;  but  he  made  such  hast 
from  Boston  that  there  was  no  overtaking  him ;  and 
some  other  things  fell  out  to  prevent  my  takeing  that 
voyage.  I  unhappily  missed  thereby  y*  oppertunity  of 
paying  my  respects  to  yr  Hon'  in  person,  which  I  should 
have  imbraced  with  all  possible  chearfullnesse  to  acknowl- 
edge y*  great  favour  you  have  shewn  this  poor  Colony. 
Being  thus  disappointed,  I  could  not  omitt  to  serve  my 
country  by  giving  you  in  this  short  memoriall  the  state 
I  should  have  left  it  in  if  I  had  come  over,  as  I  was  de- 
sired &  intended  ;  which  is  the  most  I  can  doe  to  inable 
y'  Hon'^  to  pursue  the  ends  which  were  proposed  in  my 
coming  over. 

It  will  not  be  too  late,  perhaps,  after  this  comes  to  yr 
bands,  to  ask  her  Majesty's  favour  relating  to  y*  great 
charge  we  have  been  at  in  obedience  to  her  Majesty's 
commands.  But  as  for  y°  other  branches  of  the  forecited 
Addresse,  viz'  the  having  of  Canada  and  Nova  Scotia  to 
be  surrendered  on  the  peace,  or  if  no  peace  this  Avinter, 
then  to  have  those  countreys  reduced  by  reviving  y'  ex- 
pedition against  them  next  spring,  I  conclude  this  will  not 
come  soon  enough  to  you  to  afford  you  any  oppertunity 
to  be  concerned  in  them. 

I  must  acquiesce  in  submitting  this  important  affiiir  to 
the  conduct  of  Divine  Providence ;  and  under  that  to  yr 
Hon'''  care  and  prudent  managem!,  who  am  well  assured 
that  y'  zeal  for  the  weal  of  N.  England  in  generall,  & 
this  Colony  in  particular,  will  not  overlook  any  good 
oppertunity  of  promoteing  them,  and  in  that  confidence 
remaine 

¥"■  Honr°  very  humble  servant, 

G.  Saltonstall. 


1709-10.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST.  213 

SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO   GURDON   SALTONSTALL.* 
To  Gordon  Saltonstall,  Esq'',  Gov'  of  Conecticott. 

London,  Feb.  17,  1709[-10]. 
jjqjjhble  gE^  —  J  ha,ve  written  so  many  letters  to  you 
so  fully  &  so  particularly  of  all  yr  affaires,  that  I  have 
nothing  more  to  add  now  but  my  surprise  that  I  have 
not  had  a  line  from  you  these  9  months,  tho'  severall 
ships  are  come  in.  Sure  you  are  not  weary  of  yr  publick 
servant.  You  are  not  influenc'd,  I  hope,  by  M''  Dudley  to 
use  me  ill.  The  Governm'  in  their  letter  writt  to  me 
they  had  order'd  their  Treasurer  to  pay  my  bills  of  160* 
&  32*  to  M'  Noyes;  but  by  a  letter  from  M"'  Sewall  of 
27  Oct.  last,  he  writes  me  word  it  is  not  yet  paid ;  which 
is  a  strange  surprize  to  me.  I  sent  you  some  funerall 
sermons  preached  at  yr  late  Gov"'"'  interment.  I  have 
inclosed  you  some  news.  I  am  impatient  untill  I  hears 
from  you.  In  y°  mean  time  I  am  with  much  respect 
&  sincerity, 

Yr  true  friend  &  servant. 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 

I  pray  let  not  Col.  Nichol's  character  passe  for  truth 
with  you. 

SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  Major  Gen.  Wait  Winthrop. 

LoND.,  Feb.  17,  1709-10. 

Most  hon""  S",  —  I  had  yrs  with  the  inclos'd  letter 
from  M'  Letchmore  *  to  his  brother,  which  I  deliver'd  with 

*  This  letter  is  printed  from  an  original  or  duplicate  found  among  the  Winthrop 
Papers.  —  Eds. 

*  Thomas  Lechmere,  subsequently  Surveyor-General  of  Customs  at  Boston,  who,  in 
November,  1709,  had  married  the  only  daughter  of  Wait  Winthrop.  He  was  a  younger  son 
of  Edmund  Lechmere,  Esq.,  of  Hanley  Castle,  and  a  grandson  of  Sir  Nicholas  Lechmere,  a 
distinguished  Judge.  One  of  his  elder  brothers  became  Attorney-General  of  England,  and 
was  raised  to  the  peerage  as  Lord  Lechmere  in  1721.  —  Eds. 


214  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1709-10. 

my  own  hands ;  but  being  one  of  y"  managers,  and  y' 
most  considerable,  against  D''  Sacherevell  impeach'd  in 
Parliament,  he  cannot  say  any  thing  till  that  is  over. 
For  my  own  part  I  have  been  a  faithfull  labourer  in 
y''  service  of  N.  E.  20  years ;  and  when  I  have  lost  my 
health,  goe  into  y'  country  to  retrieve  it ;  and  when 
T  have  a  little  recovered  come  to  town,  and  then  am 
a  cit.  again.     I  am  not  disappointed  either  in  Nicholson 

or  y°  K .*     But  really,  when  letters  miscarry,  I  am 

discourag'd  from  writeing  to  you.  To  doe  honour  to 
y*  name  &  memory  of  yr  brother,  I  reprinted  M''  Cotton 
Mather's  sermon  preached  at  his  funerall ;  but  it  seems 
they  have  miscarryed.  I  sende  you  this  by  way  of 
N.  York  under  cover  of  y"  Gov'',  who  is  my  friend,  and 
a  worthy  man  ;  I  have  recoiiiended  him  to  you  as  a  man 
worthy  of  yr  acquaintance.  I  have  also  inclos'd  some 
of  y"  funerall  sermons.  I  wonder  much  I  heare  not  from 
Conecticott,  and  from  y'  Gov'  there,  about  y"  accepting 
and  paying  my  bills ;  which  he  promised  to  doe.  If  you 
have  no  interest  in  him,  I  pray  write  to  those  that  have 
in  y'  Governm'  to  pay  it.     If  there  is  any  alteration,  'tis 

from  y"  cunning  of  M'  D .      Assure  yrself  I  am  as 

true  to  you  as  if  you  were  my  father ;  and  will  not  give 
it  over  but  with  my  life.  I  doe  not  know  how  soon  I  may 
send  you  good  tydings  that  I  have  more  interest  than 
Col.  Nicholson  would  allow  me.  I  am  in  hast  going  out 
of  town,  at  y"  request  of  y°  Duke  of  Marlborow  &  U 
Treasurer.     I  doe  it  to  serve  N.  E.     You  cannot  imagine, 

nor  I  dare  write,  y"  wa3^es  y'  D takes  to  keepe  in  y* 

Governm'.     I  have  done  with  yr  S'  Ch . 

I  am  sincerely  yr  affectionate  friend  &  servant, 

H.  A. 

•  The  reference  here,  at  the  end  of  this  letter  and  in  tlie  next  letter,  is  probably  to  Sir 
Charles  Hobby. —  Eds. 


I7U0-1O.]  SIR  HENRY   ASHURST.  215 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST   TO  INCREASE  MATHER.* 

London,  Feb.  17,  1709 [-10]. 

Dear  &  rv"  S",  —  I  am  so  much  troubled  that  my 
many  letters  to  you,  with  the  Deplorable  Condition  of  N. 
E.  and  an  Epistle  to  the  Earl  of  Sunderland,  never  came 
to  yr  hands,  that  I  am  discourag'd  from  writing  to  you 
any  more,  especially  not   knowing  whom  to  trust.      It 

seems  yr  speciall  K 1  hath   gott  into  D.'s  interest. 

I  sent  a  great  many  copies  of  y"  Deplorable  Condition  of 
N.  England  ;  and  M"  Harris,  who  printed  them,  sent  200, 
according  to  his  direction,  with  an  Epistle  to  my  Lord 
Sunderland.  I  also  reprinted  yr  son's  sermon,  and  paid 
for  y"  whole  impression.  I  dedicated  it  to  my  Lady 
Russell,  y°  late  L*  Russell's  widow,  of  blessed  memory ; 
and  y"  Duke's  mother.  But  none  is  come  to  yr  hands ; 
I  cannot  write  to  you  the  reasons  why  D.  is  kept  in.     I 

could  have  blamed  y"  L**  Tr ,  y«  L"*  Sun ,  y''  L* 

Som ;  :j:   but  money  &  something  else  kept  him  in, 

which  I  dare  not  write  you.  What  if  y^  Whig  Lords  doe 
it  ?  I  wish  I  could  see  you  over,  that  3'ou  might  live  and 
dye  with  me.  I  am  every  day  (allmost)  attending  to  sei've 
New  England.  When  I've  lost  my  health,  1  goe  into  y° 
country  to  recruite ;  and  then  I  am  at  it  again.  It's  20 
years  y'  I  have  been  a  faithfull  labourer  for  N.  England  ; 
never  started  at  any  thing  for  y"  good  of  New  England, 
or  the  Colony,  since  he  has  been  in  the  Governm'.  I 
have  sent  yr  blessed  son  a  few  of  y*  complaints,  and  of 
y"  sermons  of  yr  son.  You  will  doe  me  justice,  and  be 
kind  to  N.  E.  to  write  to  Gov"'  Saltonstall  to  accept  my 
bills  ;  and  to  send  the  money  to  Boston,  that  I  have 
drawn  on  them,  and  they  promis'd  to  pay.  I  have  had 
severall  short  letters  from  you ;   especially  yr  last  of  y^ 

*  Printed  from  an  original  or  duplicate  found  among  the  Winthrop  Papers.  —  Eds. 

t  See  note,  ante.  p.  214.  — Eds. 

}  Lords  Godolphin,  Sunderland,  and  Somers.— Eds. 


216  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1710. 

5*  Decemb.  When  it  pleases  God  to  remove  him,  I  doe 
not  doubt  there  will  be  such  an  account  of  him  as  will 
keepe  him  for  ever  from  doing  you  any  hurt.  I  am  in 
hast,  going  into  the  country  to  serve  N.  E.  I  send  this 
by  way  of  N.  York  under  the  Gov''*  cover.  Pray  dearly 
remember  me  to  yr  son.  Tell  him  I  have  not  receiv'd 
a  line  from  him  these  9  months.  I  cannot  say  any  thing 
more  than  what  I  have  said.  When  yr  D.  is  out,  you 
will  heare  enough  from  me.  Pray  desire  him  (yr  son)  to 
be  so  just  to  me  as  particularly  to  remember  me  in  his 
prayers,  who  am  day  &  night  serving  New  England. 
Yr  dearly  loving  friend, 

Hen.  Ashhukst. 

Yr   son  hath   a  handsome  good  woman,  and  a  con- 
siderable fortune.*     I  went  to  see  them  on  purpose,  to 

Waterstock. 

D'  Increase  Mather. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  INCREASE  MATHER. 

London,  May  10'.\  1710. 
Eev°  &  DEAR  S",  —  I  have  very  little  to  write  to  either 
of  you  apart,  only  that  your  son  is  so  angry  that  he  writes 
nothing  to  me,  when  you,  dear  Sr,  have  written  several! 
letters  this  year ;  and  this  will  containe  an  answer  to  most 
of  them.  By  this  inclosed  paper  f  you  will  see  what  pac- 
quetts  were  carryed  into  France,  and  among  the  rest 
were  yrs  &  yr  son's  packetts.  There  is  not  one  thing 
you  complaine  of  in  reference  to  myself  that  I  am  not  in- 
nocent of.  It  is  a  very  small  thing  to  be  accused  &  con- 
demned unheard  by  man's  judgment,  when  one  hath  y° 
consolation  that  he  shall  be  acquitted  above.     You  may 

•  See  note,  ante,  p.  200.  —Eds. 

t  My  aRciits  account  (who  somtimes  do's  businesse  for  me),  M'  Clark's   brother  of 
-N.  England.  —  Nole  by  Sir  Ilenry  Asliursl. 


1710.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST.  217 

see  by  y°  books  y'  are  now  sent,  as  well  as  by  y"  last 
y'  were  taken  by  the  French,  that  y°  manuscript  was 
printed  of  N.  England's  Complaints ;  *  and  y*  Epistle  to 
my  L'^  Sunderland,  written  by  a  friend  of  yrs,  that  all  was 
well  so  farr.  I  own  I  wrote  y°  Epistle  to  y'  son's  ser- 
mons,! and  paid  for  the  printing  of  them,  and  sent  a  great 
many,  but  they  all  miscarryed.  I  am  glad  the  affaires  of 
N.  E.  by  pablick  authority  are  putt  into  better  hands, 
while  I  for  20  years  laboured  in  the  fire,  without  reward, 
without  authority.  I  send  you  these  under  Srimpshire's 
care,  who  has  promised  to  gett  them  convey'd.  Inclosed 
you  have  yr  son's  sermons  and  N.  E.  Complaints  (or  Depl. 
St.:):),  so  many  as  I  could  gett;  but  there  were  200  of 
them  sent  before.  And  now,  rev"*  father  &  son,  I  doe 
solemnly  professe  in  the  presence  of  Him  who  must  be 
my  judge,  that  if  I  might  have  2,000'  pr  an.  inheritance 
to  have  spent  20  years  of  my  life  in,  as  I  have  done  in  y'' 
service  of  N.  E.,  with  y"  neglect  of  my  family  &  my 
health,  attending  by  the  houres  at  great  men's  levies,  and 
in  antichambers,  in  which  I  have  made  myself  mean. 

But  I  have  y"  consolation  that  alone  I  have  saved  you 
from  being  worse  slaves  than  they  in  Turkey,  and  many 
times  broken  the  chains  laid  for  you.  And  as  S''  D.  Diggs 
said  in  Pari"',  he  that  will  faithfully  serve  God  &  his  coun- 
try, must  expect  his  reward  above  ;  and  it  is  well  if  he  be 
not  called  knave  here.  As  to  N.  E.  affaires  I  allwayes  took 
my  measures  from  you  &  yr  son,  and  followed  yr  direc- 
tions with  an  implicit  faith.  And  if  I  had  received  my 
bread  from  you,  I  could  not  have  more  honour'd  you,  and 
been  more  true  to  yr  name  &  interest.  Time  will  show 
what  I  say  is  a  reall  truth.    Now  to  my  particular  charge  : 

•  It  was  printed  under  the  title  of  "  The  Deplorable  State  of  New  England,"  afld  it  was 
the  opinion  of  Dr.  Palfrey  that  Cotton  Mather  was  concerned  in  its  preparation.  See  Pal- 
f  re3-'s  History  of  New  England,  vol.  iv.  pp.  304-310.  It  is  reprinted  in  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll. 
vol.  vi.  —  Eds. 

t  The  sermon  on  the  death  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop.  —  Eds. 

{  10  with  dedications,  &  10  without  dedic,  and  six  funerall  sermons.  —  Note  by  Sir 
Beni-y  Aihurst. 


218  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1710. 

first,  you  say,  seing  Nichol.  &  y"  Kn *  said  y'  D 

had  been  out  if  I  had  not  solicited  against  him.     I  an- 

swei-,  D had  been  out  if  y^  Duke  of  Devonshire  had 

liv'd.     My  L'^  Sund &  L'^  Trea promised  me  it ; 

and  that  I  should  name  whom  I  pleased  to  succeed.     But 

before  this  I  took  yr  Kn upon  yr  creditt,  and  did 

what  I  could  to  make  him  Gov',  untill  I  found  y'  Whar- 
ton, y*  known  enemy  to  N.  E.,  Blathw.  spy  &  tool,  was 
his  great  favorite  &  confident.     And  the  great  men  my 

friends  to  bring  y*  Kn to  y"  Councill  of  Trade  ;  and 

to  y"  Cap'  that  was  condemned  &  fined  for  misdemeanors, 

for  trading  with  y"  French,  to  charge  D home  upon 

that  matter.  He  promised  me  he  would  ;  but  having  con- 
sulted Wharton,  he  perswaded  him  not  to  appeare,  and 
so  lost  y'  oppertunity.     And  my  great  men  took  it  so  ill 

that  they  would  not  heare  of  him.     Then  Partr 1 

came  to  me  &  ofFer'd  1,000'  to  be  Gov',  which  might  have 
been ;  not   that  I  should   have   gott  a  shilling,  but  yr 

Kn &  his  Councill  wrote  a  letter  to  my  great  man, 

charging  Partr with  felony ;  and  what  a  reflection  it 

would  be  on  his  lordship,  when  it  was  known,  to  recoinend 
so  scandalous  a  person ;  and  tliereby  they  did  what  they 
could  to  lessen  me  in  the  opinion  of  that  great  man.  And 
so  truly  by  his  pedantick  garb  &  foolish  managem'  he  putt 
it  out  of  my  power  to  serve  him.  But  to  y°  last  charge, 
in  yr  last  letter,  of  personall  wickednesse,  that  I  charge 
you,  as  a  minister  of  y"  gospell,  to  let  me  know  y°  particu- 
lars, and  who  it  is  y'  writes  it  over,  that  I  may  not  be 
murdered  in  y'  dark  by  any  malicious  reports.  My  repu- 
tation is  dearer  to  me  than  my  life.  I  thanke  my  God, 
by  whose  grace  it  is  in  Christ  y'  I  stand,  I  cannot  accuse 
myself  of  any  enormous  crimes,  but  only  of  sins  of  infirm- 
ity. There  is  one  with  you  would  murder  me  every  way 
if  he  could.      Consider,  Sr,  what   incouragement  I  have 

•  Sir  Charles  Hobby.    See  note,  ante,  p.  214.  —  Ens. 

t  William  Partridge,  Lieutenant-Governor  of  New  Hampshire  from  1697  to  1704.  —Eds. 


1710.J  SIR   HENRY   ASnURST.  219 

bad  to  serve  you.  The  body  of  y°  ministers  signed  an 
addresse  what  a  good  Gov""  he  is,  and  pray  bis  continuance. 
I  am  alone  in  my  complaints  against  him.  You  sent  one 
Einerson  lately,  that  has  been  all  over  England,  coiTiend- 
ing  him  for  an  excellent  Goveruour.*  No  complaints 
against  him.  Every  body  thinkes  him  an  excellent  Gov' 
but  S""  H.  A.  We  have  been  so  busie  about  D'  Sacher- 
erill  t  you  approve  of,  and  yet  I  doe  not  despaire  of  suc- 
cesse  when  this  is  over.  Tis  vain  to  repeate  y'  many 
services  1  have  done.  By  some  they  are  reputed  crimes. 
I  have  inclosed  some  copies  of  letters  formerly  sent  you. 
My  dear  love  to  j^ou  both.  Pray  in  yr  prayers  forgett 
not  yr  own  &  N.  England's  friend  &  humble  servant, 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 

I  have  sent  you  40  memorialls,  &  30  sermons  under 
M"  Scrimpshire  cover. 

Also  more  of  each  by  another  conveyance. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  Major  Generall  Wait  Winthrop,  at  Bostoyi,  in  New  England. 
London,  May  10,  1710. 
Dear  &  much  hon""  S",  —  I  have  severall  of  yr  letters 
to  make  answer  to,  which  I  shall  endeavor  to  doe  by  this 
oppertunity,  tho'  I  have  very  little  time.  You  may  be- 
lieve I  am  as  sincerely  in  your  interest  as  I  can  be  ;  hav- 
ing long  honour'd  &  loved  you.  The  Knight  was  as  free 
with  yr  reputation  as  with  mine.  Tis  a  small  thing  to  be 
judged  of  men,  if  one  will  acquitt  us  above.     Yr  Generall 

*  See  note,  ante,  p.  200.  —  Eds. 

t  Apparently  some  words  are  missing  here,  as  there  is  a  large  blank  in  the  original. 
Probably  Sir  Henry  Ashurst's  copyist  could  not  decipher  the  missing  words.  There  are 
two  fragments  of  this  letter  in  the  Winthrop  Papers.  One,  which  we  suppose  was  from 
the  original,  ends  abruptly  with  the  words  "  The  body  of  your.'*  The  other,  which  we 
suppose  was  from  a  duplicate  sent  by  another  convej-ance,  gives  the  last  part  of  the  letter, 
beginning  "  a  1,000'  to  he  Gov."  —  Eds. 


220  THE   WINTHROP   PAPEES.  [1710. 

Nicholson,  who  hath  so  mean  an  opinion  of  me,  will  finde 
I  am  not  so  dangerous  nor  desjiicable  as  he  makes  me.  I 
am  labouring  all  I  can  in  yr  service.  I  have  received  all 
the  letters  that  you  writt  to  me,  and  the  duplicates,  with 
yr  two  letters  to  M'  Letchmore,  which  I  gave  him  myself. 
But  you  cannot  believe  what  a  hurricane  we  have  been 
in  about  D"  Sacberevill.  M'  Letchmore  was  one  of  the 
managers  against  him ;  and  my  Lord  Wharton  makes  so 
great  a  figure  in  the  Lord's  House,  that  he  could  attend 
no  other  businesse.  I  pressed  both  my  Lord  &  Letch- 
more as  much  as  I  could.  He  promised  me  when  he  had 
leasure  he  would  doe  his  utmost.  As  soon  as  the  Par- 
liam'  was  adjourned,  M''  Letchmore  went  into  y°  country, 
and  my  Lord  Wharton  to  his  goverment  in  Ireland.     I 

am  told  by  M'  M r  strange  stories  from  the  Kn : 

that  I  was  to  gett  a  1,000"^  by  M'  Partr to  make  him 

Gov'' ;  that  there  are  other  letters  that  speake  horrid 
reflections  on  me.  To  both  these  false  accusations  I  have 
answer'd  fully ;  better  men  than  I  have  been  reproached. 
But  this  I  say  again  to  you:  that  if  the  Queen  would 
give  me  2,000*  pr  an.  to  spend  20  years  of  my  life  from 
my  family,  from  my  estate,  attending  the  great  men's 
levyes,  &c.,  (to  disappoint  the  designs  of  one  person, 
who  would  have  made  N.  England  worse  than  the  Turk's 
government,)  I  would  not  accept  it.  The  particulars  one 
time  or  other  may  be  made   publick.      I'm  sure   your 

Kn was  the  cause  of  D.'s  continuance.     I  am  glad 

you  have  chosen  so  good  an  agent.  But  I'm  sure  I 
would  never  have  been  agent  under  the  direction  of  that 
major.  I  don't  yet  despaire  of  doing  what  you  would 
have,  if  the  Lord  spare  my  health,  allmost  worn  out  in 
yr  service.  Yet  after  all  my  services  &  expences,  to 
be  reflected  on  for  my  paines,  this  is  extraordinary.  But 
as  the  great  S"  Dudley  Diggs  said  in  Parliam',  He  that 
would  serve  his  country  faithfully  must  expect  his  reward 
in  heaven ;  and  it  is  well  if  he  be  not  called  knave  here. 


1710.]  SIR   HENRY   ASIIURST.  221 

I  have  so  intire  a  satisfaction  in  you,  that  it  is  much  my 
unhappinesse  that  I  have  not  done  what  I  would  for  you. 
But  as  for  y*  Governor,  could  I  believe  that  ever  I  should 
see  such  letters  as  I  have  here  inclosed  to  you  from  him  ? 
Is  thy  servant  a  dog  that  he  should  doe  so  ?  that  Je- 
hosaphat  is  consulting  with  Ahab  ?  that  26,000*  was 
spent  in  one  yeare  ?  Col.  Nicholson,  their  agent,  a  man 
trusted  by  King  James,  to  the  ruine  of  their  civill  & 
religious  interest?  After  what  I  had  done  for  them,  my 
bills  are  not  accepted,  the  other  not  paid.  I  may  say 
they  had  now  had  no  Charter,  no  property,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  me.  I  desire  you  will  make  a  journey  thither ; 
and  pity  yr  poor  country,  and  for  shame  gett  ray  bills 
accepted,  and  the  other  bill  they  have  accepted,  paid. 
They  had  their  Charter,  their  militia,  at  their  own  dispo- 
sall.  It  was  charity  in  them  to  goe  out  of  their  own 
country.  But  all  their  privileges,  I  know  not  how  or 
why,  are  given  up.  He  cannot  accept  my  bills.  There 
is  26,000*  this  year,  and  as  much  the  last.  What  was 
procured  them  by  yr  blessed  grandfather  you  may 
finde  by  this  inclosed  sermon  printed  and  dedicated  to 
my  Lady  Russell.  Doe  not  delay  doing  right  to  me 
and  your  poor  country.  All  my  advice,  w"''  you  will 
finde  pertinent,  honest,  &  serious,  is  in  vain.  Let  them 
pay  this  money  laid  out,  and  it  shall  be  the  last  I  will 
ever  trouble  them  about.  While  some  body  is  major,  I 
will  not  concerne  myself  By  reading  his  letters  to  me, 
and  my  answers,  you  will  see  my  falthfullnesse  to  their 
interest.  Now  I  have  written  all  this,  I  will  send  them 
to  yr  Cousin  Reed.  I  know  not  what  safe  convey- 
ance I  have.  If  I  have  yet  any  friends  in  N.  England, 
remember  me  to  them.  I  thinke  I  have  a  treasure  in 
yr  friendship.  As  long  as  I  live  you  shall  alwayes 
finde  me 

Yr  true  friend, 

Hen.  Ashhurst. 


222  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1710. 

Postscrijjf,  Mat/  17,  1710. 

Since  the  above  I  have  met  with  Schrimshire,  who 
saith  he  will  convey  these  to  you.  I  have  had  also  a 
great  deal  of  discourse  with  Mr.  Letchmore.  He  is  of 
opinion  that  it  must  be  done  by  Parliament,  if  facts  could 
be  proved  here  from  N.  England,  and  the  merchants  pe- 
tition ;  but  I  hope  it  will  be  much  sooner  done.  He  saith 
he  hath  writt  to  you.  I  have  also  inclosed  you  a  letter 
open  to  y"  Governor  of  Conecticott.  I  hope  in  time  to 
heare  of  somebody  Gov'  of  both.  My  dear  love  to  you  is 
the  rest,  but  that  I  have  sent  with  this  30  of  yr  brother's 
funerall  sermons,  and  30  Deplorable  States  of  N.  Eng- 
land  (so  called). 

Yr  dearly  loving  friend. 

I  am  night  &  day  soliciting.  I  came  home  from  court 
near  twelve  at  night,  and  made  bloody  water. 

Vera  Copia. 

SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  GURDON  SALTONSTALL* 

LoND.,  May  16,  1710. 

Much  hon""  S",  —  After  yr  long  silence,  I  had  y^  favour 
of  yrs  of  Jan.  30  last,  by  which  I  perceive  you  have 
receiv'd  severall  of  mine.  I'm  very  much  surpriz'd  to 
heare  that  after  I  had  been  an  instrument  to  retrieve  you 
from  utmost  mine,  and  y'  you  still  imploy'd  me,  and 
oblig'd  me  to  spend  my  time  &  money  in  yr  service ;  and 
y'  y"  bill  accepted  two  years  agoe  is  not  yet  paid,  and  my 
last  bills  not  accepted.  I  wish  you  much  joy  of  yr  new 
agent,  Cap'  Nichol.,  who  hath  made  me  very  vile  &  con- 
temptible every  where.  But  if  I  live,  you  will  finde  me 
not  so  dangerous  nor  so  despicable.  The  letters  to  my 
L*  Sunderland  and  to  y"  Councill  of  Trade  came  by  Cap' 
Nichol.  some  months  before  y"  duplicates  to  me,  so  y'  I 

•  This  is  apparenlly  a  copy  sent  lo  Wait  Winthrop.  —  Eua. 


1710.]  WAIT    WINTHROP.  223 

did  not  deliver  tliem.  I  perceive  you  follow  new  coun- 
sells,  and  the  old  safe  advices  I  gave,  yr  country  doth  not 
approve  of.  I  doe  not  thinke  fit  to  passe  my  judgment 
upon  yr  proceedings.  I  reade  in  my  Bible  y'  it  had  like 
to  have  cost  Jehosaphat  his  life  for  joyning  with  Ahab. 
You  knew  I  was  against  taking  any  step  about  yr  bounda- 
ries so  long  as  D.  was  Gov''  I  suppose  you  know  y*  Cap* 
Nicholson  was  intrusted  by  King  James,  and  what  he  did 
at  New  York  &  N.  England.  You  are  trusted  with  y" 
precious  cargo  of  y*  liberties  of  yr  coimtry.  If  once  they 
are  betray'd,  they  are  not  to  be  recovered.  These  two 
bills  being  y^  last  I  shall  draw  on  you,  T  take  it  as  an  act 
of  justice  y'  y"  country  pay  them.  I  am  &  have  been  to 
y''self  &  y°  country 

A  very  faithfull,  humble  servant,  H.  A. 

To  G.  Saltonstall,  Esq',  Gov'  of  Conecticott. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

New  Haven,  Ocf"  7'^,  1710. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  yours  by  the  post  yesterday,  and 
I  desire  to  be  very  thankfull  to  God  for  his  great  mercy 
to  us  in  our  health  in  such  a  measure.  I  am  sorry  for 
your  Aunt  Curwin ;  let  every  body  visit  her  with  all  the 
comfort  and  kindness  tliay  can.  I  wrote  you  in  my  last 
of  the  rouguerj'  of  the  Islanders ;  thay  haue  engaged  to 
pay  him  the  rent  during  the  lease,  and  he  has  engaged  to 
bare  them  harmles.  I  know  not  how  to  com  at  them  un- 
less I  could  go  to  New  York,  and  the  season  is  so  farr 
advanced  that  I  am  afraid  of  the  wether.  The  lease  has 
a  condition  of  reentry  in  case  of  any  faileur.  I  want  ad- 
vice whether  that  is  ever  don  without  a  process  in  law, 
by  geting  in  and  holding  by  force ;  if  it  must  be  by  law, 
we  must  apply  to  New  York.  Leviston  has  lost  his  ac- 
tion against  Anthony  at  this  court,  but  the  atturnys  haue 


224  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1710. 

reveiwed  to  the  court  at  Hartford  next  May.  "What  is 
aboue  was  intended  to  be  sent  by  one  after  the  post  was 
gon,  but  that  opertunity  fayled ;  it  is  now  the  IPf"  of 
Oct'",  and  the  York  post  is  expected  to  day  to  go  from 
hence  to  Saybrook.  I  wrote  you  before  how  there  was 
a  collusion  between  the  Islanders  and  Leviston,  and  that 
thay  had  withdrawen  their  appeale  ;  you  may  advise  with 
the  Gov""  what  method  I  had  best  to  take  with  them,  after 
you  haue  given  my  servis  to  him.  I  would  haue  wrote 
to  him,  but  am  surprised  by  the  post's  coming  sooner 
then  usuall.  I  expect  to  hear  from  you  by  his  return 
from  Saybrook  tomorrow  or  next  day.  I  know  not 
whether  I  shall  get  from  hence  before  the  end  of  next 
week ;  remember  me  to  your  brother  and  sister  Leech- 
mere,  I  haue  not  time  to  write  to  them  now,  but  do  not 
forget  to  pray  for  them.  I  cannot  write  to  Lizee  now, 
but  shall  think  of  it  when  I  com  to  New  London;  rec- 
oinend  me  to  your  wife  and  the  dear  babes,  with  your 
aunts  and  cousins.     I  am 

Your  loving  father,  W.  Winthrop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   HIS   SON  JOHN. 

New  London,  S""  26>\  1710. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  have  your  letters  by  the  two  last  posts, 
and  I  bless  God  for  the  continuance  of  health  amongst 
us  all,  and  pray  it  may  still  be  so.  '  I  am  like  to  mete 
•with  a  great  deale  of  trouble  with  those  varlets  at  the 
Island.  The  season  is  so  farr  advanced  that  I  find  a  diffi- 
culty every  way ;  here  is  so  many  things  to  be  done  in  a 
short  time  that  puts  me  to  great  difficulty.  I  must  do 
what  I  can  and  leave  the  rest  till  the  spring,  when  you 
may  be  here,  if  it  please  God.  I  have  not  time  to  write 
much  now.  I  am  glad  to  hear  we  lost  no  more  men  at 
Port  Royall,  and  that  Cousin  Elliston  is  like  to  please  her- 


1710.]  SIR   HENRY    ASHURST.  225 

selfe.  Tell  Cousin  Lize  I  would  write  to  her  of  several! 
things  if  I  had  but  time,  and  that  M""  Lines  was  extraor- 
dinary kind  to  me  at  Saybrook,  and  told  me  the  story  of 
the  Tomson's  Island  expedition  with  a  great  deale  of 
complacency ;  but  say  nothing  to  anybody  els.  Send 
what  is  stirring  by  the  next;  Cambell  writes  12"*  upon 
every  letter,  supposing  there  may  be  a  little  noate  in 
it ;  he  sends  me  the  News-Letter  every  post.  I  very 
much  bewaile  M'  Macantoshes  loss ;  if  the  younger  man 
at  North  Britain  remembers  to  put  forward  the  old  one, 
&c.,  it  may  prevent  Jerremiah,  tho  it  do  nothing  els, 
which  you  may  hint  to  him  (not  from  me),  but  let  nobody 
know  it.  I  shall  take  care  that  the  mare  be  well  look' 
after.  Tis  said  here  that  the  Mohauk  *  is  gone  to  Cariada  ; 
it  may  be  there  will  be  the  same  coi'respondence  with 
them  as  formerly.  I  must  be  excused  to  your  brother 
and  sister  Leechmeer,  who  I  always  remember,  tho  I 
cannot  write.  I  want  Buckstone's  Lexicon  for  one  of  the 
words  ;  M''  Shakmaple,  the  collector,  who  lodges  here,  was 
desirous  of  the  news,  so  I  began  with  airavTCDv,  and  he 
thought  I  was  conjuring.  Give  my  servis  to  the  Gov' 
and  everybody. 

Your  loving  father,  W.  Winthrop. 

For  M'  John  "Winthrop,  Boston. 


SIR  HENRY  ASHURST  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hon''''  Major  Genr.  Waite  Winthrop,  att  his  home  in  Boston, 
New  England. 

London,  Nov.  17,  1710. 

Much  hon"'  &  dear  S'',  —  Yrs  of  the  16"^  September, 
under  cover  to  my  agent,  M'  Clarkson,  which  came  by 
the  way  of  Londonderry,  I  have  receiv'd  about  two  dayes 
agoe,  which,  tho  it  cost  half  crown,  is  the  best  of  way  of 

*  The  Mohawk  was  a  nickname  given  tn  John  Livingston  by  Wait  Winthrop.  —  Eds. 


226  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1710. 

conveyance.  And  altho'  T  have  laid  many  a  pound  in  yr 
service,  I'm  satisfy'd  'tis  for  the  good  of  N.  England,  and 
that  I  serve  an  honest  &  worthy  gentleman ;  and  if  my 
success  don't  answer  my  desires  and  endeavors,  I  hope 
you  will  be  so  kind  to  yrself  &  me  as  to  accept  of  what  is 
in  ray  power.  The  letter  that  I  have  inclos'd  to  M'  Cot- 
ton Mather  is  in  answer  to  a  strange  letter  which  I  re- 
ceiv'd  from  him  ;  partly  that  you  might  read  what  I  write, 
and  partly  to  save  charges  of  postage  ;  which  letter  when 
you  have  read  it,  putt  into  a  fresh  paper,  and  seale  it  with 
some  strange  seal,  and  superscribe  it  with  some  other  hand, 
that  may  not  know  it  was  sent  open  to  you.  I  have  been 
so  often  disappointed  [fon?]  of  great  men,  that  I  will  say 
nothing  of  the  affaires  relating  to  N.  England  [torn']  yrself, 
'till  something  is  actually  done.  I  am  afraid  it  will  be  very 
difficult  to  get  you  into  that  post  I  desire  for  you,  unless 
you  were  present  upon  the  place  ;  but  I  will  doe  all  I  can, 
and  venture  my  reputation  at  Court,  that  you  will  answer 
the  character  that  I  have  given  you.  That  worthy  gen- 
tleman that  is  brother  to  yr  son-in-law,  M"'  L ,  can  doe 

nothing  to  serve  yr  interest,  the  whole  ministry  at  Court 
being  changed,  and  his  patron  my  Lord  Wharton  being 
dismiss'd  from  his  government  of  Ireland.  I  thanke  you 
for  yr  care  of  my  bills  which  were  accepted  at  Connec- 
ticott,  &  for  yr  promise  to  use  yr  endeavors  to  gett  them 
paid.  They  are  monsters  of  ingratitude  if  they  doe  not, 
having  preserv'd  their  very  being,  especially  this  being 
the  last  I  shall  trouble  them  with  while  this  man  is  mayor. 
I  hope  by  yr  postscript  my  pacquett  by  [torii^  come  to 
yr  hands,  wherein  you  will  see  most  of  my  mind.  I 
should  write  to  you  a  great  many  things  which  now 
I  have  not  time  to  doe,  nor  conveyances  to  my  mind.  I 
wonder  at  nothing  you  say  about  yr  expeditions,  when  I 
consider  who  &  what  —. — .  The  person  you  mention  to 
me  is  in  such  circumstances  that  I  don't  wonder  at  his 
going  under  the  person  you  mention.     He  must  goe  as  a 


1710.]  SIR   HENRY   ASHURST.  227 

soldier  of  fortune  ;  when  they  have  taken  Port  Koyall  he 
hopes  to  be  governor  of  that  place,  and  his  generall  to  be 
governor  of  N.  E.  I  have  forgott  to  tell  you  that  the 
bills  accepted  &  not  accepted  upon  Coiiecticutt  are  either 
in  that  worthy  gentleman's  hands,  M''  Sewall,  to  whom 
present  my  humble  service,  or  in  my  cousin  Peter  Ser- 
geant's. And  I  would  no  more  had  desir'd  any  creditt 
from  them  than  I  would  have  borrow'd  fifty  pounds  of 
them  to  be  paid  me  here,  if  I  had  not  been  assur'd  by 
Gov'  Saltonstall  that  my  bills  drawn  upon  that  governm' 
were  accepted  and  would  be  punctually  paid  at  the  time, 
which  if  they  had  exactly  comply'd  with,  they  would  have 
had  money  in  their  hands  a  twelvmonth  before  my  bills 
became  due.  I  have  no  friend  but  you  that  can  make 
an  end  of  this  affair.  I  pray  acquaint  the  gentleman  to 
whom  I  owe  the  mony  with  what  I  write.  I  don't  won- 
der that  S'  W.  A.*  refus'd  the  agency :  he  knew  too  well 
my  pains  and  expences  for  these  twenty  years.  I  told  a 
great  Duke  at  Court  within  this  fortnight,  if  the  Queen 
would  give  me  two  thousand  pounds  pr  an.  of  inheritance, 
I  would  not  spend  20  yeares  of  my  life  with  the  neglect 
of  my  health,  my  family,  &  private  affaires  as  I  have  done. 
As  to  the  young  gentleman  you  mention,  I  am  of  the 
same  opinion  that  you  are,  for  I  have  found  him  to  be  a 
false  &  intriguing  fellow  ;  I  was  too  kind  to  him  befor  I 
found  him  out.  If  you  had  sent  yr  son  when  he  came 
over,  I  would  have  help'd  him  to  a  godly  fine  young  gen- 
tlewoman that  would  have  been  worth  twelve  thousand 
pounds.  Pray  remember  in  your  prayers,  and  as  long  as 
I  live  you  shall  ever  finde  me 

Yr  affectionate  &  faithfull  friend  &  servant. 
For  the  Hon"=  Wait  "Winthrop,  Esq',  New  England. 

By  way  of  addition  to  my  long  leter  I  thinke  fitt  to 
acquaint  you  I  did  with  dificulty  get  thes  artickles  that 

*  Sir  William  Ashurst,  brother  of  the  writer.     He  declined  the  agency  of  Mas's.ichusetts 
on  the  ground  of  ill  health.    See  Palfrey's  History  of  New  England,  vol.  iv.  p.  279.  —  Eds. 


228  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1710-11. 

are  putt  in  against  you,  and  I  desire  to  haue  by  the  first 
yo'  lawes,  and  how  much  of  thes  accusations  are  true,  that 
I  may  fence  as  wel  as  I  can.  I  haue  preualed  not  to  haue 
them  yet  dehuered  against  yo'  Colony,  but  itt  hath  cost 
mee  mony  w"""  I  haue  not  reckoned.  I  cannot  serue  you 
to  giue  you  perticulars  of  my  expences.  I  thinke  you  will 
doe  wel  to  get  the  clamor  of  the  Quakers  of  you,  who  are 
an  united  great  body,  and  haue  a  great  puree,  and  will 
atack  you  soorly.  I  am  afFraid  all  thes  instruments  of  the 
diuile  will,  if  they  preuaile,  mine  religion  amoung  you. 
Thar  is  a  Quaker  weoman  that  they  complane  hath  bin 
hardly  delt  with.  Let  me  ^  some  trusty  messenger  heer 
from  you  by  the  first  conueniency.  The  Lord  protect 
you.     Yd'  all  is  at  stake. 


JEREMIAH  DUMMER,  JR.,  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP* 

LoND^  10  March,  1710[-11]. 

S^,  —  I  wrote  to  you  some  time  since,  at  the  desire 
of  your  kinsman,  M'  Reade,  about  Mf  Wharton's  will. 
What  I  haue  now  to  trouble  you  with  is  that  the  Duke 
of  Hamilton  has  often  of  late,  &  particularly  this  very 
morning,  told  me  that  he  intended  now  to  doe  something 
about  his  lands  in  New  England.  He  claims  by  pattent 
a  good  part  of  Conetticutt,  &  Fisher's  Island,  &  all 
islands  &  isletts  within  five  leagues  of  Connecticut.  He 
also  claims  a  good  part  of  Narraghansett,  &  ten  thou- 
sand acres  to  the  eastward  of  Sagadehoc.  The  latter  I 
would  encourage  him  to  settle,  because  I  believe  it  would 
be  a  service  to  the  countrey ;  yet  I  shall  wait  for  instruc- 
tions before  I  doe  any  thing  in  it.     But  for  the  other,  I 

*  Jeremiah  Dummer,  Jr.  (Harv.  Coll.  1G99)  was  a  lawyer,  anrl  in  November,  1710,  was 
chosen  Agent  for  Massaehnsetts  in  London,  where  he  is  stated  to  have  become  intimate 
with  the  celebrated  Lord  Bolingbroke.  He  was  elder  brother  of  Lieutenant  Governor 
William  Dummer.  and  died  in  Eufjland,  May  19,  1739.  See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet.  vol.  ii. 
p.  79,  and  Sewall's  diary,  ;)nssim.  —  Eds. 


1711.]  GURDON    SALTONSTALL.  229 

haue  told  him  that  particular  persons  haue  purchas'd  it 
&  settled  it,  &  that  it  will  be  fruitless  for  his  Grace  to 
think  of  it.  But  he  can't  bear  it,  &  as  he  is  a  Privy 
Counsell"'  &  has  a  good  interest,  intends  speedily  to 
make  a  motion  about  it.  I  should  be  glad  of  your 
directions  in  this  matter,  that  I  may  be  able  to  serve  you 
when  the  Ministers  have  this  matter  before  'em.  And 
in  any  other  matters  I  shall  be  glad  to  receive  your 
commands,  for  I  am  very  truely,  Sf, 

Y'  most  humble  &  most  obed'  serv', 

Jer.  Dummer,  Jun^ 

I  beg  you'l  give  your  good   lady  and   M.'.  Winthrop 
my  most  humble  service. 


GURDON  SALTONSTALL  TO  WAIT  "WINTHROP. 

N.  LoND.,  Ap'23'5,  1711. 

Hoxb'''^  S",  —  I  unhappily  miss'd  the  opportunity,  by 
the  last  post,  of  acknowledging  the  favour  of  the  16"" 
current,  which  inclosed  Maj'  Livingstone's  open  letter  to 
his  lady,  w""  the  proper  instructions  he  gives  her,  upon 
occasion  of  the  good  agreement  yr  Hon"  has  come  to  with 
him.  I  went  over  with  it  to  Madam  Winthrop,  who 
promised  me  to  send  it  to  her  daughter,  and  I  dare  say 
they  do  both  of  them  very  much  rejoyce  at  the  settlement 
you  have  made,  and  at  the  good  understanding  between 
yr  Hon'  &  them  which  will  be  the  happy  consequent 
of  it. 

I  am  extremely  pleased  at  the  hope  yr  letter  gives  us 
of  yr  Hours  company  in  this  melancholy  place,  which  is 
not  like  to  be  otherwise  to  me  till  yr  coming.  But  I  dare 
not  fix  the  time  for  it  so  early  as  yr  letter  does ;  however, 
I  shall  begin  my  reckoning  upon  it  from  this  time,  and 
hope  it  will  be  reduced  to  a  shorter  date  than  heretofore. 
I  shall  be  obliged  on  Munday  next  to  go  from  hence  to 


230  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1711. 

y*  Court  of  Assistants  at  Hartford,  when  I  shall  remember 
Maj'  Livingstone's  orders  about  Ashby's  cause,  and  shall 
be  very  glad  if  in  any  thing  I  may  be  serviceable  to  you, 
who  am  with  all  regard 

Yr  Hon"  very  humble  servant, 

G.  Saltonstall. 

To  the  Hon''''  Wait  Winthrop,  at  Boston. 


SAMUEL  SEW  ALL  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  June  4,  1711. 

Honorable  Sib,  —  These  are  to  salute  you  after  your 
long  absence,  and  to  present  you  with  our  elections,  May 
y*  oO'\  No.  of  voters  was  97,  and  you  had  them  all. 
Col.  Hutchinson  96,  w"?  was  all  he  could  have,  himself 
being  one  of  the  number.  Col.  Hathorne  and  S.  S.  had 
95  apiece.  But  17  were  chosen  at  first.  Col.  Noyes  had 
41 ;  Jn»  Clark,  Esq',  39 ;  Jn"  Wally,  Esq%  34  ;  Sam'  Ap- 
pleton,  Esq',  28.  2'^  stroke,  voters  92 ;  of  which  Noyes 
had  43,  Walley  34.  31  stroke,  voters  91 ;  Noyes  had  48, 
Walley  38. 

At  large,  voters  84,  —  Major  "Walley  had  70,  Nathan' 
Norden  46,  S.  Appleton  33.  The  election  is  the  same  as 
last  year,  save  y!  Col.  Thomas  Noyes,  of  Newbury,  is  put 
in  the  room  of  Col.  Foster.  This  day,  in  the  Artillery, 
Capt.  Habijah  Savage  is  chosen  captain  ;  Capt.  Winslow, 
lieuten* ;  M'  Edward  Hutchinson,  ensign ;  Tho.  Salter, 
Procter,  Lowder,  Walley,  sergeants.  Mr.  Walter  preach'd 
an  excellent  sermon  from  these  words,  Lest  ye  be  found 
fighters  against  God.  Tis  very  sinfull  &  dangerous  to 
fight  ag'  God. 

Your  country  man  Paddon  is  here  with  his  prizers.  He 
told  me  at  diiier  to-day  that  the  Gov'  mortally  wounded  is 
a  French  Gov'  of  y"  French  part  of  Hispaniola.  He  was 
going  home  &  carrying  the  embalmed  corps  of  his  lady 
with  him.     Ab'  4  days  after  y"  wounds,  he  was  set  ashoar 


1711.]  SAMUEL   SEWALL.  231 

at  the  Havanah.  One  of  the  prizes  being  called  the 
Prophet  Elijah,  calls  to  mind  great  accomplishments  that 
are  now  justly  expected.  Many  are  ready  to  conclude 
we  shall  have  an  expedition  this  suiner ;  and  yet  I  do  not 
know  y'  y'  Gov'  has  one  line  of  it,  tho'  I  have  seen  none 
of  his  letters.  I  have  seen  one  from  Gov''  A.  to  Dr.  M. 
wherein  are  words  to  this  purpose :  "  We  have  had  so 
great  a  change  here  amongst  our  great  ones,  and  such  an 
unhappy  turn  is  given  to  all  affairs,  that  it  makes  all  good 
peoples  hearts  very  heavy.  I  pray  God  prevent  the 
effects  which  are  feared.  There  are  endeavours  make- 
ing  for  a  new  Governour ;  but  the  person  talked  of  is  no 
ways  fit  for  your  purpose.  And  I  think  you  are  much 
better  as  you  are  at  the  present.  For  as  things  are  here 
now,  we  cannot  expect  any  change  for  the  better."  Gov! 
Dudley  has  reed  a  letter  from  Sir  W"  A. 

They  print  for  and  against  the  new  and  old  Ministry 
with  the  greatest  sharpness  imaginable. 

I  have  seen  y*  title  of  a  book  set  forthe  last  winter. 
The  author  sets  forth  the  power  of  y*'  Christian  clergy, 
and  proves  that  the  laity  have  no  power,  jure  divino,  to 
chuse  their  pastors. 

You  know  partly  the  valetudinarious  state  of  my  fam- 
ily. My  daughter  Hirst  is  still  at  my  house ;  I  hope  she 
recovers,  yet  slowly.  I  am  glad  M'  Winthrop  came  not 
to  a  funeral.  I  saw  your  lady  at  the  sermon  to-day.  M' 
Niles  is  ordain""  at  South-Braintrey.  I  wish  you  may  be 
succeeded  in  your  business ;  and  that  we  may  quickly 
enjoy  your  good  company  again  much  wanted,  espe- 
cially in  the  General  Court.  With  my  humble  service 
to  your  Honor,  Gov!  Saltonstall,  M^  Noyes,  I  take  leave, 
who  am. 

Sir,  your  most  humble  serv', 

Samuel  Sewall. 


232  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1711. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  June  y  -,  1711.* 
Past  nine  at  night. 

Hon"?  S%  —  I  am  very  glad  to  understand  by  yof  letter 
y*  gentlemen  are  all  w'!*  you.  I  hope  they  have  concluded 
y'  business  according  to  yoT  mind ;  it  happens  best  for 
them  to  finish  before  y'  expedition  intervenes.  Coll. 
Nicholson  arrived  here  on  Fry  day,  as  y°  news  paper  (w""?  I 
suppose  Campbell  sends  you)  will  inform.  Vetch  is  sent 
for,  &  is  to  command  y°  1000  men  to  be  raised  in  this 
province,  N.  Hampshire,  &  Rhode  Island.  These  men  are 
to  goe  w*.''  y^  rest  of  y'  forces  w"?"  are  dayly  expected,  viz. : 
4,000  land-souldiers  &  7  sayle  of  men  of  warr.  Coll. 
Nicholson  is  to  command  y*  2,000  y'  are  to  be  raised  at 
Connecticott,  New  York,  Jerseys,  Pensilvania,  and  are  to 
march  up  to  Wood  Creek  in  order  to  make  a  discent  on 
Mount  Eoyall.  Brigadeer  Hill,  who  is  in  y°  expected 
fleet,  commands  y"  whole  by  sea  &  land.  The  flag  of 
truce  from  Placentia  is  not  like  to  goe  back  this  year. 
Roberton  &  severall  of  y°  officers  here  last  expedition  are 
come  agen.  Coll.  Taylor,  who  went  home  w'?  y'  general], 
bigg  w'.*"  expectations  of  liis  doing  for  him,  is  said  to  be 
cashiered,  &  is  coming  back  in  a  private  capacity  in  one 
of  y*  merchant  ships.  It's  said  that  all  is  peace  &  quiet 
at  home  ;  pray  God  it  may  continue  so.  The  Queen  has 
ordered  a  Congress  of  y*"  severall  Gov"  from  N.  Hampshire 
to  Pensilvania  to  be  at  N.  London.  Coll.  Nicholson  &  this 
Gov"^  set  out  on  Wednesday  or  Thursday,  and  Gov'  Dud- 
ley w*  have  me  ride  in  the  chariott  w'.""  him,  and  if  my 
poor  family  continues  in  health  I  intend  to  come  w'f"  him. 
He  talks  of  riding  in  y°  chariott  to  Rhode  Wand,  and  the 

•  The  writer  omitted  the  exact  date  of  this  letter,  which  was  written  about  the  middle  of 
the  month.  Nicholson  arrived  at  Boston  June  8 ;  Dudley  left  home  June  18 ;  the  Congress 
of  Governors,  which  lasted  three  days,  opened  either  on  the  20lh  or  the  21st  of  June;  and 
Rovernor  Dudley  reached  Roxbury  on  his  return  on  the  25th  of  June.  See  5  Mass.  Hist. 
Coll.  vol.  vi.  pp.  313,  315;  The  Boston  News  Letter,  June  25  to  July  2, 1711.  — Eds. 


1711.]  WAIT    WINTIIROP.  233 

galley  to  meet  him  there  to  carry  us  to  New  London.  I 
tell  him  he  may  ride  in  the  calash  all  the  way  by  land,  but 
I  think  he  inclines  to  come  by  Rhode  Island.  Shall  get 
some  of  the  troopers  to  lead  my  horse  w'?  us.  Here  is  a 
man  and  his  wife,  w''^  are  at  Roxbury,  w'^  gladly  come  up 
&  keep  both  mill  &  house,  if  you  think  best ;  they  are 
honest  people  and  w*^  doe  well.  I  pray  God  to  bless  us  in 
every  thing  &  prosper  o"  health,  give  us  a  joyfull  meet- 
ing, and  lett  us  hear  good  news  from  every  corner.  If  I 
come  it  will  be  best  not  to  write  to  me  by  y'  post.  Beg- 
ging yo'  prayers,  I  commend  you  to  God,  and  am 

YoT  most  obedient  humble  serv'  J.  W. 

If  you  make  any  remarks  upon  w'  news  is  stirring,  it  is 
best  to  be  private  in  y" 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

New  London,  July  12',  1711. 

My  dear  Son,  —  I  had  yours  by  Will.  Latham,  and 
that  now  by  the  post.  I  think  I  had  been  with  you  last 
week  or  this  if  I  had  not  been  hindred ;  I  stay  here  to 
no  purpose  unless  you  were  here.  I  know  not  what  loss 
it  can  be  if  I  be  at  Boston  and  com  with  you  when  you 
com,  which  will  not  be  this  month  yet  or  more,  I  doubt.  I 
am  greatly  thoughtful!  how  you  will  get  hither.  I  would 
by  no  means  haue  you  venture  by  water,  tho  it  were  in 
the  gaily ;  a  Martineco  privateer  sloop  or  two  would  take 
her,  and  this  is  the  time  of  year  we  may  expect  them. 
I  am  afraid  you  should  venture  all  the  books  and  papers ; 
thay  are  not  safe  here  if  a  privatere  should  com  in,  as 
also  all  the  best  of  your  things  at  once.  How  you  will 
bring  the  pore  children,  if  T  am  not  with  you,  I  know 
not ;  your  mother  says  she  hears  you  are  coming  hither, 
and  that  I  stay  till  then,  but  because  you  haue  sayd  noth- 
ing and  I  haue  not  writ  of  it,  she  knows  not  whether  it 


234  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  11711. 

be  so.  It  is  best  to  let  her  know ;  it  would  haue  been 
best,  if  time  would  permit,  to  haue  taken  leaue  at  Salem 
also.  If  som  mony  could  be  had,  then  it  would  ease  every 
thing.  Write  by  the  next  how  you  propose  to  com  and 
when,  and  send  it  out  of  the  bagg  that  I  may  mete  it  on 
the  road,  if  I  should  happen  to  com.  Bennit  has  prom- 
ised to  com  to  whitewash  tomorrow;  the  garden  and 
orchard  is  grown  into  a  swamp,  and  I  can  not  get  an 
Indian  or  English  to  clear  it,  all  being  iraployed  in  the  ex- 
pedition. Deacon  Plum,  that  should  survay  every  thing, 
is  so  eaten  up  with  country  imploym'  under  his  Worship 
that  I  can  get  nothing  dun,  but  I  hope  it  will  be  over 
now  his  worship  is  gon  to  New  Haven.  Eecoinend  me 
to  your  sister  and  every  body ;  I  pray  God  to  keep  and 
bless  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  flither, 

W.   WiNTHROP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

New  London,  July  19*,  1711. 

My  dear  Son,  —  I  was  contriving  to  set  out  this  week, 
but  was  willing  to  see  the  post  first.  I  did  not  think 
you  could  have  been  ready  so  soon ;  I  shall  now  expect 
your  coming,  and  shall  send  the  coach-horses  to  the  ferry 
at  Boston  Neck,  and  Anthony  may  go  over  at  Rhoad  Isl- 
and with  my  hors  to  Bristoll,  and  will  be  there  on  Thurs- 
day night  or  Fryday,  as  you  say.  If  the  coach  can  be  got 
over  to  Narraganset,  it  may  be  best ;  I  think  we  can  find 
a  coach-way  from  Saxtons  quite  hither.  Bennit  has  not 
been  at  work  yet,  but  hope  he  will  have  don  it  this  week. 
You  speak  of  the  gaily  who  was  at  York  a  few  days  since 
and  is  expected  here  every  hower  to  convoy  the  store 
sloops  that  are  here  to  Boston  ;  a  little  privateer,  I  doubt, 
would  deale  with  Carver.  I  wish  Mingo  would  com,  he 
should  be  no  looser  by  it.     Here  is  not  a  hand  to  be  had 


1711.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  235 

on  any  termes.  If  you  have  forgot  to  send  candles  you 
must  do  it  still,  elce  you'll  have  no  light  till  towards  win- 
ter nor  perhaps  then  neither ;  tis  best  to  send  a  box.  I 
have  encouraged  your  mother  to  com,  and  it  will  be  best ; 
then  I  shall  stay  with  you  the  longer,  and  she  will  be  sat- 
tisfyed  with  the  divertion  of  the  country.  Its  best  to 
send  a  thousand  or  two  of  board,  shingle,  &  clabord 
nayles,  so  many  of  each  sort ;  here  will  be  need  enough 
of  them ;  they  may  be  paid  for  after  a  while,  if  you  can 
not  do  otherwise.  Here  will  want  a  lock  or  two  more, 
but  I  suppose  you  have  som.  I  pray  God  to  bless,  guide, 
and  keep  us  all. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 

Your  poor  sister  will  be  left  alone.  Bring  a  pair  of 
ordinary  white  specticles,  in  a  wooden  case,  for  old  Sam" 
Bebe,  which  I  have  promised  him ;  they  cost  but  about  a 
shilling,  —  let  them  be  of  the  oldest  sight  you  can  get, 
be  shure. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Groton,  July  24'',  1711. 

Dear  Son,  —  Since  I  wrote  by  the  post  I  am  very 
doubtfull  about  bringing  the  coach  over  to  Narraganset, 
and  whether  it  be  possible  to  get  it  along,  and  if  any 
thing  should  break,  espetially  a  wheele  or  axeltre,  remote 
from  any  habitation,  what  would  becom  of  the  poore 
children,  how  would  thay  be  got  hither?  However,  I 
haue  sent  Anthony  with  the  horses,  that  are  poorer  by 
halfe  then  when  thay  came  hither.  Also  a  spare  hors  for 
your  mother,  supposeing  you  haue  brought  sidesadle  or 
pillion,  or  must  beg  or  borrow,  for  I  can  get  none  here. 
Anthonye's  hors  is  very  sober,  and  goes  easy.  If  Brill 
driues  the  coach,  he  must  see  that  the  wheels  and  axeltre 
be  well  greased,  least  it  heat  and  burn  off.     You  must  be 


236  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1711. 

sure  that  every  thing  be  sound,  and  that  the  coachman  be 
not  in  di'ink.  However,  if  it  be  a  fair  Avind  and  a  likely 
opertunity,  its  best  to  advise  whether  it  be  not  best  to 
com  in  the  vessell ;  if  the  vessell  be  not  here  as  soon  or 
before  you,  I  know  not  what  you  will  do  for  entertain- 
ment. If  I  could  hear  you  com  by  land,  I  would  meet 
you  on  the  roade ;  pray  be  very  carfull  and  considerate, 
and  be  advised  by  those  that  may  know.  I  pray  God  be 
with  you,  blesse,  preserue,  and  keep  you  all.  If  you  com 
not  in  the  coach,  the  harness  may  go  back  in  it. 
Your  loving  father, 

W.    WiNTHROP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

New  London,  July  26',  1711. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  yours;  am  glad  to  hear  all  are 
well,  and  that  your  aunt  is  got  to  Waymouth,  but  know 
not  but  she  would  have  been  better  here.  Anthony  was 
on  horsback,  and  got  halfe  way  up  the  hill  yesterday  with 
the  coach-horses ;  but  on  second  thoughts,  I  concluded  it 
best  to  stay  him  till  the  post  cam  with  your  letter,  which 
was  not  till  this  morning,  so  haue  stayed  him  now  till 
next  week,  and  intend  he  shall  set  out  on  Tuesday;  he 
will  leaue  the  horses  at  Boston  Neck,  and  go  with  his 
own  hors  over  to  Rhoad  Island,  and  so  till  he  meets  you 
at  Bristoll  or  Seconk  ;  but  unless  Latrup  with  the  man  of 
warr  be  com  away,  so  as  to  be  sure  to  meet  you  at  Bris- 
toll, it  will  be  a  sort  of  madness  to  com  away.  T  know 
not  what  you  will  all  do  here  before  your  things  com,  so 
much  as  for  one  day  or  night ;  I  know  not  how  you  will 
all  com  in  the  Gov"  coach,  and  if  a  wheele  or  axeltre 
brake  in  the  woods,  how  will  the  children  get  to  any 
shelter  ?  There  had  need  haue  been  two  coaches  ;  I  am 
afraid  of  the  axeltre  of  our  coach.  Whatever  corns  must 
be  veined  well  in  all  parts,  and  the  wheeles  well 


1711.]  WAIT    WINTHROP.  237 

least  the  axeltre  burn  off  with  the  constant  motion,  and 
when  all  is  said  and  don,  if  the  wind  and  season  be  fair  so 
that  you  may  get  here  in  one  day,  it  may  be  best  to  ad- 
vise whether  it  be  not  safest  to  com  in  the  gaily  or  sloop 
from  Road  Island,  for  it  must  needs  be  difficult  for  the 
coach  to  get  hither,  tho  it  may  be  possible ;  and  if  you 
depend  upon  these  two  horses  to  com  alone  from  Boston 
Neck,  thay  will  never  do  it,  tho  thay  will  help  with  those 
you  bring;  I  never  saw  them  so  poor  as  now.  If  the 
Gov"  coach  coms  hither,  it  must  not  stay  till  your  mother 
goes  back ;  he  will  want  it  before  that.  Its  best  to  ad- 
vise with  your  mother  about  everything.  If  the  coach 
coms  over,  and  the  wind  should  make  it  difficult  to  get 
round  Canonicut  Island  to  com  to  Boston  Neck,  it  may  be 
landed  at  M''  Vpdick's,  or  Coales  harbour,  and  our  horses 
be  feched  thither;  the  way  is  as  good  from  there.  As 
for  Mingos  keping  the  mill,  I  doubt  much  about  his  skill 
at  present,  but  shall  be  glad  to  haue  him  learn  and  intro- 
duce him  by  degrees,  least  the  people  be  disgusted  for 
want  of  a  good  miller;  but  if  thay  will  com,  I  shall  pro- 
vide for  them  to  their  content.  As  to  the  stone  house,  I 
doubt  it  will  be  difficult  to  get  it  cleared  unless  I  can  pur- 
chase it;  thay  speak  of  doing  somthing  to  it,  and  I  doubt 
the  woman  desines  to  keep  it  for  a  retreat.  However, 
here  is  house  room  enough  for  Mingo,  &c.  for  the  present. 
If  it  be  possible,  you  must  bring  a  barrill  of  good  pork,  or 
you  cannot  subsist;  here 's  none  to  be  had  here  on  any 
termes.  Here  will  be  nothing  but  mutton,  and  for  a 
family  to  Hue  wholy  on  that  will  be  difficult.  Bennit  has 
deceived  me  every  day  for  a  month  almost,  and  will  do  so 
still ;  but  here  is  one  Dunbar,  of  Groton,  I  think,  will  do 
it  better  by  the  midle  of  next  week.  He  has  don  M' 
Cristophers  house  this  week  very  well.  Advise  with  your 
mother  about  every  thing  ;  if  Kate  com,  it  may  be  well, 
if  there  be  room.  I  haue  preserved  the  feed  in  the  Neck 
as  much  as  I  could,  and  we  must  get  a  cow  or  two  of 


238  THE   WINTHROP    PAPERS.  [1711. 

Anthony  and  Yeomans.  I  suppose  the  gaily  is  at  Boston 
before  this.  Don  Quicksot  is  just  mounted,  and  gon  with 
his  wife  to  New  Haven,  and  so  to  Our  Mannor  and  Al- 
bany.    My  servis  to  every  body. 

Your  louing  father, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 


WAIT   WINTHROP  TO   HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Groton,  Aug"  1",  1711. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  am  greatly  distressed  about  your  get- 
ing  safe  hither,  and  see  almost  an  impossibility  for  a  coach 
to  get  hither  with  children,  or  indeed  without.  I  thought 
the  GovT  had  com  as  farr  as  Saxstons  in  the  calash,  but 
am  told  he  com  on  horsback,  which  I  haue  forgot,  tho' 
we  mett  him  beyond  Pacatuck  Eiver.  Thay  tell  me  the 
coach  cannot  get  over  the  wadeing  place  between  Boston 
Neck  and  Petaquomscut  at  low  water  without  being  wett, 
which  Anthony  will  enquire  as  he  goes  over  there.  If 
Blackstons  River  be  very  low,  it  had  been  far  less  difficulty 
to  haue  com  that  way.  I  know  of  no  bad  place  between 
Seconk  road  and  M'  Vpdickes.  There  is  good  going  over 
Patuxet  River  at  the  wares  one  mile  aboue  Staffords,  and 
was  the  way  we  always  went  formerly,  espetially  when 
the  river  was  up,  and  is  a  great  cart-road  without  bankes 
of  either  side,  or  hills  to  goe  up  or  down ;  and  if  Black- 
stons be  low,  that  is.  But  the  great  difficulty  will  be  a 
little  on  this  side  Greenmans,  nere  Point  Jude  ponds 
and  between  Jo.  Stantons  and  Pacatuck  River,  and  from 
thence  hither;  and  if  any  thing  should  break,  what  can 
be  don  with  the  children  ?  It  will  be  difficult  to  bring 
them  on  horsback,  if  there  were  men  and  horses  ready. 
If  the  gaily  convoys  Latrup  and  meets  you  at  Bristoll  or 
Rhoad  Island,  it  would  be  best  to  com  that  way,  if  the 
coast  be  clear  and  thay  stay  for  a  fair  opertunity;  and 
as  I  wrote  before,  I  know  not  what  you  can  do  here  with- 


1711.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  239 

out  your  things.  If  Carver  convoys  the  sloop,  I  look 
at  all  to  be  in  hazard  if  a  privateer  should  meet  them. 
About  a  fortnight  since  one  Eoulstone  was  chased  on 
shoar  about  East  Hampton  on  Long  Island  by  a  brigan- 
tine ;  but  we  hear  since  it  was  a  brigantine  that  is  com 
into  Road  Island  that  he  was  afraid  of,  which  Anthony 
will  enquire  into  as  he  goes.  If  you  com  by  land,  thay 
must  alight  out  of  the  coach  at  all  difficult  places,  and 
you  must  get  some  good  pilate  that  knows  the  cart-ways 
well.  I  pray  God  to  direct  you  for  the  best,  and  bless 
and  keepe  you  all. 

Your  loving  father, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 

If  your  mother  be  with  you,  be  carefull  of  her  and  hear 
her  advice. 

Postscript.  What  is  on  the  other  side  I  had  written 
for  Anthony  to  carry ;  but  the  great  raine  yesterday 
hindered  him,  and  the  post  came  this  way  last  night  with 
your  letter,  and  put  me  out  of  the  fear  I  was  in  that  you 
were  on  the  road  in  the  raine.  It  will  certainly  be  best 
to  com  in  the  gaily  from  Rhoad  Island,  if  the  coast  be 
clear  ;  it  will  be  next  to  impossible  to  get  the  coach 
hither,  and  uncertaine  whether  the  vessell  will  exactly 
meet  you  here  at  your  coming ;  two  horses  will  never 
bring  our  coach  along,  if  thay  goe  but  ten  miles  a  da)', 
and  I  am  very  doubtfull  of  the  axeltre,  whether  it  do  not 
want  clouts  and  be  not  already  hurt  by  too  many  nailes 
in  the  clouts,  which  must  be  well  examined,  and  if  new 
clouts  put  on  thay  must  be  thicker,  to  fill  the  boxes 
in  the  wheles,  which  are  biger  then  those  in  the  old 
wheles,  so  that  the  wheles  haue  too  much  room  to  play, 
which  must  be  fited  or  else  twill  easily  breake,  and  if 
it  be  left  at  Bristoll  my  horses  will  never  get  it  home 
[torn'],  I  doubt,  unless  we  go  very  slow ;  but  you  must  do 
that  which  will  be  best.  The  house  was  don  last  Tuesday, 
and  is  dry  in  one  day.     I  thought  of  wood  before ;  there 


240  THE    WIKTHEOP    PAPERS.  [1711. 

is  som  redy  cut  at  Alwife  Brook,  if  I  can  get  it  brought 
down.  Its  best  you  obserue  the  manner  of  the  sash  win- 
dows, how  thay  are  balanced  with  waights,  and  where 
the  waights  and  lines  go ;  these  are  shattered  with  lifting 
up  and  down  and  shoaring  them  up.  I  would  know  cer- 
tainly what  you  conclude  on  by  the  next  post;  if  you 
resolue  and  are  shuer  of  the  gaily,  I  need  not  send  the 
coach  horses.  I  would  know  also  whether  your  mother 
resolue  to  com,  because  Anthony  may  bring  a  hors  if  she 
care  not  to  go  by  water.  I  would  know  too  wither  Mingo 
corns.  I  pray  God  direct,  bless,  and  keep  you  all;  re- 
member me  to  your  brother  and  sister  and  all  freinds. 
Your  louing  father, 

W.  WiNTHROP. 

Aiif'  2^.    Get  some  wafers ;  send  the  enclosed  presently. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO   WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Munday  afternoone,  August  y'  T'^,  1711. 

Hon"."  S",  —  We  are  yet  here,  tho  we  haue  been  some- 
time ready  for  o'  journey  towards  you  and  wait  only  for 
y'  convoy.  As  for  y^  gaily,  we  are  disapointed  in  her, 
for  as  soon  as  she  came  in,  the  Admirall  tooke  all  her  men 
&  put  them  into  y°  transports  bound  for  Canada,  put  out 
Cap'  Pickering  and  put  in  Cap'  Southack,  and  she  is  hal'd 
up  to  put  another  deck  &  fitt,  &  is  to  goe  first  to  Port 
Royall  to  take  in  500  barrels  of  powder,  &  y"  to  follow 
y®  fleet  to  Canada.  And  here  is  nothing  but  y*  sloope 
left,  and  she  has  but  ten  men  yet,  tho  she  is  ordered  to 
sayle  this  day  between  y*  capes  to  get  her  number  of  men 
among  y"  fishermen,  &c.,  and  to  enquire  after  y"  truth  of 
the  story  about  a  small  vessel  that  is  said  to  have  been 
lately  among  y'  fishermen  at  Cape  Sables.  And  as  to 
y"  safe  coming  of  o'selves  &  goods,  my  trust  &  depend- 
ance  is  more  upon  God  y"  to  all  y'  guard-ships  in  y"  world. 


1711.]  WAIT   TTINTHBOP.  *     241 

And  as  to  o'  going  part  of  y*  way  by  water  in  y*  gaily, 
Carver  has  near  as  good  accommodations  in  y*"  sloop  as 
y'  gaily  had.  She  has  ten  guns,  and  will  have  by  y' 
latter  end  of  this  week  60  men,  w"""  is  able  to  deale  w"* 
a  small  vessel!,  and  for  a  large  vessell  y''  gaily  was  not  a 
sufficient  match.  What  can't  be  helpt  must  be  endured. 
The  Gov!  says  she  shall  be  ready  to  sayle  w*  Lathrop  y* 
begining  of  next  week,  and  y'  day  they  sayle  we  will  sett 
out  o'selves.  My  mother  is  resolv'd  to  come,  and  has 
gott  every  thing  ready  for  y"  journey,  w''.^  I  am  glad  of. 
I  have  gott  every  thing  viewed  &  new  fitted  about  yo' 
coach,  and  Mingo  drives  her  w"*  4  horses  y"  Gov'  has  hired 
of  Lyon  at  Roxbury.  Lyon  also  comes  w""  us  himselfe, 
w*  an  axe,  if  there  should  be  any  bows  in  y*  way.  Yet 
I  would  have  yo"'  horses  come  to  Boston  Neck  w""  Anthony 
some  time  next  week,  that  if  we  should  ferry  over  from 
Rhode  Island  to  Boston  Neck  we  may  have  sometimes 
y"  use  of  them.  And  I  don't  know  any  one  brook  or 
river,  from  Boston  Neck  to  Saxtons,  but  Narraganset 
River,  w"*"  has  a  good  bridge  over  it,  and  Pawcatuck  River, 
w''''  is  easily  gott  over  at  low  water.  And,  as  I  observ'd,  y° 
way  it  is  very  good  from  Boston  Neck  ferry  to  Thompsons ; 
and  I  think  y"  ways  from  thence  to  you  is  not  more  diffi- 
cult than  Roxbury  hill.  We  shall  have  guides  to  direct 
us  y"  best  way,  if  we  come  all  y'  way  by  land  ;  but  wether 
we  shall  or  no  I  can  not  tell  until  we  get  to  Rhode  Island. 
The  Gov!  has  writt  Gov"'  Cranston  to  send  out  y"  vessell 
on  y°  rumour  of  y°  privateer  from  Placentia;  and  if  she 
meets  Carver  round  y^  Cape,  it  will  do  well.  We  purpose 
to  sett  out  y*  begining  of  next  week  if  y'  vessells  sayle, 
w'^''  in  an  ordinary  way  they  will.  I  hope  you  will  not 
be  impatient,  nor  too  much  concern'd,  for  w""  God's 
blessing  we  hope  to  gett  well  to  you  in  a  little  time. 
Pray  for  us,  and  bestow  yo''  blessing  on 

Yo'  most  obedient  son,  J.  W. 

We  shall  doe  everything  y'  is  easiest  &  best. 


242  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1711. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Groton,  Augsf  9*,  1711. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  am  greatly  surprised  to  hear  the  gaily 
is  going  another  way,  when  your  letter  said  she  was  fit- 
ing  to  com  this  way  this  week.  I  desire  to  depend  upon 
Gods  gracious  protection  and  not  on  men  of  warr;  but 
yet  we  are  bound  to  be  in  the  use  of  all  lavvfiiU  means, 
and  not  to  run  headlong  into  apparent  danger  and  expect 
to  be  preserved  by  miracle ;  but  let  us  be  found  in  the 
way  of  our  duty,  and  then  let  our  relyance  be  on  God,  who 
will  saue  those  that  trust  in  him.  You  know  of  what 
concern  it  is  to  us;  therfore  all  prudent  caution  should 
be  had,  and  then  leaue  the  rest  to  him  who  disposes  of  us 
and  all  we  haue,  and  I  hope  will  preserue  from  all  evill 
events  at  this  time  also.  I  can  scarce  sattisfy  myselfe 
that  I  did  not  go  to  Boston  a  month  or  six  weekes  since. 
These  raines  we  haue  had  every  week  haue  so  raised  tlie 
waters  that  I  doubt  the  coach  will  not  goe  over  Wadeing 
River ;  if  you  take  the  lower  way  to  Rehoboth,  the  way 
turns  off  just  before  you  com  to  the  bridg,  and  the  river 
must  be  past  two  or  three  times  before  you  get  to  Seconk, 
which  must  be  known  ;  you  may  see  how  deep  it  is  at  the 
bridg,  but  its  deeper  and  biger  lower  down  ;  if  deep,  you 
must  go  by  Woodcoks,  tho  it  be  stony.  About  two  miles 
before  you  com  to  Billings  the  coach  way  turns  off  to  the 
left  hand;  the  Gov!  Bellamont  went  that  way,  and  I  think 
t'  other  is  hardly  passable.  If  you  go  by  Woodcoks,  you 
must  all  get  out  at  the  Barbers  Bason,  being  a  bad  side 
hill  a  little  on  this  side  westward  of  Wadeing  River  house, 
and  at  all  other  very  difficult  places.  You  must  write  by 
the  post,  that  I  may  be  at  a  certainty  about  sending  the 
horses.  I  supose  Thursday  morning  may  be  as  soon  as 
thay  need  sett  out.  Let  your  letters  not  be  in  the  bngg. 
Remember  me  to  your  poor  sister  and  to  her  husband. 


1711.]  THOMAS    LECHMEEE.  243 

I  pray  God  to  bless  and  keep  you  all ;  remember  me  to 
every  body. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

W.    WiNTHROP. 

Send  the  enclos''  pres°"^.  , 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  JOSEPH  DUDLEY. 

Groton,  Aug^'  O*,  1711. 

S^  —  I  am  favour'd  with  your  Excellencys  letter  by 
the  post.  It  seems  Strang  all  should  be  ordered  to  Can- 
ada. A  less  force  then  is  gon  in  Mason  would  reduce 
that  place,  unless  any  extraordinary  Providence  happen, 
and  then  more  might  not  doe.  There  was  a  vessell 
chaste  a  shoar  on  Long  Island  about  three  weeks  since, 
one  Eoulston,  but  we  hear  nothing  more  of  the  vessell 
that  put  her  on  shoar,  but  in  likelihood  the  coast  will  not 
be  clear  long  if  there  be  any  now.  Picket,  who  sayled 
last  night  (and  has  all  the  stores  for  Conecticott)  will 
fall  into  their  hands  unless  thay  put  into  Rhoad  Island. 
I  thank  your  Excellencys  care  about  the  children,  and 
hope  God  will  bring  them  safe.  I  pray  your  ExclPr  con- 
tinued direction  to  them.  Its  best  thay  contriue  not  to 
be  long  at  Bristoll  or  Rhoad  Island  before  the  vessell  get 
there.  I  giue  my  servis  to  your  lady  and  family.  Am,  S^ 
Your  Excll'T"  very  humble  servant, 

W.    WiNTHROP. 

I  pray  Brill  may  convay  the  enclosed. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE   TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  August  27•^  1711. 

HoN^"  S%  —  Wee  can't  both  but  with  uttmost  expres- 
sions of  joy  acknowledge  y*  receipt  of  yo"  &  my  bro"  let- 
ters to  us  p  Capt.  Williams,  w"*"  wee  this  day  reced,  & 
can't  but  with  uttmost  thanks  to  y"  Almighty  rejoyce  with 


244  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1711. 

you  in  his  safe  conducting  my  mother  &  family  to  you, 
where  I  am  sensible  she  found  you  in  perfect  health, 
which  were  very  glad  to  understand,  &  hope  in  his  good- 
ness will  continue  you  all  so  &  return  you  home  in  his 
good  time  &  in  safety  to  us,  w"*"  when  you  have  resolved 
upon,  wee  by  your  advice  may  give  you  y'  meeting  some 
part  of  the  way,  hope*  it  will  not  be  long  'ere  that  come ; 
for  the  time  is  now  really  teedious  &  irksome  by  reason 
of  our  being  left,  as  I  may  say,  alone.  Wee  thank  God 
Lucy  is  well  recovered  of  her  sickness  &  wee  are  all  in 
health. 

On  Saturday,  y*  25"",  Capt.  Matthews  arrived  here  from 
y"  fleet,  &  left  them  10  days  since  at  y'  mouth  of  Canada 
River  with  a  fair  gale  up,  where  hope  by  God's  assist"' 
they  may  have  done  their  business  by  this  time,  y'  issue 
whereof  wee  impatiently  wait  to  hear,  tho'  wee  hear  they 
have  planted  100  cannon  against  us,  but  hope  by  the  su- 
periority of  our  forces  the  matter  will  not  be  so  very  dif- 
ficult. Capt.  Matthews  on  this  coast  mett  with  two  menn 
of  warr  bound  in  here  from  N:  f:  land,  one  to  cruise  here, 
the  other  to  be  a  station  ship  at  Annapolis  Royall,  which 
will  be  a  strengthening  to  that  place.  On  Saturday  night 
arrived  here  letters  from  England  p  packett  boat  from 
New  Yorke  ;  do  not  yett  hear  of  any  for  you  ;  if  any  ap- 
pear shall  in  due  time  take  care  to  forward  them  to  you. 
The  people  of  the  town  and  country  are  pretty  much 
afflicted  w""  a  vomitt*  &  flux,  &  apply  themselves  to  my 
wife,  as  now  the  only  relict,  for  some  pills  &  cordiall  pow- 
der; she  therefore  desires  ft'om  you  a  new  supply  of  all. 
Just  now  came  an  account  from  Weymouth  of  Mad"  Cor- 
win's  &  M'  Thatcher's  being  taken  ill  of  a  feaver  and 
ague,  &  that  her  old  distemp'  follows  her  still.  Here  is 
not  else  worth  yo'  observation ;  w"^**  with  tender  of  both 
our  dutys  to  self  &  mother,  with  kind  respects  to  bro"'  & 
sisters,  cV",  is  what  offers,  from,  hon"'*  8% 

Your  obod'  &  datifiill  son,  Tno'  Leciimere. 


1711]  SAMUEL    SEWALL.  245 

I  have  not  time  to  write  my  bro'  now.  M'  &  Mad"" 
Mico  are  well.  M"'  Mico  desires  me  to  acquaint  my 
mother  that  he  hath  sent  a  bottle  of  brandy  by  the  post 
for  her.* 

Juno  hath  been  &  is  somewhat  out  of  order.  Patience 
is  here,  &  desires  a  love  letter  from  M'  Mingo. 


SAMUEL   SEWALL  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

For  the  Honorable  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq",  at  New-London,  Connecticut. 

Boston,  71  10,  1711. 

Hon"''  Sir,  —  M'  John  Dixwell  is  retiirn'd  from  Eng- 
land with  some  degree  of  light  in  his  countenance.  He 
left  a  packet  at  my  house,  which  I  found  to  be  a  large 
parchment  deed.  The  Company  have  purchased  Martha's 
Vinyard  and  Elizabeth's  Islands  of  my  Lord  Lymerick, 
excepting  several  grants.  They  gave  five  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds  sterling,  money  of  England.  In  the  deed 
there  is  a  letter  of  attorny  to  give  livery  and  seisin ; 
and  the  Company  have  made  a  letter  of  attorny  to  sev- 
eral of  the  Coniissioners  to  take  it :  you  are  one  of  those. 
The  Lieutenant  Govf  is  y°  first  witness  of  the  deed,  and 
brings  one  of  the  three  with  him.  He  and  MT  David 
Stoddard  are  in  Cap'  Studley,  coming  hither  by  way  of 
Lisbon. 

That  I  may  draw  Major  Walley  along  with  me,  I  have 
staid  late  before  I  set  out  for  Bristol,  and  am  hurried. 
My  humble  service  to  your  good  lady  &  family. 
I  am,  Sir,  your  most  humble  serv', 

Samuel  Sewall. 

*  John  Mico  was  a  mercliant  in  Boston.  He  was  married  to  a  sister  of  Wait  Winthrop's 
wife,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Thomas  Brattle,  in  August,  1689,  and  died  in  October,  1718. 
He  is  frequently  mentioned  in  Sewall's  diary.  —  Eds. 


246  THE   WIXTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1711. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Sept'  18*  1711. 

Hon'"  S", —  The  inclosed  was  wrote  &  should  have  been 
sent  V  last  post,  but  was  too  late  for  it  &  M'  Campbell 
would  not  take  care  of  it,  so  send  it  '^  this,  by  which  I  am 
to  informe  you  of  our  wellfare,  my  wife  being  through 
God's  mercy  recovered.  Wee  have  y"  dismall  &  awfull 
acco"  of  our  fleet's  miscarriage  in  Canada  River,  8  English 
transports  being  foundred,  &  by  the  computation  they 
sent  us  have  lost  800  or  1,000  menu,  amongst  whom  (lett 
mee  condole  with  M"  Bethia  y"  loss  of  her  reputed  amour) 
Coll"  Barton.  He  was  since  found  on  y*  beach  dead,  — 
a  dreadfull  story  to  us,  but  pleasant  to  our  enemys,  &  be 
sure  they  will  make  an  improvem"  by  this  our  sadd  dis- 
appointment. They  are  returned  from  y"  expedition, 
&  by  what  wee  can  gather,  proceeded  to  Placentia,  hope- 
ing  to  hear  a  better  acco"  of  them  from  thence ;  but  if 
Avee  do  not,  'twill  be  no  wonder,  for  y*  gentleman  was, 
I  understand,  at  Guadalupa  where  his  main  mast  was  of 
more  valine  y"  the  whole  island.  So  it  has  been  by  Can- 
ada, &  may,  wee  fear,  be  so  by  Placentia ;  *  but  wee  must 
leave  all  to  Providence,  hopeing  he  will  protect  those  poor 
creatures  gone  by  land,  for  whom  y"  whole  town  is  much 
concerned,  not  knowing  of  what  ill  consequence  it  may 
be  to  them,  beleiving  Gen"  Nichollson  may  be  gott  too 
farr  to  be  recalled  in  any  time.  For  further  perticulars 
be  pleased  to  be  referred  to  y"  Gen"'  &  Adm"'  letters 
to  yo'  Gov' ;  so  begg  leave  to  subscribe  ourselves,  with 
humble  duty  to  self  &  moth',  with  kind  respects  to  all, 
Hon"*  S',  yo'  most  dutifull  son, 

Tno'  Lechmere. 


•  The  expudition  against  Canada,  which  was  under  the  command  of  General  Ilill, 
brother  of  Mrs.  Masham,  Queen  Anne's  favorite,  left  Boston  July  30,  and  resulted  in  a 
miserable  failure.  Ten  or  eleven  ships  were  lost,  and  nearly  a  thousand  persons  were 
drowned.  The  attempt  afrainst  Pl.icentia  was  given  up.  See  Palfrey's  History  of  New 
England,  vol.  iv.  pp.  283,  284.  —  Eps. 


1711.]  THOMAS   LECHMERE.  247 

I  suppose  you  have  had  ere  this  y°  acco"  of  y°  shipp 
fitted  out  from  hence  haveing  taken  &  sent  in  hither  y° 
privateer  that  hath  infested  us  so  long,  which  was  very 
accept"  to  us. 


JOSEPH  DUDLEY  TO  JOHN   WINTHROP. 

Boston,  24  Sept"",  1711. 

S% — You  have  before  now  the  sorrowful  disaster  of 
the  fleet  in  the  river  of  Canada,  sixty  leagues  short 
of  Quebeck,  where  they  run  upon  the  north  shoar  and 
lost  seven  transports,  884  men,  &  amongst  them  L'  Col. 
Barton,  &  are  returned  down  the  river,  &  considering 
of  any  further  service,  I  suppose,  Placentia.  The  ill  con- 
sequences of  this  loss  will  be  many  and  great  to  these 
provinces.  I  pray  you  to  give  my  service  to  your  father 
&  mother  &  Governour  Saltinstal  &  Mr.  Adams. 
I  am,  S',  your  affectionate 

J.  Dudley. 

I  pray  a  line  some  times,  that  I  may  be  informed 
of  the  health  of  your  wife  &  the  children,  who  I  hope 
I  remember  alwayes  as  I  ought. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Oct.  1,  1711. 

Hon""  S%  —  This  morning  I  reced  yo'  favour  w"'  y" 
packett  of  powder  &  letter  for  my  wife,  as  allso  that 
from  my  moth""  to  M"  Alden,  which  was  accordingly 
delivered.  Are  very  glad  to  receive  y"  wellcome  news 
of  y®  recoverys  of  all  yo"'  healths.  May  y*  Almighty  con- 
tinue it  to  us  all.  The  unwelcome  news  of  our  Canada 
affair  increases  dayly.  Our  forces  are  arrived,  &  most  of 
them  landed  in  good  health.  Last  night  another  man 
of  warr  from  Ireland  arrived  here  with  new  recruits  for 


248  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1711. 

Canada,  &  some  say  more  expected.  She  is  now  stopped 
here,  &  I  beHeve  will  carry  Coll"  Nichollson  home  to  give 
an  acco"  of  y®  whole  aftair.  Here  are  various  reports 
about  y*  Admirall*  concerning  his  management  of  tliis 
expedition,  which  indeed  by  all  acco"^  prooves  very  dis- 
mall.  I  wish  it  does  not  fall  out  so  to  this  country  in  y° 
conclusion.  Last  night  allso  came  in  here  a  galley  from 
Lisbon,  that  came  out  with  y"  mast  fleet  bound  hither,  on 
board  whom  is  our  Lieutn"  Gov"'  (Coll.  Tayler),  whom  we 
may  hourly  expect.  There  was  no  news  ;  neither  is  there 
any  thing  further  here  worth  observation.  All  friends 
are  pretty  well  in  health  &  tender  their  due  respects  to 
yo'self  &  my  mother,  as  likewise  doth 
Yo^  obed"  &  dutifull  son, 

Tho'  Lechmere. 

My  wife  &  child  are  both  well,  &  give  you  both  their 
dutys,  w""  kind  remembrances  to  all  yo"'  family.  I  thank 
my  bro'  for  his  letter ;  have  not  time  to  answer  it  now, 
but  shall  by  next.  M'  Mico  gives  his  respects  to  you. 
There  is  arrived  a  man  of  warr  to  convoy  y°  fishery. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Oct'  8'^,  1711. 
Hon""  S",  —  Am  now  to  advise  y°  receipt  of  my  bro' 
letter,  w"*"  should  now  have  answered,  but  thought  it  my 
more  iiiiediate  duty  to  acquaint  you  of  a  dreadfull  acci- 
dent that  happened  last  weeke,  viz. :  on  2**  inst",  in  y° 
evening  about  7  or  8  of  y'  clock,  a  terrible  fire  broke 
forth,  beginning  in  Capt.  E.  Savage's  back  buildings. 
It  was  so  rageing  y"  it  has  consumed  all  y"  houses  on 
both  sides  of  y°  way  as  farr  as  M"'  Pemberton's  (y'  minst'), 

*  The  Admirnl  was  Sir  Hovendcn  Walker.  The  pilots  were  ignorant  of  the  navipration 
of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  served  unwillingly;  but  they  laid  the  blame  for  the  loss  of  the 
ships  on  the  Admiral  and  the  captains.  —  Ed8. 


1711.]  THOMAS    LECroiERE.  249 

down  to  M"'  Clarke's,  &  Mann's  y"  brazier's,  &  in  King  Street, 
so  low  as  M"'  Palmer's  house,  all  y^  houses  are  down  to 
y°  ground ;  y"  old  church  &  town  house  are  allso  burnt. 
M"  Dudley's  house  is  likewise  down.  Surely  'tis  a  most 
miserable  prospect ;  but  it  hath  pleased  y"  Almighty  in  y° 
midst  of  his  fire  to  preserve  us  and  both  our  houses,  tho' 
both  in  iiiiinent  danger  &  forced  to  remove  (yo"'  house 
liave^  catched  once  or  twice),  for  which  we  cannot  but  be 
thankf  ull.  Several  poor  souls,  to  y*  number  of  6  or  7,  in 
their  attempts  to  save  y*  houses  have  lost  their  lives,  & 
more  that  wee  hear  not  of  as  yett,  as  we  fear.  Three  sail- 
lers  endeavouring  to  save  y*  bell  of  y"  old  church  were 
consumed  in  y°  fire.  All  things  are  again  settled  allmost 
in  our  houses,  &  I  hope  without  y"  loss  of  much,  if  any. 
Indeed,  I  can't  but  say,  y"  middle  of  y"  town  lyes  now  ia 
ashes.  Some  people  are  beginning  to  build  again,  as 
Capt.  Pitts,  Walker,  &  some  others.  I  thank  God  wee  are 
in  health,  tho'  our  spiritts  are  damped  aty^  such  an  awfull 
desolation  by  fire  ;  hopeing  to  see  you  quickly  here,  do 
conclude  with  tender  of  our  dutys  to  yo'selves  &  respects 
to  bro''  &  sisf,  &c*,  remaining,  S"", 

Yo'  obed"  &  dutifull  son,  Tno'  Lechmeee. 

The  mast  fleet  arrived  this  weeke  w""  our  Lieut"'  Gov', 
Coll.  Tailer,  &  was  sworne.  They  saw  y°  fire  10  leagues 
to  y°  eastw**  of  Cape  Ann,  and  'twas  their  land  fall. 


THOMAS   LECHMERE   TO   WAIT   WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Oct'  15'^,  1711. 

Hon"'  S^  —  Yo'  favour  of  y°  11""  wee  have  reced,  and 
are  somewhat  sensible  how  amazeing  our  late  dreadfull 
conflagration  hath  been  to  you,  &  what  a  distinguishing 
mercy  of  y°  Almighty  it  hath  been  towards  us  &  ours  in 
preserveing  us  from  it.     As  for  a  perticular  acco"  relate- 


250  THE    WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1711. 

iii^^  to  Mad"  Endicott  &  Corwine,  they  are  througli  God's 
inercy  in  indifferent  health.  Mad"  Corwine,  since  y^  fire 
&  y"  disturbance  it  occasion'd,  hath  been  somewhat  disoi'- 
dered  &  growes  worse  dayly.  Yo'  presence,  which  wee 
hope  will  now  be  quickly,  will  somewhat  revive  her.  She 
is  at  M"'  Walley's  w""  M"  Gwinn.  M"  Endicott  is  now  at 
M''  Edwards's  (he  hath  taken  M"'  Davenport's  house  at  y" 
South  End),  and  are  all  well,  and  opened  their  new  shop 
there.  This  comes  f  y°  postman,  who  will  deliver  it  you 
if  on  y°  road  ;  if  not  will  forward  it,  but  hope  it  may  meet 
you.  I  have  not  seen  Coll"  Smith  as  yett,  tho'  he  left  y° 
letter  w""  my  wife,  I  not  being  at  home ;  but  shall  take 
an  oppertunity  to  see  him  if  can.  Wee  should  be  glad  to 
know  y"  time  of  yo''  come^  into  town,  for  would  gladly 
give  you  y"  meeting  some  part  of  y*  way ;  if  my  wife 
cannot,  I  shall  be  waiting  for  you  at  Billingsly's  one 
night,  if  can  possibly.  Have  not  else,  only  y*  tender  of 
mine  &  wives  most  humble  duty,  not  forgett^  Lucy's,  to 
you  both.     Wee  remaine 

Yo''  obed"  &  dutifull  son,  Tno'  Lechmere. 

Coll.  Vetch,  S''  Cha°  Hobby,  &  our  N.  England  troops 
are  yesterday  arrived  here  from  Annapolis  Koyall. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Nov  5'"  1711. 
Dear  Bro?,  —  After  a  tedious  journey  concluded,  my 
f\ith'',  &c.*  supped  at  home  on  Simday  evening,  comeing 
from  Dedham  after  meeting,  &  in  y°  evening  I  gave  them 
the  meeting  as  farr  as  two  miles  beyond  M'  Newell's, 
where  I  mett  them  on  y°  road,  &  was  very  glad  to  find 
them  in  good  health,  as  they  thro'  mercy  do  continue,  & 

•  For  a  particular  journ.ill  of  their  voy",  [  referr  you  to  mv  father's  letter,  supposes 
he'le  write  to  you,  &  acquaint  you  of  their  arrivall.  M"  Updike  sent  us  a  cheese  for  a 
preseut.—  A'ote  by  Lechmere. 


1711.]  -WAIT    WINTHEOP.  251 

are  very  wellcorae  to  us  all.  I  have  often  been  with  M' 
Down's  respecting  y"  chairs,  &c.  He  say's  he  now  hath 
them,  &  they  shall  quickly  be  done ;  but  what  dependance 
there  is  to  be  putt  upon  his  word  I  know  not,  they  forfeit- 
ing it  so  often ;  but  he  shall  not  want  of  being  put  in 
mind  of  it,  &  when  have  reced  them,  shall  be  forwarded 
to  you  f  first  opportunity.  As  for  news,  publick  or  pri- 
vate, little  or  none  worth  yoT  notice  is  stirring,  only  in  our 
late  storme  a  privateer  from  Placentia  was  happily  cast 
away  in  Cape  Codd,  y'  men  were  taken  prisoners  &  bro" 
hither  on  Saturday  morning ;  there  is  allso  a  report  y°  In- 
dians &  French  are  formeing  a  descent  against  Annapolis, 
whither  all  our  grand  segniors  are  repaireing  w'^  all  speed. 
If  this  poor  information  be  of  any  service  to  you,  am  glad 
of  it,  so  take  leave  ;  with  tend"^  our  best  respects  to  all,  I 
am,  in  haste, 

Yo".  affect*  bro'  &  hum.  serv?, 

Tho'  Lechmere. 

I  went  to  Billingsly's  to  meet  y"  on  Fryday  morn^  & 
stayed  till  Saturday  there,  but  was  disappointed.  My  wife 
says  she  intends  to  bespeake  you  for  her  butter  woman 
for  y*  future. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  Q"".'  16'.N  1711.     Fryday  noon. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  your  letter,  and  rejoyce  in  God's 
goodness  to  you  and  all  of  us,  and  desire  to  be  tliankfull 
for  his  many  mercys  and  preservations  we  haue  been  the 
subjects  of,  and  you  and  yours  in  perticular.  I  haue  been 
affected  with  what  you  wrote ;  but  let  us  haue  a  care  not 
only  to  say  or  write  so,  but  be  carfull  that  our  hearts  are 
right,  and  that  we  endever  to  show  it  in  an  answarable 
conversation,  that  God  may  be  indeed  glorified  by  us  ;  and 
if  we  can  at  last  remoue  to  an  inheritance  iucorruptable, 


252  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1711. 

it  will  not  be  much  matter  what  remoues  or  how  many 
we  make  here.  I  haue  been  ill  of  a  loosness  ever  since 
I  came  hither,  but  am  now  well  again  (I  thank  God). 
M'  Ashby  was  very  ill  of  it  most  of  the  last  week,  and 
Mingo  also,  and  took  pills  for  it  and  are  pretty  well.  I 
could  not  look  out  for  any  thing  for  a  coate  last  week  or 
any  thing  else ;  and  MajT  Wally's  wife  lyes  now  dead  in  his 
house,  that  I  can  see  nothing  there;  but  Louder  has  a 
good  cloath  which  will  not  be  dere,  which  I  think  to  send 
you  with  a  warm  lining,  with  leather  briches;  but  thay 
will  not  be  don  for  Anthony,  he  hauing  so  much  mourn- 
ing to  make  for  Maj'  Wally  and  your  landlord  Clark, 
whose  wife  lies  dead  also.*  (M'  Poole  also  was  buried 
on  Satturday  last.)  Those  things  I  could  get  at  Clarks  I 
send  by  Anthony  ;  a  pitchfork  you  must  get  made  there; 
here  are  non  but  what  the  smiths  make,  and  there  is  au 
iron  maule  at  the  mill  which  will  serue  you  and  them. 
There  is  a  M  of  nailes  more,  as  in  the  ace'  inclosed ;  the 
other  things  must  be  sent  som  other  time.  I  haue  sent 
four  yards  of  very  good  duffalls  at  5"  S'',  and  twelue  yards 
blew  cotton  at  3'  6'',  least  the  servants  should  want  cloth- 
ing to  keep  them  warm  night  or  day.  Since  I  wrote  that 
on  the  other  side  M'  Ashby  has  been  detained  by  the 
wether,  &c. ;  but  I  could  not  get  your  coat  and  briches 
don,  but  he  says  thay  shall  be  ready  for  the  next  post. 
I  haue  wrapt  the  smale  things  in  som  of  the  black  bays 
that  covered  the  coach,  which  will  make  the  boy  and 
girl  under  clothing.  The  enclosed  from  M'  Phillips  you 
must  take  care  to  answare  by  the  first  opertunity,  and 
send  him  a  coppy  of  Coll.  Dongan's  release,  which  you 
will  find  among  the  papers  there  ;  and  do  not  neglect  it. 
I  cannot  write  to  him  now.  My  hors  must  be  kept  well, 
who  will  draw  the  cart  if  gently  put  to  it ;  but  I  haue  sent 

•  Sarah,  wife  of  John  Walley,  ilied  Nov.  10,  1711;  and  on  that  day  Judge  Sewall  re- 
curds  the  death  of  "  Mrs.  Rebekah  Clark,  Mr.  Eliott's  fcranddauRhtor."  On  the  same  day 
ho  \va«  a  bearer  at  the  funeral  of  Mr.  John  Pole,  who  died  November  7.  See  6  Mass.  Hist. 
CuU.  vol.  vi.  pp.  325,  326.  —  Eds. 


1711.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  253 

the  great  hors.  It  will  be  best  to  kill  what  beife  you  do 
before  it  fall  away.  Anthony  says  the  cow  at  his  farm  is 
good  ;  the  Govf  says  his  miller's  brother  will  com  to  you 
if  I  can  agree  with  him  after  he  comes  from  Tanton ;  but 
its  best  not  to  lisp  any  thing  about  it  till  you  hear  farther. 
I  hear  nothing  of  the  Mohauk.  Coll.  Nickelson  is  got 
abord  before  the  storm,  and  I  suppose  gon  out  to  day. 
Its  better  not  to  mind  the  insolency  you  meet  with  till 
another  opertunity.  I  doubt  Lathams  will  not  be  able  to 
perform  what  you  write,  but  I  leaue  it  to  you ;  only  see 
thay  do  not  make  a  market  of  the  wood,  but  reserve  lib- 
erty to  cut  off  what  we  please  or  digg  stone.  I  haue  not 
time  to  send  toys  to  the  children ;  I  pray  God  to  blesse 
and  keep  you  all.  I  send  loue  to  my  daughter  and  the 
poor  babes,  and  servis  to  freinds,  and  am 
Your  affectionate  father, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 

Every  body  sends  loue  and  servis  to  you  all.  Your 
poor  Ant  Corwin  I  thought  would  not  haue  lived  till 
now,  but  God  be  thanked  seems  a  little  revived,  but  ex- 
tream  low.  Send  the  key  of  the  drawers  of  the  scrutore. 
Anthony  has  one  of  the  leather  halters.  I  wrote  a  word 
or  two  by  the  post  before  last  and  paid  the  postage,  which 
may  be  the  reason  you  had  it  not. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  lO'' 3?,  1711. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  wrote  a  few  words  by  the  last  post, 
with  one  pair  of  little  shoose  for  Nane,  which  was  what  I 
could  then  get.  I  haue  now  little  time  to  write.  God 
has  been  pleased  to  remoue  your  poor  Aunt  Corwin  out 
of  all  her  pains  and  troubles  into  a  blessed  state  (I  trust), 
which  calls  upon  us  all  to  be  prepared  also ;  she  dyed  on 
Fryday  morning  about  four  aclock,  and  is  to  be  intered 


254  TUE    WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1711. 

this  afternoon ;  there  is  no  doing  anything  more  than 
what  is  decent  of  necessity.  I  make  nothing  but  what  is 
by  me,  and  thay  all  provide  for  themselues ;  if  you  haue 
any  thing  black  you  will  ware  it,  at  least  on  publick  days. 
Cous.  Lise  undertakes  the  rest.*  I  haue  sent  a  wastcoate 
cut  out;  I  knew  not  whether  you  would  haue  sleeues  to 
it,  but  haue  sent  them  and  shoose  for  the  children ;  the 
almanacks  I  sent  were  new  ones  for  1712.  Maj"^  Wally's 
daughter  Hannah  was  buried  on  Satterday  last,  A.  M. ; 
her  sister  Chancy  lyes  very  ill.  You  haue  not  sent  the 
right  key  ;  it  fits  none  of  the  locks.  I  shall  contriue 
about  the  news-papers  if  I  can.  The  Gov'  will  see  for  a 
Frenchman,  but  he  must  be  sent  again  when  there  is  an 
exchang.  I  doubt  he  will  get  none  to  be  willing ;  thay 
are  all  at  Cambrige.  The  miller  is  not  yet  com  back. 
My  agrement  with  Atwell  was  for  halfe  the  tole  of  all 
grain  but  wheate ;  he  sayd  the  last  year  when  he  ground 
most  wheat  thay  allowed  him  a  bushell  or  two.  I  tould 
him  I  should  not  stand  for  a  bush,  or  two,  if  he  ground 
much  wheat ;  he  was  to  dress  and  repair  when  the  coggs, 
&c.,  broke ;  its  best  to  keep  fair  with  him  till  a  better 
opertunity  that  I  may  speak  with  this  man,  as  also  with 
Anthony,  &c.  Every  body  is  well ;  my  loue  to  my 
daughter  and  the  children. 

Your  louing  father,         W.  Winthrop. 


JAMES  PIERPONT  TO  JOHN   WINTHROP.f 

N.  Hav.,  Dec.  24,  1711. 

Worthy  S?,  —  I  have  often  design'd,  but  have  been 
p''vented,  &  theref  hav*  so  fair  an  opportunity  p'  M'  01- 

•  Under  date  of  Dec.  3,  1711,  .Iudp;e  Sewall  records:  "  Mrs.  Margnret  Corwin,  Mr.  Jn" 
Corwin's  widow,  maiden  name  Winthrop,  is  buried  in  Gov  Wintlirop's  Tomb."  He  was 
one  of  the  bearers.    See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi.  pp.  327,  328.— Ens. 

t  For  a  biographical  notice  of  Rev.  James  Pierpont.  and  letters  from  him  to  Fitz-John 
Winthrop,  see  G  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  266,  267.  —  Eds. 


1711-12.]  WAIT  wiNxnuop.  255 

ford,  may  not  omit  most  heartily  to  congratulate  yo'  self 
&  lady  with  the  ftimily's  arrival  in  o'  colony  and  upon 
yo"'  own  estate.  It's  very  pleasing  to  o!'  people  that  y* 
honn''ble  name  of  Winthrop,  unto  w".''  we  owe  perpetual 
honn^  &  gratitude,  should  be  preserved  amongst  us,  and 
found  in  so  fair  an  inheritance  ;  w".''  will  advantage  yo'self 
to  continue  the  good  services  in  many  respects  wherein 
yo''  progenit'?  haue  made  themselues  justly  renowned  in 
o"'  country.  May  y°  blessing  of  yo'  forefathers  come 
down  plentifully  on  yoT  self  &  whole  family,  w'^''  will  be 
a  great  rejoycing  to  o'  people,  and  to  none  more  than 
him  who  shall  always  thankfully  embrace  opportunities 
of  expressing  how  much  I  am,  S', 

Yof  unfeigned  friend  &  humble  serv'. 

Jam'  Pierpont. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  SAMUEL  READE. 

[Extract.] 

Boston,  Jan.  10*,  17-}^. 

I  SHOULD  have  been  very  glad  of  an  opertunity  to  have 
seen  you  and  my  freinds  there,  but,  old  age  coming  on, 
Providence  seems  to  deny  that  favour ;  notwithstanding, 
hope  to  continue  that  correspondance  which  becoms  so 
nere  a  relation.  I  was  most  of  the  last  summer  at  New 
London,  where  my  son  is  gon  to  reside  with  his  family ; 
so  mist  opertunityes  of  writing,  being  encombred  with 
the  affairs  there.  ...  I  am  sorry  to  hear  my  good 
freind  S''  H.  Ashurst  is  dead.* 

*  Under  date  of  April  16,  1711,  Samuel  Eeade  had  written  Wait  Winthrop:  "I  suppose 
you  will  hear  from  other  handes  of  y«  death  of  S'  Henry  Asshurst "  ;  and  on  the  19th  of 
June,  in  the  same  year,  Judge  Sewall  mentions  "  reports  that  Sir  Henry  Ashurst  is  dead." 
See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi.  p.  315.    He  probably  died  early  in  April,  1711.  —  Eds. 


256  THE    WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1711-12. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Feb'y  ll"-,  174. 

Dear  Broth%  —  I  come  now  to  acknowledge  my  self 
in  yo-  debt  2  letters,  &  now  to  discharge  them  both  at 
once.  I  thank  you  for  y°  creditt  you  have  given  me  in 
trusting  me  so  long  before  you  dunned  me  for  an  answer 
to  y^  first.  I  hope  you  will  'ere  long  give  me  a  full  dis- 
charge for  them  both.  I  intend  to  wait  upon  my  fath"  & 
you  this  spring,  &  then  take  yo^  acquittance  for  y'  debt. 
Am  sorry  for  y°  loss  of  so  many  (&  as  yo'  parsons  say, 
usef  ull)  men  out  of  yo'  parts  by  the  infection  now  amongst 
you ;  hope  you  may  keep  clear  of  it.  On  Friday,  y*  moon 
being  in  y"  Dragon's  taill  (an  ill  omen),  wee  had  some- 
thing to  do  in  Boston  Coinon,  —  two  of  our  sparks  (offi- 
cers), Mess"  Douglas  &  Alexander,  had  a  mind  to  shew  their 
manhood.  Alexander  (like  y'  Great  of  old)  gave  y^  chal- 
lenge. Douglas  in  honour  could  not  refuse  it,  so  very  love- 
ingly  tooke  their  departure  from  Boston  into  ye  Coinon  ; 
there  they  bravely  gave  y^  word  draw ;  out  they  pulled 
spado,  to  it  they  went,  &  manfully  engaged  each  other, 
&  like  two  brave  heroes  gave  each  other  a  mortall  wound. 
Douglas  reced  his  wound  in  y'  belly ;  Alexander  through 
y'  shoulder  &  out  at  y*  back,  &  'tis  doubtfull  whither 
either  will  recover.  This  being  y'  substance  of  the  story 
or  tragedy,  I  could  not  but  acquaint  you  as  a  lover  &  ad- 
mirer of  such  Hectors.* 

M'  James  Oliver  was  lately  married  to  M"  Rebecca 
Loyd,  &  live  in  M""  Serjeant's  house  (Sudbury  Street). 

*  The  duel  was  fought,  February  8,  on  the  Common  near  the  burial-p'own'l.  between 
Lieut.  .Tames  Douglas  and  Lieut.  .lames  Alexander.  The  latter  died  on  the  16th  of  Febru- 
ary, and  warrants  were  immediately  issued  for  the  arrest  of  Douglas,  who,  it  was  reported, 
had  gone  to  Annapolis.  See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi.  pp.  .334,  SK.  Wait  Winthrop, 
writing  to  his  son  March  17, 1711-12,  says :  "  A  vessel  just  now  from  Annapolis  brings  word 
that  Douglas,  the  North  Brittain  that  made  his  escape,  is  got  thither,  and  like  to  be  well  of 
his  wound,  and  that  S^  Charles  Hobby's  eldest  son  was  kil'd  with  a  gun,  as  he  and  an 
other  were  a  puning  in  a  canue,  which  by  som  means  or  other  went  off  as  it  lay  in  the 
canue."  — Eds. 


1712.]  JOSEPH   DUDLEY.  257 

This  is  all  the  news  I  can  tell  you,  &  hardly  worth  yo' 
notice.  I  am  now  to  beg  one  favour  of  you,  that  you 
secure  for  me  all  the  bayberry  wax  you  can  possibly  lay 
yo"  hands  on ;  what  charge  you  shall  be  at  in  secureing  it 
shall  be  thankfully  repaid  you  or  yof  order  upon  receipt 
of;  you  must  take  care  they  do  not  putt  too  much  tallow 
among  it,  being  a  custome  &  cheat  they  have  gott.  Pray 
be  mindfull  of  it,  &  at  any  time  till  I  forbid  it,  secure  me 
what  you  can.  We  are  through  mercy  all  in  good  health. 
I  am  w'.''  due  respects  to  all  in  genei'all, 

S%  yd'  very  hum.  serv',  Tho'  Lechmere. 

Pray  an  answer  if  can  procure  any  wax  or  not ;  they 
tell  mother  best  place  is  off  yo"  islands.  Horses  are  now 
in  demand  ;  if  have  any  good  ones,  would  sell  indifferent 
well. 


JOSEPH   DUDLEY  TO   GURDON  SALTONSTALL. 

RoxBURY,  20  May,  1712. 
Sf,  —  Inclosed  is  a  joynt  letter  from  Collonel  Vetch  & 
my  self,  in  w"*"  I  earnestly  ask  yo'  friendship  to  that  fam- 
ily w"^  has  been  long  y"  first  &  most  serviceable  family  in 
y"  Collony  of  Connecticott,  &  assisted  in  their  first  estab- 
lishment, &  untill  vol'  own  entrance  upon  y°  gover™'.  And 
no  person  living  shall  ever  perswade  me  y'  Govern'  Sal- 
tonstall  dos  not  desire  &  Avill  not  be  glad  of  their  peace- 
able &  quiet  possession  of  their  estate.  You  will  pardon 
me  to  be  sollicitous  for  their  ease  &  repose,  w"*  whom  my 
father  had  a  near  affinity,  and  now  I  have  my  self  the 
bono'  to  have  a  daughter  in  their  house.  If  you  please  to 
concern  yo''  self  in  y"  matter  now  so  troublesom  to  them, 
I  will  endeavour  to  deserve  it  by  any  service  to  you  & 
yo"  in  my  power.     I  am,  S"', 

Yo'  very  humb'  serv',  J.  Dudley.* 

*  This  letter  is  a  copy  in  the  handwriting;  of  John  Winthrop;  and  on  the  same  sheet  he 
has  copied  the  joint  letter  to  Saltonstall  from  Dudley  and  Vetch,  which  recites  at  length  the 


258  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1712. 


GURDON   SALTONSTALL  TO  JOSEPH  DUDLEY. 

N.  LoND.,  May  29, 1712. 

S",  —  Upon  my  return  from  Hartford  hither,  on  Mun- 
day  last,  I  rec'd  y"'  Excellency's  letf  of  y'  20'?  currant, 
w'.''  that  of  the  IG*.*"  of  the  same  month,  wherein  you  joyn 
w'!"  Col.  Vetch.  And  must  confess  I  have  y'  vanity  to 
believe  y'  y®  arguments  y"'  Excels  makes  use  of  could  not 
have  a  greater  force  upon  any  man  than  they  have  with 
me  ;  and  dare  profess  a  most  sincere  desire  to  do  any  ser- 
vice in  my  power  both  to  y'  Excell^  &  a  family  which  I 
have  always  had  so  just  a  respect  for. 

I  discours'd  yesterday  w"'  Maj'  Gen"  Winthrop  &  M"' 
Merrit  together,  &  brought  M"'  Merrit  to  be  willing  to  sur- 
render immediately,  or  in  a  few  days,  the  Island,  &  that 
part  of  the  stock  which  he  owns  he  ought  to  yield  up, 
there  being  some  part  of  it  which  he  said  was  lost  by 
murrein,  th6  y'  is  not  much.  There  is  also  some  con- 
troversy about  the  remaining  rent,  &  damage  by  moose, 
which  I  perswade  them  to  issue  by  the  judghment  of  in- 
different men  ;  or  if  they  cant  do  so,  to  let  y"  law  decide 
it.  I  haue  prevailed  w'!"  M"'  Merrit  to  believe  it  unreason- 
able to  withliold  what  he  sales  he  is  willing  to  surrender, 
merely  upon  ace'  of  a  controversy  about  the  rent,  &c. 
And  Maj"^  Winthrop  is  willing  to  receive  according  to  this 
proposall,  which  I  take  to  be  the  first  best  step  y'  I  can 
bring  the  tenants  to,  towards  issuing  the  whole  contro- 
versy. M"  Raymond  keeps  out  of  the  way  for  fear  of 
an  arrest ;  but  I  am  promised  to  see  her  to-morrow,  and 
doubt  not  she  will  comply. 

There  is  one  great  article  in  y°  debate  concerning  y' 
rent,  which  seems   to  be  y'   most  difficult.      The  lease 

annoyances  received  by  Wait  Winthrop  from  certain  tenants  on  Tisher's  Island,  who  liad 
made  the  absence  of  John  Livingston  (one  of  the  executors),  a  pretext  to  delay  delivery  of 
lands  and  stock  formerly  the  joint  property  of  Fitz-John  and  Wait  Winthrop.  Colonel  Vetch 
joined  in  this  remonstrance,  because  he  was  the  brother-in-law  and  intimate  friend  of  Liv- 
ingston.    Dudley's  rough  draft  of  it  is  also  among  the  Winthrop  Papers.  —  Eds. 


1712.]  GUKDON    SALTONSTALL.  259 

expresses  it  to  be  £200,  currant  money  of  N.  England. 
This  y"  lessor  reckons  at  IT''"'  12''''-  for  6  shillings.  The 
lessees  take  it  to  intend  IS''"'-  for  6  shilling,  because  silver 
passed  so  when  the  lease  was  made ;  y"  statute  setting 
y*  former  rate  was  made  since  the  commencing  of  the 
lease.  M""  Merrit  gaue  me  yesterday  a  copy  of  one  of 
Maj'  Winthrop's  recp'"  (which  I  have  transcribed  and 
inclosed),  by  w".''  he  pretends  y*  Maj''  has  himself  de- 
termined the  true  intent  &  meaning  of  y'  clause  in  y° 
lease. 

I  acquaint  y'  ExcellT  w'?  this  because  I  believe  y'  ad- 
vice upon  it  would  do  the  most  towards  determining  that 
controversy.  I  have  communicated  the  joynt  lett^  to  M' 
Merrit,  &  shall  to  M"?  Raymond  when  I  see  her.  There 
is  no  point  in  it  that  I  can  dissent  from,  but  only  y''  opin- 
ion of  the  tenants  hearkning  to  my  advice.  They  protend 
to  council  at  N.  York ;  but  I  have  ventured  to  assure  M' 
Merrit  upon  my  discourse  w'!"  him  that  he  mistakes  their 
opinion,  for  he  only  lets  me  know  it  by  word  of  mouth. 
I  firmly  believe  M"'  Livingston  has  no  thought  of  counte- 
nancing the  tenants  in  this  matter.  If  I  have  any  advan- 
tage upon  them,  it  must  be  by  declaring  positively  ag'  w' 
they  pretend  to  be  the  opinion  of  lawyers  at  N.  York, 
which  I  have  done  ;  and  M''  Merrit  has  upon  it  yielded  so 
far  as  to  agree  to  surrender,  as  I  have  said  before.  I  beg 
y''  Excell''.^  favour  to  give  my  service  to  Colo.  Vetch,  and 
to  be  assured  that  I  will  bear  the  blame  if  any  endeavours 
of  mine  be  wanting  to  promote  the  good  service  you  have 
desired  of  me. 

I  will  ask  leave  to  be  so  free  w'?  yf  Excellency  alone  as 
to  tell  you  that  I  doubt  Ma,]":  Winthrop  has  been  ready  to 
suspect  me  of  being  council  for  y*  tenants  ag'  him,  which 
I  protest  is  perfectly  wrong.  I  cant  imagine  any  occasion 
he  has  for  such  a  thought,  unless  it  be  a  small  article  of 
account  refering  to  y*  late  Gov''  Winthrop's  estate,  wherein 
I  believe  he  may  at  last  be  convinced  I  was  in  y"  right.   I 


260  THE   WINTHEOP    PAPERS.  [1712. 

have  often  expressed  my  mind  freely  to  him  upon  it,  and 
now  again  upon  this  occasion,  only  to  assure  him  that  I 
would  despise  the  thought  of  its  standing  in  the  way  of 
any  service  I  could  do  him,  tho  the  article  were  a  thou- 
sand times  more  considerable  than  it  is.  But  you  know, 
S',  how  little  good  any  proposall  of  mine  is  like  to  do,  if  it 
bent  thought  cordiall.  And  for  y'  reason  I  have  given 
you  the  trouble  of  so  long  an  epistle,  that  if  you  approve 
of  the  project  I  have  set  on  foot  for  a  present  delivery  of 
the  Island,  &c.,  as  above  expressed,  you  may  recommend 
it  as  safe  &  proper.  I  am,  with  all  possible  respect, 
Y^  Excellencies  most  obedf  humble  servant, 

G.  Saltonstall. 


EBENEZER  PEMBERTON  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP* 

Boston,  Octob.  5,  1712. 

Dear  S",  —  I  was  obliged  and  pleased  to  the  last  de- 
gree with  your  kind  letter  by  Mad?  Winthrop.  You 
may  be  assured  that  I  account  myself  under  strict  obli- 
gation to  bear  you  and  your's  on  my  heart  in  my  most 
serious  hours,  &  desire  to  bless  God  that  he  has  spared 
your  family  in  time  of  great  mortality  round  about  you. 
And  may  God  go  on  to  preserve  and  bless  your  vine,  and 
continue  and  encrease  your  olive  branches  round  your 
table,  and  may  they  all  be  true  plants  of  righteousness ! 
I  heartily  wish  your  dear  spouse  thro  the  difficult  hour 
before  her ;  I  trust  that  God,  who  has  appeared  in  her 
past  mom'ts  of  difficulty,  will  still  work  salvation  for  her ; 
give  my  tender  regards  to  her.  God  has  been  pleased  to 
carry  my  dear  Molly  thro  that  perilous  hour,  and  bless  us 
with  another  son  ;  our  experiences  should  strengthen  my 
dam's  faith,  for  (I  doubt  not  but)  she  has  chosen  the  same 
God  for  her  refuge. 

•  Rev.  Elienezer  Pemberton,  at  that  time  minister  nf  thi-  Old  South  Church,  and  Fellow 
of  Harvard  College.    See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet.  vol.  lii.  p.  387.  —  Eua. 


1712.J  EBEXEZEK   PEMBERTON.  261 

I  know  you  will  now  expect  news  from  me,  for  on  Tues- 
day last  wee  had  a  ship  from  G.  Britt. ;  I  shall  hint  at  a 
few  passages.  The  Brittish  troops  certainly  took  posses- 
sion of  Dunkirk  on  the  7'.''  of  July  last;  and  Brigad'  Hill, 
whom  wee  have  the  honour  to  know,  is  made  GovernT  of 
it.  The  peace  between  England  and  France  was  agreed 
on,  but  was  not  to  be  proclaimed  till  the  4*?  of  Sept.,  that 
the  rest  of  the  allies  might  have  opportunity  to  come  into 
it.  The  D.  of  Ormond  did  actually  withdraw  his  troops 
from  Pr.  Eugene  in  a  critical  season,  since  which  it  is  s* 
that  the  Confederates  have  lost  10,000  men.  The  Earl 
of  Albemarle,  the  Dutch  general,  was  taken  prisoner,  and 
there  is  a  report  via  Newfoundland  that,  by  later  advices, 
Douay  is  retaken  by  y*  French.  My  L*  Privy  Seal  at 
Utrecht  declared  to  the  Allyes  that  her  Majesty  was  free 
from  all  further  engageni"  to  y"",  which  the  Dutch  has 
resented  in  a  close  letter  to  y*  Queen. 

Things  look  dark  at  home.  D'  Fleethood,  Bishop  of 
S'  Asaph,  writ  a  preface  to  four  sermons,  in  which  he  jus- 
tifies the  Revolucon,  dos  honour  to  the  memory  of  K.  W°? 
and  Q.  Mary,  asserts  his  good  will  to  the  House  of  Hano- 
ver and  his  enmity  to  tyranny  and  oppression,  and  speaks 
honourably  of  the  former  ministry,  the  Duke  of  Marlb., 
and  represents  the  dark  prospect  from  the  present  pos- 
ture of  affairs ;  but  this  was  soon  burnt  by  order  of  the 
House  of  Commons.  What  will  be  y"  issue  of  affairs  God 
only  knows,  and  all  the  satisfaction  a  thinking  person  can 
have  in  so  dark  a  day  is  that  Christ  is  on  the  throne,  who 
will  make  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him,  &c.  Give 
my  dutifull  regards  to  your  honourable  father,  service 
to  M"^  Adams,  and  allow  me,  dear  S',  to  be  numbered 
among  the 

Most  affectionate  of  your  friends, 

Eb.  Pemberton. 


262  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1712. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Oct'  ST"",  1712. 

Hon™  S",  —  Not  being  favoured  with  any  lines  from 
you  by  the  last  post,  but  hearing  from  my  sisf  of  yo'  well- 
fare  &  of  yo'  being  gone  to  y'  Island,  by  her  letter  to  my 
nio',  I  can't  but  rejoyce  with  you  therein ;  may  y°  Al- 
mighty continue  it  to  you  &  yo",  he  haveing  among  all 
other  his  mercies  further  added  a  blessing  to  me  by  give- 
ing  me  a  son  on  Thursday  morning,  who  (God  be  thanked) 
with  his  mother  are  very  well,  as  can  be  expected.  I 
haveing  none  among  all  my  relations  of  my  name  have 
called  him  so ;  but  had  there  been  any  live°,  or  any  like- 
ly hood  of  any,  I  should  have  done  myself  &  him  y*  honour 
(with  yo'  permission)  to  have  named  him  otherwise.  Give 
me  leave  to  recoiiiend  him  &  ours  to  yo''  wonted  cai'e  & 
favour,  begging  yo'  prayers  for  us  all,  hopeing  'twill  not 
be  long  'ere  wee  shall  be  so  happy  as  to  see  you  here, 
which  w""  y"  tender  of  all  dutys  to  yo'self,  w""  kind  love 
&  service  to  bro'  &  sister  is  what  offers  from,  S', 
Yo''  most  dutifuU  son, 

Tho'  Lechmere. 

As  for  news  lett  me  referr  you  to  my  mo"  letter  to 
Sisf  Winthrop.  I  shall  only  say  wee  have  this  day  had  a 
proclamation  read  for  y"  cessation  of  arms  by  sea  &  land, 
y'  gunns  being  fired. 

My  wife  is  in  mighty  distress  for  a  good  cow ;  could 
my  bro'  procure  me  one,  &  send  by  Apley  y°  ferryman,  I 
would  gladly  pay  him  for  her.  He  or  his  partner  Rogers, 
yo'  neighbour,  are  frequently  comeing  to  town  w""  cattle. 
If  he  procures  me  a  good  one,  lett  him  send  me  her 
markes  &  colour. 


1712.]  QUEEN   AJSTNe's   MOOSE.  263 


QUEEN  ANNE'S  MOOSE. 

At  a  Council  held  at  the  Council-chamber  in  Boston, 
upon  Thursday,  the  IS'!'  of  November,  1712,  present:  his 
Excellency  Joseph  Dudley,  Esq'',  Gov';  the  Hon''!^  William 
Tailer,  Esq',  Lieut.  Gov' ;  &  of  y°  Councill,  Elisha  Hutch- 
inson, Peter  Sergeant,  Penn  Townsend,  Joseph  Lynde, 
Andrew  Belcher,  El?  Hutchinson,  Isaac  Addington,  Esq'.^ ; 
present,  also,  the  Hon"^  Govern'  Saltonstall,  of  Connecti- 
cutt ;  Captain  Elford,  of  the  Hector  man  of  war. 

His  Excellency  acquainted  the  gentlemen  that  he  had 
yesterday  received  a  letter  from  Captain  Elford,  import- 
ing that  he  was  commanded  by  the  Lords  of  the  Admi- 
ralty to  transport  to  Great  Britain,  in  her  Majesty's  ship 
Hector  under  his  command,  three  moose  deer  that  are 
upon  Fisher's  Island,  and  that  the  ship  is  at  New  Yorke, 
fifty  leagues  distant  from  the  said  island. 

Captain  Elford  then  further  acquainted  the  gentlemen 
present  that  it  is  impracticable  at  this  season  of  the  year 
to  bring  the  Queen's  ship  around  from  New  Yorke  to 
Fisher's  Island,  to  take  in  the  said  moose  deer,  without 
utmost  hazard  of  her  Majesty's  said  ship.  Governour 
Saltonstall  informed  that  the  stag  moose  was  lately  killed 
by  his  own  unruliness,  but  that  the  dam  and  the  young 
stag  were  well  and  fit  to  be  transported. 

It's  concluded  that  there  is  no  method  for  transporting 
the  said  moose  to  New  Yorke  but  in  a  large  open  boat,  of 
which  there  are  numbers  at  New  Yorke  ;  and  that  his  Ex- 
cellency Governour  Hunter  be  desired  forthwith  to  send 
one  such  boat,  well  man'd,  for  that  purpose,  and  an  officer 
to  oversee  and  take  care  of  their  transportation  to  New 
Yorke,  Governour  Saltonstall  declaring  there  is  no  open 
boat  within  his  government  capable  of  that  service  ;  that 
the  Honourable  Governour  Saltonstall  be  desired  to  di- 
rect Captain  John  Prentice,  of  New  London,  whome  he 


264  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1712-13. 

named  for  that  end,  to  take  such  assistance  as  he  shall 
think  necessary  to  see  the  said  moose  deer  well  ship'd  off, 
with  the  advice  of  Governour  Hunter's  officer  and  one 
officer  from  Captain  Elford,  and  that  Governour  Salton- 
stall  shall  furnish  hay  &  oates  necessary  for  their  passage ; 
that  a  letter,  with  a  copy  of  this  agreement  and  resolve,  be 
sent  to  Major  Winthrop,  or  his  son,  at  New  London,  to 
be  ready  to  deliver  the  said  moose  accordingly ;  and 
another  copy  be  sent  to  Governour  Hunter,  and  copys  of 
the  same  be  given  to  Governour  Saltonstall  and  Captain 
Elford  by  the  Secretary ;  that  the  matter  may  be  effected 
with  all  care  possible.* 

Is*  Addingtok,  Secrij. 


KATHARINE  WINTHROP  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP-f 

For  the  Honourable  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq'',  at  W.  L. 

Boston,  Feb.  y«  9%  17}f . 

My  dear  Soul,  —  I  have  yours  by  the  post.  Am 
all  ways  revived  when  I  hear  from  you ;  should  be  much 

*  The  united  efforts  of  three  provincial  Governors  failed  in  deliverins;  these  moose  on 
board  the  Hector,  as  shown  by  a  letter  without  address,  dated  April  1,  1714,  ami  signed  by 
J.  Burchett,  Secretary  of  the  Admiralty.  He  recites  the  failure  of  Captain  Elford  to  bring 
home  three  moose  deer  "  procured  by  Gen"  Nicholson  for  the  Queen,  and  kept  on  an  island 
iu  New  England  belonging  to  Major  Gen'i  Wait  Winthrop  "  ;  and  he  directs  his  correspond- 
ent (evidently  the  captain  of  another  man  of  war)  to  notify  Major-General  Winthrop  and 
the  Governor  of  Connecticut  that  a  fresh  attempt  must  be  made  to  ship  them,  or  such  of 
them  as  after  so  long  an  interval  may  be  still  living.  The  following  reference  to  them 
occurs  in  a  letter  to  Wait  Winthrop  from  his  son,  dated  New  London.  August  20,  1713: 
"Deacon  Plum  came  just  now  to  tell  me  yt  Havens  and  Latham,  &c.,  was  terrified  by 
ye  buck  mooses  running  at  them  y=  last  Sabbath  day,  and  they  drove  them  into  ye  water, 
and  chast  them  about  wth  a  canoe  till  they  tyred  them,  and  then  w">  a  saw  cut  oft  ye  buck's 
homes;  and  he  immediately  gott  ashore  and  dyed  in  a  moment.  This  is  yr  story.  They 
are  a  company  of  base,  distracted  fellows,  and  I  doubt,  it  being  a  very  hott  dav,  that  they 
surfetted  y«  poor  creature,  or  else  kill'd  him  w<h  clubs.  And  I  am  afraid  they  did  it  be- 
cause the  creature  had  bitt  some  of  y  come,  and  to  get  ridd  of  them.  Thev  kil'd  ye  other 
ye  last  year  after  such  a  mad.  imprudent  manner.  And  if  ye  Queen  should  send  a  ship 
on  purpose  for  them,  what  should  we  doe?  Doubtless  Nicholson  will  have  some  orders 
about  them.  It  is  a  great  misfortune  to  us  to  have  them  come  to  such  an  end  after  all 
ye  noyse  has  been  made  about  them."  —  Ens. 

t  There  are  nineteen  letters  of  this  lady  among  the  Winthrop  Papers,  all  essentially  do. 
mestic.  but  giving  a  pleasant  impression  of  her  affectionate  and  unselfish  character.  F'or  a 
circumstantial  n.arr.ntion  bv  Phief  .Justice  Sewall  of  his  persistent  but  unsuccessful  attempts 
to  marry  her  after  Wait  Wiiithrop's  death,  see  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vii.  passim.  —  Eos. 


1713.]  KATHARINE   WINTHEOP.  265 

more  so  could  I  see  the,  my  dear.  It  cant  be  long  in  an 
ordinary  way  that  we  can  expect  to  live,  and  to  be  so 
long  assunder  is  very  greivous  as  well  as  dishonourable  for 
us.  I  send  a  couple  of  shirts ;  live  in  hopes  you'll  bring 
them  back  again  as  soon  as  possible.  I  did  not  wright  by 
M''  S.,  but  sent  two  letters  by  him  from  Doc''  C.  Mather, 
one  for  you  and  one  for  your  son ;  suppose  you  have 
them.*  We  are  weary  with  sending  to  M'  Dosset  for  the 
shoes,  &c.,  which  are  not  yet  done,  but  says  by  the  next 
post  they  shall  be  ready.  Coll.  Hutchinson  buryed  his 
wife  last  Saturday.!  Doc.  Cook's  wife  is  very  ill.  Our 
children  and  friends  send  duty,  love,  and  service  to  you 
and  M"  Winthrop.  Pray  give  mine  to  everybody,  and 
remember 

Your  poor  wife,        Katharine  Winthrop. 

I  have  a  great  cold  and  pain  in  my  head,  and  cant  write. 


KATHARINE  AVINTHROP  TO   WAIT   WINTHROP. 
For  the  Hon"^'.'  Wait  Winthrop,  Esqu\,  atl  New  London. 

Boston,  May  y°  i'",  1713. 
Mt  dear  Husband,  —  I  have  your's,  and  am  greatly 
refreshed  to  hear  your  cough  is  moderated  and  that  you 
are  better.  Pray  that  God  would  confirme  your  health. 
My  dear,  I  never  thought  any  difficulty  to  great  if  I 
might  be  helpfuU  to  you  any  ways,  tho  should  be  glad 
your  return  would  prevent  such  a  journy.  I  have  inqr'd 
for  news.  Cap'  Sewall  says  if  y'  be  any  worth  sending 
you  .shall  have  it.  Our  children  and  friends  are  well ; 
send  duty,  love,  and  service.     Thy  ah  gives  her  duty,  and 

*  Numerous  letters  from  Cotton  Mather  to  Wait  Winthrop  and  to  John  Winthrop  were 
found  among  the  Winthrop  Papers,  and,  bj'  pel-mission  of  Hon.  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  were 
included  in  the  Society's  volume  of  Mather  Papers  (4  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.)  pub- 
lished in  1868.  -  Ed3. 

+  Elizabeth,  second  wife  of  Elisha  Hutchinson,  died  saddenly,  Feb.  3,  1712-13.  See 
5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi.  p.  369.  -Eds. 

34 


266  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1713. 

sends  a  piec  of  sittone.  She  says  it  will  be  good  on  the 
road ;  we  had  no  more.  If  you  will  have  any  thing  for 
your  journy,  send  word  and  it  shall  be  done.  My  dear 
soull,  I  pray  God  to  bless  and  keep  thee ;  hope  it  wont 
be  long  before  I  shall  see  thee.  I  long  for  the  time,  and 
hope  you  allways  remember 

Your  poor  affectionate  wife, 

Katuarus-e  Wintheop. 


KATHARINE   WINTHROP  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
For  M'  John  Winthrop,  a(t  New  London. 

Boston,  June  y«  1?',  1713. 

Mt  dear  Son,  —  I  thank  you  for  yours,  and  for  the 
respect  and  sympathy  you  express  toward  me  in  this 
time  of  affliction  which  our  Heavenly  Fatlier,  that  dos  all 
things  well,  has  brought  upon  me.*  May  he  that  has 
sent  this  rod  sanctify  it  to  me  for  spirituall  advantage.  I 
desire  to  bless  God  that  I  have  had  such  a  brother,  and 
for  the  honour  that  God  put  upon  him  in  qualifying 
him  for,  and  imploying  him  in,  service  for  his  people ; 
and  for  the  good  hopes  we  have  that  he  is  reaping  the 
fruite  of  his  labours  and  is  at  rest  in  the  armes  of 
his  Redemer.  May  we  all  be  prepared  for  our  change, 
is  the  prayer  of 

Your  sorrowfull  friend,  &c., 

Katharine  Winthrop. 

Give  myne  and  my  children's  love  to  M"  Winthrop  and 
all  the  dear  children. 

•  The  writer's  elder  brother,  Thomas  Brattle,  long  Treasurer  o{  Harvard  College  and 
one  of  the  founders  of  Brattle  Street  Church,  died  May  18, 1713.    See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet. 


1713.]  JOSEPH   DUDLEY.  267 


JOSEPH  DUDLEY  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

To  the  Honorable  Wait  Wintkrop,  Esq''.,  New  London. 

Boston,  8  June,  1713. 

S",  —  I  am  glad  of  your  restored  health  &  intention  to 
see  us  again,  but  am  greatly  troubled  at  the  disrespect  of 
the  General  Assembly  in  their  election  of  Councillours ;  * 
&  I  ask  your  pardon  to  move  you  in  your  own  great 
afFayres  where  you  are,  for  that  it  proceeds  of  a  sincere  & 
good  affection  to  your  person  &  family,  that  you  will 
please  before  your  coming  away  to  settle  your  affayres  so 
that  M'  Winthrop  your  son  may  know  what  you  would 
have  him  do,  referring  to  M"'  Livingston,  who  is  now  here, 
as  well  as  others  your  debtors  &  creditors,  who  can  not 
possibly  be  at  ease  untill  your  troublesom  affayres  are 
ended.  It  would  be  much  better,  in  my  opinion,  that 
you  would  sell  some  wild  lands  that  are  of  no  benefit  or 
income,  which  would  now  sell  well  in  peace,  &  leave  no 
incumbrance  upon  your  children. 

The  English  saying  is.  No  wise  man  dyes  without  a 
will.  I  am  sure  it  is  much  more  true  in  our  country, 
where  courts  please  themselves  often  to  destroy  intestate 
estates  bj'  tearing  them  to  pieces.  I  heartily  wish  pros- 
perity to  your  person,  family,  &  affayrs,  &  again  ask 
your  pardon,  &  am,  S":, 

Your  most  faithfull  humble  servant, 

J.  Dudley. 

•  After  a  service  of  twenty-one  years  in  the  Executive  Council  of  Massachusetts  Wait 
Wintlirop  was  left  out  at  the  election  of  1713,  though  reinstated  a  few  months  later.  Judge 
Sewall  described  this  defeat  in  his  diary  as  follows :  "Tistobe  lamented  that  Maj' Genl 
Winthrop  had  but  4G,  and  was  left  out.  He  was  the  great  stay  and  ornament  of  the  Coun- 
cil, a  very  pious,  prudent,  couragious  New  England  man.  Some  spread  it  among  the 
Deputies  that  he  was  out  of  the  province  and  not  like  to  return.  (Has  been  absent  ever 
since  April,  1712,  but  through  sickness.)  Lieut.  Gov  said  he  was  a  non-resident.  .  .  . 
Thus  Mf  Winthrop  is  sent  into  shade  and  retirem',  while  I  am  left  in  the  whirling  dust  and 
scorching  sun. 

See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vi. 


268  THE    WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1713. 


NATHANIEL  WILLIAMS  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP.* 

To  the  Hon'''.'  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq':,  at  N.  London. 

BosTOX,  June  29,  1713. 

Hox°  S*,  —  We  are  in  hopes,  from  the  grounds  given 
from  your  self,  that  these  hnes  may  find  you  upon  your 
journey  home  ;  but  lest  that  sh*  be  prevented,  wherever 
they  find  you,  they  come  of  an  important  tho  unwelcome 
errand,  to  let  you  understand  Madam  Winthrop's  illness. 
She  was  first  attacked  with  a  cold  4  days  since,  which  has 
raised  a  great  disturbance  in  the  whole  mass  of  the  fluids, 
together  with  great  pains  in  all  the  solid  parts,  &  very 
troublesome  hyster"  passions.  The  spirits  are  low  &  very 
much  discomposed.  Her  nights  are  restless,  with  little  or 
no  sleep.  Last  night  and  this  morning  I  found  a  high 
fever.  All  symptoms  are  very  uncomfortable,  and  call 
speedily  for  your  much  desired  presence  and  advice. 
Madam's  illness  excuses  your  receiving  a  letter  from 
her  more  welcome  hand,  and  hath  call'd  for  these  lines 
from 

¥"■  Hon"  very  humble  serv', 

N.  Williams. 

Haec  mea  si,  conjux,  mireris  epistola  quare 
Alterius  digitis  scripta  sit,  cegrafuL 

Indorsed:  "  M'  Nathan'.  Williams,  Rector  of  Free  Schoole  at  Boston." 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  July  13*,  1713. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  yours  ;  I  thank  God  you  got  well 
home ;    hope   you   found   the   children   all   well.     Your 

•  Nathaniel  Williams  was  born  in  Boston  Ang.  25,  1G7B,  graduated  at  Har\-ard  College 
in  1693,  and  in  161)8  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  for  one  of  the  West  India  islands.  In 
August,  1708,  he  was  appointed  head  master  of  the  Boston  Latin  School,  which  office  he 
held  until  IT.Ii.  when  he  resigned,  on  account  of  "age  and  infirmities."  He  died  Jan.  10, 
1737-8.    See  Eliot's  Biographical  Dictionary,  pp.  49-1,  495.  —  Eds. 


1713.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  269 

mother  has  had  the  ague  and  fever  every  other  day,  but 
more  easy  I  hope  every  time  ;  she  sits  up  on  the  well  day, 
but  is  but  weake,  but  I  hope  mends.  I  haue  not  been 
able  to  get  hatt,  shoos,  &c.,  hauing  been  confined  by  rea- 
son of  your  mother's  illness.  M'  Dosset  promises  to  haue 
a  pair  or  two  for  the  next  post,  and  hope  shall  by  that 
get  somthing  for  the  children.  The  Gov!"  went  last  week 
to  Piscataque.  Mess?  Sewall,  Townsend,  and  Belcher 
went  this  morning  in  a  sloop.  Your  brother  Lechmere 
and  som  others  went  this  morning  by  land  ;  every  body 
else  prety  well ;  shall  take  advice  here  about  every  thing 
as  soon  as  I  can.  I  leaue  the  matter  about  Yeomans  and 
Brown  with  you.  I  cannot  want  as  good  as  thay  are 
against  an  other  year,  if  thay  are  unreasonable.  I  hope 
to  be  there  again  by  the  fall.  Get  the  milston  don  as  soon 
as  may  be ;  hope  M""  Havens  will  not  fayle  about  that 
matter.  Cainell  had  18''  for  your  letter.  I  haue  agreed 
with  Jordan  by  the  quarter  to  be  paid  here  for  all  little 
bundles,  such  as  we  use  to  make  up  for  our  letters ;  for 
bigg  bundles  must  pay  besides,  so  you  must  make  a  little 
thing  with  every  letter,  and  not  let  it  com  to  Camells 
hand.  I  haue  got  the  goune  made  for  aunt  and  send 
it  herewith,  also  two  peices  of  lining  Scotch  cloth  for 
the  children,  and  a  primer  for  Naiie,  a  hornbook  for 
Kate,  and  a  catechise  for  Mary ;  her  thimble,  &c.,  must 
com  next  post;  shall  see  for  shirting  for  you  against 
the  next.  M'"  Rogers  of  Ipswich  very  ill ;  sent  for  M' 
Leveret  and  wife  last  Fryday ;  *  haue  not  heard  since. 
Remember  me  to  your  wife  and  the  children  with  every 
body. 

Your  louing  father, 

W.  WiNTnnop. 

•  John  Leverett,  at  that  time  President  of  Harvard  College,  had  marrit-d  a  sister  of 
Rev.  John  Rogers,  of  Ipswich.  —  Eds. 


270  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1713. 

WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

[Extracts.] 

Boston,  August  12,  1713. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  wrote  by  the  post,  and  put  it  in  the 
bundle  of  valens  with  a  handker".  M'  Plum  told  me  he 
Avould  go  tomorrow  morning.  Its  now  nine  at  night,  and 
must  send  it  to  his  loging,  so  can  say  but  little.  I  am  just 
now  com  from  Cousin  Winthrop's  youngest  son's  buriall, 
about  7  months  old.  I  heard  not  of  his  being  ill  untill 
thay  were  ready  to  go  to  the  burying.  The  Gov''  says 
Madam  Dudley  will  set  out  for  N.  London  next  Munday 
com  sennit.  I  think  all  the  way  by  land.  I  suppose  thay 
will  advise  you  about  it.  .  .  .  As  soon  as  M'  Dudley  coms 
home  shall  get  that  writing  don  and  send  it,  and  shall  ad- 
vise about  the  other  business.  M'  Havens  must  have  a 
care  of  what  bills  he  takes  at  Road  Island  ;  its  sayd  som 
of  their  bills  are  counterfited  by  a  woman  that  takes  the 
impression  som  way  or  other  by  pining  a  paper  over  them, 
and  can  scarse  be  deserned  but  bj'  holding  them  against 
the  light,  which  discovers  the  pinholes  nere  the  edges. 
Som  of  our  bills,  espetially  of  20',  have  been  counterfited ; 
the  letters  and  seale  on  top  are  grosser,  as  if  cut  in  wood, 
not  copper.  Som  of  Conecticott  bills  are  altered  in  the 
sums  and  in  the  figures,  as  thre  and  4  shillings  into 
forty,  &c.  Its  best  to  say  nothing  but  to  Havens,  least  the 
good  ones  he  gets  be  alike  scrupelled.  I  have  put  two 
white  chamber  pots  on  bord  with  the  still ;  I  see  som 
sorry  little  compasses,  but  the  nedle  flyes  over  the  card  as 
that  dose  which  you  have  in  the  ivory  tunn,  and  are  not 
lialfe  so  good  as  that,  so  shall  see  farther  before  I  give  5 
shillings  for  it.  M"'  Plum  says  the  Gov''  was  very  angry 
with  Merrit  about  the  boat,  and  says  thay  had  no  bill  of 
sale  for  her  when  they  had  her  of  him.  I  pray  God  to 
bless  and  keep  you  all. 

Your  loving  W.  Winthrop. 


1713.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  271 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  7^'  7'>,  1713. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  had  yours  on  Saturday  night.  I  here- 
with send  you  the  Coinissioners'  letter,  which  must  be 
sealed  before  it  be  delivered,  and  not  delivered  but  at  the 
Court.  Their  mony  falls  so  short  at  present  that  thay  are 
not  willing  to  send  from  hence,  the  charg  will  be  so  great, 
but  are  willing  to  allow  M''  Edwards  what  may  be  in  any 
reason,  he  hauing  been  apprised  of  the  matter  when  Cap'? 
Avery  was  at  Court  in  May,  and  would  haue  me,  or  you 
for  me,  agre  with  M'  Edwards,  or  any  other  if  he  fayle  ; 
and  you  may  promise  thay  shall  be  sattisfied  for  it.  I 
should  not  care  to  venture  at  present  aboue  fine  pounds ; 
but  it  may  be  thay  would  take  up  with  much  less,  espet- 
tially  if  thay  haue  other  business  at  the  Court.  It  may  be 
best  to  advise  with  M"'  Pitkin  about  the  whole  matter, 
but  not  to  let  him  know  you  haue  the  letter  for  the 
Court,  least  the  Gov'  com  to  understand  it  beforehand. 
Cap'°  Avery  and  the  Indians  must  prepare  to  go  to  New- 
haven  ;  if  he  could  be  a  deputy,  it  would  be  well.  The 
gent"  seem  resolved  to  write  to  the  Corporation  about  it, 
if  nothing  be  don  for  their  releife  ;  but  thay  presume  the 
Court  will  consider  so  plain  a  case.  The  Mohauk  is 
here,  and  railes  as  he  use  to  do ;  I  suppose  he  is 
agreed  with  S'  Hude  to  do  all  he  can  at  New  York,  or 
at  least  try  to  scare  us  into  somthing.  The  Gov'  told 
me  he  was  with  him,  with  a  story  if  I  did  not  clear 
him  of  his  bonds  at  New  York,  he  would  get  a  de- 
cree in  chancery  against  the  Island ;  but  its  all  rogery, 
and  I  think  thay  can't  hurt  me.  I  wanted  the  complaint 
the  Indians  put  in  at  Hartford  very  much  for  the  gent"? 
to  see.  1  suppose  it  was  left  at  the  Court ;  Cap'  Avery 
can  tell.  Its  best  that  a  coppy  of  it  be  taken  for  them 
to  send  for  England  if  need  be.     Let  not  the  Indians  be 


272  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1713. 

baffled  again  for  want  of  giving  notice  to  the  selectmen. 
I  think  it  was  said  the  Court  ordered  Groton  representa- 
tiues  to  give  them  notice,  but  I  doubt  whether  there  be 
any  entry  of  it ;  therfore  tis  best  it  be  don  in  form,  which 
Sr  Pitlvin  can  direct,  or  any  that  knows  y"  methods.  Cap'." 
Sewall  is  at  Bristoll  Court,  elce  I  would  haue  sent  you  the 
Coiuissioners  orders  as  entered  in  their  books,  but  may  by 
the  next.  M'  Dudley  is  there  also.  I  question  whether 
Maddam  Dudley  will  com  to  you  this  bout,  but  know  not. 

The  50  pound  for  the  logg  house  is  in  the  account  Lev- 
iston  gaue  me  ;  but  instead  of  allowing  that,  thay  ought 
to  pay  damage  for  not  repairing  the  house  thay  burnt, 
according  to  their  lease.  I  know  not  what  to  do  about  a 
lawyer  ;  M''  Dudley  will  be  at  home  this  week,  and  shall 
then  see  if  he  will  undertake  it  or  engage  som  other.  I 
herewith  send  you  a  letter  of  atturnye  cum  potcstate  suh- 
stituendo  and  larg  in  all  respects,  so  that  you  may  make  or 
substitute  other  atturneys  if  need  be.  I  would  haue  you 
carfull  how  you  run  your  selfe  and  me  into  any  inconven- 
ience ;  but  in  anything  of  consequence  send  for  advise.  If 
that  be  scrupled  which  was  sent,  it  being  worded  as  the 
release  I  signed  to  tliem,  those  other  things  which  were 
incerted  (and  there  was  not  time  to  write  it  again)  may 
be  left  out,  but  I  see  no  inconvenience  to  her ;  however 
I  would  haue  it  as  she  pleases,  and  no  harm  must  com  to 
her.  M"'  Havens  will  halfe  mine  us  if  that  matter  faile, 
and  sending  Parks  may  be  the  greatest  hazard  in  the 
world  ;  if  he  should  loose  them,  or  otherwise,  what  resti- 
tution can  he  make  ?  That  matter  must  not  faile,  what- 
ever com  on  it.  The  post  is  almost  ready,  and  I  hojje  IP 
Dosset  will  be  with  shoose  ;  if  not,  thay  must  com  next 
time.  I  can  not  devise  what  I  can  send  M?  E. ;  you  must 
hint  next  time.  I  send  all  the  Indian  papers,  with  a  coppy 
to  be  shewen  at  the  court,  under  M'  Secretary's  hand, 
of  the  order  of  6'  May  164[6]  ;*  it  may  be  thay  would 

*  See  Mass.  Col.  Records,  vol.  ii.  pp.  160,  161.  — Eds. 


1713.]  SAMUEL    SEWALL.  273 

question  the  other.  Tis  said  Coll.  N.  is  com  to  Placen- 
tia.  Your  mother  is  better,  and  was  at  meting  yester- 
day in  the  afternoon,  but  has  som  smale  remembrance 
of  her  fit  every  other  night.  I  pray  God  to  bless  and 
keepe  us  all  here  and  there.  Remember  me  to  your 
aunt,  your  wife,  and  the  poor  children.  Your  sister  and 
all  are  prety  well. 

Your  louing  father 

W.    WiNTHROP. 

Cap'  Sewall  sends  you  his  thoughts,  and  would  be  glad 
if  you  would  convey  one  of  them  to  M''  Peirpont  at  N.  H. 
as  from  yourselfe.  Mr  Dosset  has  not  quite  don,  and  it 
is  sunset,  so  thay  must  com  by  the  next. 


SAMUEL   SEWALL  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Rehoboth,  7^  12,  1713. 

M"  John  Winthrop  :  S^,  —  The  Commissioners  for  the 
Indian  Affairs  have  written  to  the  General  Court  of  Con- 
necticut in  behalf  of  the  Pequots  inhabiting  in  that  part 
of  New  London  which  is  now  Groton.  And  their  desire  is 
that  you  would  assist  M'  Edwards,  or  anj^  other  who  may 
plead  their  cause.  In  doing  this  I  hope  you  will  do  a 
good  deed,  and  will  oblige  the  Commissioners.  My  has- 
tening to  Bristol  Court  hindred  my  writing  from  Boston, 
which  is  the  cause  of  my  writing  from  hence  in  my 
return.  M"'  Sparhawk  *  has  a  son,  born  the  first  of  Sep- 
tember.    I  am,  S', 

Your  humble  serv', 

Samuel  Sewall. 

*  Rev.  John  Sparhawk,  of  Bristol.  His  son  John,  here  referred  to,  graduated  at  Har- 
vard College  in  1731,  was  ordained  minister  of  the  First  Church,  Salem,  in  173G,  and  died 
April  .30,  17.55.  See  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  iv.  p.  144;  Uphara's  Dedica- 
tion Sermon,  p.  56.  —  Eds. 

35 


274  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1713. 


SAMUEL  SEWALL  TO  GURDON  SALTONSTALL. 

Boston,  May  16^  1713. 

Honourable  S^,  —  The  Commissioners  of  the  Comp" 
for  propagating  of  y°  Gospell  in  New  England  &  parts 
adjacent  in  America,  have  commanded  me  to  wait  upon 
yo''  Honour  with  this  adress,  on  behalf  of  a  number  of 
Pequot  Indians  inhabiting  in  a  place  in  y'  Goverm'  now 
called  Grotton.  These  Indians  complain  y'  they  are  dis- 
turbed &  ousted  of  places  where  they  have  long  dwelt,  & 
y'  by  good  right,  places  very  necessary  for  their  subsist- 
ence, affording  them  y°  conveniency  of  fishing  &  plant- 
ing. The  Comissioners  have  oi'dered  M'  Experience 
Mayhew  to  give  y'  Pequits  &  Mohegins  a  visit,  &  to  offer 
y"  Gospell  to  them ;  but  tis  feared  y"  scandell  of  thrusting 
them  out  of  their  earthly  possessions  may  imbitter  their 
spirits  &  render  them  unapt  to  receive  these  glad  tidings. 
Y*  Commissioners  therefore  pray  yo"'  Honour  &  y'  Honor- 
able Council  &  Representatives  y'  in  yo'  great  wisdom  & 
compassion  you  would  effectually  provide  fory're]eif& 
succour  of  this  distressed  remnant.  They  have  for  more 
then  70  years  absolutely  submitted  to  y"  English  &  de- 
pended on  their  protection.  It's  humbly  conceived  'twil 
be  for  y"  honour  of  y"  English  to  treat  them  with  all  kind- 
ness &  candor.  At  their  desire  their  greivances  are  re- 
ported to  y"  Commissioners  by  y"  Hon"'  Wait  Winthrop, 
Esq',  who  is  one  of  them  who  may  be  able  more  fully  to 
open  this  matter,  if  his  health  &  continuance  with  you 
admitt  of  it.  I  humbly  pray  y'  these  aboriginal  natives 
may  fare  y"  better  for  this  intercession,  w".**  will  much 
oblige  y*  Commissioners,  well  wishers  to  yo'  Goverm'. 
I  am 

Your  Honours  most  humble  &  obedient  servant, 

Sam"-."-  Sewall,  Sec'^. 

VeHe. 


1713.]  SAMUEL   SEWALL.  275 


To  y'  HoiJ'''  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  Esq%  Governour  of  her  Majesty's  Col- 
lony  of  Conneticut,  Sf  to  y'  Honourable  y'  Council  ^  Representatives 
assembled  in  General  Court  at  New  Haven,  y"  8  Oct',  1713. 

Mat  it  please  y^  Honours,  —  Y"  foregoing  is  coppy 
of  what  was  sent  by  y"  Commissioners  for  y°  Indean  Affairs, 
w"?  it  is  supposed  might  come  too  late  for  y*  Court  y'  sat 
at  Hartford  May  last,  &  therefore  crave  leave  humbly  to 
offer  it  to  this  Court  in  their  present  sessions,  being  y° 
rather  encouraged  thereunto  because  of  an  ancient  record 
of  y'  Massachusets  Goverm',  dated  May  6,  3646,  appoint- 
ing y^  Pequot  Indeans  land,  to  their  good  liking  &  satis- 
faction, on  y°  east  side  of  y^  river  by  way  of  compensation 
of  y^  town  platt  of  New  London  by  them  resigned  to  y* 
English  &  since  come  to  their  hands.  The  Commissioners 
have  also  seen  an  order  of  y°  new  town  of  Grotton  for  y' 
dividing  &  laying  out  of  y°  Indean  land  called  Nawayonck 
to  y*  English  inhabitants,  w".''  is  actually  done  notw^'stand- 
ing  y"  agreem'  made  by  y°  English  inhabitants  of  New 
London  w'?  y*  Indeans  in  y"  3'ear  1651.  The  Commis- 
sioners therefore  humbly  pray  y''  interposition  of  y^  au- 
thority of  y*  Hon*!"  Court  for  y°  releif  of  these  distressed 
natives,  who  are  not  acquainted  w'?  y*  English  law,  &  are 
uncapable  of  befreinding  themselves  by  it ;  w"?  will  very 
much  oblige  y*  s"*  Comm"  &  be  very  acceptable  to  y^  Hon"* 
Corporation  for  propagating  y°  Gospell  in  N.  England  & 
parts  adjacent  in  America. 

By  order  of  y'  Commissioners, 

Sam'^  Sewall,  Scc'K* 


*  These  tiro  letters  are  printed  from  a  eopy  on  one  sheet,  found  among  Wait  Winthrop's 
papers.  Tlie  subject  is  referred  to  in  a  Inns  letter  to  him  from  his  son,  dated  Sept.  10, 
1713,  and  containing  a  message  to  Sewal!. — Eds. 


276  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1713. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  9".'  16*  1713. 
Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  your  letter  this  week.  I  thank 
God  for  his  mercy  in  restoring  health  to  us  all,  and  pray 
that  we  may  haue  hearts  to  Hue  to  his  glory.  I  haue 
been  hindered  this  afternoon,  and  the  post  is  ready  to  go, 
that  I  haue  no  time  to  consider  of  M'  Williams'  motion 
about  Quaquetauge,  but  must  advise  upon  it  a  little. 
Its  well  that  matter  is  over,  it  must  be  acknowledged 
also.  Its  now  just  dark,  and  the  post  will  be  gon.  The 
bridgroom  *  has  been  bad  with  the  measells,  but  is  siting 
up  again.  M"'  Mather  buried  his  wife  t  and  his  maid  the 
last  week,  and  his  eldest  daughter  and  the  young  twins 
thay  say  not  like  to  Hue ;  aboundans  haue  the  measels. 
I  pray  God  restore  health  to  his  people.  I  will  endeav- 
our to  get  a  lawman  to  com  to  you  if  I  can.  I  wonder 
thay  haue  sent  us  nothing  from  the  Island  yet.  You 
must  peruse  the  inclosed  and  take  som  care  about  it.  If 
the  measeles  coms  amongst  you,  its  best  to  giue  sage  and 
baum  tea,  with  a  little  safron,  and  keep  warm  and  let  na- 
ture haue  time  to  work  without  too  much  forcing;  not 
too  much  snake  roote,  a  little  if  thay  strike  in.  The 
Gov'  shewed  me  M'  Nicols'  letter ;  if  he  speaks  of  500,  no 
doubt  its  worth  thre  or  fower  times  as  much.  Eemem- 
ber  me  to  your  wife  and  the  children.  I  pray  God  bless 
and  keep  you  all. 

Your  louing  father, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 

If  Goit  has  given  no  bill  of  sale  for  the  boat,  its  best  to 
get  one  of  him  before  the  Court. 


•  Probably  Joseph  Sewall.  —  Eds. 

t  Elizabeth,  second  wife  of  Rev.  Cotton  Mather,  and  mother  of  six  of  his  children,  died 
Nov.  8,  1713. -Eds. 


1713.]  JAMES   PIEEPOXT.  277 


JAMES  PIERPONT  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

N.  Hav.,  Dec.  14,  1713. 

Worthy  &  dear  Sf,  —  I  heartily  (as  y'  whole  country 
ought)  condole  with  you  y"  desolations  made  by  y*  meazels 
in  Boston  in  D'  Math'^'s  family,  &  by  other  distempers  in 
o'  Colony  ;  especially  in  y'  hasty  removal  of  3  so  valuable 
men,  M'  Bulkly,  Haynes,  Eussel.  Surely  it's  not  unfitt, 
in  such  a  critical  juncture,  when  so  many  cedars  fall,  to 
cry,  Ah,  Lord  !  wilt  thou  make  a  full  end  ?  Ah,  help,  Lord, 
for  y"  godly  man  ceaseth  !  &  again.  By  whom  shall  Jacob 
arise  ?  Truly  o"!  deep  humiliations  must  be  befoi'e,  &  then 
oar  hope  may  safely  be  reposed  in  the  Living  God,  & 
blessed  be  that  Rock  of  o''  refuge  &  strength  ! 

I  congratulate  your  self  &  lady  upon  y'  recovery  of  yo' 
honu''ble  parent  &  dear  posterity,  &  pray  that  his  old 
age  may  be  made  long,  easy,  fruitful,  &  blessed,  &  their 
tender  blooming  age  made  betimes  to  receiv,  in  plentiful 
showers,  the  rich  blessings  of  y"'  famous,  wise,  pious,  pub- 
lick-spirited,  very  serviceable,  &  theref''  honn''able  pro- 
genifs,  &  y'  y'  blessings  of  y*  Everlasting  Hills  may  be 
evidently  seen  on  the  heads  &  branches  of  yo'  family  so 
farr  separated  from  y'  oth'  relations.  Yo"  books  yett  in 
revertion  I  thankfully  expect,  &  w?  rec?,  shall  carefully 
peruse  &  return.  Pleas  in  yo'  next,  &  by  this  bearer,  M' 
Whiting,  my  fast  friend,  if  yo'  leisure  will  allow,  in  a  few 
lines  send  mee  those  many  secret  articles  of  intelligence 
w°  in  yo''  former  you  conceal'd.  I'll  be  yo'  security  they 
shall  not  expose  you.  Pleas  to  lett  me  know  whether  it 
be  thought  Docf  Whiston's  Proposals  are  design'd  for  y' 
revival  of  his  Arianism,  &  whether  his  finding  of  longitude 
be  a  reality,  or  a  mockery  put  upon  him  ;  &  how  Docf 
Mather  came  by  his  Fellows?  &  w°  of  y'  Docfs  has  y^ 
honn'',  &  whether  y°  good  understdg  between  his  Excel- 
lency &  the  DoctT  continues  &  flourisheth  ;  wheth""  y'  mon- 


2(8  TEE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1713. 

strous  birth  was  born  alive  &  one  yett  living,  as  well  as 
w?  conjectures  are  made  thereupon. 

As  I  have  alwajes  highly  valued  &  honn'';'  y*  families 
from  vvhence  yo'self  &  lady  sprang,  so  must  make  yo' 
selves  intitled  to  y*  like  regards ;  but  confess  for  myself 
&  country  o!  retaliations  are  barren  &  ungrateful.  It 
will  be  a  fruit  of  yo!'  greatness,  as  well  as  goodness,  not- 
withstdg  to  persevere  in  doing  us  all  the  good  you  can,  so 
yo''  rewards  shall  be  great  in  a  better  world.  With  hum- 
ble service  to  yo'  lady,  to  his  Honn!  &  lady,  I  am,  S!', 
YoT  assured  friend  &  humble  serv?. 

Jam'  Pierpont. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 
For  M'  John  Winthrop,  alt  New-London. 

Boston,  10".'  28'?,  at  night,  1713. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  the  little  bundle  this  post,  with 
the  contents.  I  haue  been  at  the  townhouse  this  after- 
noon, and  am  shortened  for  time  to  write.  The  Gen!'  has 
been  there  with  the  Gov',  &c.,  about  dispatching  severall 
accounts  of  things  to  be  enquired  into,  and  I  beleiue  the 
fraude  about  the  Indian  Cap'P  and  his  muster-roule  will  be 
look't  into.  The  Mohauk  was  at  the  Councill  Chamber 
last  Saturday,  and  the  Gen"  ask't  him  what  day  he  and 
his  company  came  to  Anapolis ;  he  answared  he  could 
not  tell,  he  keept  no  jornall,  it  was  not  his  business, 
which  I  perceiue  did  not  recoinend  him  at  all ;  but  no 
more  of  that  at  present.  I  haue  not  time  to  look  over 
the  perticulars  of  your  long  letters  about  the  proceed- 
ing at  Court,  &c.,  but  shall  as  soon  as  may  be.  As  to 
building  a  mill  it  shall  be  don,  I  hope,  as  soon  as  may 
be ;  but  it  may  be  best  to  propose  to  them  whether 
thay  would  not  rather  haue  it  at  Jordan  River,  if  we 
find  it  capable ;  that,  I  beleiue,  will  please  most  of  our 
greatest   enemys,  and  thay  must  secure   that   river   to 


1713.]  WAIT   WIXTHKOP.  279 

me  with  liberty  of  daiuing,  &c.  Alewife  Brook  is  our 
own  already,  and  tliay  cannot  medle  with  that;  wheras 
if  we  build  there  first,  it  will  not  sattisfy,  but  thay 
will  be  for  another  there,  most  of  the  enimy  lining 
that  way,  and  I  think  it  would  not  cost  so  much  there 
as  at  Alewife;  but  you  may  say  to  them  that  I  am 
resolved  on  it,  and  hope  to  be  there  early  to  contriue 
for  the  best  about  it,  that  it  may  answare  the  end. 
You  may  gain  that  snake  in  the  grass  by  proposeing 
of  it  to  him,  it  being  neer  him,  and  will  be  a  great 
conveniency  to  him  and  advance  the  price  of  his  land ; 
at  least,  it  may  hinder  him  from  biting  like  a  snake 
at  present,  if  you  can  haue  the  patience  and  art  to  be 
discreet  with  him.  You  may  tell  them  I  hope  to  see 
them  agen,  and  will  borrow  3.  Q"^  for  them  that  thay 
may  not  loose  by  me ;  but  you  must  learn  to  bare 
greater  matters  then  these.  As  to  the  ox-pasture,  thay 
can  do  nothing ;  we  haue  possessed  it  ever  since  the  be- 
gining ;  however,  tis  best  to  say  little  about  it,  and 
get  it  fenced  as  soon  as  may  possible.  Your  grand- 
father, that  had  the  order  from  hence  to  lay  out  the 
lotts  for  the  inhabitants,  took  that,  &c.,  for  himselfe  and 
had  it  then  fenced  by  the  Bebes  that  lined  with  him 
and  Thomas  Roch,  &c.,  whose  evidences  are  upon  rec- 
ord. Abram  and  Isaac  (and  I  think  Jacob)  Watter- 
house  can  remember  we  haue  possessed  it ;  the  two 
former,  who  Hue  at  Saybrook  and  Lime,  can  say  from 
the  beginning,  who  are  honest  men.  By  all  means 
get  the  fence  don  between  M'  Adams  and  at  the  head 
of  the  hom  lotts.  I  think  Stephen  Prentis  had  a  vote 
last  year  about  Jordan,  but  he  said  he  would  relinquish 
if  we  would  build  a  mill  y';  if  his  wife  had  the  Mon- 
seiur,  he  would  make  as  good  a  miller  as  the  old  negro 
that  dyed  in  the  mill,  but  would  hardly  deserue  so 
much  wages  as  12*  f  an.  and  boarded  to  boote.  I 
took  M'  Ely  to  be  an  honest  man  ;  I  gave  him  a  letter 


280  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1713. 

and  order  that  defended  him  against  Saybrook  mens 
suit  for  taking  shingles,  as  I  remember.  Write  to 
Smith  of  Plainfeild,  and  let  him  know  I  depend  upon 
him  to  look  after  my  concernes  there.  I  hope  to  see 
them  again.  Your  tayler  has  brought  me  a  note  of 
5*  od  mony ;  he  is  making  a  coate  of  an  extraordinary 
good  drab,  which  he  says  shall  be  don  by  nine  aclock ; 
and  if  the  post  dose  not  go  before,  it  will  be  sent  with 
six  yards  of  callico  for  frocks  for  the  children,  and  halfe 
a  yard  of  muslin  for  Cous.  Lisse.  I  likewise  send  an 
Almanack  and  the  Importance  of  Duncark,  which  is 
worth  reading  if  you  go  through ;  it  is  M"  Lechmers 
brothers,  and  must  be  sent  again,  and  then  you  may 
haue  more.  I  hope  your  little  chinmy  is  warm  and 
caryes  smoke  well.  M'  Williams  brother  has  not  been 
with  me  severall  days,  but  suppose  he  will  be  here 
again  quickly,  as  he  said.  I  perceiue  thay  haue  a  de- 
sine  to  buy  Hemsteds  lot,  and  therfore  are  earnest  to 
haue  the  twenty  rods  against  it.  I  will  saue  it  if  I 
can ;  you  may  ask  Hemsteed  what  he  values  his  att, 
and  what  quantity  it  is,  and  send  word.  If  Ingram 
and  Leads,  &c.,  would  get  together  and  get  sombody 
to  draw  up  a  remonstrance  about  their  business,  and 
present  it  to  the  Gen"  with  the  Indians'  also,  I  be- 
leiue  thay  might  get  their  mony  again.  He  said  to 
day  he  would  haue  them  sworn  and  enquire  into  it. 
I  know  not  what  writing  y*  is  you  mention  that  M"'  Dud- 
ley is  witness  to  with  others  in  this  Gover°".  M'  Pit- 
kin is  now  here,  and  intends  hom  with  Monseiur  if  he 
corns  that  way.  Would  it  not  be  best  to  get  her  to  ac- 
knowledg  that  again,  seing  M'  Haynes  is  dead :  I  think 
he  may  be  trusted.  The  bell  rings,  and  Lowder  has 
not  sent  the  coat  yet ;  but  I  hope  the  post  will  not  be 
gon.  I  am  sorry  for  poor  M"  Havens ;  I  hope  she  is 
better  and  will  continue.  My  lone  .and  servis  to  every- 
body.    Forget  not  to  prepare  for  the  flanders  seed  in 


1713-14.]  WAIT   TVINTHROP.  281 

time,  or,  let  it  be  sown  at  the  Island  or   the  farm,  it 
will  be  good  for  nothing. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  Wintheop. 

I  pray  God  to  bless  and  keep  you  all;  I  want  to  see 
the  poor  children. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   SAMUEL  READE.* 

Boston,  Feb'?',  17i|. 

Dear  Cousin,  — ...  In  my  last  I  mentioned  to  you 
M'  Abiall  Wally,  who  went  to  Virginia  the  begin ing  of 
winter,  and  intended  from  thence  for  Great  Brittain  and 
Holland  on  a  trading  voyage.  He  marryed  one  of  my  sis- 
ter Curwins  daughters,  and  is  a  sober,  well  disposed  man. 
His  freinds  Hue  in  this  place.  When  he  arives  he  will  waite 
on  you  ;  he  is  capable  to  give  account  of  all  our  circumstan- 
ces and  affairs  here.  Your  countenance  and  advice  to  him 
in  his  trading  concernes  may  be  of  use  to  him,  and  will  be 
taken  as  a  favour  by  his  freinds  here.  Not  long  before 
my  sickness  I  heard  of  the  death  of  S'  Henery  Ashhurst, 
which  I  much  bewailed,  not  only  as  hauing  lost  a  great 
and  good  freind  myselfe,  but  as  a  publick  loss  to  all  the 
good  people  of  this  whole  country,  he  hauing  been  a  faith- 
full  agent  for  many  years  ;  first  for  this  Government,  and 
then  for  Conecticott.  While  he  lived  he  was  pleased  to 
favour  me  with  his  letters,  and  somtimes  to  offer  his  endev- 
ours  to  procure  som  place  for  me  here ;  which  I  answared 
wnth  that  acknowlegraent  and  respect  due  to  one  of  his 
caracter  and  quality,  and  withall  let  him  know  that,  as 
I  could  not  suppose  myselfe  so  circumstanced  for  publick 
business  as  som  others  might  be,  so  I  desired  no  place  here, 
hauing  been  not  a  little  impaired  in  my  estate  by  being 
concernd  in  our  publick  affairs  for  many  years.  ...  I  took 

*  Extracts  from  a  long  draft  indorsed  by  the  writer:  "I  sent  only  a  part  of  this  in 
another  letter."  —  Eds. 


282  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1713-14. 

tlie  first  opertuuity  to  write  to  S"'  Heneiy  to  let  him  know- 
that  as  I  desired  no  place,  so  more  especially  not  the  place 
he  mentioned  in  his  letter,  which  would  put  me  to  charg 
to  stand  as  a  cipher,  without  any  mauer  of  advantage  to 
myselfe  or  the  people  hei-e.  For,  by  the  Charter,  a  Leif- 
tenant  Governer  has  nothing  to  do  in  the  Gover"?'  unless 
the  Governer  be  out  of  the  Province  (which  may  rarely 
happen,  and  but  for  a  short  time)  or  should  dye,  and  thay 
that  wait  for  such  shoose  may  go  barefoot.  Here  is  not 
any  salery  for  that  place  ;  he  is  not  so  much  as  one  of  the 
Councill,  unless  at  the  election  he  be  chose  to  it,  as  soni- 
times  has  been  don.  And  indeed  I  know  not  of  any  place 
here  that  an  honest  man  can  make  any  advantage  by ;  if 
any  haue  considerably,  it's  well  if  thay  haue  not  made 
shipwrack  of  somthing  elce.  To  this  effect  I  wrote,  and 
had  letters  from  him  again  while  he  lived,  whereby  I  per- 
ceived that  he  expected  her  Maj'.''  would  make  som  alter- 
ations here,  and  hoped  then  to  do  somthing  for  me,  which 
has  not  happened.  I  was  much  obliged  to  S''  Henery  for 
his  good  will  and  kindness  to  me  expressed  in  his  letters, 
and  I  know  if  he  had  lived  he  would  haue  don  somthing 
that  might  haue  been  of  value  to  me,  or  remitted  the 
mony  to  me  again  as  in  his  letter.*  I  never  had  any 
dealing  with  him,  nor  ever  had  anything  from  him  but 
his  kind  letters.  I  paid  his  bill  purely  in  honour  to  him, 
&  least  the  business  of  the  Indian  affairs  here  might 
be  disapointed.  ...  I  doubt  not  but  those  he  has  left  the 
managment  of  his  estate  with  will,  in  honour  to  him  as 
well  as  justice  to  me,  see  that  I  may  be  reimbursed  either 
there  or  here,  according  to  the  bill  and  his  promise  in  his 
letter.  I  had  wrote  sooner,  but  his  letter  with  the  bill 
was  so  mislaid  that  I  thought  thay  had  been  lost,  and  by 
reason  of  my  long  sickness  so  farr  from  home  I  could  not 
make  that  enquiry  about  them ;  but  thay  came  to  hand 

•  The  reference  is  to  a  bill  of  Ashurst  for  .£100,  accepted  by  Wait  Wintlirop,  and  paid 
on  nonunt  of  the  Corporation  for  propagating  the  Gospel  iu  New  England,  which  Ashurst 
died  without  having  re-imbursed.  —  Eds. 


1V13-1-1.]  JOSEPH    DUDLEY.  283 

not  long  since.  The  great  fire  which  hap'ned  here  turn'd 
all  things  upside  down ;  and  tho  our  house  nere  the  midst 
of  it  (and  I  from  home  at  that  time)  was,  by  the  good 
prouidence  of  God,  preserved,  yet  what  was  in  it  was  re- 
moued,  and  somthings  lost.  Not  knowing  who  S'  Henery 
has  left  his  aflairs  with,  I  must  desire  the  favour  of  you 
to  speak  with  such  as  may  be  concerned,  and  let  them 
understand  that  I  have  written.  S'  William  Ashhurst  is 
a  person  of  honour,  and  may  influence  any  concerned 
to  do  what  is  right,  if  there  should  be  any  hesitancy 
about  it. 


JOSEPH  DUDLEY  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

To  John  Winthrop,  Esq'',  at  his  house  in  N.  London. 

RoxBURY,  Febr.  5,  1713[-14]. 

Dear  S^  —  I  am  glad  I  can  send  you  the  good  news 
that  your  father  has  sold  his  farm  at  Stonington,  to  Wil- 
liams, for  eleven  hundred  pounds.  It  remayns  that  you 
thank  him  heartily,  &  pray  him  that  he  will  please  with 
that  money  to  put  himself  out  of  debt,  &  that  he  will 
execute  a  will  and  keep  it  always  by  him,  that  your  grow- 
ing family  may  so  farr  be  safe  as  that  will  make  you ;  & 
that  he  will  make  some  end  with  his  tenants,  —  the  older 
that  debt  growes,  the  worse  it  is,  —  &  he  must  also  get 
thro  with  M'  Levingston.  Tho  it  is  all  loss,  there  is 
no  help  for  it.  There  is  no  living  with  such  men,  &  tliat 
that  is  greivous  to  you  now  will  be  much  more  so  when 
your  father  leaves  you,  which  must  be  shortly.  Write  of 
these  things  to  your  father,  with  all  submission  &  ear- 
nestness, till  you  obtayn  them,  that  you  may  live  with  joy 
with  your  father's  family  that  he  leaves  behind  him  ;  &  the 
Lord  bless  you  &  build  you  a  house  k,  a  name  in  the 
family  of  your  good  ancestors,  which  is  now  brought 
low  in  number.    This  &  all  that  I  can  say  proceeds  of  a 


284  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1713-U. 

true  affection  that  I  bear  to  you  as  to  my  own,  being 
alwayes,  Sf, 

Your  most  affectionate  J.  Dudley. 

Soder  with  your  neighbours,  that  they  may  love  you.* 


PAUL  DUDLEY  TO  MRS.  JOHN  WINTHROP.f 

To  M"  Ann  Winthrop,  at  New  London,  Connecticuit. 

Boston,  S'"  Feb  ,  1713[-14]. 

Dear  Sister,  —  I  received  your  sorrowfull  letter,  and 
heartily  pity  you  under  your  present  distress.  Am  very 
much  surprised  to  think,  what  I  am  very  loath  yet  to 
believe,  that  Gov!  S.  should  decline  to  serve  you  and 
yours,  at  least  so  far  as  justice  amounts  to,  whatever 
might  be  his  friendship.:]:  As  to  the  land  in  the  Neck 
that  has  been  so  ridiculously  as  well  as  illegally  seized  on 
for  Govf  Winthrop's  debt,§  I  wish  M'  Winthrop  had  fol- 
lowed the  rule,  Of  two  evils  choose  the  least,  and  laid 
down  the  money  for  the  present,  to  prevent  further 
charge  and  great  inconveniencye ;  tho  I  suppose  it  may 
be  had  at  any  time  within  a  year,  paying  the  debt  and 
charges.  As  to  the  matter  about  the  horses,  we  shall 
have  time  to  think  and  advise ;  in  the  mean  time  I  sup- 
pose Father  Winthrop  will  be  looking  your  way  in  the 

*  An  unfinished  letter  from  John  Winthrop  to  Cotton  Mather,  dated  a  few  weeks  later, 
shows  that  he  did  not  take  properly  to  heart  this  injunction  of  his  astute  father-in-law.  It 
displays  much  irritation  toward  some  of  his  Connecticut  neighbors,  who,  as  he  alleged, 
were  trying  to  take  advantage  of  him.  —  Eds. 

t  For  a  short  biographical  notice  of  Paul  Dudley,  with  some  extracts  from  his  correspond- 
ence, see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  517-521.  At  the  period  of  the  present  letter  he 
was  Attorney-General  of  Massachusetts.  —  Eds. 

t  The  alleged  lukewarmness  of  Saltonstall  may  not  improbably  he  ascribed  to  John 
Wiiitlirop's  want  of  tact.  In  one  of  the  numerous  letters  of  Wait  Winthrop  to  his  son 
which  it  has  not  been  convenient  to  print  for  lack  of  space,  he  writes,  under  date  of  Feb.  22, 
1713-U  :  "The  Gov.  [Dudley]  and  his  son  are  apt  to  think  that  if  you  would  treat  his 
Worship  [Saltonstalll  mildly,  he  would  be  more  apt  to  serve  our  interest.  No  man  can  serve 
contrary  interests.    I  know  him  intiis  et  cute."  —Eds. 

§  This  attachment  was  levied  by  a  man  who  claimed  never  to  have  been  paid  for 
a  quantity  of  shingles  supplied  to  Fitz-John  Winthrop  many  years  before.  --Eds. 


1713-14.]  JOSEPH   DUDLEY.  285 

spring.  I  find  you  will  want  a  great  deal  of  patience, 
discretion,  &  submission  to  God,  all  which  I  pray  God  to 
grant  you,  and  his  gratious  deliverance  in  due  time. 
If  I  thought  I  could  serve  you  and  yours  by  coming  to 
you  to-morrow,  I  would  doe  it;  but  at  present  I  cant  see 
either  the  necessity  or  advantage  of  it.  I  hope  your  last 
dale  will  be  your  best.  In  the  mean  time  we  must  en- 
deavour to  make  the  best  use  of  God's  providence  to  us, 
that  so  he  may  prove  us,  and  doe  us  good  in  our  latter 
end.  My  father  and  Major  Winthrop,  I  suppose,  write 
you  by  this  conveyance.     I  am 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

Paul  Dudley. 

My  best  service  to  M'  Winthrop  &  M""  Adams. 


JOSEPH   DUDLEY  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
To  John  Winthrop,  Esq'.,  in  New  London. 

Boston,  8  March,  17^|. 

Dear  S",  —  I  should  have  written  the  last  post  upon 
your  letters  to  your  father,  my  self,  &  M''  Dudley,  but 
upon  conference  with  them  they  both  wrot  &  excused 
mee.  I  am  sorry  for  your  aflictions  &  hurryes,  &  I  hope 
they  will  have  an  end,  &  nothing  disturb  your  peace  & 
repose.  Use  all  propper  means  to  have  peace  with  your 
neighbours  &  gentlemen  of  the  Province  whei'e  your  ances- 
tors have  been  loved  &  honored,  as  they  justly  deserved, 
I  pray  to  God  for  your  health  &  family.  I  wish  one  of 
your  daughters  here,  if  you  please  to  trust  granmother 
with  the  care  of  it.     I  am 

Your  most  affectionate 

J.  Dudley. 

This  morning  dyed  my  dear  little  Lucy  Dudley. 


286  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1713-14. 

PAUL  DUDLEY  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 
To  the  Hono^'.'  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq. 

[No  date  ;  probably  March,  17^|.] 

Sir,  —  I  have  perused  the  grant  of  New  London  to 
your  father  referring  to  mills,  and  it  is  my  opinion  that 
until  such  time  as  upon  demand  you  shall  refuse  to  sup- 
ply said  town  with  mills  sufficient  to  grind  their  corn, 
they  can  not  justify  giving  or  granting  the  liberty  of 
setting  up  a  mill,  or  mills,  to  any  other ;  and  if  they  do, 
a  good  action  lyes  against  them  for  breach  of  covenant, 
and  you  will  recover  damages  of  the  town. 

As  to  the  horses,  &c.,  that  were  taken  away  from  off 
Fisher's  Island,  my  opinion  is  that  if  it  were  done  in 
a  cover'd,  clandestine,  thievish  manner,  it  amounts  to 
felony  of  theft,  or  a  felonious  taking  y"  away,  &c.  ;  for 
as  to  tolling  the  creatures  afterwards,  it  no  ways  salves 
the  matter  at  all ;  for  at  that  rate  a  highway  man,  after 
he  has  robbed  one  on  the  road  of  a  horse  or  any  other 
creature,  shall  go  to  the  next  town  and  get  him  branded 
and  tolled,  &  turn  himself  into  an  honest  man  &  acquire 
a  property  in  my  horse.  The  question  is,  first,  who  was 
possessed  of  the  creatures  when  they  were  taken  away ; 
for  tho  I  or  my  friend  may  pretend  a  right  to  a  horse 
that  my  neighbour  has  in  his  keeping,  yet  if  I  take  him 
privately  away  out  of  his  stable,  or  the  like,  it  is  in  the 
law  stealing,  &  therefore,  secondly,  the  manner  of  taking 
must  govern  &  determine  the  matter  of  theft. 

As  to  replevying  Yeomans's  stock  that  was  arrested  by 
the  sheriff,  1  look  upon  it  to  be  very  illegal,  because 
when  once  any  thing  is  in  the  custody  of  the  law  nothing 
but  a  judgm'  of  law  can  remove  it.  But.  however,  he 
that  has  replevy'd  'em  has  either  given  bond  or  he  has 
not ;  if  he  has  given  bond,  why  then  at  the  Court  the 
creatures,  or  the  value,  will  be  produced,  or  else  his  bond 


1714.]  WAIT    WINTHROP.  287 

will  be  forfeited.  If  he  has  not  given  bond,  then  the 
Justice  must  answer  it,  for  by  law  he  is  to  grant  no 
replevyn  without  taking  bond.  And,  besides,  when  the 
Court  comes,  the  replevyn  must  drop  thro,  of  course,  if 
there  was  no  bond  taken,  and  so  the  first  arrest  must 
stand  as  it  did. 

If  Yeomans  has  got  into  possession  again  of  the  house 
&  farm,  I  should  incline  to  take  a  couple  of  witnesses  to 
give  him  notice  that,  in  case  he  presume  to  stay  upon 
that  farm  this  year,  he  must  &  should  pay  £100  for  the 
rent  of  it;  &  let  the  witnesses  make  a  memorandum  of  it 
in  writing  &  sign  it.  This  is  what  occurs  to  me  at  pres- 
ent in  your  affairs.     I  am,  S'', 

Your  humble  servant,  Paul  Dudley. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 
For  M"  John  Winthrop,  New  London. 

Boston,  Aprill  5«,  1714. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  your  letter  and  the  bottle,  and 
haue  sent  it  again  with  what  you  sent  for.  It  is  not  full, 
because  that  will  last  as  long  as  if  it  were  full,  to  be 
opened  so  often,  and  its  better  to  haue  it  fresh.  The 
bellows,  with  the  other  things  I  wrote  you,  are  on  bord 
Hamblin,  who  is  not  yet  gon.  There  is  a  smale  cask 
of  nayles,  3""  of  bord,  4?  of  clabord,  4"  of  shingle,  and  4 
pounds  of  great  nayles  for  the  mill  or  other  use.  Thar  is 
two  spades,  one  rather  like  a  shovell.  We  thought  y'  had 
been  stuff  for  all  fewer;  if  not,  send  word.  M''  Dudley  is 
com  home,  but  haue  had  no  time  with  him  yet.  The  in- 
closed is  what  the  Gov'  will  needs  haue  me  do ;  its  all  a 
mistery,  but  seing  it  looks  like  a  kindness,  its  best  to  ac- 
knowledg  it.  It  may  be  he  is  willing  to  be  at  peace 
outwardly  at  least;  if  there  be  anguis  in  hcrha,  it  may 
sting  him  at  last.     If  you  haue  that  mony  by  you,  go  to 


288  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1714. 

him  with  as  much  respect  as  you  can  with  it,  and  take  his 
rec'  for  so  much  he  paid.  It's  best  to  take  him  his  own 
way.  If  I  had  any  by  me,  I  would  haue  paid  it  here  ;  if 
you  should  be  out,  you  need  not  let  him  know  I  ordered 
you  to  do  it,  but  will  do  it  here ;  but  I  am  quite  out  till 
Williams  his  time  coms.  He  is  in  place  and  may  do  one 
an  ill  turn ;  all  things  considered,  its  best  to  sooth  him 
in  his  own  way  and  overcom  yourselfe.  Vetch  went  pri- 
vatly  away,  to  every  bodys  admiration,  tho'  the  Gen" 
told  the  Gov'  and  Councill  he  would  run  away  aboue  a 
month  since,  and  had  a  writ  served  on  M''  Willises  house 
and  land  in  the  Coiuon  for  the  Queen's  servis,  which  he 
had  bought  and  was  building  there.  I  shewed  the  Gen" 
what  you  wrote,  who  seems  much  disturbed  at  his  recep- 
tion there,  and  laughs  at  the  officiousness  of  cavalcade 
through  the  meetinghouse  ;  he  is  not  going  to  Placentia, 
but  hopes  every  day  to  hear  from  Britaine  before  he  goes 
to  Rhoad  Island,  &c.  He  says  if  those  mens  evidences 
are  taken  it  may  be  the  better ;  thay  will  be  made  to  tell 
the  whole  truth,  if  thay  haue  not  don  it  already ;  its  best 
not  for  you  to  say  his  excellent  Adjutanship  is  run  away. 
All  will  be  known,  tho  you  be  silent.  The  post  com  so 
late  and  is  going  just  now,  so  can  write  no  more.  Scale 
the  letter  with  the  little  gold  scale  and  deliver  it.  Old 
M"  Mather  dyed  on  Sabothday  morning  before  day.* 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  GURDON  SALTONSTALL. 

Boston,  April  y«  5'",  1714. 

S",  —  The  Gov'  the  other  day  shewed  me  two  of  yo'  let- 
ters referring  to  an  action  brought  against  M'  Leviston 
by  some  of  Saybrook  for  shingles  for  my  brother  in  his 
life-time,  and  judgment  thereupon,  and  that  the  cunsta- 

•  JIaria,  daughter  ol'  Rev.  John  Cotton,  and  wife  o£  Kev.  Inci-ease  JFather,  died  April  4, 
1714.  —  Eu3. 


1714.]  WAIT  WIKTHEOP.  289 

ble  of  N.  London  had  levied  the  execution  upon  part  of 
the  Neck  where  my  son  is,  notwithstanding  he  was  as- 
sured that  land  was  mine  and  not  M"'  Levistons,  against 
whom  the  judgment  was  obtayned  contrary  to  advice 
given  by  yo'selfe  as  well  as  others,  and  that  farther  you 
were  pleased  to  interpose  and  pay  thereupon  ten  pounds 
odd  money  in  sattisfaction  of  the  judgment  as  of  record. 
I  believe  no  man  of  law  will  justify  that  whole  proceeding, 
and  I  hold  myselfe  the  more  obliged  for  yo''  interposition 
and  friendship  therein,  and  shall  make  payment  of  so 
much  to  yo''  order  when  you  please,  or  order  my  son  to 
reimburse  you  there,  and  shall  endeaver  to  find  my  rem- 
edy against  those  that  have  don  that  wrong.  This  is  one 
of  many  hardships  I  dayly  suffer  from  ill-persons  that 
forget  the  good  servisses  don  to  the  CoUony  of  Couecticott, 
and  to  the  towne  of  New-London  in  perticuler,  by  my 
father,  my  brother,  and  my  selfe,  w"*"  their  fathers  would 
have  acknowledged.  I  hope  it  may  be  better  for  the  fu- 
ture, when  I  may  obtayne  the  justice  of  the  courts  against 
such  as  will  run  over  all  bounds  of  law  to  disturb  me  and 
my  family  in  o'  just  rights  and  possessions.  I  take  this 
matter  to  be  but  one  article  of  yo"  friendship,  and  pray 
you  will  be  assured  that  I  am 

Yo"  obliged  and  very  humble  serv*, 

W.    WiNTHKOP. 

I  give  my  hearty  service  to  yo"  good  lady. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

[Extract.] 

Boston,  Aprill  12*  1714,  Muuday. 

...  It  has  been  such  a  busy  week  with  M"  Dudley  at 
the  Laferiour  Court  that  I  have  had  no  time  with  him,  but 
now  I  hope  it  will  be  over.  Major  Franck  Wainwright's 
eldest  daughter  died  suddainly  last  week,   and  is  to  be 


290  THE   VriNXnEOP   papers.  [1714. 

buried  tomorrow ;  I  think  well  and  dead  in  24  howers  or 
less,  and  the  youngest  has  been  very  bad  of  a  fever  at  M'' 
Dudlys  somtime ;  I  haue  not  heard  to  day  of  her,  but  she 
has  been  very  dangerouse.  M'  Dallie,  the  French  minis- 
ter, was  married  to  M"'  Daniell  Epps  his  eldest  daughter 
Martha,  the  last  week  or  the  weeke  before,  at  Salem. 
...  I  could  not  go  out  to  tell  the  Gen"  about  his  Adju- 
tantship  today;  his  dark  was  going  off,  but  the  Gen^ 
fetcht  him  back  and  has  sworn  him  to  severall  things,  so 
the  ship  is  gon  for  Britain  and  he  has  lost  his  passage. 
There  was  an  action  against  Vetch  this  week  for  thirty 
thousand  pound  in  behalfe  of  the  Queen.  I  hope  to  send 
soon  brittle  ware  by  Willson.  I  pray  God  to  bless  and 
keep  you  all. 

Your  loving  father,  W.  Winthrop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  RICHARD  EDWARDS.* 

To  Mr  Richard  Edwards,  at  Hartford,  these. 

Boston,  May  3*,  1714. 

M"  Richard  Edwards,  —  I  have  formerly  had  experi- 
ence of  yo"  candor,  skill,  and  integrity  in  the  affairs  of  the 
law  in  yo"  courts.  I  am  therefore  encourag'd  to  crave  yof 
help  at  the  next  Court  at  New  Lond°  the  first  of  June. 
There  are  severall  cases  of  concernment,  and  I  would  pray 
you  would  not  deny  me,  having  an  entire  trust  &  depend- 
ance  on  you,  and  what  you  will  please  to  say  for  yo'  sat- 
tisfaction  shall  be  complyed  with.  I  intend  if  possible  to 
be  at  New-London  by  the  day  of  the  Court ;  however,  my 
son  has  a  generall  letter  of  atturney  from  me,  and  has  all 

»  Richard  Edwards,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  was  tlie  only  son  of  William  Edwards,  and 
was  born  in  May,  l(i47.  He  frequently  acted  as  an  attorney  before  the  General  Assembly, 
and  in  1708  was  regularly  admitted  to  the  bar.  His  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of  William 
Tiittle,  of  New  Haven,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1GB7.  He  was  divorced  from  her  in 
October,  1691,  and  subsequently  was  married  to  a  daughter  of  Hon.  John  Talcott.  He 
died  April  20,  1718.  See  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionarj-,  vol.  ii.  pp.  105,  106;  Con- 
necticut Colonial  Records,  lG89-170G,^nMm.  — Eds. 


17U.2  SAMUEL    SEWALL.  291 

the  papers  and  can  procure  the  evidences  needfull.  If 
you  can  goe,  w"'"  I  Avill  not  doubt,  I  desire  you  would  be 
at  my  son's  a  fortnight  before  the  Court,  that  yoi;  may 
have  the  better  information  of  all  things  needfull.  I  shall 
willingly  allow  to  yo"'  utmost  content.  You  not  being  at 
N.  Haven  the  last  Genr!  Court,  the  gent"  of  y®  Indian 
afilxirs  here  wrote  to  M"'  Laws,  who  then  appeared  in  be- 
halfe  of  the  poor  Indians,  and  will  doe  the  same  at  the 
next  Court  at  Hartford.  If  you  are  then  there,  and  please 
to  assist  in  that  matter,  the  genf",  I  beleiue,  will  not  be 
ungratefull.  I  desire  you  would  not  let  it  be  known  that 
you  go  to  New  London  untill  you  go.  That  matter  about 
the  Indians  is  abominable ;  I  hear  som  have  said  that  I 
concern  myself  for  them  for  my  owne  advantage,  w".""  is 
utterly  fals.  It  were  better  for  me  in  all  respects  if  it 
were  in  M'  Smith  &  Yeomans  hands,  my  tennants  com- 
plaining of  great  dammage  every  year  by  its  lying  open, 
there  being  nothing  but  a  shallow  cove  between  the  best 
of  their  mowing  ground  and  corne  fields,  whereby  the 
horses  and  cattle  do  them  great  dammage.  I  have 
knowne  it  to  be  the  Indians  right  for  threscore  years, 
and  I  hope  the  Court  will  not  be  deluded  by  two  or  three 
men  who  have  layd  a  plott  to  engross  it.  S',  yo''  kind 
answer  to  my  request  will  allwayes  oblige  me  to  serve  you 
in  what  I  am  capable,  who  am 

YoT  friend  and  servt,  W.  Winthrop- 


SAMUEL   SEWALL   TO  JONATHAN  LAW.* 

Boston,  May  3,  1714. 

M"  Jonathan  Law  :  Si',  —  My  last  to  you  was  dated  the 
8""  of  March,  undy  covert  of  M'  Pierpont.  I  am  lately  in- 
formed that  the  ord'  of  the  Generall  Court  has  not  been 

*  Printed  from  a  copy  in  the  handwriting  of  John  Winthrop.  Jonathan  Law  was  after- 
ward Chief  Justice  and  Governor  of  Connecticut.  — Eds. 


292  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1714. 

well  observed,  but  the  Indians  have  been  molested  in 
their  improvement  on  Nevvajonck.  I  earnestly  desire 
you  will  do  all  you  can  to  vindicate  them  whereinsoever 
they  are  injured.  And  I  hope  that  tho  the  natives  are  at 
present  so  thin'd  as  to  become  like  two  or  three  berries 
in  the  top  of  the  uppermost  bough,  yet  God  will  hasten 
the  time  of  their  reformation  and  increase,  and,  therefore, 
with  this  prospect  the  Hon''!'  General  Court  will  preserve 
for  them  entire  all  that  is  already  assign'd  them,  and  make 
further  additions  as  the  matter  may  require.  I  cannott 
now  add  to  wliat  I  have  formerly  written  to  his  Hono' 
Govern!  Saltonstal  and  to  the  Honr*"!*  Court.  I  leave  all 
to  yo'^  prudent  solicitation  and  pleading.  Please,  after  the 
Court,  to  lett  me  know  the  issue,  and  what  may  be  further 
necessary  for  yor  satisfaction.  I  am,  Sf, 
Yof  friend  &  serv', 

Samuell  Sewall,  Se<P. 


RICHARD   EDWARDS   TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
To  John  Winthrope,  Esqui'i,  in  New  London. 

Hartford,  May  19*,  1714. 

Honour"  S%  —  I  reed  by  Capt.  Avery  a  letter  from 
your  honourable  father,  &  also  one  from  your  selfe,  relate- 
ing  to  the  Pequot  Indians  complaint,  also  some  papers 
from  M"'  Law,  concerning  the  same  afliire;  &  according  to 
the  best  of  my  abillity  have  laid  the  matter  before  y* 
Gen'.'  Assembly,  &  have  used  all  the  skill  &  intrest  y'  I 
could  possibly  do  in  their  behalf,  but  to  very  little  pur- 
pose, as  Capt.  Avery  will  more  fully  inform  you.  I  do 
intend,  as  soon  as  I  can,  to  send  you  a  copye  of  the  Court 
Act,  such  as  it  is.  Upon  your  desire  I  had  fully  intended 
to  wate  upon  you  y°  next  week  at  New  London,  but 
Providence  seems  to  put  a  stop  to  my  intended  jurny,  my 
wife  being  exceeding  sick  &  like  to  dye.     I  fear  she  will 


1714.]  PAUL   DUDLEY.  293 

not  live  many  dayes,  &  my  selfe  so  ill  that  I  can  hardly 
hold  y°  pen  to  write.     I  should  have  been  very  glad  to 
have  served  you  if  not  prevented  by  Providence ;  which, 
with  my  humble  service,  is  all  at  p'sent  from,  S% 
Your  most  humble  serv", 

EiCH?  Edwards. 


PAUL  DUDLEY  TO  MRS.  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  24*  May,  1714. 

Dear  Sister,  — I  am  very  much  surprized  and  troubled 
at  your  letters  to  my  father  and  to  me.  I  have  never, 
that  I  know  of,  been  guilty  of  any  unkindness,  much  less 
injustice,  to  you  or  M'  Winthrop.  I  have,  ever  since  the 
death  of  my  dear  daughter,  told  your  father  Winthrop 
that  I  should  not  be  able  to  goe  to  New  London,  and  ad- 
vised him  to  secure  somebody  else;  and  accordingly  he 
has  been  in  treaty  with  M'  Newton  first,  and  then  with 
M'  Remington,  but  without  success,  tho  finally  he  has 
prevailed  upon  Cap*  Fullam,  who,  I  believe,  will  be  able 
to  do  M'  Winthrop  as  much  service  in  your  New  London 
courts  as  I  could  doe  myself,  and  more  too,  for  he  can  ac- 
comodate himself  to  these  sort  of  men  better  than  some 
others.  He  is  a  very  worthy,  sensible  man,  and  you  may 
depend  on  his  integrity.*  You  seem  to  be  sorry  that  I  don't 
come,  but  I  am  much  more  so  that  your  father  Winthrop 
does  not  think  it  his  duty  and  interest  to  be  there  himself. 

*  In  a  letter  to  his  son,  May  14,  Wait  Wintlirop  thus  describes  the  difficult}'  he  had 
met  with  in  securing  competent  counsel :  "  I  am  strangl y  baulkt  about  a  lawyer.  M''  Rem- 
ington is  chosen  a  Deputy,  and  Turner  was  in  town  last  week,  but  I  saw  him  not.  Mr 
Dudley  saw  him  and  says  he  intends  to  be  at  N.  London  Court  about  his  own  business;  if 
he  be,  its  best  to  give  him  a  retayning  fee  to  keep  him  from  doing  hurt.  The  Watertown 
man  I  can  not  come  at;  I  think  he  is  a  Deputy  too.  M'  Newton  is  with  me  now,  draw- 
ing  a  writ  for  Rogers,  and  would  com  if  he  were  able,  but  is  troubled  with  gravell.  Mr 
Dudley  is  gone  this  morning  to  Ipswich  Court.  M^  Valentine  is  at  Kittery  Court  and 
Ipswich,  and  Hern  is  at  Ipswich.  If  M'  Edwards  coms  not,  you  must  improve  Mr  Turner 
as  well  as  you  can  if  I  should  not  be  able  to  ride,  which  I  am  doubtfuU  of,  having  a  sort 
of  strangury  with  pain,  as  I  wrote  you."  —  Eds. 


294  THE   WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1714. 

If  you  were  but  sensible  of  my  poor  state  of  health  at  pres- 
ent, and  the  sorrows  that  my  wife  and  I  yet  labour  under, 
you  would  hardly  ask  me  to  undertake  such  a  journey  so 
soon  ;  but  if  you  did,  I  dare  not  doe  it.  I  shold  be  very 
glad  those  you  contend  with  would  find  good  security  and 
referr  their  matters  to  arbitration.  But  if  not,  and  you 
think  yourselves  wronged  by  any  judm'  of  this  court,  you 
must  appeal  to  your  Superior  Court.  After  all,  I  can't  be 
of  opinion  that  your  all,  or  anything  like  it,  lyes  at  stake. 
However,  tis  too  much  to  loose.  I  pray  God  to  give 
a  good  issue  to  all  your  fears  and  troubles ;  but  you  must 
expect  to  meet  with  a  great  many  in  an  evil  world.  Tell 
M'  Winthrop  I  shall  this  week  receive  thirty  pounds  for 
him  of  D"'  Cutler,  as  he  is  administrator  to  Cap'  Boult's 
estate  ;  let  me  have  your  order  what  to  do  with  it.  I  am 
glad  to  hear  of  your  life  and  health,  &  of  your  children. 
God  in  mercy  continue  them  to  you !  I  am 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

Paul  Dudley. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  THE  GENERAL  COURT  OF 
MASSACHUSETTS. 

To  his  Excellency  Joseph  Dudley,  Escf,  Captain  General  and  Govemonr 
in  chief  of  her  Majesty's  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New 
England,  the  Hon'''.'  her  Majesty's  Council,  and  Hepresentatit'es  in 
General  Court  assembled,  May  26'*,  1714,  the  humble  address  of  Wait 
Winthrop,  son  of  John  Winthrop,  some  time  Governour  of  Connecticut, 
deceased,  Sheweth : 

That  the  said  John  Winthrop,  in  the  year  1644,  Octob! 
30"',  had  leave  to  purchase  land  about  Tantiousques, 
where  the  Black  Lead  Mine  is,  as  is  of  record  in  the  Book 
of  this  Province ;  which  was  also  given  under  the  seal  of 
the  late  Corporation  of  the  Massachusett,  signed  John 
Endicot,  Governour ;  which  grant  and  allowance  to  pur- 
chase he  pursued  to  effect  the  same  year,  as  by  deeds  doth 
appear  more  particularly  :  one  deed  dated  the  6'!"  Octof, 


1714.]  SAMUEL   SEWALL.  295 

1644,  signed  "Webuskhum,  and  a  confirmation  on  the  ll"" 
November,  1644,  signed  Nodovvahunt ;  also  another  deed 
of  confirmation  signed  Nascomy,  son  and  heir  to  Webusk- 
hum, dated  T.'  March,  1658.  Accordingly  imj^rovements 
were  made  at  said  Tantiousques  for  many  years  since, 
now  since  discontinued  by  reason  of  the  war.  By  all  which 
it  doth  appear  your  petitioner  has  a  just  right  to  ten  miles 
square  round  the  said  Black  Lead  Hill,  and  is  now  desir- 
ous that  Cap'  Chandler  may  be  impowered  to  survey  the 
said  tract  of  ten  miles  square  to  be  to  your  petitioner  and 
his  heirs,  and  the  place  may  be  of  record,  that  any  new 
grant  may  Bot  be  laid  upon  the  same  land. 

And  your  petitioner  shall  pray,  &c. 

Wait  Winthrop. 
June  23,  1714.     In  Council,  read  and  recommended. 


SAMUEL  SEWALL   TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
For  John  Wintkrop,  Esq',  at  New-London. 

Mont-Real,  June  1,  1714. 
Sir,  —  ...  I  think  the  time  here  very  long.  There  has  been 
a  great  mortality  of  children,  by  a  cold  attended  with  a  terrible 
cough.  As  for  my  self,  it  is  the  pleasui'e  of  an  holy  God  to  exer- 
cise me  with  sorrow  upon  sorrow.  It  was  not  till  Hartford  elec- 
tion-day that  I  could  see  my  child.  And  she  is  yet  obstinatly 
resolved  to  live  and  dye  here,  and  will  not  so  much  as  give  me 
one  pleasant  look.  It's  beyond  my  ability,  in  the  contents  of  a 
letter,  to  make  you  understand  how  ours  here  are  besotted.  We 
are  like  to  be  vei'y  unsuccessfull.  We  take  all  the  best  methods 
we  can,  and  put  on  all  the  patience  we  have ;  but  tlie  English 
are  so  naturalized  to  the  customs  and  manners  of  the  French 
and  Indians,  and  have  forgotten  the  English  tongue,  and  are  so 
many  of  them  married,  or  gotten  into  nunneries,  &c.,  that  I  think 
it  would  be  far  easier  to  gain  twice  the  number  of  French  and 
Indians  to  go  with  us  than  English.  Governour  Vaudrel  contin- 
ues very  courteous  to  us.  I  beg  your  prayers.  .  .  .  We  need  all 
your  prayers. 

John  Williams. 


296  THE  WTNTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1714. 

Boston,  July  17,  1714. 

Sir,  —  The  above-written  is  extract  of  M!"  William's 
letter  to  me,  lately  brought  over  the  lake.*  You  have  the 
pity  of  a  father,  and  therefore  I  coiiinnicat  it  to  you.  I 
congratulate  you  on  the  account  of  the  increase  of  your 
family.  If  your  children  are  all  of  one  sex,  the  soveraignty 
of  God  is  therein  to  be  seen  and  adored.  May  all  your 
five  daughters  be  espoused  to  Christ,  who  is  alive  and 
was  dead,  and  behold  He  hves  for  evermore,  Amen,  and 
has  the  keys. 

We  have  had  several  refreshing  showers  of  late,  and  yet 
we  are  still  under  the  affliction  of  a  parching  drought. 
Yesterday  we  had  an  extraordinary  flash  of  lightening 
and  loud  clap  of  thunder.  The  smartness  and  sudden- 
ness of  it  rendred  it  the  more  awfull.  It  was  single, 
without  any  precedent  or  subsequent  noise.  2  p.m.  Col. 
Vetche's  newly  purchased  house,  y'  is  transforming,  was 
smitten  with  it,  the  kitchen-part  that  points  towards  Pol- 
lard's. The  principal  rafter  next  the  end  of  the  building 
was  split  from  the  top  to  the  purloin.  Some  clapboards 
were  stricken  off,  and  most  of  the  others  losened  ;  the  ciel- 
ing  of  the  end-wall  was  in  several  places  ploughd  off.  A 
sash  window  at  that  end  was  lift  up,  and  one  square  broken. 
Two  boys  were  knockd  down  by  the  dresser.  It  must 
be  the  more  sad  to  Madam  Vetch,  because  she  is  just 
removing  thither,  tho'  the  work  be  not  finished.  You 
will  assist  me  in  blessing  God,  in  that  I  have  so  often 
heard  His  terrible  voice  in  the  thunder,  and  yet  am  still 
breathing ! 

M^  Nick.  Eoberts  imdertook  a  voyage  to  Carthagena, 
and  not  finding  the  Spanish  Govemour  there,  was  forcd 

•  Rev.  John  Williams,  minister  of  DeerfieM,  and  nulhor  of  "  The  Redeemed  Captive," 
waa  carried  a  prisoner  to  Montreal  in  Feliniary,  1704,  and  was  released  in  Octolier.  ITflR. 
The  dauphtcr,  Eunice,  referred  to  in  his  letter  became  a  Roman  Catholic,  and  was  finally 
tnarried  to  an  Indian  husband.  See  Palfrey's  History  of  New  Enirland.  vol.  iv.  pp. 
2fi2-2G4.  For  a  letter  from  Mr.  Williams  to  Mrs.  John  Livingston,  written  while  he  wai 
in  captivity,  see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  p.  296.  —  Eds. 


1714.]  WATT   WINTHEOP.  297 

thence  to  Jamaica  with  loss  (his  flower  sowering  xipon  his 
hands),  and  there  died  the  24'"  of  May  last. 

Benjamin  Ijarnell,  a  jun"'  sophister,  is  in  the  vacancy  at 
my  house.  He  is  now  sick  of  a  fever.  If  any  thing  occurs, 
pray  send  me  word  how  the  election  was  managed  at 
Cambridge  in  the  year  1637,  and  at  what  time  Henry 
Vane,  Esq!  went  off  to  England.  It  began  to  rain  liere 
(July  19)  about  11  last  night,  and  raind  throughout  the 
night,  as  I  am  informed.  It  is  a  great  mercy  after  so  sore 
a  drought.  With  my  service  to  Madam  Winthrop,  I  take 
leave,  who  am,  Sir, 

Your  friend  &  humble  serv', 

Samuel  Sewall. 

My  son,  M'  Joseph  Sewall,  presents  his  service  to  you, 
with  thankfull  acknowledgment  of  your  respectfull  re- 
membrance of  him. 

M'.  John  Winthrop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP   TO  THE  GENERAL  COURT  OF 
MASSACHUSETTS.* 

[August,  1714?] 

To,  &c. 

The  memoriall  and  representation  of  W.  Winthrop 
humbly  sheweth  that  in  the  year  1644  your  memorialist's 
father  had  liberty  from  the  Gen*^  Court  of  the  late  Masa- 
chusets  Collony  to  purchase  lands  at  the  black-lead  mines 
at  a  place  called  Tantiusque,  about  60  miles  westward 
from  this  place,  and  accordingly  he  made  purchase  (of  the 
known  Indian  Sachem  &  confirmed  after  his  death  by  his 
son)  of  ten  miles  every  way  from  s^  mine  in  the  year 
above  s^,  and  soon  after  made  considerable  improvment 
there  by  opening  s*  mine  and  building  and  keping  con- 
siderable stock  there,  the  remains  of  two  stone  buildings 

*  Printed  from  a  rough  draft,  with  many  interlineations,  and  probably  unfinished.  It 
is  not  signed.  —  Eds. 


298  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1714. 

being  yet  standing  there,  which,  by  reason  of  the  long  warr 
and  trouble  from  the  Indians,  haue  gon  to  decay,  and  all 
iraproumeiits  haue  been  discontinued  there  ;  and  whereas 
your  memorialist's  father,  in  the  years  1661-2  -  and  3, 
when  he  was  in  England  to  procure  Conecticott  Charter, 
not  hauing  credit  from  said  Collony  that  would  passe  there, 
was  forced  to  take  up  mony  by  mortgaging  his  own  land 
for  a  considerable  value,  amongst  which  was  the  land  about 
the  lead-mine,  —  all  which  your  memorialist  has  been 
forced  to  redeem  to  a  great  value,  not  doubting  but  that 
he  had  a  good  title,  as  well  by  his  deeds  purchased  by  the 
approbation  of  the  Government  and  more  than  60  years 
possession,  as  also  strengthened  by  confirmation  of  the 
present  Eoyall  Charter ;  and  wlieras  your  memorialist 
some  time  since,  understanding  that  there  were  severall 
grants  from  this  Court  of  lands  to  be  layd  out,  did  petition 
this  Hon"*  Court  that  they  would  appoint  a  surveyer  to 
run  the  bounds  of  these  lands  at  Tantiusque  before  those 
other  grants  were  layd  out,  that  so  they  might  not  enter- 
fere  on  sayd  lands,  and  the  Honorable  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives being  pleased  so  farr  to  favour  your  memorialist 
as  to  admitt  him  to  be  heard  on  his  petition  before  them, 
when  amongst  other  discours  he  said  he  did  not  desire  to 
ingross  all  that  land  to  himselfe,  but  should  be  willing 
that  som  good  people  should  haue  it  that  the  wilderness 
might  be  setled  the  sooner  (as  he  had  done  for  N.  Rox- 
bury  and  other  places),  but  that  he  should  be  desirous  to 
keep  about  six  miles  square,  which  would  make  a  small 
plantation  or  township  which  he  would  endevour  the  set- 
tlement of  himself  as  soon  as  he  could.  Upon  this  con- 
cession they  were  pleased  to  pass  a  voat  that  a  surveyer 
should  lay  out  to  him  fowr  miles  square,  including  the 
lead-mine  (which  the  Upper  Hous  were  pleased  to  pass 
also) ;  and  although  it  was  short  of  my  proposall,  and  but 
a  smale  thing  with  respect  to  the  contents  of  the  pur- 
chase, which  is  ten  miles  every  way  from  the  mines,  yet  I 


1714.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  299 

ordered  n  survey  to  be  made  accordingly  which  has  cost 
me  nere  twenty  pomids.  I  was  in  hopes  thay  would  haue 
found  the  land  next  Quinabaug  Eiver  (which  is  not  very 
far  eastward  of  the  mine)  and  the  Collony  line  (which  is 
not  very  far  southward  of  the  mine)  to  haue  been  good  or 
tollerably  good  land,  and  haue  laid  it  out  tliere ;  but  upon 
their  view  they  found  nothing  between  the  mine  and  the 
river,  as  also  between  the  mine  &  the  Collony  line  noth- 
ing but  mountains  &  rox,  not  improuable  and  scarce  worth 
anything ;  wherupon  thay  layd  it  out  in  a  sort  of  a  ti'i- 
angular  square,  that  they  might  take  in  som  good  land 
with  a  great  deale  of  bad,  and  thought  as  long  as  it  tooke 
no  more  then  the  quantity  of  fowr  miles  square,  it  might 
answare  the  intention,  it  being  all  within  the  said  purchase 
and  granted  to  nobody  else,  —  which  survey  was  laid  be- 
fore this  Hon"''''  Court,  the  survayer  and  chainmen  being 
under  oath,  your  memorialist  hoping  it  would  haue  been 
satisfactory  to  the  Hon""  Court ;  but  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives were  pleased  not  to  be  satisfied  with  it,  inasmuch 
as  it  was  not  laid  in  a  square.  The  Representative  of 
Springfield  also  supposing  it  to  com  within  the  thre  miles 
which  they  desired  this  Court  to  ad  to  the  eight  miles  to 
inlarg  their  new  plantation  of  Brimfield,  your  memorialist 
supposes  might  be  som  consideration  with  the  Court  to 
defer  their  approbation  of  that  matter. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  Sept^'  13'>,  1714. 

Dear  Son,  —  The  great  and  good  God,  and  in  Jesus 
Christ  our  mercyfull  and  Hevenly  Father,  commands  us 
to  be  still  and  know  that  he  is  God.  This  wonderfull 
Jehovah,  who  gaue  you  and  us  the  sweet  babe  that  came 
to  smile  upon  us,  has  been  pleased  to  take  it  to  himselfe 
again  to  those  eternall  mantions  of  glory  which  eye  hath 


300  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1714. 

not  seen  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man  to  conceive  of.*  And  now  let  us  with  hum- 
ble submition  be  silent  under  the  soverain  good  plesure  of 
that  God  who  does  every  thing  for  the  best.  Let  us  not 
say,  if  this  had  been  avoyded,  or  that  had  been  don,  it 
might  haue  been  otherwise.  No ;  God's  holy  will  is  re- 
veled ;  therfore  let  us  say  with  him,  The  Lord  giues 
and  the  Lord  takes  away,  and  blessed  be  his  name.  And 
let  us  be  thankfuU  that  he  has  spared  any  of  us  when  in 
any  danger.  He  has  yet  left  you  fower  sweet  babes,  and 
I  pray  and  hope  for  his  blessing  on  them.  The  circum- 
stances of  every  thing  can  not  be  written  now.  It  left  us 
yesterday,  about  fiue  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon,  at 
the  Govi'nours.  I  would  fain  haue  had  it  home  when  I 
wrote  to  you,  but  every  body  thought  it  would  be  safer 
to  stay  a  day  or  two,  and  then  it  was  not  safe  to  remoue 
it.  You  may  be  sattisfyed  nothing  has  been  wanting  that 
could  be  don  for  it  night  or  day.  Your  mother  and  I 
haue  been  almost  allways  with  it.  Your  wife  and  I  came 
hither  with  the  Govf  in  his  coach  but  just  now,  and  the 
babe  came  in  our  coach  with  Madam  Dudly  and  your 
mother.  It  is  intended  to  be  layd  into  the  tomb  tomor- 
row about  this  time,  as  decently  as  may  be.f  We  knew 
you  could  not  leaue  the  rest  to  com  to  us ;  every  body 
thought  it  best  not  to  send  for  you.  We  shall  all  meet 
in  Heaven  at  last,  I  hope ;  I  can  say  nothing  now  about 
anything  elce.      We  had  D'  Clark  and  Noyce  with  it 

»  Mrs.  John  Winthrop  had  gone  on  a  visit  to  her  father,  Governor  Dudley,  at  Roxbury, 
taking  with  her  her  youngest  child,  Elizabeth,  then  about  five  months  old.  The  death  of 
this  infant,  after  a  short  illness,  is  here  communicated  to  its  father  in  New  London.  His 
sorrowful  answer  is  omitted.  —  Eds. 

t  This  refers  to  the  Winthrop  tomb  in  King's  Chapel  gravej-ard,  for  which  see  6  Mass. 
Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  p.  410.  In  it  had  been  buried,  a  few  weeks  before,  Nicholas  Winthrop 
Lechmere,  an  infant  son  of  Thomas  Lechmere,  as  mentioned  in  one  of  Wait  Winthrop's 
omitted  letters.  John  Wintlirop,  who  had  a  pronounced  taste  for  versifying,  took  the  occa- 
sion of  this  second  interment  to  send  home  the  two  following  lines,  which  are  less  insipid 
than  most  of  his  productions:  — 

"  Kest  then,  dew  babe,  in  thy  Fopefethers'  Urn  ; 
When  Christ  comes  baek,  thou  wilt  with  UUn  return  !  " 


1714.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  301 

severall  times ;  D''  Noyce  stay!*  with  us  yesterday  till  it 
de]3arted.     I  pray  God  prepare  us  also. 

Your  louing  and  sorrowfull  father, 

W.  WiNTHROP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

For  M'  John  Winthrop,  New  London. 

Boston,  S"--  11*,  1714. 

Dear  Sok,  —  Capt.  Fullam  came  to  me  last  Thursday 
with  your  letter  aud  the  papers,  and  I  haue  that  by  the 
post.  I  thank  God  for  his  continued  favour  to  you  all 
there  and  here.  I  haue  been  very  full  of  pain  since  my 
last,  but  am  better  now,  I  bless  God.  It  rains  hard  now, 
and  I  doubt  the  wether  will  gi'ow  cold,  so  that  I  doubt 
much  whether  I  shall  be  able  to  bare  a  jorny  before  win- 
ter, and  it  seems  to  be  late  in  the  year  to  go  by  water,  so 
that  if  you  can  com,  the  sooner  the  better,  if  you  can  leaue 
the  fimily  with  safty. 

I  haue  at  last  met  with  a  miller,  which  I  hope  will  proue 
extraordinary  for  that  and  anything  else  about  the  house  ; 
he  must  be  treated  not  as  an  ordinary  servant,  but  as  one 
that  deserues  well,  which,  if  I  mistake  not,  he  will  do,  if 
you  be  not  rash  and  angry  on  every  little  occation,  but 
overlook  little  mistakes,  if  any.  He  came  in  a  Bristoll 
ship  with  severall  other  servants ;  I  give  15"''  for  him  for 
4  \ears ;  his  indenters  are  assigned  to  me  and  to  you. 
There  is  an  other  miller,  a  young  fellow,  and  severall  other 
likly  fellows,  one  smith,  som  husbandmen,  a  fuller,  a  car- 
penter, a  tayler,  and  som  young  lads.  I  think  to  take 
an  other,  or  two  of  them ;  if  I  do,  I  can  have  them  20  or 
40  shillings  cheaper.  His  name  is  Thomas  Bram ;  he  has 
bin  with  me  som  days,  seems  to  be  a  sober,  considerate 
fellow,  is  between  30  and  40  years.  He  says  there  are 
som  on  bord  will  make  very  good  servants.     I  am  at  a 


302  THE  WIXTHEOP  PAPERS.         [1714-15. 

loss  how  to  get  him  thither ;  here  is  Wyar's  sloop  will 
go  in  about  a  week,  but  I  had  rather  he  should  go  by 
land  if  I  could  find  a  hors  for  him  ;  if  I  get  any  other, 
thay  must  go  by  water.  There  is  no  weraen  abord.  I 
think  Hedge  is  gon,  and  I  mist  puting  any  thing  on  bord 
him,  but  shall  put  4  or  5  barrill  of  our  salt,  a  firkin  with 
cocoa,  &c.,  and  som  other  things  on  bord  him,  as  a  little 
wine,  a  long  brush  your  wife  left.  In  the  firkin  is  27"''  of 
cocoanuts  and  nine  cakes  made  up  which  your  wife  left 
also,  six  pounds  raysons,  4  of  currants,  2  of  figgs.  You  say 
Salmon  speaks  of  bathing  with  power  of  amber  ;  should  it 
not  be  with  spirit  or  oyle  of  amber  ?  If  you  com  you  '1 
bring  the  watch  or  send  it  by  som  carfull  hand  ;  the  man 
has  glasses  to  put  in  it.  Here  is  an  Irish  ship  with  ser- 
vants ;  shall  enquire  about  a  woman,  if  your  mayd  dont  do 
well.  I  am  troubled  about  Lisse.  Let  her  not  want  any- 
thing. If  M''  Havens  or  any  body  want  servant,  here  is 
choyse  at  present.  I  had  but  little  time  with  Cap'°  Ful- 
1am,  but  shall  consider  that  whole  matter.  I  long  to  see 
the  poor  children.    Loue  to  every  body. 

Your  loving  father,  W.  Winthrop. 

Why  will  not  M'  Havens  or  som  of  them  com  to  me ; 
they  '1  send  no  butter  till  late. 


JOHN    BULKLEY    TO   JOHN    WINTHROP.* 

To  the  Worshipf'f  John  Winthrop,  Esq";  dcUv'. 

Colchester,  Janr.  10,  1714-15. 

WoRsniPF'-''  S",  —  These  come  to  bring  my  best  regards 
to  y'self  &  lady,  &  withall  to  acquaint  you  how  impatient 
I  am  under  my  long  absence  from  you,  whose  conversation 

•  Rev.  John  Bulklcy  (Harv.  Coll.,  1699),  first  minister  of  Colchester,  Conn.,  was  a 
younger  son  of  Rev.  Gershom  Bull<Iey,  of  Glastonbury,  and  a  grandson  of  Rer.  Peter 
Bulkley,  of  Concord,  Mass.    See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet.  vol.  i.  p.  290.  —  Eds. 


1711-15.]  COMMISSION   OF   WAIT   WINTHROP.  303 

I  cant  but  esteem  &  honour.  I  have  endured  a  long  con- 
finement here  in  _y°  wilderness,  secluded  (I  had  almost  said) 
from  y*  company  of  mankind  ;  y"  reason  of  w''^  has  been 
a  want  of  y'  necessary  engine,  I  mean  an  horse,  or  rather 
my  inability  to  get  one.  I  did  before  winter  flatter  my- 
self with  hopes  of  waiting  upon  you  here,  but  begin  now 
to  despair  of  y',  or  indeed  of  ever  seeing  you  unless  at 
y'  own  house,  being  lately  informed  y'  such  is  y'  retire- 
ment from  y°  world  y'  you  are  rarely  to  be  seen  else- 
where. However,  under  y'  infelicity  I  comfort  myself 
w'l"  these  assurances,  viz.,  that  y''  great  retirement  is  not 
for  naught,  &  y'  it  will  produce  some  noble  discoveries  in 
y"  Arcana  of  y^  chymists,  w".''  I  promise  myself  y''  candour 
will  oblige  you  to  communicate  when  I  shall  be  so  happy 
as  to  see  you  again.  S',  it  is  now  neer  y"  eleventh  hour 
of  y^  night ;  I  may  not  add,  but  with  service  to  y''self  & 
lady,  I  am 

Y'  very  humble  serv', 

Jn"  Bulkley. 


COMMISSION  OF  WAIT  WINTHROP  AS  CHIEF   JUSTICE.^ 


I  gp^^j^_  I  George,  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain, 
' — -—J  France,  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith.  To  our  trusty  and  welbeloved  Wait  Winthrop, 
Esq',  Greeting.     Whereas,  in  and  by  an  Act  made  and 

•  Wait  Winthrop  was  first  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  Superior  Court  in  August,  1701, 
but  served  only  one  }-ear.  He  was  appointed  again  to  the  same  post  in  February,  1707-8, 
and  continued  in  office  until  his  death,  his  commission  having  been  renewed  several  times. 
The  commission  here  printed  was  issued  after  the  appointment  of  Colonel  Burgess,  who 
never  came  over,  and  a  few  months  after  the  death  of  Queen  Anne.  After  the  arrival  of 
Governor  Shute  a  new  commission  was  issued,  signed  by  him  as  "  Captain  General  and 
Governour  in  Chief  in  and  over  our  said  Province  at  Boston,  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  De- 
cember,  in  the  third  year  of  our  reign,  Annnqe  Dom.  171(),"  and  attested  "  By  command 
of  his  Excellency,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Council,  Jos.  Marion,  Depi7 
Sees'."  This  was  probably  done  to  set  at  rest  any  doubt  as  to  the  legality  of  the  action 
of  the  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Council  in  issuing  the  former  commission.  In  the  later 
commission  the  words  which  we  have  printed  in  italics  are  omitted.  They  were  evidently 
a  careless  repetition  by  the  original  draftsman.  —  Ens. 


304  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPEKS.  [1714-15. 

passed  by  the  Great  and  General  Court  or  Assembly  of 
our  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England, 
at  their  session  begun  and  held  the  thirty  first  day  of 
May,  anno  1699,  intituled  an  Act  for  the  establishing  a 
Superiour  Court  of  Judicature,  Court  of  Assize,  and  Gen- 
eral Goale  Delivery  within  this  Province,  it  is  enacted  that 
there  shall  be  a  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature,  Court  of 
Assize,  and  General  Goal  Delivery  over  the  whole  Prov- 
ince, to  be  held  and  kept  annually  at  the  respective  times 
and  places  in  the  said  Act  mentioned  and  expressed,  by  one 
Chief  Justice  and  four  other  Justices,  to  be  appointed  and 
commissionated  for  the  same.  Any  three  of  whom  to  be  a 
quorum,  who  shall  have  cognizance  of  all  pleas,  real,  per- 
sonal, or  mixt,  as  well  all  pleas  of  the  Crown,  and  all 
matters  relating  to  the  conservation  of  the  peace  and 
punishment  of  offenders,  as  civil  causes  or  actions  between 
party  and  party,  and  between  us  and  any  of  our  subjects, 
whether  the  same  do  concern  the  realty  and  relate  to  any 
right  of  free  hold  and  inheritance,  or  whether  the  same  do 
concern  the  personalty  and  relate  to  matter  of  debt,  con- 
tract, damage,  or  personal  injury ;  and  also  all  mixt  ac- 
tions which  concern  both  realty  and  personalty,  and  re- 
late to  matter  of  debt,  contract,  damage,  or  personal  injury,  and 
also  all  mixt  actions  tvhich  concern  both  realty  and  personalty 
brouglit  before  them  by  appeal,  review,  writ  of  error,  or 
otherwise,  as  the  law  directs,  and  generally  of  all  other  mat- 
ters as  fully  and  amply  to  all  intents  and  purposes  what- 
soever as  the  Courts  of  King's  Bench,  Common  Pleas,  and 
Exchequer  within  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  have,  or 
ought  to  have,  and  in  and  by  said  Act  are  also  irapowered 
to  give  judgement  therein  and  award  execution  thereupon. 
Wee,  therefore,  reposing  special  trust  and  confidence  in  your 
loyalty,  prudence,  and  ability,  have  assigned,  constituted, 
and  appointed,  and  by  these  presents  do  assigne,  constitute, 
and  appoint  you,  the  said  "Wait  Winthrop.  to  be  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  our  said  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature^  Court  of 


1714-15.]  COMMISSIOX   OF   WAIT   WINTHROP.  305 

Assize,  and  General  Goal  Delivery  within  our  Province 
aforesaid  ;  and  do  authorize  and  impower  you  to  have,  use, 
exercise,  and  execute  all  and  singular  the  powers,  author- 
ities, and  jurisdictions  to  the  Chief  Justice  of  our  said  Court 
belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining.  And  with  other 
our  Justices  of  our  said  Courts,  or  with  any  two  of  them,  to 
hear  and  determine  all  such  causes  and  matters  as  are  by 
law  cognizeable  in  the  said  Courts,  and  to  give  judgement 
therein  and  award  execution  thereupon,  and  to  do  that 
which  to  justice  doth  appertain  according  to  law.  In 
Testimony  whereof,  wee  have  caused  the  Publick  Seal  of 
our  Province  of  the  Massachusetts.  Bay  aforesaid  to  be 
hereunto  affixed.  Witness  our  Council  of  our  said 
Province  at  the  Council  Chamber  in  Boston,  the  eigh- 
teenth day  of  February,  in  the  first  year  of  our  reign, 
Anno  que  Domini,  1714. 

Thomas   Notes.        Eltsha  Hutchinsok. 
Wm.  Tailer.     Benj*  Lynde.  Samuel  Sewall. 

John  Clark.  Joseph  Lynde. 

J.  Davenport.  E'"'  Hutchinson. 

Tho^  Hutchinson.     Penn  Townsend. 

John  Higginson. 

And*  Belcher. 

E"''  Bromfield. 

Samuel  Appleton. 

John  Gushing. 

Nath"  Norden. 

Jn°  Otis. 

John  Wheelwright. 

By  order  of  the  Council. 

Isf  Addington. 


306  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPEKS.  [1715," 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

LoND",  May  14*  1715. 

Hon*™  S",  —  In  five  weeks  &  some  days  (God  be 
thcanked),  wee  arrived  safe  here,  though  haveing  had 
terrible  weather  in  our  passage,  and  likewise  had  the 
misfortune  of  haveing  our  cabbin  windows  broke  in  by 
y^  violence  of  the  sea,  &  one  of  the  dead  lights  was  near 
doeing  some  mischeif  to  me,  the  sea  forceing  it  with  so 
much  violence  against  the  bulkhead  of  y'  cabbin  that  it 
was  splitt  thereby  from  topp  to  y^  bottom  within  a  foot  of 
my  head,  but  thro'  mercy  I  escaped.  I  have  been  to  wait 
upon  S''  Henry  Ashhurst,  son  &  heir  of  the  late  S'  Henry, 
&  have  delivered  him  yo""  letter ;  but  I  can't  perceive  he 
as  yett  inclines  to  pay  y'  mony  back  by  reason  his  fatli" 
books  are  down  in  y'  country,  &  he  now  in  the  Parlia- 
ment House,  w"''  is  now  sitting ;  but  I  shall  again  sollicite 
him  for  it,  &  if  possible  ui'ge  him  to  pay  it,  concerning 
which  I  must  begg  another  letter  to  him  on  the  said  head, 
w"**  if  you  please  to  forward  to  me  I  shall  take  care  to  for- 
ward or  deliver  to  him.  I  have  not  delivered  yo"^  letter 
as  yett  to  my  bro',  neither  y*  papers  concerning  the  mort- 
gage lands,  w"''  I  am  now  somewhat  satisfied  may  be  pro- 
cured, because  I  am  assured  no  man  in  Eng'*  has  the  like 
interest  at  Court  as  he  has.  He  does  not  only  aske  for 
anything,  but  he  iiiiediately  has  it,  so  hope  this  may  y' 
easier  be  obtained  ;  but  however  I  don't  see  why  I  should 
spend  my  time  &  my  interest  here  to  serve  those  other 
gent"  for  nothing ;  therefore  shovdd  you  hint  such  a  thing 
to  them,  perhaps  may  not  be  amiss,  but  I  leave  it  wholly 
to  you  to  act  as  you  please  therein.  I  desire,  S',  you 
would  be  pleased  to  speake  to  M'  Mico  to  send  every 
body's  acco'"  &  ballances,  by  reason  I  am  very  apprehen- 
sive of  falling  into  abundance  of  trouble  for  want  thereof, 
which  I  should  have  brought  with  me  ;  but  he  persisting 


1715.]  THOMAS    LECHMEEE.  307 

in  his  old  way  neglected  them,  &  so  I  am  forced  to  stand 
the  brunt  of  all  for  his  sake,  tho'  I  thank  God  they  seem 
to  have  a  better  opinion  of  me  then  him,  or  that  I  should 
wrong  them  of  any  thing.  But  this  by  y'  by.  Pray,  S', 
faill  not  of  following  him  hereabout,  for  I  know  not  of  any 
other  fr"*  to  stand  by  me  here  but  yo''  good  self  I  can't 
write  you  any  news  now  by  reason  of  the  disturbance  of 
my  mind  concerning  this  affair.  'Tis  now  late  at  night  & 
the  shipp's  bagg  goeing  away,  I  can't  enlarge  as  other- 
wise I  would.  ■  Interim,  I  remain,  S', 

Yo'  most  obed"  &  dutifull  son, 

Tho'  Lechmere. 

You  have  heard  of  our  new  Gov''  'ere  now.*  He  is  a 
fine  gent,  as  they  say.  I  am  to  wait  on  him  tomorrow,  not 
haveing  seen  him  as  yett  since  my  arrivall.  All  friends 
present  their  hum.  service  to  you,  I  hope  to  give  you 
an  acco"  in  a  little  time  of  some  progress  I  make  for  my 
own  advantage.  Here  are  severall  shipps  bound  for  New 
England,     I  shall  write  you  anything  offerrs. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

To  the  Hon''''  Maf  Gen"  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq:,  in  Boston, 
New  England. 

LoND",  June  7"",  1715. 

Hon""  S",  —  I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  some  days  agoe, 
then  adviseing  you  of  our  safe  arrivall  here,  as  allso  of  the 
reception  I  had  from  y^  gentlem"  M'  Mico  &  self  were  con- 
cerned ;  since  which  1  have  appeased  them  as  farr  as  lyes 
in  my  power,  &  till  further  advice  from  M'  Mico  of  their 
acco"^  &  effects  being  in  some  readiness  to  be  transmitted 
home  ;  since  which  nothing  materiall  has  happened  worth 

»  Col.  F.li«.TUB  (or  Elisha)  Bursjess  was  appointed  Governor  of  Massachusetts  in  March, 
1715,  bat  did  no.  come  over,  and  finally  sold  out  to  Samuel  Shute.  —  Eds. 


308  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1715. 

yo'  notice.  What  now  cheifly  offerrs  is,  I  have  delivered 
the  papers  concerning  y*  Narra"  lands  to  my  bro'  for  him 
to  peruse,  but  have  not  as  yett  had  any  oppertunity  of 
discourse  with  hira  concerning  it,  by  reason  he  is  so  much 
hurried  in  the  publick  affairs  that  he  has  hardly  time  to 
converse  with  any,  but  has  promised  me  to  overlooke 
them  &  do  what  lyes  in  his  power  for  us,  which  I  am  in 
great  hopes  he  will  procure  so  soon  the  affair  of  this 
Secrett  Coinittee,  or  examination  into  y°  managem"  of 
affliirs  by  y°  late  ministry,  of  w"**  coinittee  he  is  one,  be 
fully  compleated,  which,  as  tis  reported,  if  they  run  upon 
impeachments  of  the  great  men,  will  continue  some  time 
before  concluded,  because  the  debates  on  both  sides  will  be 
so  warrae.  I  wish  that  y*  gentlem"  concerned  on  both 
partys  don't  carry  their  disputes  so  high  as  to  occasion 
mischeif  among  us,  w"*"  should  be  sorry  to  see  ;  nay,  indeed, 
'tis  very  much  feared  among  us.  The  mobbs  are  on  any 
publick  occasion  ready  to  insult  y*  government,  for  which 
reason  the  malitia  are  then  allways  obliged  to  be  in  arms 
in  order  to  suppress  them  if  any  insurrection,  of  w'^''  I  have 
had  a  sufficient  proof  since  my  comeing ;  for  on  the  King's 
birthday  at  night  mobbs  on  both  partys  arose,  &  had  not 
y°  soldiers  interposed  there  might  have  great  mischeif 
been  done.  Severall  indeed  are  sent  to  Newgate  (as  'tis 
supposed)  for  treason,  &  'tis  said  it  will  go  hard  with 
them.  I  have  some  time  agoe  delivered  yo'  letter  to  S' 
Henry  Ashhurst,  who  seemed  thereupon  to  be  somewhat 
uneasie,  &  answered  me  that  he  did  not  know  any  thing 
about  the  matter,  &  further  that  he  expected  there  was 
mony  due  to  him  (as  heir  to  S'  Henry  deceased),  from  N. 
England  ;  upon  w"''  I  answered  him  you  were  not  accoun- 
table for  other  people's  debts.  S',  says  he,  I  have  not  any 
of  my  father's  books  here ;  they  are  in  the  country,  so 
can't  say  any  thing  further  to  it  as  yett.  I  have  talked 
with  M'  Read  hereabout;  who  has  been  so  kind  as  to  go 
with  me  to  S'  W°  Ashhurst  on  said  acco",  but  not  finding 


1715.]  THOMAS   LECHMEKE.  309 

him  at  home  have  appointed  another  time.  I  shall  leave 
no  stone  unturned  wliereby  I  may  be  in  any  likelyhood 
of  recovering  it,  of  which  I  shall  advise  you.  All  friends 
here  are  very  well,  &  give  their  due  respects  to  you,  & 
are  very  angry  with  me  that  I  did  not  bring  my  wife 
along  with  me,  whom  they  are  extreamly  desireous  of  see- 
ing, as  allso  the  little  ones,  but  I  have  acquainted  them 
with  y"  reason  why  I  did  not ;  *  but  I  have  very  often  such 
hard  expressions  from  them  for  not  doeing  it.  I  should 
be  very  glad  to  hear  of  all  yo'  welfixre.  Pray,  S%  forgett 
not  to  urge  M"  Mico  to  compleat  all  affairs  depend^  with 
our  principles  here,  for  they  are  now  better  satisfied  upon 
the  words  I  have  given  them,  &  fully  depend  thereon  for 
their  acco'",  &c%  &  should  they  now  be  again  dissapointed 
my  character  would  be  entirely  lost,  w"*"  (I  thank  God)  I 
have  pretty  well  recovered,  considering  how  farr  'twas 
lost.  I  shall  now  endeavour  to  maintain  it  for  y°  future. 
I  am  with  y°  tend"  of  my  most  hum.  duty  to  yo'  self  & 
lady,  begging  yo''  prayers  for  us,  Hon'''^  S"', 
Yo''  most  obed"  &  dutifull  son, 

Tho^  Lechmere. 

It  is  not  fully  known  what  great  men  will  be  im- 
peached, but  by  private  discourse  I  hear  there  are  9  in 
number.  Since  aforewritten  y*  above  coihittee  have 
delivered  in  their  report,  &  it  has  passed  y"  House  of 
Couions,  &  by  y°  votes  thereof  wee  are  informed  that  y® 
L''"  of  Oxford  &  Bollinbrooke  are  impeached  for  high  trea- 
son, kc",  &  severall  others  are  taken  into  custody,  on  the 
acco"  of  which  you  shall  have  a  moi'e  full  acco"  in  my 
next. 

*  Lechmere  was  in  a  condition  of  pecuniar}'  embarrassment,  and  had  gone  to  England 
hoping  to  secure  some  appointment  through  his  brother's  influence.  —  Eds. 


310  THE   WINTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1715. 

WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

August  y«  1«.',  1715. 

I  HAD  yours  of  July  21'.' ;  am  glad  you  got  well  home. 
I  am  much  as  I  was  when  you  went  from  hence.  I  made 
a  shift  to  get  to  Cambridg  Court  last  week  in  the  coach, 
and  on  Thursday  our  sister  Brattle  dyed  there  after  about 
a  fortnights  illness,  and  was  buryed  on  Satturday.*  I  ex- 
pect John  Weeks  this  week,  and  cannot  get  from  hence 
before  I  speak  with  him.  I  do  not  forget  the  things  in 
the  note  you  left.  Molle  went  to  Roxbury  with  the  Govf 
on  Satturday,  and  came  with  him  to-day  ;  she  is  well  and 
brisk,  and  goes  to  dancing,  &c.t  You  say  not  who  you 
sent  the  wheat  by,  or  w'  quantity.  Cap'  Fullam  is  here  ; 
he  says  he  would  have  M"'  Newton  draw  the  writs,  and  he 
Avill  goe  when  the  Court  corns ;  M'  Newton  may  draw 
them  best.  The  Gov'  is  not  yet  com  ;  I  shall  not  stay  for 
him.  I  shall  see  for  those  gines  you  mention.  If  I  can 
get  amber  pills,  shall  send  som.  Molle  sends  her  duty 
and  loue. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  Wintiirop. 

Your  mother  is  not  yet  com  from  Cambridge ;  cannot 
send  the  amber  pills,  not  knowing  the  directions  about 
them. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  7'"- 19,  1715. 

Dear  Son,  —  Jordan  left  the  little  bundle  with  Camell, 
so  could  not  get  it  till  now.  Haue  perused  the  Lanthorn 
Hill  plat ;  shall  endever  to  do  all  about  it.     This  coms  by 

»  Elizabeth  Hayman,  wife  of  Rev.  William  Brattle,  died  July  28, 1715.  See  Paige's 
History  of  Cambridge,  p.  499.  —  Eds. 

t  Mary,  eldest  daughter  of  John  Winthrop,  then  seven  years  old;  afterward  the  wife 
of  Gov.  Joseph  Wanton,  of  Rhode  Island,  many  of  whose  letters  are  among  the  later  Win- 
throp papers.  —  Ed8. 


1715.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  311 

one  that  came  with  M"  Goit's  son  Satterday  last.  I  am  fit- 
ing  the  coach  to  get  to  you,  if  possible.  I  sent  the  jugg  of 
Canary  last  week  by  M'  Mulford's  son,*  with  whom  went 
M"  Chauncy,  and  I  got  her  to  put  a  looking-glass  into  her 
trunk  for  you;  it's  something  too  good  for  the  island 
apartment,  it  cost  20!  Other  things  will  com  as  soon  as 
may  be.  Its  best  not  to  neglect  going  about  the  lead- 
mine  business,  tho  I  should  not  be  got  to  you  before  ;  if 
any  great  cedar  swamp  lyes  in  the  best  land,  tis  best  to 
take  it  in.  M""  JefFerys  and  young  Belcher  and  Doctor 
Noyce's  wife  gon  for  England  last  week.  John  "Weeks 
was  here  ;  brought  me  a  little,  and  has  given  me  1,000"'- 
bond  for  the  rest  and  this  growing  yeare.  All  friends  well. 
Your  sister  had  a  letter  from  her  husband  ;  the  man  that 
brought  it  told  her  his  brother  was  Atturny  Gen"  and  to 
be  Lord  Chancellor.  Mary  is  well  and  brisk  ;  sends  duty 
and  love  ;  keeps  to  scoole.  I  hope  Hamblin  will  put  in 
to  you  ;  shall  get  M''  Newton  to  finish  writs  this  week. 
The  smale  pox  has  been  kept  from  us  by  God's  good  Provi- 
dence hitherto.  A  negro  that  came  in  a  vessell  from  Bar- 
bados was  taken  at  the  North  End,  but  order  was  taken 
presently  to  remove  her  to  Aple  Island.  All  elce  have 
been  well  ever  since.  I  must  not  enlarge,  least  I  loose 
the  opertunity.  M'  Duiiier  buried  his  wife  last  week.f 
I  assisted  at  her  funerall.  I  cannot  speak  with  him 
to  send  word  by  this,  but  shall  take  first  opertunity; 
I  believe  it  may  be  that  man  you  write  of.  Its  best  to 
be  wary  if  you  should  see  him,  which  I  know  not  any 
advantage  in. 

Your  loving  father, 

W.   WlNTHROP. 

*  There  is  iint  infrequent  mention  of  these  jugs  of  Canary  ;  but  on  one  occasion  the 
writer  sends  his  son  "  a  great  jugg  of  rich  Passado,  which  with  a  sutable  mixture  of  green 
wine  will  make  better  Canary  than  any  to  be  had  here."  —  Eds. 

t  This  was  Ann,  daughter  of  Joshua  Atw.ater,  and  wife  of  Jeremiah  Dummer,  father  of 
Jeremy  and  William  Dummer.  She  died  Sept.  Ifi,  1715.  Her  son  William  married,  April 
20,  1714,  Katharine,  one  of  the  daughters  of  .Joseph  Dudley,  and  a  younger  sister  of  Ann, 
wife  of  John  Winthrop.  See  Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary,  vol.  i.  p.  77;  vol.  ii.  p.  76; 
also  post,  p.  327.  —  Eds. 


312  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1715. 

WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  7<"  26"',  1715. 

Dear  Son,  —  The  inclosed  was  intended  by  one  who 
said  he  would  again,  but  mist.  I  haue  been  very  uneasy 
the  last  week  that  could  not  go  about  any  business,  but 
(I  bless  the  Lord)  am  much  easier  now.*  I  was  allmost 
discouraged  then  about  my  geting  to  you  this  fall ;  hope 
now,  if  the  wether  be  good,  to  try  what  I  can  be  able  to 
do,  and  will  not  delay  farther  then  a  week  or  two,  if  I  can 
help  it.  M'  Newton  promised  to  com  to  me  last  week, 
but  failed  ;  so  I  intend  to  go  to  him  tomorrow.  I  was  at 
M'  Pims,  who  has  bin  ill,  and  this  morning  he  came  to  me 
for  a  does  of  s',  and  desired  I  would  com  this  afternoon  to 
try  that  instrument  on  his  wharfe,  which  I  intend.  I  hope 
he  will  lend  it  for  a  while  ;  if  not,  I  must  do  as  he  will,  or 
treat  with  the  other  blade  for  one  of  his.  The  soldiers 
coats  are  all  gon.  I  could  not  goe  out  the  last  week  for 
others,  but  intend  it  now.  The  ginnes  are  all  gon  but 
these  I  send  you,  with  two  rings,  and  some  sets  of  shirt 
buttons,  which  look  too  well  for  them.  Tis  best  to  keep 
the  green  ones.  I  send  herewith  the  Courts  order  about 
the  land  at  Tantiusques.  You  must  not  faile,  if  health 
will  permit,  to  agree  with  Chandler  and  go  with  him  about 
that  land.  Our  Gen"  Court  will  sit  towards  the  latter  end 
of  October,  when  the  return  with  the  platt  of  it  is  to  be 
made.  Its  must  be  incerted  on  the  platt  that  tlie  survayor 
and  chainmen  were  sworn  before  a  justice,  before  it  be 
return'd.  Thay  always  alow  in  surveying  for  the  uneven- 
ness  of  the  land  so  many  rod  to  a  mile,  and  where  its 
mountainnous  a  great  deale  in  proportion,  which  the  men 
must  imderstand.  Its  best  to  include  the  pond  just  before 
the  mine  to  the  eastward  of  it.  Thay  say  there  is  a  man 
lives  within  two  or  thre  mile  of  the  mine  in  the  rhoad 

*  In  a  letter  of  a  few  weeks  before  he  had  described  himself  as  "  very  much  rcleived  by 
a  strong  niinerall  water  out  of  a  well  here,  that  I  think  is  better  than  Linn  Spring,  or  any 
of  the  rest."  —  Eds. 


1715.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  313 

that  goes  from  N.  Roxbury  to  Springfeild  or  Enfeild  or 
that  way,  where  you  may  lodg  when  you  take  a  veiw 
of  the  land  ;  its  like  he  can  tell  you  where  the  best  of 
the  land  lyes,  or  swamps  or  ponds  or  rivers.  Its  said 
he  bought  of  Maj'  Fitch,  but  doubts  his  title.  Its  best  to 
encourage  hira,  if  he  will  be  servisable  and  he  fall  within 
us.  If  you  go  by  Plainfeild,  you'le  not  get  over 
Quinabauge  River  without  a  canoo.  Its  best  to  get  M'' 
Smith  with  you  if  you  can ;  but  its  better  to  send  hira 
word  to  meet  you  then  to  go  so  farr  out  of  the  way ;  and 
it  will  be  best  to  keep  close  to  Chandler  and  go  with  him  ; 
and  you  may  return  by  Plainfeild,  and  speake  with  them 
about  the  other  matter.  Let  them  know  I  hope  to  be  at 
N.  London,  and  must  see  them  there.  I  send  the  Duch- 
nian's  paper,  but  say  nothing  to  him  till  I  com,  if  he  will 
not  be  gon.  Thers  a  difficulty  about  the  profe  of  it ;  but 
he'le  redily  own  it  to  me,  therfore  speak  freindly  to  him. 
You  have  Fullers  agrement  about  Tarpolin  Cove,  which 
you  must  send  now.  The  other  things  you  wrote  for  I'le 
get  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Her's  a  secretary  com,  one  Woodard,  says  the  Gov' 
was  to  sayle  in  a  month ;  he  brought  a  coiiiission  for 
Tayler,  who  presently  demanded  the  Gov™^"',  but  cant 
haue  it  unless  the  Gov''  com.  The  Secretary  says  thay 
were  apprehensive  about  the  Pretender,  and  severall 
regements  raised.  Your  sister  had  a  letter,  her  husband 
coins  not  this  whiter ;  the  banck  like  to  be  established. 
Mary  sends  her  duty  and  loue,  is  brisk  and  easy.  Her's 
no  infection  (God  be  thanked),  but  a  gen"  healthy  time. 
M'  Bridg  the  minister  dj^ed  this  day,*  as  I  just  now  heard  ; 
he  has  lain  severall  days  in  a  sort  of  an  apoplexy.  I  pray 
God  to  keep  and  bless  you  all,  and  us  also. 
Your  louing  father. 

Wait  Wintheop. 

Send  a  little  rubila. 

*  Rev.  Thomas  Bridge,  minister  of  the  First  Church.  —  Eds. 
40 


314  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1715. 


HEZEKIAH  USHER  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.* 
To  M"  John   Winthrop,  Present,  New  London. 

WoRSHiPFULL  S%  —  If  I  had  any  thing  till  now,  I  should 
have  wrote  an  answer  to  your  kind  letter.  Before  now 
I  had  nothing  ;  now  I  have,  I  do  supose  you  will  say 
tis  good  for  nothing.  Two  or  three  ships  is  come  from 
old  England,  and  they  say  old  Lewis  is  dead ;  f  the  Duke 
of  Orleans  is  Regent ;  that  is,  I  supose  he  is  to  govern  as 
we  interprete  it  among  us  at  the  Bay.  The  new  king 
is  but  six  year  old.  They  have  dayly  had  expectation 
of  the  Pretender  landing  in  England,  and  have  fitted  60 
sail  of  men  of  war  and  an  army  to  receive  him  when  he 
comes.  They  say  he  is  to  come  by  the  way  of  Spain,  and 
not  from  France. 

Oxford  was  to  be  tryed  a  few  days  after  they  saild. 
Ormond,  Strafford,  Leeds,  Peterborough  was  run  away  to 
there  old  master;  but  they  arrived  just  soon  enough  for 
his  funerall. 

There  is  a  bill  of  attainder  past  ags'  Ormond  &  Boling- 
broke.  The  N.  E.  Bank  is  confirmed,  they  say.  The 
Governour  they  think  will  not  be  here  this  year.  Coll" 
Byfeild  has  lost  his  place.  The  agents  write  that  there 
is   great   danger   of  loosing  all   y°   American   charters, 

especially   Cone 1  &   Road   Island.      I  supose  your 

Gov"^ can  inform  you  more  of  this  afair.     I  have  no 

more  to  add  save  that  your  worship's  friends  here  are  in 
pritty  good  condition,  as  is 

Yo'  hearty  well  wisher, 

Hezekiah  UsnER, 

Monday,  &>"■  11,  1715. 


•  Hpzckinh  Usher  (third  of  that  name  in  Roston)  was  second  son  of  Col.  John  Usher, 
Treasurer  of  New  England  under  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  and  snhsequently  Lieutenant- 
Governor  of  Now  Hampshire.    See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet.  vol.  iv.  p.  363.  —  Eds. 

t  Louis  XIV.  died  Sept.  1, 1715.  — Eds. 


1716.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  315 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  May  14'.',  1716. 
Dear  Son,  —  I  red  your  letters  in  the  box,  with  the 
welcom  news  of  your  wife  being  delivered  of  a  son,*  and 
I  bless  God  for  his  mercy  and  goodness  therin  that  he 
has  heard  our  prayers  in  that  matter  and  remembred  us  in 
our  low  estate,  because  his  compations  faile  not,  but  his 
mercy  endureth  forever.  Now  the  God  of  Abraham,  the 
God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob,  yea,  the  God  of  our 
Fathers,  who  followed  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  into  this 
remote  wilderness  to  set  up  his  kingdom  here,  even 
our  own  God,  bless  the  lad  with  all  the  blessings  of 
heven  and  earth,  but  espetially  with  the  blessings  of  the 
new  and  everlasting  covenant,  that  he  may  grow  up  to 
do  worthily  in  his  generation  and  promote  the  kingdom 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  serue  him  in  sincerity, — 
yea,  the  Lord  bless  him  and  he  shall  be  blessed.  And 
now  what  shall  we  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  good- 
ness and  mercy  to  us?  Let  us  giue  up  ourselues  and 
ours  to  the  Lord,  not  only  in  word  but  in  deed  and  in 
truth.  I  haue  been  much  indisposed  with  my  usuall 
pains,  whicli  makes  me  fearful!  least  I  should  not  be  able 
to  get  to  you  by  the  time  of  the  Court,  and  if  not,  all  our 
business  there  will  com  to  nothing.  Cap'°  Fullam  was 
here  last  week,  and  will  be  with  you  towards  the  end 
of  this  month,  and,  if  possible,  I  hope  to  see  you  also. 
The  writs  that  are  drawn  about  the  rent  for  Yeomans,  his 
holding  the  farm  ovar  his  time,  will  not  do,  nor  that 
about  the  horses,  therfore  haue  sent  now  only  that  about 
the  cattle.  Thay  were  not  halfe  the  stock  mentioned  in 
Yeomans  former  lease,  but  halfe  wc**  I  saw  cause  to  have 
let  him  and  Brown  haue  on  an  other  lease  which  he  flew 

*  .John  Winthrop  hnd  previously  had  five  dausrhters  born  to  him,  and  the  arrival  of  this 
lonpr-de-sired  son  moved  him  to  write  his  father  a  most  enthusiastic  letter,  too  long  to  print, 
as  it  contains  no  less  than  thirty-two  texts  from  Scripture.  —  Eds. 


316  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1716. 

off  from ;  therfore  not  the  same  taken  notice  of  in  the 
execution.     The  Avrit  must  be  serued  in  time.     Freinds 
all  well.     I  pray  God  to  preserue  and  keep  you  all. 
Your  louing  father, 

W.  WlNTHROP. 

The  post  will  bring  you  a  coat,  &c.,  for  little  John 
Winthrop. 


LUCY  LECHMERE*  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP. 

Tliis  for  y  Hon''f  Generall  Winthrop,  at  his  house  in  Boston, 
New  England. 

May  24*  1716. 

S*,  —  I  hope  y°  w""  y'  son  will  find  you  well,  notwith- 
standing y®  reports  here  concerning  y'  health.  I  rec'?  y" 
favor  of  y'  leter  by  my  son,  &  must  joyne  w'?  you  in  giv- 
ing God  thanks  y'  he  has  blest  my  son  and  da.  with  such 
fine  children.  S"',  you  may  believe  I  was  very  glade  to  see 
my  son,  but  much  more  should  I  have  been  had  he  come 
over  w*  his  affairs  in  a  good  posture,  &  his  accounts  so 
settled  w'?  M'  Mico  that  he  might  have  attended  those 
gentlemen  w'i*  whom  he  (w'!"  M'  Mico)  was  concern'd  ;  but 
to  appear  in  London  w'?out  being  able  to  give  them  any 
satisfaction  in  their  busyness  has  so  blasted  Thom's  credit 
y'  twill  be  a  difficult  matter  to  revive  it.  Sure  M''  Mico 
little  vallews  his  own  or  partner's  reputation,  that  he  has 
acted  so  long  for  men  &  will  not  let  y"  see  y'  accounts, 
to  sattisfie  them  how  their  goods  &  monys  are  dispos'd 
of  for  so  many  years  as  I  have  heard  complaints  for 
want  of  them.  S',  I  hear  M"'  Mico  pays  all  due  regard  lo 
y";  therfor  I  hope  you'l  so  concern  y^^elf  in  this  matter 
as  to  prevaile  on  M'  Mico  imeadiatly  to  settle  y"  accounts, 
&  let  them  be  sent  over  w'."*  all  speede,  that  all  doubts  & 

•  Widow  of  Edmund  I.cchmere,  and  dnuKhtcr  of  Sir  Antliony  Hiingerford,  of  Farlciph 
Castle.  For  some  account  of  her  see  "  Haiiley  and  tlie  House  of  Leclimere.  London: 
Piclseriiig  &  Co.  1883."  —  Ei.s. 


1716.]  LUCY   LECHMERE,  317 

suspitions  may  be  removed,  w"?  now  ly  greatly  to  y*  pre- 
juclis  of  y'  son,  &  M''  Mice  not  free  from  sensure,  but  he's 
rich  &  vallews  it  not ;  but  what  will  become  of  y'  son  & 
his  famely  if  he  dos  not  settle  to  busyness  w'^  prudent 
industry  &  diligence  becoming  a  man  once  in  good  repu- 
tation among  his  corespondants ! 

S',  I  am  sure  Thorn  was  sett  out  into  y°  world  in  as 
good  circumstances  as  most  younger  bro',  &  plac'd  in  a 
house  of  as  good  busyness ;  therefor  his  parents  are  not 
to  be  blam'd,  &  I  hope  he  dos  not  want  capassity ;  there- 
for I  hope  he'l  now  endevor  to  get  into  busyness  again. 
His  famely  now  is  not  very  few,  &  in  all  probability  may 
increase,  &  tis  his  duty  to  take  care  to  provide  for  y"" 
(w"''  I  don't  see  how  y'  can  be  dun  in  y^  way  Thom  has 
liv'd  for  some  years),  &  all  unnecesary  expences  must  be 
avoyded.  Fine  horses  quickly  eat  out  their  heads,  &  are 
only  fitt  for  men  of  great  estates ;  therfor  not  proper  for 
Thom,  I  fear.  I  understand,  S',  what  fortune  you  de- 
sign'd  for  your  da'  is  still  in  y'  own  hands,  &  y'  you  have 
bin  pleased  to  give  y'  son  &  da.  an  iland  (doubtless  a 
thing  of  vallew),  &  I  hope  in  your  own  life  time  you'l  so 
settle  y'  iland  on  y"  that  there  may  be  noe  roome  for  dis- 
putes when  you  are  gon,  for  by  y"  laws  of  Old  England 
all  land  falls  to  y°  son  &  none  to  da" ;  but  what  y'  laws 
are  I  know  not,  but  tis  good  to  leave  things  w'I'out  dis- 
pute. 8%  if  what  I  have  writ  dos  not  agree  w'?  y'  senti- 
ments, I  beseeche  you  excuse  me,  for  it  all  proseeds  from 
a  true  care  for  my  son  &  his  famely,  &  as  you  are  so 
neere  y"  it  lys  on  y"  to  give  what  advise  &  assistance  y" 
see  necesary,  &  it  shall  be  my  harty  prayer  to  God  Al- 
mighty to  bless  y"  &  all  endevors  for  their  welfare.  I 
am,  w""  all  respect,  S', 

Y'  very  humble  servant,  L.  Lechmeee. 

Indorsed  by  Wait  Winthrop :  "Madam  Lechmere,  rec'd  7'"  25.  16;  en- 
closed in  the  other  of  July  25.  16."  This  other  of  July  25  is  not  now  in 
existence.  —  Eds. 


318  THE   WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1716. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

For  M''  John  Winthrop,  att  New  London. 

Boston,  May  28'^,  1716. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  wrote  you  Munday  last  by  one  Ward 
of  Newtown,*  and  since  by  Cap'P  Fullam,  who  I  suppose 
might  get  thither  on  Saturday.  My  pains  haue  been 
such  that  I  haue  not  been  able  to  venture,  otherwise 
might  haue  seen  you  before  this.  I  seem  to  be  much 
better  at  present,  but  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  get 
thither  before  the  Court  if  I  should  attempt  it ;  therfore 
must  content  myselfe  a  little  longer,  and  hope  God  will 
giue  me  opertunity  and  ability  to  travell  in  a  little  time. 
As  to  our  cases,  Cap'"  Fullam  will  advise  so  that  nothing 
may  be  proceeded  on  but  what  may  be  likly  to  be  gained 
by  good  evidence ;  and  as  to  Yeom's  actions  about  stone- 
wall, I  was  so  farr  from  ordering  or  agreing  with  him 
about  any,  that  I  never  knew  there  was  a  rod  of  stone- 
walle  on  the  whole  Neck  before  I  was  last  there,  ex- 
cept a  few  rods  on  the  other  side  the  creek  against  the 
house,  which  was  single  stone  scarce  two  foot  high, 
which  I  suppose  was  made  to  secure  that  little  feild 
of  corn  which  grew  there,  and  could  not  cost  halfe  so 
much  as  an  ordinary  hedg,  the  stones  being  all  at  hand. 
And  for  the  cross  wall  a  little  aboue  the  house,  which 
was  made  when  I  was  there,  after  M'  Brown  and  he 
had   agreed   about   the   farm  when  I  was  last  there,  I 

•  In  a  letter  of  the  previous  week  he  writes  :  "Here  was  one  M'  Warri,  of  Cambridf^ 
village,  with  me  on  Satturday,  who  says  he  and  M'  Trusdale  his  neighbour  intends  by  way 
of  New  Roxbury  to  go  to  New  London  and  see  the  country  as  thay  go.  So  he  corns  to  me 
to  desire  I  would  write  to  you  to  show  them  such  places  as  we  have  that  are  free.  I  per- 
ceive thay  haue  an  eye  to  part  of  Pequannett  ;  but  I  told  him  I  could  not  tell  how  that  was 
at  prescnt.bul  that  thay  might  see  Alewife  Brook  or  the  Mill  pond,  or  that  between  Lanthom 
hill  and  the  Cedar  swamp,  &c.,  w*^**  would  make  a  brave  farm.  Thay  go,  I  suppose,  partly 
to  visit  8om  freinds  and  to  see  the  country.  If  thay  would  take  up  with  either  of  those 
places,  it  might  do  we41.  Its  best  to  treat  them  civily,  and  if  thay  would  see  the  farm  it 
might  not  be  amiss  that  the  tennants  might  see  we  should  not  be  at  a  loss  if  thay  were 
weary  of  it."— Ed3. 


1716.]  WAIT    WINTHKOP.  319 

never  knew  of  liis  doing  of  it  untill  it  was  almost  don, 
and  would  not  haue  had  it  set  there,  but  understood 
he  did  it  all  by  agrement  with  M''  Brown  to  divide 
betwene  them  one  part  from  the  other,  and  he  took 
upon  him  to  make  that  himselfe,  because  he  had  not 
left  the  outside  fence  in  any  repair,  according  to  his 
lease ;  but  M'  Brown  must  make  it  in  a  manner  all 
new,  which  was  thre  times  as  much  as  the  dividing  line 
betwene  them  where  that  wall  is  made,  as  thay  informed 
me,  and  most  if  not  all  the  stonewall  cost  him  but  a 
pot  of  cider  a  rod,  and  was  made  most  of  it  by  Indians, 
Joseph  and  others,  liuing  there,  and  are  my  own  ser- 
vants. These  things  the  naibours  all  know  ;  and  if  a 
tennant  or  others  shall  build  houses  or  walls  on  my  land 
without  my  approbation,  it  is  so  far  from  being  to  be 
paid  for  or  set  of  in  the  rent,  that  an  accion  of  wast  or 
trespas  lyes  against  them ;  and  certainely  if  I  had  agreed 
for  this  stonewalle  I  should  haue  appointed  the  place 
to  set  it  in ;  but  the  greatest  part,  if  not  all  of  this  walle, 
is  where  I  would  not  haue  it,  but  must  haue  it  removed, 
and  most  of  it  not  worth  the  pot  of  cider  with  halfe 
water  it  might  cost  him.  But  if  this  be  the  way  of 
making  book  debts  without  prouing  the  agrement,  every 
body  may  be  brought  into  debt  before  thay  know  of  it. 
As  to  the  other,  against  Leviston  as  exe',  its  a  peice 
of  knavery  between  them,  as  that  of  Tayler  was,  as  I 
hope  the  Court  will  easily  see  ;  and  if  it  had  been  a  just 
debt  to  Tayler,  the  Court  ought  not  to  haue  ordered 
execution  against  my  estate,  but  against  the  exe',  for 
what  lands  I  haue  that  my  brother  had  interest  in  is 
not  lyable  to  his  debts,  we  being  joint  tennants ;  but  if 
it  were  otherwise,  he  giues  it  by  his  will,  and  accord- 
ingly the  execf  has  conveyed  it  to  me  by  agrement 
and  has  made  himselfe  lyable  to  the  payment.  How  far 
he  may  bring  anything  on  me  afterwards  by  my  agre- 
ment to  allow  such  a  part  of  the  debts  is  another  thing, 


320  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1716. 

and  is  between  him  and  me,  if  he  please.  I  understand 
these  were  begun  at  an  adjorned  Court,  and  can  any 
man  imagine  that  those  who  are  out  of  the  Gover"'  can 
tell  what  time  the  Courts  will  adjorn  to ;  besides  the 
action  against  the  execT  is  out  by  the  law  of  the 
Province,  and  tho'  the  execf  should  purposely  not  ap- 
pear, yet  the  Court  is  of  councill  for  the  defendant  so 
as  to  admit  of  nothing  contrary  to  the  letter  of  the 
law,  if  any  freind  of  the  Court  shall  turn  them  to  the 
law.  As  for  the  other  executors  being  named  that 
haue  not  taken  the  executorship  upon  them,  our  not 
appering  can  be  no  fault.  I  hope  the  Court,  where 
thay  are  informed  of  such  collusiue  contrivance,  will 
discountenance  all  such  things  that  are  contrary  to  law. 
Providence  hinders  me  from  being  at  the  Court,  and 
I  suppose  we  may  appeale  if  cast,  which  must  be  don. 
However,  if  thay  will  not  admit  of  an  apeale,  you 
must  not  let  them  haue  an  inch  of  that  land  at  the 
ferry,  but  rather  pay  the  mony  untill  we  may  haue 
a  releise  otherwise.  If  you  sue  upon  Yeomans  receit 
of  so  many  cattle,  thay  w'  not  the  stock  mentioned  in 
the  lease,  neither  for  kind,  number,  or  value  ;  thay  w"'  of 
as  much  more  value,  and  he  sold  them  or  many  of  them 
so.  Thay  were  such  stocke  as  I  then  saw  cause  to  devide 
to  that  part  of  the  farm  which  he  promised  to  take  a 
new  lease  of,  performing  such  things  as  was  agreed  on, 
which  he  never  did,  neither  would  signe  the  lease,  but 
had  the  improument  of  all  that  year,  and  has  neither 
returned  the  stock  according  to  his  engagment,  nor  paid 
any  rent  for  it,  besides  his  pulling  down  the  howseing 
and  leting  them  be  utterly  lost,  which  will  not  be  made 
good  for  more  then  two  hundred  pounds  as  when  he 
received  them,  besides  more  then  one  hundred  pounds 
worth  in  hors  kind  he  has  conveyed  away  from  the 
farm.  I  send  your  wife's  shoose,  &c.,  with  two  p'  for 
the  children  and  an  bottle  of  Elixer  Proprietatis.     I  pray 


1716.]  WAIT  WINTHEOP.  321 

God  to  bless  and  keep  you  all.     All  here  are  well ;  haue 
sent  no  wine  yet. 

Your  louinor  father,  W.  Winthrop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  June  25»  1716. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  had  your  letter  with  the  bills  and  papers 
by  Cap'"  Fullam,  and  the  letter  by  the  last  post.  I  haue 
been  in  great  pain  at  times  since  my  last,  and  am  almost 
confirmed  it  may  be  caused  by  a  stone  in  the  blader,  yet 
notwithstanding,  am  contriuing  to  get  to  you  as  soon  as 
may  be,  and  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  go  by  land ;  if  not, 
here  are  vessels  will  go  in  a  little  time.  Its  strange  the 
Court  should  so  straugly  drop.  I  hope  to  hear  from  you 
by  this  post.  All  freinds  here  prety  well.  Molly  cannot 
yet  sute  her  mother's  case.  I  send  herewith  a  pair  of 
shows  for  one  of  the  children.  Molly  intends  to  write  to 
her  mother  when  she  has  learnt  a  little  better,  and  giue 
her  duty  and  loue  under  her  own  hand.  I  am  glad 
Stancliffe  has  got  the  stones  for  your  grandmother.  The 
place  she  lyes  in  is  just  by  the  south  side  of  M,"  Stones 
monum',  within  thre  or  fower  feet,  as  I  remember,  of  that. 
I  am  riot  yet  resolved  what  shall  be  written  on  the  stone. 
My  grandfather  Reade  was  of  Wickford  in  Essex;  his 
name  was  either  Edward  or  Edmond  ;  I  think  the  first,  but 
shall  enquire  and  send  to  Cousin  Read  about  it.*  I  hope 
you  have  a  return  from  Eg.  Onr  Gov',  its  said,  will  not 
be  here  till  7*"'  or  8''^    Your  brother  is  yet  in  the  country, 

*  Elizabeth  Reade,  second  wife  of  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  and  the  mother  of  his  children, 
had  died  in  Hartford  more  than  forty  years  before.  Those  who  are  familiar  with  the  letters 
of  Roger  Williams  will  remember  the  affection  with  which  he  regarded  her,  and  how,  on  one 
occasion,  in  passing  the  spring  named  after  her  (a  stopping-place  between  Connecticut  and 
Massnchusetts)  he  exclaims,  "  Here  is  the  spring,  say  I  (with  a  sigh),  but  where  is  Eliza- 
beth ?  My  charity  answers,  she  is  gone  to  the  Eternal  Spring  and  Fountain  of  Living 
Waters."  The  town  of  Wickford,  Rhode  Island,  received  its  name  in  compliment  to  her 
English  home.  See  also  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii,  pp.  471,  472.  —  Eds. 
41 


322  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1716. 

which  is  all  we  can  heer.     I  pray  God  to  bless  and  keep 
you  all. 

Your  louing  father, 

W.  WiNTHEOP. 


SAMUEL   SEWALL  TO   WAIT   WINTHROP. 

For  the  Hori'^  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq',  Boston. 

Boston,  July  ll''',  1716. 

HoN^"  Sir,  —  I  very  thankfully  acknowledge  your  per- 
severance in  ariving  to  save  my  daughter  Hirst's  life;  and 
hope  your  symphonising  prayers  have  prevaild  to  ad- 
vance her  to  a  better.*  As  for  Zebulun  Thorp,  he  being 
coiuitted  by  the  Sessions  of  Barnstable  for  a  capital  crime, 
I  doubt  the  justices  of  the  Superiour  Court  can't  admit 
him  to  bail.  The  Sessions  upon  hearing  may  know  a 
great  deal.     I  see  no  affidavit  in  Thorp's  favour. 

If  I  had  time  to  speak  to  the  case  of  the  Eastern  In- 
dians, I  would  say  that  'tis  very  convenient  that  they 
should  have  ample  accoinodations  of  land  bounded  out  to 
them  by  rivers  and  rocks  and  mountains,  to  be  held  by 
them  free  from  all  encroachment.  I  can't  see  how  it  can 
be  otherwise.  My  daughter's  interment  is  intended,  God 
willing,  next  Friday;  after  that  I  hope  to  have  an  opor- 
tunity  of  conference  with  you  upon  the  mentioned  heads, 
and  upon  what  you  shew'd  me  from  Judge  Menzies. 
With  my  humble  service  to  your  self  &  good  lady,  I  take 
leave,  who  am, 

Sir,  your  sorrowfuU  friend  and  humble  serv', 

Samuel  Sewall. 

•  Judge  Sewall's  daughter  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Grove  Hirst,  died  on  the  10th  of  July, 
171G.  In  his  diary  Judge  Sewall  describes  her  as  "  a  very  desirable  child,  not  full  thirty- 
five  years  old.  She  liv'd  desir'd,  and  died  lamented."  See  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vii. 
p.  91.  —  Eds. 


1716.]  WAIT  WINTHROP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

For  M:  John  Wintkrop,  in  New  London. 

Boston,  August  20'^,  —16. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  had  yours  by  last  post,  and  gaue  your 
sister  her  letter.  I  hope  your  wife  is  well  after  the  rubila. 
I  haue  sent  little  John  a  p5  of  shoose,  which  hope  will  fitt. 
I  condole  with  M'  Hemsteed  the  losse  of  his  good  wife. 
What  has  hapened  by  the  wickedness  of  Allyn  is  to  be 
bewayled ;  I  knew  his  father,  and  his  granfather  and 
grandmother  were  very  good  and  religious  folkes  counted 
when  I  was  a  boy,  but  thay  could  not  infuse  grace  to  their 
posterity.  I  hope  Pelton  will  Hue  and  be  bettered  by  his 
affliction  and  pain,  and  that  Allin  may  line  to  repent  of 
his  wickedness.  The  story  about  Pelton's  arm  is  Strang. 
I  remember  one  Courset,  who  was  the  cryer  here  a  long 
time,  and  had  lost  one  of  his  leggs,  would  often  cry  out 
of  pain  in  his  lost  legg  or  toes  against  chang  of  wether, 
as  was  coinonly  sayd ;  it  seems  very  much  to  countenance 
the  doctrine  of  curing  by  simpatheticall  medicine  to  be  no 
imposture,  as  som  would  haue  it.  The  meteors  you  men- 
tion seem  to  be  Strang ;  and  though  many  things  of  like 
nature  haue  been  seen  of  late  years,  as  well  as  formerly, 
and  by  many  are  counted  but  comon  and  ordinary  effects 
of  Nature,  yet  we  who  profess  to  be  Cristians  should  adore 
the  wisdom  and  power  of  God,  who  governs  Nature  in  all 
its  causes  and  is  able  to  shew  us  his  almighty  power  by 
working  by  or  contrary  to  naturall  causes  as  it  pleaseth 
him.  Christ  has  told  us  of  signes  in  the  heavens,  &c., 
Math.  24  :  29  —  Mark  13  —  Luke  21  :  25.  Colt  Quinzy 
told  me  the  other  day,  that  on  the  same  evening,  viz.  the 
2^  instant,  as  he  and  others  were  riding  home  towards 
Brantry  thay  saw  a  more  then  ordinary  meteor  w''.''  gaue 
a  considerable  light,  but  was  not  just  in  the  form  you  de- 
scribe.    And  though  we  should  not  be  dismayed  at  these 


324  THE    WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1716. 

tilings,  yet  by  all  God's  providencyes  we  should  learn  vir- 
tuousness  and  endevour  by  faith  and  repentance  to  lay 
hold  on  the  covenant  of  grace  as  offered  in  the  Gospel, 
that  we  may  be  pertakers  of  Christ's  body  and  blood  ac- 
cording to  his  institution,  and  be  ready  for  his  coming.  I 
am  yet  not  redy  to  get  away,  but  shall  endever  as  fast  as 
may  be.  I  am  now  a  little  better  then  I  haue  been  (I 
bless  God).  Send  word  what  price  salt  is  sold  at  there  ; 
I  intend  to  send  som  of  our  salt  and  som  boyld  salt  for 
butter.  Here 's  no  news  but  in  these  prints.  I  pray  God 
to  bless  and  keep  you  all.  Mary  is  well,  and  sends  duty 
and  loue. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  "Winthkop. 

You  write  nothing  of  old  Johns  return. 


JOHN  WINTHEOP  TO  THE  COUNTY  COURT  OF 
NEW  LONDON. 

New  London,  August  y«  21?«,  1716. 

Gentlemen,  —  I  am  notify'd  by  the  County  Sheriff, 
w"'  an  order  from  yo''  selves  as  a  Special  Court,  to  answer 
before  you  to  a  very  wrong  complaint ;  and  you  will 
excuse  me  if  I  refuse  so  to  doe  according  to  the  said 
summons  or  warrant,  beleiving  you  (according  to  yo' 
owne  Collony  Laws)  to  be  an  illegal  court.  For  Leges 
posteriores  priores  ahrogant.  I  am  not  ignorant  that  here- 
tofore yo!  law  allow'd  the  establisht  judge  of  y'  County 
Court  on  extraordinary  occasions  to  hold  a  Special  Court. 
And  the  true  intent  of  those  former  Special  Courts  were 
to  benefitt  strangers  living  out  of  the  Collony  that  could 
not  rationally  be  supposed  to  wait  on  charges  till  the 
stated  annual  sessions  did  commence,  and  not  inhabitants, 
settled  towne  k  county  dwellers,  that  were  not  immedi- 
ately going  out  of  y"  Collony  to  reside.  But  the  Genornl 
Court,  seeing  y"  inconveniency  of  those  Courts  (by  the 


1716.]  JOHN  WIXTKROP.  325 

unreasonable  liberty  many  restless,  troublesom  humours 
took  many  times  to  the  great  damage  &  disadvantage  of 
y'  defend"^),  was  pleased  lately  to  repeal  the  law,  and  call 
in  the  powers  for  continuing  &  holding  any  more  such  Spe- 
ciall  Courts.  Vide  y"  CoUony  Book  of  Laws,  new  printed, 
fol.  168,  as  follows:  "Anno  Rcgni  Annae  Reginae  decimo, 
.  .  .  And  it  is  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore 
said  that  the  County  or  Inferiom*  Courts  within  this  Col- 
lony  shall  be  holden  annually  at  the  times  &  places 
hereafter  mentioned,  viz. :  the  County  or  Inferiour  Court 
within  and  for  the  county  of  New  London  shall  be  holden 
in  New  London  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  June  and  on  the 
fourth  Tuesday  in  November.  .  .  .  And  all  Acts  or  clauses 
in  any  Acts  providing  for  the  holding  of  Inferiour  Courts 
at  any  other  times  or  in  any  other  places  than  tliose  ex- 
pressed in  this  Act  shall  after  the  last  day  of  June  next 
be  of  no  force,  and  are  hereby  from  and  after  the  said 
last  day  of  June  next  declared  to  be  repealed." 

It  is  now,  I  think,  about  seaven  years  since  these  Spe- 
cial Courts  have  been  null  &  voide ;  and  if  the  abollisht 
law  for  calling  &  holding  of  Special  Courts  may  yet  be 
valid,  then  all  other  repealed  Acts  of  the  Goverment  are 
in  force.  I  am  informed  this  is  an  adjournement  of  a 
Special  Court  lately  called  to  grattefye  some  friends  & 
neighbours,  but  never  sett  to  doe  any  business  at  the 
time  appointed.  Now,  if  y^  judge  had  power  to  call  such 
a  Special  Court  before  the  last  day  of  June  past,  it  must 
be  on  an  extraordinary  occasion,  and  it  must  have  been 
then  held  and  finisht  when  it  was  first  called  and  before 
the  expiration  of  the  aforesaid  time  limited  b}'  law,  or 
elce  no  notice  is  taken  of  y'  aforementioned  Act  of  the 
General  Assembly,  yv"^  expressly  forbids  any  such  court 
to  be  held  from  and  after  the  last  day  of  June  long  since 
past,  and  also  contradicts  the  very  notion  &  design  of  a 
Special  Court,  w'^'*  was  iinediately  &  without  delay  to 
accommodate  such  persons  as  the  law  at  first  intended 


326  THE   WIKTHKOP   PAPERS,  [1716. 

thereby  to  bennefitt.  If  it  is  legall  for  such  a  court  to 
sett  after  the  expiration  of  the  aforesaid  time,  and  then 
(out  of  I  know  not  what  pretence)  actually  omit  holding 
of  it  (only  w'?  a  designe  to  adjourne  it,  that  such  a  sort  of 
court  might  be  kept  in  being  to  serve  perticuler  inter- 
ests), and  y°  adjournment  may  now  lawfully  sett  &  be  of 
force,  notwithstanding  the  repeal,  then  this  Special  Court 
by  the  same  rule  may  still  farther  adjourne  itselfe  in  die  ad 
diem  usq.  in  aeternum.  For  if  it  had  power  to  sett  and  to 
adjourne  itselfe  once  (after  y*  repeal  takes  place)  it  may 
five  hundred,  and  so  ten  thousand  times.  And  so  y" 
more  contentious  persons  in  y°  country  may  never  want 
a  Special  Court  to  disturb  y''  neighbours  at ! 

I  am  of  opinion  that  when  the  very  being  and  founda- 
tions of  such  a  Court  is  by  a  firme  law  taken  away,  there 
can  be  no  continuing  any  part  of  it,  or  acting  afterwards 
by  adjournement,  nor  building  anew  on  the  old  ruins. 
When  the  soul  (w*^?  is  the  life)  is  gon,  the  body  remains 
dead,  and  the  members  cannot  performe  any  act  without 
the  virtue  &  powers  of  a  new  resurrection.  Ratio  est  anhna 
Legis ;  and  it  is  a  noted  maxim  in  the  law,  Cessante  causa 
cessat  effectus^  and  Ipsi  jam  fontes  sitiunt,  flumina  p'ofluere  non 
j)ossunt.  Gentlemen,  I  thought  it  necessary  to  obsei've  to 
you  what  has  been  mentioned,  as  a  friend  to  y"'  Collony^ 
least  lino  absurdo  data,  infinita  seqmnilur ;  and  non  morhus  in 
jylerisq.,  sed  morbi  negleda  euratio,  corpus  interfccit.  Indeed, 
melius  est  recurrere  quam  male  cmrere.  Some  of  you  gentle- 
men that  compose  this  yo'  Special  Court  are  strangers 
to  me,  and  I  designe  no  affront  or  contempt  to  yo'  per- 
sons ;  but  as  I  think  I  am  cited  before  an  illegall  sessions, 
I  would  offer  my  advice  &  opinion.  But  if  what  I  have 
now  spoken  is  an  offence  to  you,  yo'  law  provides  for 
such  delinquency  in  y°  4"*  page  of  yo'  new  edition.  I  w? 
not  forgett  to  say  one  thing  more :  that  at  the  stated 
annuall  court  expected  should  have  been  held  the  first 
Tuesday  in  June,  the  year  currant,  ray  honoured  father 


1716.]  WAIT    WINTHEOP.  327 

was  at  a  great  charge  &  trouble  to  send  a  special  at- 
turney  from  Boston  with  papers  &  evidences  to  answer 
the  unreasonable  &  unjust  writts  of  the  present  plain- 
tiff; and  after  he  had  waited  here  a  considerable  time 
was  forc't  to  returne  home  without  having  the  liberty 
and  priviledge  Magna  Charta  allows  to  all  the  subjects 
throughout  his  Majesties  dominions,  viz.,  to  receive  impar- 
tiall  justice  libera,  pi^na,  atq.  celeris.  Quia  dilaiio  est  quaedam 
negatio. 

J.    WiNTHEOP. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

For  M'  John  Winthrop,  in  New  London. 

BcsTON,  8".'  1",  1716. 

Dear  Son, — I  had  yours  by  the  post,  and  what  you 
mentioned  in  it.  I  sent  M"'  Adams  his  letters  as  soon  as 
I  receiv'^  them.  I  hope  the  children  are  well  again  (I 
pray  God  to  blesse  them  and  you  all).  Cap'°  Mulford  and 
M""  Picket  brought  the  hors  in  good  condition.  I  hope  the 
sloop  is  now  arrived.  We  are  in  hourly  expectation  of 
Govf  Shute.  A  ship  came  in,  about  a  week  since,  that  had 
fine  weeks  passage,  w'in  came  Jacob  Wendall,  says  the 
Gov'  came  out  fifteen  days  before  them,  and  M'  Lechmere 
was  with  hira.  Thay  say  your  brother  Will"  Duiner  is 
Leif  ?  Gov'  and  he  is  com  to  town  to  take  his  post  when  the 
Gov'  brings  his  coiSission.  I  beleiue  Mumford  will  hardly 
giue  his  new  boate  for  his  place  without  considerable 
boote.  You  must  get  all  you  can  of  all  the  tennants  as 
soon  as  may  be.  I  haue  had  nothing  from  Weekes,  nor  he 
corns  not  at  me.  I  doubt  the  sawy'  will  deceiue  us ;  if 
there  be  no  prospect  that  he  is  likely  to  use  that  round- 
ing saw  I  would  haue  it  sent  hither,  unless  you  think  it 
may  be  farther  usefull ;  and  as  for  the  other  edgtooles,  it 
is  best  to  lay  them  up  safe  there,  so  that  the  edges  be  not 
hurt;  it  may  be  thay  may  be  of  use.     I  know  not  what 


328  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1716. 

to  say  about  Tantiusques,  whether  it  be  not  better  that 
you  make  another  survay  that  may  be  square  and  take  in 
the  mhie  and  as  much  of  the  best  land  as  it  will,  and  to 
do  it  as  soon  as  may  be  and  your  occations  will  permit,  or 
defer  it  awhile.  If  somthing  be  not  don  while  I  am  with 
you,  it  will  all  be  lost ;  consider  what  may  be  best  about 
it.  I  cannot  get  away  before  the  Govr  arriues.  I  should 
think  2  or  3  days  at  Tantiusques  would  finish  a  new  plat, 
now  you  know  where  the  best  land  is ;  but  I  leaue  it  wholy 
to  you  to  think  what  may  be  best.  I  haue  got  the  coach 
well  fitted,  and  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  goe  in  it.  I  haue 
taken  your  oyster  weed  of  late,  and  am  much  better  for  it, 
tho  somtimes  in  pain  ;  I  desire  you  would  get  a  quantity 
more  of  it  before  it  be  too  late  and  cold,  and  let  it  be 
dryed  and  laid  up.  When  the  ship  corns  in  we  shall  haue 
a  better  ace'  of  every  thing.  I  hear  thay  are  not  over- 
forward  to  part  with  1,500  pounds.  I  hope  to  get  Cap'" 
Fullam.  If  things  should  happen  so  that  you  must  com 
hither  before  I  get  away,  you  must  bring  all  the  paper 
mony  you  haue  by  you  or  can  get.  I  am  glad  to  hear 
little  John  thriues  apace,  and  I  pray  God  to  blesse  him. 
Mary  is  well.  Her  granfather  carryed  her  to  Roxbury 
last  Thursday ;  she  was  well  this  morning,  and  will  be 
here  to-night. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  Winthkop. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   HIS   SON  JOHN. 
For  M'  John  Wintlirop,.  att  New  London. 

BosToy,  W"  6<,  1716. 

Dear  Son,  —  On  Thursday  evening  our  Gov'  arived  at 
Nantasket,  and  M'  Lechmere  came  home  about  ten  aclock, 
and  yesterday  morning  som  of  us  that  were  apointod  by 
the  Gen"  Assembly  went  down  to  congratulate  his  arrivall 
and  conduckt  him  ashore,  where  he  was  received  very  han- 


1716.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  329 

somly.  Our  news  was  such  by  severall  ways  about  two 
wreks  at  the  Isle  of  Sable,  that  it  was  concluded  by  many 
it  must  be  them ;  but  God  has  preserued  them  (may  it 
prove  for  his  servis  and  glory  and  their  good).  The  last 
night  Bethya  Wally  was  delivered  of  a  son.  Will"  Wal- 
worth is  here,  and  stays  for  this,  by  whom  I  send  Robin 
with  your  hors.  Will,  says  you  want  him,  and  I  can  liyre 
a  pair  here  as  cheap  as  keep  him  ;  you  must  not  take  too 
much  notice  of  Robins  fault,  but  use  him  gently,  and  it 
may  be  you  may  at  length  reclaim  him  ;  his  going  is  sud- 
ain,  else  he  should  haue  been  in  a  little  better  equipage. 
Will  Walworth  says  Yeomans  speak[s]  of  laying  his  execu- 
tion at  Ashbys,  the  trouble  of  reduceing  of  which  will  be 
more  then  the  mony  is  worth  twise  over,  if  we  should  do  it 
as  last ;  if  he  should  do  so,  I  would  haue  the  mony  tendred 
to  him  (before  the  time  the  law  prescribes  to  make  a  title 
after  executions  are  served) ;  if  you  do  it  by  som  other 
hand  it  may  be  best,  and  to  be  don  for  me  in  my  behalf, 
and  there  must  be  suffitient  witness  of  it ;  and  I  must 
find  som  other  way  to  get  it  back  again.  Cap*."  Fullara 
is  here  ;  he  doubts  there  is  not  yet  evidence  suffitient 
about  the  horse  case,  there  being  only  Wells  which  speaks 
up  to  the  matter,  and  not  two  to  the  same  thing.  Asliby, 
or  som  of  his  folks,  it  may  be,  could  speak  more  fully  ;  its 
best  not  to  let  them  know  you  want  more  evidence  or  to 
make  noise  about  it.  Walworth  says  that  Yeomans  says 
he  would  not  haue  medled  if  we  had  let  him  alone.  I 
told  him  he  might  say  to  every  bod}'  that  I  never  de- 
sined  or  desired  to  wrong  him  of  a  farthing,  but  that  every 
thing  might  be  rightly  understood  ;  and  that  I  valued  not 
his  execution,  but  should  find  a  way  to  help  myselfe.  It 
may  be  he  will  let  it  alone  till  I  com,  w"''  I  resolue,  if  God 
please,  in  a  little  time.  All  frends  well  here  ;  our  cousin 
Norton  of  Hingham  dyed  suddainly  this  week.*     Prince 

»  Rev.  John  Norton  of  Hingham  died  Oct.  3, 171G.  aged  .about  sixty-five.     He  iva*  a  fon 
of  William  Norton  of  Ipswich,  who  married  a  niece  of  the  first  Governor  Winthrop.     Two 
42 


330  THE  WIKTHEOP  PAPERS.  [1716. 

Eugene,  who  comanded  the  Emp?  array  against  the 
Turke,  has  giuen  tlie  Turks  a  wonderfull  overthrow, 
hailing  kild  and  taken  a  hundred  thousand,  with  all 
their  tents  and  equipage,  as  the  Gov^  told  me.  I  hope 
to  here  from  you  by  the  post  at  night.  I  pray  God  to 
blesse  and  keepe  you  all. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  Wintheop. 

Robin  brings  the  great  sadle.  Walworth  will  take 
care  of  Eobin  and  pay  his  expence,  which  you  must 
allow  him. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   HIS   SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  S^'  15,  1716. 

Dear  Son, — I  had  your  letter  and  what  was  with  it 
by  the  last  post.  I  had  also  those  by  M'  Adams  and  Mul- 
ford,  but  had  none  by  Walworth,  so  that  I  knew  not  of 
dear  Johnes  illness,  nor  the  disaster  to  the  other  dear 
child,  till  by  the  post,  and  haue  heard  nothing  since.  I 
am  in  great  distress  for  the  poor  babes,  but  I  trust  in  our 
mercyfiill  God  and  Father,  who  for  Christs  sake  will  do 
all  that  is  best  for  us,  into  whose  gratious  arms  I  commit 
them  and  all  of  us,  beging  and  hopeing  he  will  be  mercy- 
full  to  them,  and  to  us  all  in  them,  for  the  sake  of  our 
mighty  Redemer,  who  when  he  was  here  on  earth  took 
little  children  and  blessed  them.  I  am  expecting  every 
hower,  by  som  opertunity  or  other,  to  hear  from  you.  I 
wrote  by  Will",  and  sent  Robin  and  the  hors,  and  hope 
thay  are  with  you.  The  Gov'  is  gon  this  morning  for 
Piscataque.  If  I  am  able  I  cannot  propose  to  get  away 
in  less  then  a  fortnight ;  the  time  of  your  Court  grows 
nere,  and  if  I  should  not  get  thither  thay  Avill  do  what 
thay  can  to  ruine  us.  Mary  is  very  well,  and  concerned 
for  her  brother  and  sister;  sends  duty  and  loue.     Your 

cf  his  (loscendants  in  the  female  line  have  been  Presidents  of  the  United  States.    See 
Sibley's  Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  ii.  pp.  39-4-396.  —  Eds. 


1716.]  JOHN   WINTEEOP.  331 

brother  is  busy  writing  out  the  accounts  to  send  by  a 
ship  that  sayles  tomon-ow,  whicli  M"  Mico  promised  to 
send  after  him  when  he  went  but  did  not,  which  has  been 
a  vast  inconvenience  to  him.  I  haue  letters  from  his 
motlier,  but  none  from  his  brother ;  he  says  the  lawyer 
was  gou  the  circuite  thre  weeks  before  he  came  away.  I 
haue  put  on  bord  Blins  sloop  a  barrill  of  fine  boyled  salt 
fit  for  butter,  &c.  We  haue  made  none  by  the  sun  this 
suiuer,  but  a  prety  deal  by  our  pans  we  had  from  Eng- 
land ;  it  was  not  so  dry  as  it  should  haue  been  before  it 
was  put  into  the  barrill.  If  you  are  all  well  and  resolve 
to  com,  it  were  best  to  com  forthwith,  and  if  you  could 
get  another  white  hors  that  will  draw  well ;  if  you  haue 
occation  to  hire  one,  it  would  be  best,  if  I  be  able  to  go 
with  you.  Whenever  you  com,  remember  to  bring  what 
I  wrote  for,  and  bring  that  little  heavy  thing  you  brought 
before,  and  the  recit  I  wrote  out  of  the  figure  hand.  I 
send  som  fennell  drops  and  spirit  of  hartshorn,  a  peice 
of  epispasticum  for  blistering,  a  gallipot  of  unguentum 
dialthea.  I  pray  God  to  bless  and  keep  you  all. 
Your  louing  father, 

W.  WlNTHROP. 


JOHN  WINTHKOP  TO  COTTON  MATHER.* 

New  London,  Novembr  5"?,  1716. 

Reverend  S^,  —  IV  packett  I  receiv'd  three  days 
since,  for  w'^''  I  humbly  thank  you.  It  is  a  great  pleasure 
and  sattisfaction  to  me  to  understand  that  in  this  remote 
solitude  I  yet  retain  a  share  in  yo'  memory  &  frindship. 
Indeed,  it  is  many  times  a  deep  thought  w'!"  me  that  y° 
bounds  of  my  habitation  is  at  present  fixt  at  so  great  dis- 
tance from  my  geniall  native  aire  and  my  most  honoured 
&  best  friends,  and  perticulerly  that  this  rural  retirement 

»  Printed  from  a  rough  draft.  For  the  letter  to  which  it  is  an  nnswer,  as  well  as 
JhUher'3  answer  to  this,  see  4  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.  pp.  419-421,  425-426.  —  Eds. 


332  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1716. 

denys  me  y°  so  -much  desired  &  agreeable  conversation  of 
my  honoured  &  learned  Doctor  M.  My  domestick  affairs 
caused  me  very  suddenly  &  unexpectedly  to  returne  home, 
w"  I  was  last  in  towne,  w'I'ont  taking  leave  of  you,  for  w".'' 
I  now  ask  yo'  pardon.  S'',  I  need  no  inducements  or  per- 
swasions  to  serve  so  good  &  valluable  a  frind  as  you  are. 
Yo''  commands  are  allways  welcome ;  and  immediately 
upon  y°  reception  of  yo'  letter,  I  dispatch't  my  serv'  to  Leb- 
anon (25  miles)  w**  y"  books  you  sent,  and  wl*  some  diffi- 
culty have  procured  of  y°  old  Cynnick  of  y'  village  the  now 
inclosed  remedy  for  Tabes  matxusinos  vel  Atrophia.  This  inur- 
hanus,  amteni.s  ct  avidm  rusticus  holds  it  as  a  great  secret,  & 
had  at  first  y°  knowledge  of  this  vegetable  from  an  Euro- 
pean, who  transiently  passing  that  way  thro  y"  country 
was  necessitated  to  shelter  himselfe  anight  und'  the  thacht 
roof  of  his  cottage,  and  in  returne  made  him  acquainted 
w'?"  y*  vertues  &  use.  The  radix  Colveriana  must  be  washt 
&  dryed  by  y*  fire,  and  then  pulverized  &  mixt  up  w"* 
honey  into  pills  about  the  bigness  of  a  hazle-nutt,  and 
taken  in  a  morning,  fasting,  begining  with  2  and  so  on, 
adding  one  every  morning  untill  it  begins  to  operate ; 
and  then  rest  4  days,  and  then  repeat  as  above,  until  you 
find  bennefitt. 

I  am  exceedingly  gratify'd  and  oblig'd  w'?"  yo'  wonder- 
full  intelligence  from  Berlin,  concerning  y°  Hebrew  chil- 
dren in  that  citty.  May  y°  occurrence  be  progressive, 
even  till  y°  Jewish  tribes  have  totally  delug'd  their  unac- 
countable obstinacy  and  are,  w""  y°  Gentiles,  perswaded  to 
be  Xtians.  I  thank  you  heartily  for  yo""  very  agreeable 
and  entertaining  communications  from  y'  Royall  Society, 
and  especially  for  y"  sight  of  D'  Woodwards  Nafuralis 
Hidoria  Tdluris.  I  shall  doe  my  indeavo""  to  answer  both 
yo"  &  D'  Woodwards  requests  in  making  a  collection  of 
y°  fossils  of  o'  country  for  Gresham  CoUedge ;  to  w".''  So- 
ciety mcthinks  we  have  some  relation,  considering  my 
granfather  had  y°  bono-  to  be  among  the  first  promoters 


1716.]  JOHN   WINTHEOP.  333 

of  it.  I  hope  I  have  not  been  altogether  an  unprofitable 
or  uncurious  observer  of  y°  reraarkables  of  Nature ;  and 
as  to  y"  utensills  of  y*  Pagans,  perhaps  I  may  grattefye 
y'  doctors  curiosity  in  some  of  their  originall  instruments, 
ancient  notions  &  traditions,  &c.,  which  I  have  lately 
learn't  &  received  among  them. 

The  account  of  y°  strange  feeling  of  pain  at  a  distance 
is  briefly  as  follows.  There  happned  in  oT  neighbour- 
hood, a  few  weeks  since,  an  unhappy  difference  between 
a  drunken  wretch  and  his  wife.  From  words  they  came 
to  blows;  y°  poor  woman  cried,  "Murder,"  at  w".*"  one 
Pelton,  a  house  carpenter,  run  in  to  part  them.  The 
drunken  fellow  was  so  inraged  that  he  left  his  wife  and 
took  downe  his  gun  laden  w'?  goose  or  duck  shott,  and 
discharged  upon  and  very  sorely  wounded  poor  Pelton  in 
the  arme,  w".''  was  so  mangled  &  broken  that  y°  cyrurgeon 
was  forc't  to  cutt  it  off  above  y"  elbow.  Pelton  was  above 
six  miles  from  y*  towne  when  the  action  was  done,  and 
could  not  easily  be  brought  home.  The  severed  arme  was 
put  in  a  small  box,  and  privately  brought  downe  &  buried 
among  the  graves  in  this  towne.  After  w"?"  y^  poor 
wounded  man  was  in  extreem  paine,  and  roar'd  out  that 
they  squeez'd  and  bent  his  fingers  and  arme  so  hard  he 
could  not  bear  it,  and  that  they  had  lay'd  such  a  heavy 
weight  uppon  his  arme  he  could  not  live  under  it;  when 
at  the  same  time  he  knew  nothing  of  y'  disposing  and 
ordering  of  his  lost  arme.  He  grew  worse,  and  upon  en- 
quiry the  persons  that  had  convey'd  his  arme  to  y"  ground 
told  some  of  us  in  towne  that  y"  box  was  made  too  small 
for  y^  arme  to  lye  at  length  in,  and  they  bent  &  squeezed 
y*"  arme  &  fingers  almost  double  to  gett  it  into  the  box  be- 
fore they  buried  it.  The  box  was  the  next  day  dugg  up, 
and  the  arme  put  at  liberty  in  a  larger  coffin,  and  y*  man 
had  ease  in  that  moment  y'  alteration  was  made. 

S'',  viilnemm  curatio  per  pulcerem  s//mpathdicum  was  much 
disputed  among  the  philosophers  of  the  last  age,  and  S' 


334  THE   WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1716. 

Kenelm  Digby  added  this  to  his  doctrine  of  simpathy.  I 
shall  cease  troubleing  of  you  more  at  this  time  w°  I  have 
mention'd  a  small  earthquake  we  had  here  yesterday 
about  noone.  Many  people  observ'd  it,  and  y*  shake  was 
continued  for  about  2  minutes ;  y*  noise  was  like  thunder 
rumbling  at  a  distance.  Y°  windowes  of  y^  church  quiver'd 
as  they  doe  w°  a  cannon  is  discharged.  Marke,  y*  13'^ 
Please  to  make  my  compliments  to  yo'  good  lady,  &  salute 
y^  fair  tribe  in  yo"'  house.  I  am,  w*  great  regards,  rev- 
erend &  dear  S', 

Yo"  very  affectionate,  humbl  ser?,  J.  W. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  10»'  14'>,  1716. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  yours  of  the  15,  19,  20,  of  9"'.  I 
thought  possibly  you  might  haue  been  here  the  last  week, 
but  am  a  little  concerned  that  I  hear  nothing  of  you  or 
Cap'°  FuUam  by  this  time,  it  being  now  Fryday  afternoon.* 
The  post  will  go  to  N.  L.  next  Munday,  when  I  may  write 
again..  My  poor  sister  Endicott  left  us  very  suddainly 
the  begining  of  the  last  week,  and  was  entombed  this  day 
senite  (the  good  Lord  prepare  us  all  for  our  last  chang, 
that  it  may  be  safe  and  joyfidl  to  us  in  and  through  Crist 
Jesus,  our  mighty  Redeemer).  The  wether  has  been  very 
cold  this  two  days,  and  thre  or  fower  days  the  last  week, 
so  that  we  hope  you  would  not  travell  in  such  cold.  If 
this  finds  you  at  N.  L.,  you  mi;st  remember  to  bring  every 
thing  I  formerly  wrote  for.     Will  "Walworth  lost  the  cow 

•  In  a  previous  letter  to  his  son  (November  19),  Wait  Wiiithrop alludes  to  a  visit  he  had 
had  from  Governor  Saltonstall,  and  adds:  "He  thinks  those  sorry  fellows  frett  and  abuse 
you.  ...  I  could  be  glad  to  live  in  amity  with  everybody,  as  Christians  ought  to  do;  but 
alas,  that  it  might  not  be  in  word  only,  but  in  deed  and  in  truth  I  .  .  .  The  Lad}-  Hobby 
was  buried  Saturday  last."  —  Eds.  ( 

t  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  of  Goy.  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  married,  first,  Rev.  Antipas 
Newman,  of  Wenham,  and  afterward  Zerubbabel  Endicott,  second  son  of  Governor  Endicott, 
At  her  death  she  was  in  her  eighty-first  year.  —  Ed3. 


1716-17.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  335 

at  Providence  in  the  night,  and  is  not  heard  of  since.  I 
had  a  small  one  of  him  which  proved  prety  well ;  your 
sister  had  halfe  of  it,  but  I  hear  not  of  any  by  Packer. 
All  freinds  here  prety  well.  I  pray  God  to  bless  and 
keep  you  all. 

Your  louing  father,        Wait  Winthrop. 

I  haue  sent  by  Will  Walworth  six  yr^  of  callico  for  the 
children. 


WAIT  winthrop  to  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  Feb'?  11«',  17if 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  your  letter  by  the  post,  and  am 
greatly  concerned  and  distressed  for  our  poor  babe.  The 
good  Lord  rebuke  the'  distemper  and  heale  it,  and  haue 
mercy  upon  and  remember  his  covenant  mercys  for  it, 
and  prepare  us  for  his  good  will  and  pleasure,  and  let  us 
firmly  beleiue,  if  it  may  be  most  for  his  glory  and  our 
good,  he  will  yet  be  pleased  to  spare  that  poor  child  to 
be  a  comfort  to  us.  Let  us  leaue  it  with  him ;  our  merci- 
full  and  mighty  Redemer  take  it  into  his  arms  and  bless 
it,  whether  in  life  or  death,  amen  !  The  things  wrote  for 
are  puting  up  at  Groses,  and  just  now  thay  are  com,  all 
but  the  radix  contrayerva;  here  is  non  but  what  is,  it 
may  be,  as  old  as  what  you  haue  ;  we  know  not  well  the 
use,  or  dose  of  it ;  I  think  it  works.  The  oyle  of  spike 
outwardly,  I  think,  cannot  hurt ;  but  whether  used  alone, 
or  diluted  with  somthing'  for  a  child,  should  be  advised. 
The  inclosed  note  will  tell  you  the  content  of  the  pothe- 
carys  stuff;  there  is  also  2*  of  figgs,  2*  of  raysons,  one  of 
currants,  1  of  prunes,  one  peice  of  hollon,  in  which  is  a  coat 
for  poor  Johne  (I  pray  and  hope  he  may  Hue  to  wear  it). 
All  the  little  bottles  are  don  up  with  hay  in  paper,  to- 
gether by  themselues  in  a  distinckt  little  bundle  ;  there  is 
also  a  bottle  of  brandy.     Mary  sends  her  duty  and  loue, 


336  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1716-17. 

with  a  paper  of  verses  to  her  sisters.  Inclosed  is  the 
minera  ^^  and  a  little  of  the  lyons  hair,  what  he  would 
let  his  keeper  get  o&.  at  this  time.  The  minera  must  be 
hung  at  the  pit  of  the  stomach,  the  lyons  hair  to  be  aplyed 
under  the  amies.  The  cordial!  pouder  for  nights  I  think 
cannot  do  any  harm ;  about  halfe  a  grain  when  feverish 
and  restless,  with  nutmegg  and  powder  of  corall  when  his 
body  is  open.  I  haue  found  nothing  help  like  the  rubila 
when  there  has  been  strength  to  bare  it.  M'  Pemberton 
lyes  dangerously  weake  ;  som  of  the  church  and  ministers 
spent  this  afternoon  (at  M'  Sewalls)  in  prayer  for  him, 
where  I  would  haue  been  if  I  could,  but  was  prevented. 
M'  Brattle  at  Cambridg  lyes  in  a  very  low  condition. 
Your  mother  has  been  there  ever  since  last  Fry  day  was 
sennite.  I  know  not  what  to  advise  about  oyle  of  turpen- 
tine or  balsam  of  ^.  You  must  haue  a  care  of  overdoing 
with  strong  things,  w"?  many  of  these  things  now  sent  are ; 
care  must  be  taken  to  keep  his  body  soluble,  but  not  to 
purge  much.*  I  pray  our  niercyfuU  God  to  looke  upon  us 
for  Crist  sake,  into  whose  mercyfull  arms  I  comit  you 
all,  desiring  him  to  bless  and  keep  you  all. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  WmxHROP. 

Consult  Helmont,  at  page  605,  and  you  will  not  be  so 
feai"full  about  the  cordiall  pouder,  tho'  it  haue  not  tliat 
perfect  preparation;  also  for  fitts,  &c.,  page  309-64.  M' 
Edgcomb'a  parchment  is  in  the  bag  ;  it  cost  me  two  shil- 
lings to  get  it  entered  in  the  book.  M'  Phips  has  writ  on 
the  outside  of  it. 

•  The  "  pothecaiTS  stuff  "  and  the  other  remedies  suggested  for  the  sick  child  did  not 
reach  New  London  in  season  to  be  administered.  In  anotlier  letter,  of  the  same  year  but 
without  precise  date.  Wait  Winlhrop  prescribes  as  follows  for  his  son,  who  was  appareiit'y 
suffering  from  a  species  of  ijrij'pe:  "Take  if  it  be  but  a  gr.  or  two  of  rubila  ngain  ;  also 
take  every  now  and  then  som  dry  tartar  and  sugar,  with  but  very  little  water  in  it,  and  let 
it  dissolve  in  your  mouth.  Also  decoction  of  lignum  vitae;  also  conserve  of  roses,  with  the 
strokings  of  a  cow  taken  in  the  morning;  also  loose  sugar  burnt  in  the  candle  and  kept 
in  the  mouth.  I  hope  the  horehound  and  milk  may  have  been  benefitiall  already.  I 
have  found  a  toast  with  lime  juice  and  sugar  has  eased  my  coffe  much,  and  helps  scorbu- 
tick  humero.  .  .  .  Your  mother  says  mastick  and  olibaniun  is  good  for  you,  mixt  with 
sugar."  —  Eds. 


1716-17.]  WAIT  WINTHKOP.  337 


WAIT  \VmTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN. 

Boston,  March  12,  171f. 

My  dear  Son,  —  I  haue  your  sorrowful!  letter,  and  am 
bowed  down  to  the  dust.*  But  what  shall  I  say  ?  It  is 
the  holy  will  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  and  it  becoms  us 
to  be  silent  before  him  and  submitt  to  his  good  plesure 
(who  knows  what  is  best  for  us),  and  in  this  time  of  great 
adversity  to  consider.  The  good  Lord  humble  us  under 
his  awfull  hand,  and  fit  us  for  his  mercy,  and  bestow  his 
covenant  mercyes  upon  us,  and  in  his  own  time  comfort 
us !  He  only  is  able  to  make  up  all  our  losses  and  be- 
reauments.  He  has  said  all  things  shall  work  together 
for  the  good  of  them  that  loue  and  fear  him.  The  good 
Lord  work  his  fear  in  our  hearts,  and  he  will  yet  bless  us. 
Read  127  and  128  Psalms.  I  call  to  mind  what  your 
granfather  wrote  on  your  aunt  Mary,  whose  bones  rest 
by  this  dear  babe  : 

Rest  in  thy  Saviour's  arms,  sweet  soul,  from  sin 
Freed  ;  from  a  thousand  miserys  therin. 
Of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven ! 

And  now  I  am  verry  unwillingly  forst  to  write  of  other 
things  ;  for  I  need  not  mention  the  death  of  M''  Pemberton 
and  Brattle,  the  newspaper  will  tell  you.  The  unheard 
of  storms  and  snows  we  have  had  has  put  us  to  great 
diflQcultys.     I  knew  not  till  the  post  returned  last  but 

*  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  the  only  son  of  John  Winthrop  born  during  Wait  Winthrop's 
lifetime,  died  at  New  London,  Feb.  15,  1716-17,  at  the  age  of  not  quite  ten  months. 
For  a  characteristic  letter  from  Cotton  Mather  on  the  death  of  this  infant,  see  4  Mass. 
Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.  pp.  426,  427.  For  a  similar  letter  from  Samuel  Sewall,  together  with 
some  verses  b.v  him  on  the  same  subject,  entitled  "A  little  Vial  of  Tears,"  see  6  Mass. 
Hist.  Coll.  vol.  ii.  pp.  69,  70.  The  child's  illness  and  death  are  described  at  length  in 
a  letter  from  John  Winthrop  to  his  father,  dated  Feb.  18, 1716-17,  from  which  it  is  sufficient 
to  quote  only  a  few  sentences:  "We  buried  it  yesterday,  after  the  afternoon  meeting, 
tmder  the  two  broad  stones  where  yo'  father's  children  were  inter'd.  M''«  Browne,  who 
was  its  nurse,  carryed  it  to  the  grave.  ...  A  sensible,  quiet,  meek,  yet  cheerly-tempered 
child,  strong-natured,  hearty,  fatt.  How  often  have  we  pleasd  o'selves  wih  the  thoughts 
of  yor  seeing  this  yc  pretty  grandson,  who  had  so  manly,  beautifull  &  gracefull  a 
look ;  but  Providence  has  ordered  otherwise.  Elieu,  quain  cito  vanescunt  gaudia  vitae .' " 
—  Eds. 

43 


338  THE   WINTHROP    PAPERS.  [1716-17. 

that  you  had  received  a  prety  bigg  bundle  besids  the 
little  glasses  and  the  bottle  ;  he  had  them  all,  and  prom- 
ised to  be  carefull  of  them.  The  bundle  contayned  the 
particulars  mentioned  in  my  letter,  which  also  was  in 
the  midst  of  it.  When  I  had  your  letter  and  found  you 
had  not  mine,  I  sent  for  the  bundle  and  put  the  things 
up  with  the  clothes,  all  but  the  poor  childs  coat,  Avhich 
I  thought  best  not  to  send  (he  is  doubtless  clothed  with 
the  Avhite  robe  of  Christs  rituousness).  I  haue  put  up 
every  particular  sent  for  of  the  best  that  could  be  got. 
I  have  also  supplyed  your  sister  and  brother,  with  the 
children,  with  what  was  sutable,  and  it  has  been  thought 
most  advisable  to  send  only  a  ring  and  a  pair  of  gloues  to 
Madam  Winthrop.  There  is  a  little  roule  with  a  letter 
sent  hither  from  M'  Dudly.  The  stuff  for  Rachell  and 
Flora  is  somthing  more  then  was  sent  for ;  I  suppose 
you  have  som  black  thing  for  Robin.  As  to  other  con- 
cernes  there,  I  cant  think  nor  say  nothing  about  them. 
The  snow  is  so  dry,  and  like  to  be  so  that  nobody  can 
stir  ten  miles  from  hence,  and  I  beleiue  it  will  be  impos- 
sible for  Cap'  Fullam  to  get  from  home.  1  understand 
M'  Robinson,  that  you  gaue  a  fee  to,  is  gon  to  plead  for 
M"'  Allins  son  that  kild  the  man  at  New  Haven.  May  it 
not  be  best  to  get  him  at  the  Court  ?  I  am  thinking  to 
write  to  M''  Gold,  who  is  Judg  of  the  Court,  to  continue 
the  actions,  for  severall  reasons,  to  the  next  Court,  which 
I  may  do  the  next  post.  The  gloues  are  in  the  midle 
of  the  hollon,  and  the  ring  fastened  to  the  little  finger  of 
them  for  Madam.  I  send  John  with  both  the  horses  with 
Sam.  Rogers;  he  must  com  back  agen  as  soon  as  may 
be,  and  the  horses  must  be  meated  well.  I  wrote  not 
by  the  last  post;  we  understood  he  was  not  to  go  till 
to-day,  but  went  last  Fryday.  Hope  shall  hear  by  him. 
See  that  John  get  not  into  company  ;  he  has  forty  shil- 
lings to  bare  his  charges  out  and  home.  If  any  thing 
happen  that  he  wants,  you  will  suply  it.     He  need  not 


171G-17.]   AGREEMEXT  ABOUT  A  GREAT  CARBUNCLE.   339 

bring  the  great  sadle  agen.  All  here  well,  God  be 
praysed.  My  pains  are  often  very  great,  but  am  not  out 
of  hopes  to  see  you  thare  when  the  wether  is  good.  My 
loue  to  your  wife  and  the  poore  children.  Mary  sends 
duty  and  loue.     I  am 

Your  sorrowfuU  father,  W.  Winthrop. 


AGREEMENT  ABOUT  A  GREAT  CARBUNCLE.* 

Plainfield,  March  y"  22^  Anno  Domine  1716;-7]. 

We  the  Subscribers  doe  hereby  owne  &  acknowledge 
to  have  receiv'd  of  John  Winthrop,  of  New  London,  one 
hundred  pounds  in  New  England  silver  money,  &  thirty 
pounds  in  Province  bills  of  creditt ;  with  which  money  we 
doe  covenant,  promise  &  oblige  our  selves  to  purchase 
&  procure  of  the  Indians  the  Carbuncle,  and  so  much 
talkt  of  Shining  Stone  w''.''  gives  a  very  great  light  in  the 
night,  for  the  aforesaid  John  Winthrop ;  and  immediately 
uppon  our  obtaining  of  the  said  gem,  to  deliver  it  into 
the  hands  of  the  said  John  Winthrop  as  his  right  &  prop- 
erty. And  farther  we  doe  sincerely  promise  and  oblige 
ourselves  to  be  diligent  &  faithfull  in  performing  the 
premises  aforesaid,  and  that  we  will  not  on  any  account 

*  There  are  two  other  references  to  this  carbuncle  among  the  Winthrop  Papers,  both 
without  date.  One  of  them  is  a  memorandum  in  the  handwriting  of  John  Winthrop,  and 
is  as  follows :  "  Shauntup,  alias  Tom,  one  of  j-"  sons  of  old  Harry,  who  lives  at  Plainfield, 
and  is  ye  Indian  that  found  y  so  much  talkt  of  carbuncle  in  yc  Quinebaug  country,  about 
3  miles  beyond  where  Francis  Smith  lives,  towards  Providence,  and  is  supposed  to  be  hid 
in  a  pond  thereabouts  by  ye  saiil  Indian.  Qua-re?"  The  other  is  a  fragment  of  a  let- 
ter in  the  handwriting  of  Wait  Winthrop:  "M"'  Duiner  told  me  the  other  day  that  a 
Scotchman  at  or  about  Plainfield  was  with  him  about  thre  weekes  or  a  month  since  and 
told  him  the  Indian  had  taken  away  the  lapis  fulminans  out  of  the  pond,  and  that  he 
saw  it,  and  a.skt  DuiTier  what  might  be  the  worth  of  it;  and  the  Indian  askt  a  hundred 
pounds  for  it,  and  he  intends  to  get  it  and  bring  hither  to  Duiner.  He  would  not  tell  the 
mans  name.  If  old  John  Gallup  and  you  could  manage  the  man  with  privacy  and  go 
thither  by  our  land  where  Cole  is,  speak  with  the  Indian  and  get  him  to  com  hither  with  it 
to  me  if  he  will  not  let  you  have  it.  And  he  should  have  fifty  or  a  hundred;  for  certainly 
he  should  know  it  grew  on  my  Land  and  therfore  I  have  a  right  to  it;  and  if  it  be  known, 
it  will  be  sensed  on  for  the  king.  If  M'  Gallup  can  be  helpful),  he  shall  have  som  ad- 
vantaie  for  himsclfe,  which  he  may  depend  on.  If  you  can  man.age  it  with  prudence, 
you  have  an  opertunity;  if  not,  be  wholy  silent.    Let  it  not  take  aire."  —  Eds. 


310  THE    WKTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

"what  ever  divulge  or  make  knowne  the  business  in  hand 
to  any  person  or  persons.  And  y'  said  John  Winthrop 
does  promise  upon  his  receiving  of  y°  said  Carbuncle,  that 
if  it  is  such  a  thing  as  is  reported  to  be  and  gives  such 
a  great  light  in  the  night  as  to  be  seen  at  a  great  dis- 
tance, to  make  them  full  sattisfoction  for  all  their  pains  & 
trouble. 

And  if  by  no  methods,  consideration  or  means,  we  can 
obtain  the  said  Carbuncle  w"!'  makes  such  a  great  light  in 
the  night,  then  to  returne  the  aforesaid  individual  moneys 
to  the  said  John  Winthrop  on  demand.  In  witness  to 
the  faithfull  performance  of  the  abovesaid  premises  we 
have  hereunto  sett  o!  hands  &  seals  the  day  &  year  above. 

John  Smith.      I  seai-  I 
John  Gallup,     seal.  | 

The  hundred  pound  in  silver,  &  eleven  pounds,  15.  shill. 
of  y"'  within  mentioned  paper  money  returned  to  me 
again  by  M"'  Smith  &  M'  Gallup,  as  witness  my  hand. 

J.  Winthrop. 


JOSEPH  DUDLEY  TO  MRS.  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

RoxBURY,  April  20,  1717. 

My  dearest  Nanny,  —  I  had  your  sorrowful  letter 
some  dayes  since,  which  is  added  to  the  oppressions  I 
am  overwhelmed  with,  and  I  am  brought  by  the  grace 
of  God  into  a  resigned  submission  to  the  sovereignty  of 
God,  who  does  what  he  pleases  with  all  his  creatures, 
especially  with  his  own  children,  whom  he  is  preparing 
for  his  heavenly  kingdom  ;  and  my  recess  from  all  bu.'^i- 
ness  gives  me  the  best  opportunity  for  it,  and  I  pray  you 
to  beleive  that  I  bear  j'^ou  and  your  family  every  day 
before  the  throne  of  mercy,  whence  cometh  all  my  salva- 
tion. And  tho'  I  walk  in  darkness  &  see  no  light,  yet  I 
trust  in  the  Lord  &  stay  my  self  upon  my  God. 


1717.]  WAIT    TVINTHROP.  341 

I  pray  you  to  shew  no  impatience,  but  a  perfect  resig- 
nation to  the  will  of  God  ;  that  wlien  he  pleases  to  return 
in  mercy,  he  may  find  us  in  a  frame  pleasing  to  himself; 
and  that  is  better,  &  will  be  pleasing  to  him,  &  will  be 
a  perfect  indication  that  our  troubles  shall  end  in  a  scene 
of  everlasting  joy.  When  we  make  a  sacrifice  of  all  our 
blessings  and  shew  our  obedience,  it  ends  as  Ephraims 
troubles.  God  will  surely  have  mercy  upon  him  tho  he 
has  spoken  against  him,  &  send  comfort  to  him  and  to  his 
mourners ;  of  whom,  amongst  all  your  freinds,  your  dear 
mother  joyns  with  me  every  day  that  God  will  lift  up  the 
light  of  his  countenance  upon  you,  and  build  you  a  famely, 
&  prosper  your  occasions,  &  remember  your  holy  and 
good  ancestors  that  followed  him  into  this  wilderness, 
like  whom  I  desire  you  and  your  children  may  be.  I  am 
Your  affectionate  father, 

J.  Dudley. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO   HIS   SON  JOHN. 

For  M'  John  Winthrop,  att  New  London. 

Boston,  Aprill  22,  1717. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  yours  by  this  post,  with  the  ru- 
bila.  I  gaue  that  enclosed  to  your  brother.  I  beleiue 
the  first  application  must  be  to  the  Gen"  Court.  I 
would  not  haue  you  so  absolutely  condem  every  body 
for  the  actions  of  a  prevailing  party.  When  the  Profhit 
thought  he  had  been  left  alone,  there  were  yet  7,000  who 
had  not  bowed  to  Baale.  We  must  pray  for  a  more 
Christion  temper.  If  it  were  possible  for  me  to  get  to 
Hartford,  I  beleiue  I  should  be  heard.  Cap'"  Fullam 
sent  me  the  enclosed  the  other  day,  and  will  give  his 
oath   to   it.*      I    hope    you    will    soberly    consider    that 

*  There  are  several  letters  from  Francis  Fullam,  written  about  this  time,  and  one  to  him 
from  Peter  Pratt,  a  Connecticut  lawyer,  to  which  is  appended  the  following  curious  post- 
script: "I  lind  by  astrologicall  calculations  that  these  misfortunes  of  lil' Winthrop's  (his 


342  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

there  is  no  evill  befalles  us  without  the  divine  per- 
mition,  who  can  make  use  of  popguns  as  well  as  can- 
nons to  humble  us.  There  were  several  of  those  round 
small  Margarites,  all  about  a  size,  which  you  will  easily 
distinguish  from  any  other.  I  desire  you  would  send 
them  all,  nere  thirty  or  40  in  all.*  I  shall  enquire 
after  the  kniues,  &c.,  against  a  vessell  goes.  I  cannot 
yet  procure  a  sayle.  Here  came  a  ship  from  Bristoll 
yesterday,  of  two  months  passage.  You  will  haue  a 
coppy  of  the  kings  speach,  if  your  brother  can  write 
it  out  before  the  post  gose,  which  will  tell  you  the  sub- 
stance of  what  we  yet  hear,  tho  thay  speak  of  30  sayle 
of  Sweedish  frygats  in  favour  of  the  Pretender  seen  ofiE 
of  Hull,  &c.  I  write  this  at  your  sisters,  where  I  haue 
been  all  day.  Poor  little  Tome  taken  yesterday  with 
great  pain  in  his  stomach,  belly,  and  side,  like  a  plurettick 
feaver ;  your  mother  and  most  of  the  house  up  with  him 
all  night.  He  took  rubila  this  morning,  and  hojse  he 
is  better.  I  hope  God  will  mercifully  spare  him  to  us. 
Cousin  Adam  Winthrop,  I  hear,  is  very  ill  of  a  feaver.  I 
hope  to  see  you  before  it  be  very  long,  if  my  pain  do  not 
return  too  hard.  Tlie  weather  is  but  now  begining  to 
be  moderate  here.  Its  best  to  make  rubila  before  the 
weather  be  hot.  My  loue  and  respects  where  due. 
The  judges  are  gon  this  morning  to  the  adjorned  Plimoth 
Court.  Mary  is  well  and  at  scoole.  I  would  know  what 
has  been  lost  at  the  island,  &c.  I  pray  God  to  bless 
and  keep  you  all. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  Winthrop. 

dcniall  of  the  jurisdiction  of  j-*  called  Court)  did  comcnce  under  y«  predominant  influence 
of  a  very  inauspicious  conjunction  of  some  of  y"  inferiour  orbs  in  August  last;  &  by  after 
observations  have  found  tliat  those  envious  malignant  bodys  w'k  move  in  a  higher  sphere 
have  still  in  their  courses  fought  against  him."  — Eds. 

•  This  refers  to  a  previous  request  of  the  writer  to  have  sent  to  him  "a  little  image  of 
the  Virgin  Mar*-,  which  was  set  in  a  case  of  gold  with  pearle  about  it.  I  gaue  old  Arthur 
JIasnn  forty  shillings  for  it,  supposing  the  gold  and  pearle  might  be  worth  so  much.  I 
would  have  you  carfully,  with  every  part  belonging  to  it  though  in  peaces,  to  send  it  put 
up  safe."  —  Eds. 


1717.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP.  343 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 

For  M'  John  Winthrop,  att  New  London. 

Boston,  May  6'^,  1717. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  your  letter  of  2'^  instant,  and 
sealed  that  inclosed  and  delivered  it.  You  will  see  by 
the  newspaper  what  is  becom  of  the  great  pyrate ;  it's  a 
very  signall  providence  that  has  disposed  of  them  in  such 
an  awfull  mafier.*  Those  that  deale  with  pyrates,  or  have 
any  of  their  goods  found  with  them,  are  lyable  to  be  sent 
prisoners  for  Britton  and  to  be  tryed  as  accessaryes ;  ther- 
fore  those  that  live  on  the  seacoast  had  need  haue  a  care 
they  medle  not  with  them.  I  beleiue  there  are  som  on 
shore  as  bad  as  those  at  sea;  for  thay  that  haue  been 
land-pyrates  by  swaring  men  out  of  their  rights  will  not 
stick  at  swaring  any  one  out  of  their  Hues,  if  they  can  get 
any  thing  by  it,  or  gratify  their  revenge.  I  haue  spoke 
with  the  saylemaker,  and  a  suite  of  new  sayles  can  not  be 
had  for  lesse  than  20"^%  and  none  at  present  to  be  had 
neither,  nor  second-hand  neither,  but  one  very  larg  one 
that  must  be  cut  to  more  loss  than  a  new  one,  and  I  haue 
not  to  lay  down  for  it.  I  bless  God  your  poor  nephew  is 
geting  up  again,  tho  but  slowly ;  and  Cous.  Winthrop  is 
got  out.  These  stones  are  of  the  right  black  phisick- 
cherry;  if  you  do  not  crack  the  stones  a  little,  thay  will 
hardly  com  up  this  year.  I  haue  had  very  great  pain 
since  my  last,  but  hope  I  shall  yet  be  able  to  com  to  you. 
All  else  prety  well.  Here's  som  pease  from  Koxbury. 
I  pray  God  to  blesse  and  keep  you  all. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  Winthrop. 

•  "In  the  month  of  April,  1717,  a  pirate  ship,  the  Whidah,  of  23  pins  and  130  men,  Sam- 
uel Bellamy  commander,  ventured  upon  the  coast  of  New  England  near  to  Cape  Cod,  and 
after  havin<;  taken  several  vessels  seven  of  the  pirates  were  put  on  board  one  of  them,  who 
soon  got  drunk  and  went  to  sleep.  The  master  of  the  vessel  which  had  been  taken  run  her 
ashore  upon  the  back  of  the  cape,  and  the  seven  men  were  secured.  Soon  after,  the  pirate 
ship  in  a  storm  was  forced  ashore  near  the  table  land;  and  the  whole  crew,  except  one  Eng- 
lishman and  one  Indian,  were  drowned."  (Hutchinson's  History  of  Massachusetts,  vol.  ii. 
p.  223  n.)  — Eds. 


344  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

Shall  send  kniues,  &c.  You  must  of  necessity  make 
som  rubila  as  soon  as  possible.  Our  Gov'  goes  to  Pis- 
cataque  this  weeke.* 


ELIPHALET  ADAMS  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.f 

N.  London,  June  22*,  1717. 

Sir,  —  Your  valuable  present  I  haue  received,  &  am 
at  a  loss  for  words  wherein  to  express  my  thankfulness. 
Many  obligations  have  I  been  laid  under  here  before,  but 
this  is  so  considerable  an  addition  thereunto  that  I  have 
no  other  way  left  to  testify  my  gratitude  but  in  cotnend- 
ing  you  &  yours  to  the  Throne  of  Grace,  to  the  bless- 
ing &  care  of  that  God  who  hath  not  only  favoured  you 
w'?  the  comforts  of  this  present  life,  but  given  you  a  large 
&  generous  heart  to  make  use  of  it.  May  he  shower 
down  upon  you  continually  blessings  both  spiritual  and 
temporal,  that  you  may  find  at  last  you  have  indeed  laid 
up  in  store  a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come ! 

•  In  his  next  letter  (May  13,  1717)  Wait  Winthrop  writes:  "The  pirate  Snow,  that 
scaped  the  storm  when  the  other  was  cast  awav,  has  taken  severall  vessells.  and  our  cow  ia 
gon  to  catch  the  hare.  ...  I  had  a  ietter  from  the  Lord  Chancellor,  another  from  the  At- 
turny  Gen" ,  and  another  from  severall  worthy  genth",  by  M'  Belcher,  about  our  affairs 
here."  Two  of  the  letters  referred  to  are  to  be  found  printed  in  the  Boston  Clironicle  of 
Dec.  2S,  1767.  In  reply  to  further  particulars  about  his  nephew's  convalescence,  John 
Winthrop  writes  (May  30,  1717):  "  Strawberries  are  almost  ripe,  and  I  beleive  change  of 
air  w*  be  good  &  beneficiall  for  Tomme  ;  and  under  these  spreading  oaks  there  is  shade. 
Therefore  come  &  regale  at  o'  clambank.  And  now  I  think  of  it,  pray  give  Tomme  a  few 
raw  oysters  to  eate  w"i  fresh  butter,  w<:i'  I  remember  recruited  me  more  than  any  thing  in 
my  long  &  lingring  sickness  some  years  agoe."  In  his  succeeding  letter  (June  6, 1717) 
John  Winthrop  writes  :  '•  We  have  had  a  cold  backward  spring.  A  Weathersfield  man 
told  me  that  two  nights  agon  they  had  so  hard  a  frost  about  Haddum  that  it  destroy'd 
many  acres  of  corne  &  all  y  beans  &  squashes.  .  .  If  you  remember,  I  sent  you  downe  a 
Conueciicott  proclamation  warning  anybody  to  buy  land  because  it  belonged  to  y  Gov'  & 
Company.  Maj'  Fitch  has  put  out  lately  a  counter-proclamation  to  the  other;  and  where 
the  other  s"'  '  by  the  Hon'!"'  G.  S.,'  his  says  '  by  the  Hon'M  J.  F.,'  &c.,  for  wsh  he  has  been 
on  the  stoole  of  repentance,  and  old  D'  Hooker  has  been  in  jayle  at  Hartford  this  twelve- 
month. Fitch  concludes  his  manifesto  with :  'The  Lord  save  King  George  and  the  Collony 
from  selfe  makeing,  sclfe  seeking  gov",  traytors,  &c. ' '"  —  Eds. 

t  Rev.  Eliphalet  Adams  (Uarv.  Coll.  1G94)  succeeded  Gurdon  Saltonstall  as  minister  of 
New  London,  and  held  that  pastorale  nearly  forty-four  years.  He  is  occasionally  referred 
to  as  "M'  Adams"  in  the  preceding  pages.  For  further  particulars  concerning  him,  see 
4  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  i.  pp.  2(j-49 ;  Caulkins's  History  of  New  laadon,  passim.  —  Jius. 


1717.]  WAIT  WINTHEOP.  345 

Please,  Sir,  to  accept  of  this  little  acknowledging  from 
him  who  shall  ever  be  forward  to  serve  you,  and  asks 
leave  to  subscribe  himself 

Your  friend  &  serv',  Eliphalet  Adams. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS   SON  JOHN. 
For  M''  John  Winthrop,  att  New  London. 

Boston,  July  8",  1717. 
Deare  Sok, — I  haue  your  letter,  and  sent  your  brother 
his.  I  am  in  so  much  pain  today  I  can  hardly  write.  I 
fear  tis  a  stone  in  the  bladder,  yet  it  seems  not  to  have 
all  the  symtoms  of  that.  Eating  but  8  or  ten  cherrys  I 
found  set  me  into  pain.  Your  sister  has  been  out  of  sorts, 
but  is  prety  well  again ;  her  face  has  been  much  swolen. 
ToJcfie  prety  well  again,  and  just  now  is  com  to  see  us. 
Your  mother  has  been  ill  four  or  fine  days,  took  rubila 
yesterday,  is  a  little  feaverish  still,  but  better.  M"'  Brown 
may  keep  every  body  off  that  land  during  his  lease,  tho 
the  execution  were  never  so  good,  because  it  is  his  during 
the  lease.  Tell  him  I  expect  he  should  do  so.  I  haue 
had  no  comunication  either  with  the  man  or  his  m"  yet. 
Cap?  FuUam  will  doubtless  be  with  you.  I  hear  notiiing 
about  the  smale  pox  at  Rhoad  Island  ;  hope  it  is  not  there. 
A  pirate  sloop  of  about  120  men  took,  about  3  weeks 
since,  a  ship  bound  for  England  from  hence,  but  let  her 
go  again,  took  from  her  som  provition  and  a  young  man 
of  this  country  for  a  pilote.  Thay  were  off  of  Cape  Sable, 
or  that  way,  desined  for  Cape  Codd,  but  made  land  som- 
where  at  the  eastward,  where  their  new  pilote  was  not 
aquainted,  sent  ten  men  with  him  to  look  for  fresh  provi- 
tions,  and  in  a  thicket  of  bushes  he  slipt  from  them  and 
ran  till  next  day,  then  made  sine  to  a  fishing  shall  up,  who 
took  him  in,  brought  him  to  Marblehead ;  this  story  he 
told  to  the  Gov'  &  Councill  today.    He  is  a  Bastable  man, 


346  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS  [1717. 

Coll.  Otis  cousin,  who  was  then  present  at  the  Councill; 
yet  som  suspect  him,  for  he  remembers  not  the  masters 
name  well,  nor  the  ships  name  he  was  going  in,  but  thinks 
thay  called  them  by  such  names,  he  being  a  stranger  to 
the  master  when  he  shipt  himselfe  just  upon  their  going 
away.  I  hope  shall  be  able  to  be  with  you  shortly.  Pray 
make  some  rubila  as  soon  as  maybe.  I  send  a  bagg  of 
turnip  seed,  cost  4'  6"*.  I  haue  got  Starky's  book,  but 
none  elce  yet  ;*  shall  look  it  over  and  send  it.  Mary  is 
well;  sends  duty  and  loue.  I  now  hear  the  smale  pox 
is  at  Rhoad  Island.  Our  neibour  Legg,  M'  Stoddards 
daughter,  dyed  yesterday.     I  pray  God  bless  and  keep 

y[o"]- 

Your  loving  fa[ther],  Wait  Winthrop. 


WAIT  winthrop  to    HIS  SON  JOHN. 

For  M'  John  Winthrop,  in  New  London. 

Boston,  July  22*,  1717. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  no  letter  or  bundle  from  you  this 
post,  tho  I  wrote  by  Jordan  last  week,  who  brought  me 
yours. t  I  hope  you  are  well,  and  haue  sent  by  som 
other  way.  I  am  very  solicitous  about  geting  to  you, 
and  hope  to  get  away  spedily.  A  cart  cam  cross  the 
coach  as  it  was  run  out  into  the  street,  and  broke  one 

•  In  the  letter  to  which  this  is  an  answer  John  Winthrop  writes  :  "I  am  sorry  you  did 
not  use  some  means  to  procure  them  few  books  before  the  auction.  Others,  I  doubt,  will 
catch  them  up  &  outbid.  M'  Lee  on  the  Temple  is  a  thin  folio,  and  I  w*  pive  20  or  30 
shill.  for  it  rather  then  not  have  it.  The  others  are  all  small  bonkes  but  of  a  shilling  or  two 
price.  I  should  also  have  been  glad  to  have  purchast  M'  Newman's  Concordance,  Simson's 
Philosophical!  Dialogues,  &  Carter's  Analisis  of  Hono'  &  Armory."  —  Ki>s. 

t  In  the  letter  referred  to  (July  11, 1717),  John  Winthrop  had  written  :  '■  I  am  thankful! 
for  the  sight  of  the  Commencemt.  Is  itlustrissimo  become  hereditary  ?  We  began  it  to  y« 
Earle  of  Bellomt,  and  I  think,  noble  or  not,  they  continue  the  complemt.  .  .  .  M'  Smith  of 
Long  Island  has  lately  sent  me  word  that  some  people  of  yt  Island  has  now  pott  above  500 
bnrrills  of  tnrr  off  yo'  land,  y'  an  other  man  has  gott  100  more,  and  are  dayly  makeing  of 
tarr  there.  He  would  h.ive  me  send  him  a  power  to  seize  it,  but  I  doubt  wether  he  has  not 
8ome  dcsigne  to  draw  you  into  charge.  It  is  a  pitty  they  should  pillage  y"  proffitt  of  yo' 
estate  so  every  day.'*  —  Eds. 


1717.]  WAIT   WINTHROP.  347 

of  the  great  wheels  alto  peices  tother  day ;  but  there 
is  a  pair  of  new  ones  making  will  be  ready  next  week. 
Here  is  no  news  but  what  's  inclosed.  The  Conecticot 
rulers,  masculine  and  fern.,  are  gon  a  progress  to  Ips- 
wich. Our  Ex""''  is  going  in  the  man  of  warr  to  meet 
the  Indians  at  Casco  Bay.  Cousin  Winthrop  buried  his 
Will""  last  week,  about  a  week  old.  I  was  at  Roxbury 
Saturday  ;  thay  were  all  well.  All  with  us  well  (God  be 
thanked) ;  and  Mary  sends  duty  and  loue,  with  thre  p''  of 
shoose.  I  pray  God  to  bless  and  keep  you  all. 
Your  lou.  father, 

W.  Winthrop. 
Send  some  s'. 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  NATHAN   GOLD. 

Boston,  7".'  23j,  1717. 

HoN^.'*  S^'  —  Hopeing  this  may  find  you  at  New  London, 
I  take  the  occasion  to  thank  you  for  yo""  kind  visitt,  and 
desire  yo'  pardon  that  I  did  not  wait  on  you,  or  shew  that 
respect  I  desired  before  you  went  out  of  towne,  w''*'  was 
sooner  then  I  expected.  I  designed  to  have  had  dis- 
course w"'  you  not  only  of  some  things  concerning  my 
selfe,  but  of  what  might  tend  to  y^  intrest  and  welfare  of 
that  Gov'm',  w"*"  I  have  as  my  predecessors  all  ways  been 
sollicitous  for  the  prosperity  of;  but  if  it  please  God  to 
lengthen  out  my  life,  I  may  have  farther  opertunity  w"* 
you. 

And  now  I  begg  yo'  excuse  if  I  trouble  you  w"*  a  word 
or  two,  w'^''  I  think  I  ought  to  lett  you  know,  that  I  think 
I  have  had  strickt  measure  in  some  actions  I  have  been 
concerned  in  at  N.  Loud  ;  but  I  am  wiUing  to  think  it 
might  be  through  mistake,  w"**  we  are  all  liable  to.  If  I 
were  a  perfect  stranger  to  you,  the  character  you  bare  of 
a  just,  unbyassed  person  would  incourage  me  to  represent 
two  causes  w"""  I  suppose  will  be  before  you  at  Court,  w''"' 


348  THE   WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

I  doubt  not  you  will  find  my  son  vexatiously  persued  by 
unreasonable  men,  as  well  in  the  case  of  Yeomans  about 
hay  as  by  Jones  for  work  don.  Yeomans  mows  on  my 
land,  w"**  he  can  show  nothing  to  bare  him  out  in ;  he 
carryes  away  most  of  the  hay  and  then  sues  my  son,  who 
looks  after  my  business,  for  disposeing  of  the  bottoms  of 
two  or  three  hay  coks,  or  to  that  purpose.  I  would  pray 
it  may  be  considered  how  he  justifys  himselfe  in  mowing 
my  land,  if  he  can  shew  no  liberty  from  me.  I  am  certain 
my  son  can  be  no  trespasser,  if  he  had  disposed  of  all  the 
hay  he  found  there.  As  for  Jones,  who  never  kept  any 
book,  and,  as  I  suppose,  can  scarse  write  his  name,  I  am 
informed  was  allowed  to  bring  to  the  Court  something  he 
called  his  book,  w"*"  he  owned  was  wrote  a  few  days  before 
out  of  memory,  for  work  done  many  years  before,  and 
was  admitted  to  sware  to  only  the  debt  side,  w"'*'  his  law- 
yer and  he  had  devised ;  when  every  body  knows  he  and 
his  family  would  have  starved  if  he  had  not  his  wages 
dayly,  and  could  not  have  stayed  so  many  years  when 
the  next  justice  would  have  don  him  right  immediately. 
And  I  myselfe  know  that,  3  or  4  years  since  when  I  was 
at  N.  Lond.,  he  had  his  pay  dayly  for  work  he  did  for  my 
son,  and  sometimes  before  hand.  I  know  o'  Justices  here 
would  have  well  considered  these  things,  w*  all  his  circum- 
stances, before  they  would  have  admitted  such  a  book, 
and  admitted  an  oath  only  to  the  creditt  side  ;  and  the 
Court  and  Jury,  as  tis  thought  here,  will  well  consider 
the  validity,  as  well  as  the  consequence,  of  such  mens 
oaths. 

I  know  yo'  Hon'  will  endeavo'  to  see  that  don  w'*"  is 
altogether  right,  and  the  good  Lord  direct  you.  Please 
to  excuse  this  trouble  from,  S', 

Yo'  true  friend  and  humb'  serv',  W.  W. 


Indorsed  by  John  Winthrop:  "  Coppy  of  Maj'  Genu  Winthrops  letter  to 
Deputy  Gov  Gold." 


1717.]  JOHN  WINTHROP.  349 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  .* 

Septemb',  1717. 

S*, — I  am  glad  to  see  yo'  Hono'  at  this  time  on  the  bench 
in  the  prime  seat  of  Judicature;  being  perswaded  that  you 
will  do  justice  to  the  rich  as  well  as  to  the  poor,  and  that 
no  little  private  interests,  insinuations,  or  personall  preju- 
dices will  on  any  account  prevaile  uppon  you  to  suffer 
such  notorious  injury es  &  abuses,  w"^  has  hitherto  been 
transacted  very  spitefully  against  the  repose  &  property 
of  a  family  w'^?  has  deserved  better  treatment  from  a 
people  who  have  been  so  much  obliged  by  them.  I  am 
not  afraid  to  speak  w'J"  boldeness.  The  matters  of  fact  are 
known  to  the  world  :  how  justice,  that  is  the  birthright 
of  every  Englishman,  has  been  deny'd  to  o''  family  in  this 
Collony,  and  common  rouges  have  been  countenanced  & 
incouraged  in  their  suits  &  pretensions  against  us.  Un- 
der a  couler  of  law  &  cloak  of  righteousness  o^  property 
&  estate  has  been  invaded  &  rudely  &  wrongfully  taken 
from  us  contrary  to  the  plain  rule  of  Magna  Charta,  w"^ 
laws  &  statutes  Connecticott  may  not  set  aside,  neither 
does  the  Collony  Charter  give  or  grant  power  to  alter  or 
disanuU  them.  The  priviledges  of  this  country  are  yet 
appertaining  &  dependant  on  his  Most  Excellent  Majesty 
in  Parlement ;  but  I  shall  wave  what  I  intended  to  say  on 
this  head,  to  make  it  kiiowne  where  I  may  be  heard  &  re- 
dressed. I  w'^  begg  leave  to  mention  2  or  three  injuries 
lately  done  to  us:  how  we  have  been  forct  to  submitt 
o''  cases  unexpectedly  to  a  new  tryall  when  there  had 
been  a  final  decision  of  the  matters  by  y'  owne  judge- 
ments ;  how  Courts  were  call'd  with  a  purpose  to  favo' 
the  designe  wl  these  very  Courts  had  been  abolished  by 
y'  owne  Acts ;  how  appeals  w'  entered  contrary  to  law 
after  the  adjornement  of  the  session  (when  there  was  no 

•  Probably  Deputy-Governor  Nathan  Gold.  —  Eds. 


350  THE    WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

appeal  granted  during  the  Court's  setting  nor  within  the 
time  limited  by  law),  and  so  the  defend'  was  unfairly 
surprized  &  forct  into  a  new  try  all;  how  good  &  fir  me 
leases  have  been  set  aside;  how  bonds  of  great  value 
have  been  cancelled,  or  chancered  downe  to  nothing,  by 
w*"!"  means  the  landlord  has  been  defrauded  of  his  just 
rents  &  dammages ;  how  some  of  the  very  places  the  ten- 
nant  hired  by  vertue  of  those  indentures  haue  been  (out 
of  pitty  to  a  pretended  poor  man)  afterwardes  taken  away 
from  the  landlord  (who  was  out  of  the  CoUony  at  the 
time  and  ignorant  of  the  actions)  and  given  (thro  a  pre- 
tence of  equity)  to  the  lessee.  And  after  I  had  had  y° 
incouragement  &  word  of  some  persons  in  a  superiour 
station  that  the  severall  cases  in  w"!*  my  father  was  con- 
cerned should  be  continued,  by  reason  of  the  impossibil- 
ity of  his,  or  his  atturneys,  coming  above  one  hundred 
miles  thr6  the  prodigious  and  unheard  of  snow  banks  that 
then  (by  the  providence  of  God)  covered  the  unpassible 
roads,  I  was  unkindly  &  unjustly  forct  out,  to  answer 
false  &  scandalous  allegations,  at  a  time  when  my  own 
health  was  broken  and  Heaven  was  calling  me  to  sorrow 
over  the  loss  of  an  only  son.  Thus  was  I  cruelly  used. 
And  I  am  assured  and  can  prove  that  a  knave  (that  if  he 
was  in  any  other  place  in  the  world  would  be  set  in  the 
pillory)  was  admitted  to  give  an  oath  to  a  pretended 
pocket-book  that  he  had  contrived  a  little  time  before 
the  Court,  the  date  being  visibly  writt  at  one  time  & 
false  articles  added  at  another,  the  sura  total  of  his  ac- 
count being  altered  from  5^  to  23f ;  I  speak  it  with 
indignation  &  disdain.* 

•  The  original  is  a  rough  draught,  much  interlined,  and  evidently  unfinished;  hut  it 
throws  light  upon  the  character  of  the  writer  and  upon  the  state  of  antagonism  which  had 
begun  to  exist  between  him  and  the  Connecticut  courts,  and  which  culminated,  nt  a  later 
period,  in  his  famous  appeal  to  the  Privy  Council.  John  Winthrop  was  a  scholarly  man, 
of  scientific  tastes,  whose  many  good  qualities  were  often  neutralized  by  a  hasty  temper,  a 
suspicious  disposition,  and  an  exaggerated  sense  of  his  own  importance.  Born  and  bred  in 
Massachusetts,  he  did  not  begin  to  reside  in  Connecticut  until  he  was  past  thirty,  and  he 
did  not  conceal  that  he  regarded  his  removal  from  Boston  to  New  London  in  the  light  of  an 


1717.]  WAIT   WINTHKOP.  351 


WAIT  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  SON  JOHN* 
For  M''  John  Winthrop.  in  New  London. 

Boston,  Oct.  22'',  1717. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  your  letter  and  what  you  sent  by 
Wilson.  There  was  but  nine  fish ;  there  was  some  mag- 
gots in  them,  it  being  hot  weather.  We  had  one  of  them 
boiled  at  dinner  to-day,  which  eat  well.  I  hear  nothing 
of  Parker  yet ;  if  I  cannot  get  away  this  winter,  I  know 
not  what  we  shall  do.     A  little  butter  and  cheese  will 


exile.  Outside  of  a  limited  circle  of  friends,  lie  failed  to  ingratiate  himself  with  his  new 
neighbors,  and  he  became  firmly  persuaded  that  a  conspinicy  existed  among  his  father's 
tenants  to  wipe  off  arrears  of  rent  by  fictitious  pleas  of  produce  furnished  or  labor  per- 
formed. He  persuaded  himself  that  such  proceedings  were  winked  at,  for  political  or  selfish 
reasons,  by  some  of  the  local  authorities,  among  them  no  less  a  personage  than  Governor 
Saltonstall.  As  Saltonstall  had  been  the  cherished  friend  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop's  old 
age,  his  nephew's  allusions  to  him,  in  confidential  letters  to  his  father,  are  certainly  disre- 
spectful and  probably  unjust.  He  rarely  mentions  him  save  under  cover  of  some  nick- 
name, the  most  mysterious  of  which  is  "  the  Hogen-Mogen  " ;  and  in  moments  of  irritation 
he  lets  fall  a  variety  of  insinuations  with  regard  to  Saltonstall's  alleged  disposition  to  face 
both  ways,  winding  up  with  the  following  characteristic  sally  :  "And  this  is  the  gentle- 
man that  pretends  that  you  mistake  him,  &c.  Truly,  the  apostate  Judas  was  once  a  disci- 
ple, and  ye  fallen  angt-ls  were  once  beings  of  light,  but  now  are  infernal  spiritts  and  a  very 
Divell!  "  It  would  be  a  mistake,  however,  to  suppose  that  his  letters  on  this  subject  were 
all  of  this  petulant  description.  In  one  of  them  he  consoles  himself  by  copying  nearly  a 
page  from  Lactantius,  and  in  another  he  soothes  his  injured  feelings  by  making  an  mgenious 
adaptation  from  Isaiah  and  the  Psalms.  —  Eds. 

*  This  letter  crossed  one  of  the  24th  from  John  Winthrop,  who  writes :  "  I  am  sorry  for 
Cap'  Sewall'sloss;  there  is  now  a  helpmeet  for  Lizee,  if  she  will  goe  to  Timnah.  M'Treas- 
urer  Whiting  dyed  suddenly  of  a  pleuresie  feavo'  at  New  Haven  the  last  week.  There  is 
great  disturbance  in  y«  CoUony  about  ye  CoUedge.  The  last  year  M'  Stonington  Noyse 
was  violent  for  keeping  of  it  at  Saybrook,  or  elce  he  s"!  they  should  loose  ye  old  Govs  leg- 
acy to  it ;  but  since  his  son  is  settled  in  M'  Pierpont's  place  and  house,  he  has,  w'hout  leave 
or  ord'  from  the  Assembly  or  Trustees,  moved  it  to  New  Haven  &  ordered  a  building  to  be 
erected  for  y«  purpose,  w"*"  is  almost  finished.  The  Assembly  disaprove  of  his  doings,  and 
have  sent  for  him  to  answer  for  himself?,  wither  he  is  gon.  Great  divisions  &  confusi.  ns 
in  Church  &  State  here,  and  all  things  groan  for  a  universall  change.  ...  J.  Gallup  of 
Agunck  was  w'i>  me  yesterday,  and  brought  me  the  gaules  of  eleaven  rattle-snakes  in  a  litile 
bottle.  I  pray  you  wi  send  me  word  y  post  how  I  must  mi.f  the  chaulke  w<ii  it  and  how 
much  ch.iulke  put  in  it.  There  is  abundance  of  fresh  water  clams  in  the  great  pond  at  Lan- 
thnrne  hill;  are  they  good  to  eate  ?  I  have  some  red  cedar  berryes  w''  I  gathered  at  Fisher- 
Island  ;  they  say  M'  Brenton  sowed  some  at  Rhode  Island,  and  has  a  young  grove  of  cedars 
now  on  his  farme.  Many  people  hereabouts  carry  them  in  their  pockets  and  eat  them,  as 
being  very  wholsom  &  strengthning,  they  say,  to  the  vitalls,  and  good  for  all  sorts  of  ails, 
the  Indians  say.  There  is  a  small  8'o  Bible  wU"  marginal!  notes,  lately  put  out  by  one 
M'  John  Canne,  to  be  sould  at  M'  Eliott  shop  at  Boston,  ten  shillings  price.  I  pray  you 
w4  send  me  one  of  them."  The  iirst  edition  of  the  Bible  here  referred  to  was  published  at 
Amsterdam  in  1664.    It  has  beea  often  reprinted.  —  Eds. 


352  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

not  do,  nor  100  sheep.  If  I  were  shure  of  good  wether,  I 
could  com  in  M'  Pickets  sloop.  Shall  send  soni  gallons  of 
Palm  wine  for  present  occation  ;  its  farr  beyound  Canary, 
and  shall  look  out  for  strong  locks.  You  say  nothing  about 
the  fashion  of  the  britches ;  the  bucks  skin  you  brought  is 
drest  into  very  good  yellow  lether  of  the  ordinary  color. 
Our  Gen"  Court  sits  in  a  few  days  ;  I  would  fain  do  som- 
thing  about  the  Tantiusque  land  before  I  leaue  this 
place,  or  we  shall  loose  it  all.  I  hear  not  of  your  letter 
by  the  Indian.  Capt.  Sewalls  wife  died  last  Satturday. 
Mary  sends  duty,  love,  and  thanks  for  the  nutts ;  she 
is  now  at  scoole.  All  freinds  well.  Thay  are  to  try 
pirates  here  tomorrow,  I  think.  I  pray  God  to  bless 
and  keep  you  all,  and  send  your  wife  a  good  time. 
Your  louing  father, 

W.    WlNTHROP. 


WAIT  WIXTHROP  TO   HIS   SON  JOHN. 

For  M'  John  Winthrop  in  New  London. 

Boston,  8V'  28.  1717. 

Dear  Son,  —  I  haue  yours  ;  haue  but  just  time  to  tell 
you  Parker  brought  the  cow,  which  proves  prety  well ;  I 
haue  not  paid  for  bringing  her.  Young  M'  Hurst  is  dead. 
I  send  by  Wilson  a  hamper  with  15  bottles  of  Palm  wine, 
better  then  Canary,  and  an  ax  very  good.  Here  was  but 
now  one  Hambleton,  says  he  saw  you  Wensday  last;  he 
lives  at  Cap*  Lattimers  farm,  I  dout  a  palavering  fellow, 
says  you  use  Rachell  hardly.  She  was  to  have  50  shil- 
ling when  her  4  years  ware  up,  by  her  owne  and  her 
masters  agrement.  I  doubt  he  or  som  others  giue  her 
no  good  advice.  I  will  not  dispair  of  geting  to  you  if 
the  winter  hold  off.  Hope  my  daughter  will  get  well 
over  her  time.  Your  mother  is  going  to  Cambridg  to  see 
her  nephew  Will.  Brattle,  who  has  been  ill  som  time,  and 
thay  are  afraid  not  like  to  hue.     I  hear  nothing  of  that 


1717.]  WAIT  WINTHEOP.  353 

letter  or  Billings,  but  shall  enquire.  I  know  not  the  just 
proportion  of  chaulk  or  white  clay.  Are  you  certain  that 
none  of  the  snakes  bitt  themselues  as  thay  were  kild  ? 
Your  sister  had  the  pepper  all  brused  since  Will,  went 
away.  I  had  your  letter  by  Will.  As  to  the  lead  mine 
land,  if  I  can  make  them  com  to  Conecticot  line  south 
and  the  river  east,  which  I  hope  thay  will,  it  will  be  best. 
Let  us  be  patient  under  all  our  sufferings,  and  I  hope  all 
will  end  well.  That  fellow  says  you  threaten  to  send 
Rachell  to  Virgina  ;  a  little  prudence  will  make  her 
easy.  I  sent  by  M"'  Hemstede  a  porringer,  and  a  bundle 
with  a  letter  in  it.  All  here  well.  I  pray  God  to  bless 
and  keep  you  all. 

Your  louing  father,  W.  Winthrop. 

We  hear  nothing  of  butter  or  cheese  yet.  The  Indians 
never  eat  that  shell  fish.  Get  as  many  of  them  as  you 
can  for  the  other  use,  but  I  think  they  cant  be  got  but  in 
suiiier.  I  know  not  but  the  ceader  berrys  will  grow ; 
try  them.  I  beleiue  thay  are  as  good  as  the  Indians  say. 
I  wish  Mary  could  haue  been  there  to  help  nurse  her 
mother.     I  long  to  see  the  poor  children.* 

*  This  was  the  writer's  last  letter.  He  had  long  suffered  from  occasional  ailments,  but 
was  on  the  whole  a  vigorous  man  for  his  advanced  age.  Only  a  few  years  before,  his  son 
describes  with  pride  his  father's  activity  of  limb  and  accuracy  of  aim  during  a  day's  shoot- 
ing on  Fisher's  Island.  He  continued  in  his  usual  health  until  November  1,  when  Sewall 
mentions  his  having  been  taken  ill  just  after  attending  a  funeral.  November  3,  he  was 
evidently  worse,  and  Sewall  sat  some  time  by  his  bedside.  November  7,  Sewall  records  as 
follows:  "  Last  night  died  the  excellent  Wait  Still  Winthrop,  Esq^,  for  parentage,  piety, 
prudence,  philosophy,  love  to  New  England  ways  and  people,  very  eminent.  His  son  not 
come,  though  sent  for."     See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vii.  pp.  145,  146. 

In  the  mean  time  John  Winthrop,  in  ignorance  of  his  father's  illness,  had  written  him  a 
long  letter,  in  the  course  of  which  he'  referred  as  follows  to  the  story  that  he  had  harshly 
treated  a  female  servant.  The  explanation  has  quite  a  modern  ring,  and  seems  to  show 
that  vexations  connected  with  Irish  housemaids  were  as  common  in  New  England  in  the 
early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century  as  they  are  in  the  latter  part  of  the  nineteenth:  "It  is 
not  convenient  now  to  write  the  trouble  &  plague  we  have  had  w'h  this  Irish  creature  the 
year  past.  Lying  &  unfaithfull ;  wi  doe  things  on  purpose  in  contradiction  &  vexation  to 
her  mistress;  lye  out  of  the  house  anights,  and  have  contrivances  w">  fellows  that  have 
been  stealing  from  o'  estate  &  gett  drink  out  of  ye  cellar  for  them ;  saucy  &  impudent,  as 
when  we  have  taken  her  to  task  for  her  wickedness  she  has  gon  away  to  complain  of  cruell 
usage.  I  can  truly  say  we  have  used  this  base  creature  w'h  a  great  denl  of  kindness  & 
lenity.  She  w<i  frequently  take  her  mistresses  capps  &  stockins,  hanckerchers,  &c.,  and 
45 


Bearers,  gloves,  rings,  scarves,  es- 
cutcheons. 


354  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 


A  MEMORANDUM  OF  PERSONS  INVITED  TO  WAIT  WIN- 
THROP'S  FUNERAL,  NOV.  14,  1717,  WITH  THE  DISTRIBU- 
TION OF  MOURNING  EMBLEMS. 

Gov'  Shute, 

Gov'  Dudley, 

L'  Gov'  Dumer, 

L'  Gov'  Taylor   (wife) 

Judge  Sewall,  " 

d"      Hutchinson,  " 

The  Counsell  &  Deputy  Sec,  scarves  ^  gloves. 

The  Assembly,  gloves. 

The  Ministers  of  Towne,  gloves  ^  scarves. 

Presedent  of  College,  gloves,  scarves,  ^  ring. 

Doctors  Ellis,  Noyes,  Clark  (wife),  Davis,  gloves  ^  scarves 
Gibbs,  gloves. 

Sheriffs  Dudley  &  Winslow,  scarves,  ring,  ^  gloves. 

M'  White,  Clerk  of  Assembly ;   Flagg,  doorkeeper  Coun- 
sell, gloves  ^  scarves. 

Capt.  Tuthill,  gloves  ^  scarf e. 

W  Achmooty  «&  Capt.  Fullam,  gloves  ^  scarf es. 
The  Regiment  for  duty  : 

Coll°  Fitch,  \ 

Lieut.  Coll"  Hutchinson,  >  scarves,  gloves,  rings,  ^  scutcheons. 

Majr  Savage,  ) 

Captains   Martyn,   Pollard,  Bulfinch,  Greenough,  Greenwod 
Jo.  Hiller,  Gerrish,  gloves. 

Lieu'  W?  Downe,  and  seven  others,  gloves. 

8  Ensigns,  gloves. 

16  drummers,  gloves  cf-  scutcheons. 

Mourning  &  scutcheons  for  the  lead  horse. 

Mingo  in  mourning.* 


dress  herselfe,  and  away  w'^out  leave  among  her  companions.  I  may  have  said  some  time 
or  other  when  she  has  been  in  fault,  that  she  was  fitt  to  live  nowhere  butt  in  Virginia,  and 
if  slie  W*  not  mend  her  ways  I  should  send  her  thitlier;  tho  I  am  sure  no  body  wi  give  her 
passage  thither  to  have  her  service  for  20  yearcs,  she  is  such  a  high  spirited  pernicious  jade. 
Robin  has  been  run  away  near  ten  days,  as  you  will  see  by  the  inclosed,  and  this  creature 
knew  of  his  going  and  of  his  carrying  out  4  dozen  bottles  of  cyder,  metheglin,  &  palme 
wine  out  of  the  cellar  amongst  the  servants  of  the  towne,  and  meat  and  I  know  not  w'.  The 
bottles  they  broke  &  threw  away  after  they  had  drank  up  tlie  liquor,  and  they  got  up 
C  sheep  anight,  kill'd  a  fatt  one  and  roasted  and  made  merry  with  it  before  morning.  I 
send  a  caske  of  cranberrys  &  a  barrell  of  apples  for  my  sister,  and  a  barke  wUi  other  Indian 
things  w^h  my  brother  desired."  —  Kds. 

»  Mingo  was  Wait  Winthrop's  body-servant,  who  appareatly  led  a  horse  covered  with 
funeral  trappings.  —  Ed9. 


1717.]      PERSONS   INVITED   TO   WINTHROP's  FUNERAL.       355 

Relations  &  others. 

Mad"  Dudley,  Roxb"^,  gloves  ^  ring. 

Adam  Winthrop,  (/Zowes,  scarff,  ^  ring;  wiie,  gloves  ^  ring. 

Benj?  Lynde,  ^?oyes,  scarff,  ring  ;  -wlie,  gloves  ^  ring. 

Ad.  Davenport,  gloves,  scarff,  ring  ;  wife,  gloves  ^  ring. 

P.  Dudley,  gloves,  scarff,  ring  ;  wife,  gloves  ^  ring. 

Fran.  Wainwright,  gloves,  scarff,  ^  ring  ;  wife,  gloves. 

M"  Dumer,  gloves. 

W  Sam}  Sewall,  JunF  gloves,  ^c. 

M"'  Mico  &  wife,  riiigs  ^  scarves. 

Ed.  Brattle  &  wife,  rings,  scarves,  gloves. 

Rr  Parson,  gloves,  ring,  ^  scarf e. 

Mad"?  Oliver,  gloves. 

M'  Tho.  Smith  &  vnves  children,  gloves. 

Jn?  Smith  &  wife,  gloves. 

Nath'.'  Oliver  &  wife, 


gloves. 


Jam".  Oliver  &  wife, 

Brattle  Oliver  &  wife, 

Peter  Oliver, 

Mary  Oliver, 

W"  Brattle,  Cambridg( 

Jn?  Staniforth  &  wife. 

Staniforth,  brother. 

NathH  Henchman  &  wife. 
Jn?  Edwards  children. 
Jn?  Ellistone. 
Priscilla  Hough. 

Adams. 

Dean  Grover  &  wife. 

Grover  &  wife. 

Jn°  Gore  &  wife. 

M' Cole  &  wife. 

M"  Flint,  watcher. 

Mad?  Addington,  gloves  ^  ring. 

Jn?  Ballintine  &  wife,  gloves,  scarve,  ^  ring. 

Cap?  Keeling  &  wife. 

M'  Wendell  &  wife,  &  sister  Mercy. 

Bromfeild  &  wife. 

Tho  :  Hutchinson  &  wife. 
Elialvim  Hutchinson  &  wife. 
Jno  Fitch  &  wife. 


356  THE  WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

M?  Belcher,  widd°. 

M"?  Pemberton. 

M?  Willard. 

Coll"  Townsend  &  wife. 

Elisha  Cook  &  wife. 

Coll"  Thomas. 

IP  J.  Cambell,  y®  post  master,  ring  ^  gloves. 

M''  Thrasher  &  wife,  wf  y*  2  pipes  of  wine  was  burnt,  gloves.* 

*  This  list  is  a  somewhat  confused  and  probably  imperfect  one,  but  it  serves  to  illustrate 
one  of  the  customs  of  the  Provincial  period.  The  funeral  did  not  take  place  until  one  week 
after  the  death  occurred,  in  order  to  allow  time  for  John  Winthrop  to  reach  Boston  and  make 
the  necessary  arrangements.  Judge  Sewall  describes  it  as  follows  in  his  diary  of  the  same 
date:  "Attend  the  funeral  of  Maj'  Gen'  Winthrop;  the  corps  was  carried  to  the  Town- 
House  the  night  before;  now  buried  from  the  Council  Chamber.  Bearers:  His  Excel,  the 
Gov;  Gov  Dudley;  L«  Gov  Dumer;  Col.  Taylor;  Col.  Elisha  Hutchinson;  Sam'  Sewall; 
scarfs  and  rings.  The  Regiment  attended  in  arms.  M'  John  Winthrop  led  the  widow. 
Twiis  past  five  before  we  went.  The  streets  were  crowded  with  people.  Was  laid  in 
Gov  Winthrop's  tomb  in  Old  Burial  Place.  When  returned,  I  condoled  M'  Winthrop, 
Madam  Lechmere,  the  Province,  on  the  loss  of  so  excellent  a  father.  Councillors  had 
scarfs;  the  Deputies,  gloves."  (See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  vii.  p.  147.)  Two  sermons 
upon  Wait  Winthrop  were  published  shortly  after  his  death,  and  are  familiar  to  antiquaries. 
One  of  them  was  delivered  at  his  funeral  by  Cotton  Mather,  who  appended  to  it  a  long  and 
magniloquent  Latin  epitaph,  which  is  to  be  found  not  merely  in  the  rare  original,  but  also 
in  the  "  Life  and  Letters  of  John  Winthrop,"  vol.  ii.  pp.  ■161-404.  The  other  sermon  was 
preached  \>y  Rev.  Joseph  Sewall,  minister  of  the  South  Church.  In  both  sermons  Wait 
Winthrop  is  described  as  having  died  in  his  seventy-sixth  year,  but  he  has  been  occasionally 
represented  as  having  been  a  year  younger.  The  question  is  set  at  rest  by  the  recent  discov- 
ery of  the  following  memorandum  in  the  handwriting  of  his  son:  "Feb'  y*  27">  1710[-11]. 
My  good  father  blessed  me  and  mine,  it  being  his  birth  day  &  ye  TO'i"  year  of  his  age  com- 
pleat.  He  was  borne  at  Boston  in  New  England  on  the  Sabbath  day,  y«  27'i>  of  y«  12"' 
month  Feb',  anno  1641,  &  was  baptized  bj'  M'  John  Cotton.  He  has  at  this  day  y»  vigor 
&  vivacity  of  .30.  God  be  praised  and  blessed  for  him.  May  it  please  y  Almighty  to  con- 
tinue his  life  &  health  as  y«  chiefest  blessing  to  o'  family!  "  His  first  wife  (Mary,  daughter 
of  Hon.  William  Browne,  of  Salem)  died  in  Boston  of  the  small-pox,  June  14, 1690,  aged  34. 
By  her  he  had  four  other  children  (John,  William,  Joseph,  and  Elizabeth),  who  were  taken 
away  in  early  childhood.  Judge  Sewall  describes  the  joint  funeral  of  two  of  them,  in  1693, 
03  "  a  very  affecting  sight."     (See  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  v.  p.  384.)  —  Eds. 


1717.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP'S   FUNERAL   CHARGES.  357 


WAIT  -VVINTHROP'S  FUNERAL  CHARGES.* 

1717.     Y.°  Estate  of  yf  Honorable  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq5,  dec?, 
is  Dr. 

0.  10.  0 

0.     3.  0 

3.  0 

0.  12.  0 

0.     7.  6 


November  14     To  opening  a  tomb 

To  inside  work       .     . 
To  a  plank  for  a  banch 
To  hire  of  the  pall 
To  toling  the  bells 


James  Williams  £1.  15. 

Rec'd  the  full  contence  of  this  note  of  John  Winthrop. 

p'  James  Williams. 


Nov^  25*,  1717. 

The  estate  of  the  Honou""  Waite  Winthrop,  Esq',  dec*,        D'. 
To  18  foot  of  stone  to  couer  his  tombe,  att  2*  a  foot       1.  16.  0 

T  me,  John  Gaud. 
Rec"?  of  M'  John  Winthrop  the  full  of  this  acom'. 

Rec"!  T  me,  John  Gaud. 


M'  John  Winthrop  D' 

To  painting  of  sundrys  for  your  father's  funerell,  viz. 

1  large  hatchment  &  frame, X4.  10 

8  silk  escutchons  at  12/ 4.  16 

41  buckram,  ditto,  at  4/ 8.    4 

3  forehead  p,  5/ 15 

2  tencills  at  10/ 1. 

2  ditto,  with  crests,  14/ 1.     8 

2  large  crests,  4/ 8 

4  small  ditto  at  3/ _^ 12 

^£21.  13 
Boston,  November  29*,  1717. 
Errors  excepted,  pr  Abraham  Francis. 

•  It  is  believed  that  the  bills  here  printed  will  be  found  to  hare  not  a  little  historical 
value  as  showing  the  price  of  many  articles  of  wearing  apparel,  as  well  as  the  customs  of 
the  community  at  this  period.  —  Eds. 


358  THE  WIKTHBOP  PAPEBS.  [1717. 

Boston,  JanT  13*  17"/i8- 
Rec'd  of  W.  John  Wiuthrop  a  promisary  note  under  the  hand 
of  M?  James  Bowdoin,  in  full  of  the  within  accof,  pr 

Abraham  Francis, 


M"^  John  Wintrop, 

Bought  of  Fran.  Righton,  Nom'  10,  1717. 

To  makeing  y*  couering  of  16  drums  IS"*  ps     .     .  ^01.  00.  00 

To  8  cullers 00.  08.  00 

32  halberts  at  8"  ¥  ps 01.  01.  04 

18  half  pikes  at  G"*  1^  ps 00.  09.  00 

£02.  18.  04 

Boston,  JanT  9*,  17^1- 

■Rec'?  y®  contents  in  full  of  all  ace'.'  of  M'  John  Winthrop, 

T  Fran.  Righton. 


1717.    The  Estate  of  y'  Hon'"=  Waite  Winthrop,  Esq',  dec^,  D' 
to  John  Edwards. 

UoV  13*  To  48  gold  rings £50.    18.    4 

D^C?    S*  To  12  ditto 12.      7.     8 

£68.       6.     0 

Boston,  Jan-r  11'*',  17^|. 
Rec?  of  Mr.  John  Winthrop  y'  contents  in  full. 

V  John  Edwards. 


Wait  Winthrop,  Esq.,  deceas'd,  his  Estate  | 

To  Henry  Bering  for  sundrys  for  funerall  j 

Nov'  To  3|  y^  Irish  holland  @  4/6, 
8        8  y*'  shalloon  @  4/  .     .     ,     .      2.     7.     9 
2  y"^  buck'  @  2/,  1  y"  ozenbriggs 

181,  24^1'  wadding  @  18"  .     .  8.     6 

tape  10",  I  y«  lutstring  @  11/,  | 

y"  pillow  fustian  @  4/  .     .     .  9.     9 

4  doz.  coat  buttons  2/9,  5  doz. 

breast  ©9" 14.     9 

2i  oz.  thread  @  8",  2J  oz.  mohair 

@  2/,  1  oz.  silk  5/     .    .    .    .  11.    2 


1717.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP'S   FUNERAL  CHABGES.  359 

2  y^^  ferrett  ©6* 1.  — 

ir?    I  oz.  silk  &  5\  y^  galloom      .     .  6.     2 

If)  y*"  shalloon  @  4/,  4  y"*'  wad- 

dingl8'?,4yi' Irish  liom'*@,4/6  4.  8.  — 
5  y''^  buckrom  @  2/,  2  y'^^  ozen- 

briggs@18^1y''colo';  fustian  4/  17.  — 

1  ps  tape  2/,  1  y**  ^  allamode  at 

6/6,  2  oz.  silk  at  5/    ...     .      1.     1.     9 

2  oz.  I  mohair  @  2/,  4  y'^'  ferrett 

@  7",  5  oz.  thread  @  8"      .    .  10.  11 

15  y*'  galloom  at  6",  3  doz.  coat 
butt^  2/,  4  doz.  breast  @,  8"?    .  16.    2 


12.  11.  11 


12'?    12  y*^  i  broadcloath  @  40/,  23 

y^  shalloon  4/ 29.  12.  — 

3  oz.  silk  @  5/,  6  y*^  wadding  @ 

18",  8  oz.  thread  @  8'*   .     .     .      1.     9.    4 

3  y'*"  ozenbriggs  @  18'',  tape  30 
y^'  2/6,  7^  y*^  buckrom  @  2/  .      1.     2.  — 

4i  oz.  mohair  @  2/6,  5  doz.  coat 
"butt?  @  2/9, 15  doz.  breast  9"  .      1.  16.     3 

16  y*^  Irish  hoUand  4/6,  3  y"^  fus- 
tian @  4/,  6  y«'  ferrett  @  7"*   .       4.     7.     6 

2-i  y*^  allamode© 6/6,  i  y«^ broad- 
cloath ©40/ 1.  14.     7| 

29i  y*^  superfine  broadclo.  55/   .     80.     8.     9 

12  y^  galloom  at  6"*,  9J  y-^^  alla- 
mode ©  6/6     3.    7.    9 

17 i  y*^  allamode  6/6,  4  oz.  black 

"silk  ©  5/,  2  oz.  threl  ©  8"*     .      6.  15.     1 

7  y*'  shalloon  ©  3/8,  1  dz.  coat 

buttf  2/,  3  dz.  breast  d"  ©  S''  .      1.     9.     8 

6  y^  ribbons,  4",  2  y*'  d°  ©   7<*, 

9  y*=  shalloon  @  4/    .     .     .     .      1.  19.     2 
36  y^'  ferrett  ©  1",  6  y*'  galloom 

at  6",  1  oz.  silk  5/      ....      1.    9.  — 

9|  y"'  allamode  ©  6/6,  4  y^  shal- 

"  loon  ©  4/ 3.  17.    9 

^  oz.  silk  2/6, 5  y"'  f  galloom  6'', 
tape  &  thread  4"* 6.    8J 


360  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPEES.  [171T. 

1  p'  hose  7/,  5  yds.  shalloon  @ 

4/,  11  y«'  cypress  @  3/6    .    .    3.    5.    6 
6  y"^  wide  cypi-ess  @  4/6  .     .     .     1.     7.  — 

1  p»  allamode,  108i  j"^  &  24  y"^ 

7/8  ditto  @6/6 43.    6.  llj 

6   silk    laces,   12",    16    pF    kid 

gloves  @  5/6 4.  14.  — 

13'?   1  doz.   lamb  gloves,  45/,  1^  y* 

cotton  &  linnin  @  2/8  .     .     .     2.     9.  — 

2  y'^^  love  ribbon  @  8"*,  1^  y^  cy- 
press @  3/6 6.     7 

1  oz.  silk  5/,  2  y«»  flannell  @  3/6  12.  — 
14*."    1  y"!  i  broadcloath  @  40/,  2  y^ 

flannell  @  3/6 2.  12.  — 

22.  9  y«'  \  allamode  @  6/6     ...  3.  — .  IJ 

26.  10  y''^  stuff  @  18-*,  |  oz.  silk  2/6,  f 

y«  w"**  allamode  @  9/6  .     .     .     1.     4.     7^ 

202.  12.    4 

10 1  y^  breed  &  cord  @  4'*,  3  y^  black  ribbon 

12"*  .... 4.     6 

Decf  9.  I  oz.  silk  &  i  oz.  breed 1.     5 

10.     5  y^  lutstring  @  12/,  5  y*"  callico  4/6,  4  y«° 

cypress  @  4/6 5.  — .6 

12.  1  felt  hatt  7/,  1  ditto  6/6 13.    6 

13.  1  pair  childrens  hose 1.  — 

14.  2  hat  bands  @  8"*,  1  oz  silk  5/,  3 

y«»  breed  12" 6.    8. 

3i  y'''  muslin  @  10/,  1  yd.  bla. 

"ribbon  4" 1.  15.     4 

2.     2.  — 

17.     I  y*  muslin 5.  — 

23.  To  2  silk  handk?  @  8/,  1  girdle  2/  .     .     .     .  18.  — 

27.  6  y^  black  broadcloath  dd  Staniford  @  36/   .      10.  16.  — 

£235.  6.    2 


M'  John  Winthrop  to  Henry  Bering         D' 
To  sundries  for  funerall  of  his  father, 

as  face? £235.     6.     2 

To  ball"  of  your  father's  ace',  as  T  ace'        14.  10.    4 


1717.]  WAIT   WINTHEOP'S   FUNERAL   CHARGES.  361 

1717/8  To  29|  j^  hoUand  as  W  acc^  dd  for 

yourself 11.  16.    4 

January  1.  To  3^  y*^  velvett  @  48/  dd 

y«  31^.'  Xber  .  .  .  .  £8.  8.  — 
1  y-i  I  cypress  @  3/6  .  .  0.  6.  2 
6  black  silk  laces  ...  0.  6.  — 
51  y^  allamode  ©6/6     .     1.  14.     8 


6.  To  22f  y"^  lutstring  at  12/  13.  13.  — 
6  y*^  white  galloom  @  6''  0.     3.  — 
2  j^  i  flannell  at  4/6  .     .  0.  11.     8 
4  y^  J  of  wide  sattin  rib- 
bon @  20<*      ....  0.     7.     1 


To  3|  y^  lutstring  @  12/     1.  19.  — 
3  y*^  superfine  wide  muslin 

©18/ 2.  14.  — 


10.  14.  10 


14.  14.     4 


4.  13.  — 


To  20  y^  fine  black  broadcloatli  from 
M'  Welsteeds,  w"*"  he  charges  me 

with  ©  40/ 40.  — .  — 

£331.  14.  18 

allamode  returnd    ...  19.     6 


ball"   .    £330.  15.     2 

Errors  excepted  T  Henry  Deking. 

Boston,  Jan'^  13«',  171V8.  Rec"  of  M'  John  Winthrope  a  noat 
of  M'  James  Bowdoin  to  pay  me  in  six  weeks  two  hundred  thirty 
pounds  fifteen  shillings  &  2^  in  part  of  y°  above  acco". 

T  Henby  Bering. 


M'  John  Winthrop  to  Jon»  Waldo 

Dr. 

1717.     For  sundrys  dd  for  y"  funerall  of  Wait  Win- )  ^j^ 

thrope,  Esq.                                                   i 

Nov.  15.         To  7f  yds.  buckram,  2/ £0. 

15. 

6 

2  p?  black  cloths,  47  {  yds.  at  12/    28. 

7. 

0 

dd.  Coachman,      11 1  yds.  ditto  12/ 7. 

1. 



13i  0^  black  silk  4/  .....      2. 

13. 

0 

^  lb.  brown  thred  5/ 

2. 

6 

46 

362 


THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS. 


[1717. 


dd.  Francis, 
dd.  Coachmau, 


dd.  M"  Hay  den, 

dd.  Ezek.Walker, 

dd.  Lydiah  Bates, 
dd.  I.  Penniman, 
dd.  for  I.  Ayres, 


dd.  I.  Roberts, 
dd.  Burges, 

dd.  Lyd :  Batson, 


dd.  Francis, 
dd.  Maid, 


loMitto 

4Jo^silk5/      .    .    . 

4  yds.  ollamoad  at  9/ 

2  p?  ribbands  36  yds.  16'' 

6  girdles  at  2/  .  . 
llf  Italian  crape  @  3/ 
lo^silkS/  .... 
1  p?  rash,  54  yds.  4/  . 
5i  yds.  shaloon  4/  . 
6 1  yds.  goloom  Q'' 
li  oz.  silk  5/    .     .     . 

Thred 

\  0*  silk  at  5/  .  .  . 
I-  black  cloth  26/  .  . 
14  yds.  goloom  at  6'' . 
20  yds.  ferrit  6'*  .  . 
i  0^  silk  at  5/  .  .  . 
I  yds.  cloth  26/  .  . 
\  o^  silk  5/  .  .  . 
4^  yds.  cloth  30/  .     . 

7  yds.  shaloon  4/6     . 

5  yds.  fustian  2/8 
1|  yds.  wading  20^^    . 
1  yd.  canvas  IS"*   .     . 
1  yd.  buckram  2/,  tape  9' 

3  0' thred  5",  10  silk  5/ 
li  0^  mohair  .... 
IJ  lb.  cinnemon  16/  .     . 

1  yd.  black  cloth  26/      . 

J  0*  silk 

18  yds.  black  &  white  wide  stuf 
24  yds.  wide  ollamoad  9/ 
f  0^  silk  at  5/  .     .     .    . 

2  yds.  stuf  at  3/6  .     .     . 
IJ  yds.  buckram  2/    .     . 
1  ps.  Italian  crape  26  yds.  @  4/ 
1  ps.  silk  crape  54  yds.  @  4/ 
1  p' d°  54  yds.  4/6     .     .     . 

J  0'  silk  at  5/ 

li^  yds.  shaloon  4/6    .     .     . 

3  hatts,  1  at  22/,  1  at  24/,  &  1  at  20/ 


at  3/6  3. 
10. 


2h 


1717.] 


WAIT    WINTHROPS    FUNEEAL   CHARGES. 


363 


2  felts  at  5/ 

2  pair  black  hose  at  11/ 
1  pf  silk  crape,  5-i  yds.  4/ 
1  p.°  ditto,  5-4  yds.  5/ 
dd.  Owen  Wardwels  boy,  silk,  6/ 


dd.  Maid, 


dd.  Tho'  Price, 

dd.  Francis, 

dd.  Coachman, 
dd.  Lawton, 
dd.  Owen, 

dd.  your  Man, 


dd.  Price, 


7^  black  Duroy  at  4/ 

1  yd.  shaloon  at  4/    . 
12  yds.  ferrit  at  8"*     , 

11  yds.  clotli  at  26/ 

2  yds.  buckram  at  2/  o''  silk  5/ 

12  yds.   buckram  at  2/  &  1  yd 
shaloon  4/6  .... 

1  hatt  12/ 

3|  mautua  silk  at  11/    . 
22f  black  ribband  @  18" 

2  oz.  silk  at  5/ .     .     .     . 
1  oz.  silk  5/ .     .     .     . 
10  oz.  cloves  at  2/6   .      ] 
12  yds.  ribband  at  6'^ 
4  yds.  Etalian  crape  4/ 
1  yd.  ferrit  6''   .     .     . 
f  black  cloth  at  26/  .     .' 

dd.  Wardwels  boy,  13  yds.  ribband  2/4 

17J  yds.  d°  22''  .  .    .     . 


10. 

1.  2. 
10.  16. 
13.  10. 


12.     6 


£164.  18. 


Nov.  18. 

dd.  Price, 
Nov.  21. 
22. 


25. 

DecT    4. 

12 


To  5  yds.  callico  at  5/ 

dd.  M''  Leachmeres  maid     ^£1.  5.  0 

f  cloth  26/  i  o?  silk  2/6  .  1.  0.  9 

To  H  yds.  callico  5/  .     .     .  7.  6 

To  3  yds.  cloth  at  20/      .     .  3.  0.  0 

2  yds.  buckram  2/ .     .     .  0.  4.  — 

^  o^  silk  2/6 0.  2.  6 

To  5  yds.  callico  5/     ...  1.  5.  0 

To  callico  &  oznabrigs     .     .  0.  6.  9 

To  f  pertian  5/6      ....  0.  3.  5 
do.  your  man  4i  Etalian  crape 


14. 


2  silk  hat  bands 

dd.  d"  i  cloth  26/,  &  I  d°.  26/ 

Silk  6"* 


0.  15. 
0.  2. 
0.  9. 
0.    0. 


364 


THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS. 


111717. 


16.     To  3  yds.  ribband  lO"* .     . 
21.    To  llj  yds.  durant  4/     . 


£11.  11.    5 


£176.  10.  12 
To  the  foot  of  Wait  Wiiithrop,  Esq.,  ace*  given  in    £60.  9.  11 
Errors  Excepted  T  Jon*^  Waldo. 

Boston,  January  13, 1717. 
Eec?  of  M'  John  Winthrop  one  note  from  M"'  Jame  Bodoine, 
one  hundred  and  seventy  pounds,  in  part  accoun' 

T  Jonathan  Waldo. 
£170. 


WAIT  WINTHROP'S  TAX-BILL   FOR  1717. 

Waite  Wintheop,  Esq^ 

Your  Town  Rate. 


[No.  6.]        To 
Your  Province  &  County  Tax, 


/.       s.      d. 

I.       s.     d. 

Poll 

10. 

Poll 

14. 

Houses  & 
Lands 

16.     8 

Houses  &  ) 
Lands     ) 

1.    0.  10 

Personal 

Personal  i 

Estate  &  ■ 

1.    1.  10 

Estate  &  ■ 

1.  10.     7 

Faculty  J 

Faculty 
Watch 

2.     8.     6 

0.    6.     0 

3.  11.    5 

2.  8.     6 

3.  11.     5 
£5.  19.  11 


The  Assessors  sit  at  the  Town-House  in  Boston,  Frydays, 
from  3  to  5  o'  clock,  after-noon,  to  whom  any  person  agrieved 
may  apply  for  ease,  as  the  law  dii-ects.  1717. 

Errors  excepted. 

Per  George  Shore,  Constable. 


Rec^  y«  contents  in  full,  of 


Boston,  Jan^  Q'.",  17}|. 
John  Winthrop. 

T  George  Shore. 


1717.] 


WAIT   WINTHROP  S   INVENTOEY. 


365 


WAIT  WINTHROP'S  INVENTORY. 


An  Inventory  of  the  Estate  of  the  Hon*.*  Wait  Winthrop,  late  of 
Boston,  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  in  New  England,  Esq',  decc^. 
Taken  and  apprized  by  us  the  subscribers  the  day  of 

Decembf,  1717.  Viz. :  The  said  decc"*^  estate  lying  and  be- 
ing within  the  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New 
England  aforesaid,  as  follows:  — 

Item.     One  coach,  2  horses,  and  tackle ) 

thereto  belonging  ) 

Eight  pictures  at  20'  each  is 

Two  large  looking  glasses  7.  — . 

Old  pewter  21'!^,  new  pewter  28fl5,)      ...       3.  13. 

is  49  at  1/6  \ 

Two  trunks  &  a  case  of  draws 1.  5. 

One  large  salver. 


30.  — . 


all  plate,  w'  242°^ 
at   9/6  is 


Two  Spanish  dishes. 

Two  salts, 

One  tankard, 

Two  porrengers. 

One  beaker. 

Nine  spoons. 

One  two  eared  cup. 

Two  p'  candlesticks, 

Snuffer  &  snuff  stand, 

One  case,  six  silver-haft  knives,  and  \ 

six    spoons    &    six    forkes   washed  [  . 

with   gold  ) 

One  iron  pot,  a  belraetle  skillett. 
One  apple  roaster,  2  brass  skimmers. 
One  pair  of  tongs  and  a  brass  candlestick, 
One   plate   stand  &  two  pair  brass   and 

irons all  at  J 

One  pewter  distill     . 
One  copper  fish  kettle 


109.  10.     2 


*  Man)-  articles  in  Wait  Winthrop's  house  in  Boston  belonged  to  his  wife,  and  are  not 
included  in  this  inventory,  which  does  not  embrace  his  property  in  New  York  and  Con- 
necticut or  his  personal  effects  in  New  London.  The  low  valuation  placed  upon  his  family 
portraits  and  books  shows  how  little  importance  apparently  was  then  attached  to  such 
articles.  —  Eds. 


366  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPEKS.  [1717. 

Earthern  ware  and  cheney  &  glass      ...  1.     5.  — 

Linnen 10.  — .  — 

One  square  table,  small 05.  — 

Wearing  apparell      .  * 20.  — .  — 

One  scriptore       3.  — .  — 

A  stewpan 10.  — 

One  warming  pan 10.  — 

One  old  bed  stead,  old  chair,  &  lumber    .     .  1.     5.  — 

Two  feather  beds,  two  bolsters 6.  — .  — 

Salt,  about  20  bushells 2.  — .  — 

A   p'  of   gold  frame   spectacles,  a   silver)       ^      r    

seal,  one  tooth  peck,  other  odd   things) 

A  silver  watch 3.  — .  — 

Bills  of  credit,  ab' 23.  — .  — 

A  Bible  <fe  some  old  books 2.  — .  — 

One  halfe  acre  of  land  in  the)  -.qq    

training  field  in  Boston         ) 

A  farm  at  Billerica 200.  — .  — 

Some  lands  at  Woodstock  ^   .     .     .     .  loo.  .  

said  to  be  worth               S 
Hands  called  Elizabeth  Islands  within  )         £000.  .  

Dukes  County,  &  stock  thereon  *      ) 
Land  at  Tantiusques,  said  ) jOO.  .  

to  be  worth  about  ) 

Due  by  bond  from  John  Weeks,  Cr.     .     .  288.  — .  — 

One  share  in  the  salt  works  in  Boston      •  

^3027.  18.     8 
John  Edwards. 
Jos.  Marion. 

John  Winthrop,  Administrator,  made  oath  that  the  foregoing 
Inventory,  amounting  to  three  thousand  twenty  seven  pounds 
eight  shillings,  and  eight  pence  is  a  true  and  perfect  inventory 
of  the  estate  of  the  Hon"!'^  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq!,  deceased  ;  and 

•  The  original  Indian  deeds  of  these  islands  to  the  Mayhews  are  among  Wait  Win- 
throp's  papers.  For  his  letters  to  his  brother  about  his  purchase  of  them,  in  1G82,  see  5 
Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  viii.  pp.  447,  448.  They  were  eventually  sold  by  John  Winthrop  to 
the  father  of  Gov.  James  Bowdoin,  whoso  Rrandda\ighter  married  Winthrop's  grandson, 
thereby  continuing  the  association  of  the  Winthrop  family  with  the  Elizabeth  Islands  until 
about  the  middle  of  the  present  century.  Naushon,  the  largest  of  them,  has  long  been  the 
well-known  country-seat  of  John  Murray  Forbes,  Esq.,  of  Boston.—  Eds. 


1717.]        WILL   OP   WAIT  WINTHROP,   NOT    EXECUTED.       367 

that  if  more  hereafter  appear,  he  will  cause  it  to  be  added. 
Swoi-n  before  me, 

Samuel  Sewall,  J.  Prohat. 
Boston,  Janry.  6*,  17f|. 

Concordat  Cum  Original!. 
Examined  ^  John  Boydell,  Beg: 


WILL  OF  WAIT  WINTHROP,  NOT  EXECUTED* 

In  THE  NAME  OF  GoD,  Amen,  the  twenty-eighth  day 
of  September,  Anno  Dom.  1713,  Annoq*  K'  R'*  Annas 
Mag.  Britannias,  &"*,  Duodecimo.  I,  Wait  Winthrop, 
Esq'',  of  Boston,  within  the  County  of  Suffolk  in  New 
England,  being  under  bodily  sickness,  but  thrS  mercy  of 

•  This  is  a  clean  draft,  unsigned,  and  not  in  the  handwriting  of  the  testator.  He  was 
not  one  of  the  richest  men  in  Boston  in  point  of  income,  but  he  possessed  an  exceptionally 
large  landed  property,  scattered  through  three  provinces,  much  of  it  wholly  unimproved, 
but  of  great  prospective  value.  The  correspondence  between  his  brother  and  himself  at 
the  time  of  his  son's  marriage,  together  with  the  will  of  Fitz-John  Winthrop  and  the  other 
papers  relating  thereto  (see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  vol.  iii.  pp.  396-398,  413-420),  show  an  un- 
derstanding between  Fitz-John  and  Wait  Winthrop  that  the  latter's  son  should  eventually 
inherit  that  portion  of  their  estates  which  had  come  to  them  from  their  father,  John  Win- 
throp, Jr.  On  the  other  hand.  Wait  Winthrop's  property  in  Massachusetts  had  been  chiefly 
acquired  by  himself,  and  out  of  it  he  must  naturally  have  wished  to  portion  his  only  daugh- 
ter. Why  he  did  not  execute  this  will,  and  why  he  suffered  himself  to  die  intestate  more 
than  four  years  afterward,  can  only  be  the  subject  of  conjecture ;  he  may  have  forgotten 
that  his  drafted  will  had  never  been  executed,  but  it  is  more  likely  that  the  pecuniarj- 
embarrassments  of  his  son-in-law  delayed  his  action.  When  Thomas  Lechmere  married 
Anne  Winthrop,  in  1709,  he  was  not  merely  a  younger  son  of  good  family  and  influential 
connections,  but  he  had  a  small  capital  which  he  was  endeavoring  to  improve  in  trade. 
Toward  the  close  of  1713,  however,  it  became  known  that  he  was  in  debt,  the  result  of 
losses  in  business  and  of  living  beyond  his  means.  From  that  time  until  the  death  of  his 
father-in-law,  in  1717,  he  was  often  harassed  by  creditors  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  and 
was  involved  in  a  complicated  dispute  with  his  partner,  John  Mico,  with  regard  to  their  rela- 
tive liabilities.  In  view  of  advances  made  to  his  son-in-law,  and  the  risk  of  his  daughter's 
portion  becoming  liable  for  her  husband's  debts,  the  testator  may  have  postponed  execu- 
ting a  will  until  Lechmere's  affairs  could  be  arranged  with  the  assistance  of  his  relations  in 
England.  Be  this  as  it  may,  as  Chief  Justice  of  Massachusetts,  Wait  Winthrop  must  have 
been  familiar  with  the  statute  under  which,  in  the  event  of  his  dying  intestate,  his  daughter 
would  receive  one  third  of  his  estate  in  that  province ;  but  he  may  have  forgotten  the  pas- 
sage of  a  similar  statute  by  Connecticut,  and  have  only  remembered  that  in  New  York  such 
estate  went  to  the  heir  male  in  accordance  with  the  common  law  of  England.  It  is  difficult 
to  believe  that  he  contemplated  the  possibility  of  his  daughter's  inheriting  a  full  tliird  of 
his  property,  as  this  would  have  been  a  much  larger  provision  for  her  than  was  made  in 
the  will  now  printed.  (See  also  two  letters  from  Governor  Dudley  on  this  subject,  ante, 
pp.  167-170.)  — Eds. 


368  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

sound  disposeing  mind,  considering  the  uncertainty  of 
this  fraile  life,  do  make  and  declare  this  my  last  Will  and 
Testament  in  manner  following.  That  is  to  say;  first 
and  principally,  I  commend  my  spirit  into  the  hands  of 
my  most  gracious  and  mercifull  God  and  Father  in  Christ 
Jesus,  hopeing  to  receive  the  pardon  and  remition  of  all 
my  sins  thro  his  meritorious  death  and  passion.  My 
body  I  committ  to  the  earth  to  be  decently  interred  at 
the  discretion  of  my  executor  herein  named.  And  for 
my  temporal  goods  and  estate  I  will  that  the  same  be  ira- 
ployed  and  bestowed  as  is  herein  expressed. 

Imp-.  I  will  that  all  my  just  debts  and  funeral  expen- 
ces  be  well  and  truly  paid  or  ordained  to  be  paid  by  my 
executors  with  what  convenient  speed  may  be  after  my 
interment. 

Hem.  I  will  that  the  covenant  and  agreement  which 
I  made  with  trustees  on  behalfe  of  Katharine,  my  present 
wife,  upon  our  intermarriage  be  well  and  punctually  ob- 
served &  performed  in  all  respects,  and  that  my  execu- 
tors do  no  further  intermeddle  with  her  estate  or  the 
estate  of  her  former  husband,  John  Eyre,  Esq''. 

Item.  I  give,  devise,  bequeath,  and  confirme  to  my 
beloved  and  only  son,  John  Winthrop,  Esq',  and  the 
heires  male  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten  or  to  be  begot- 
ten for  ever,  and  in  default  of  heires  male,  to  the  heires 
female  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten  or  to  be  begotten 
for  ever,  all  that  my  island  coiTionly  called  and  known 
by  the  name  of  Fishers  Island,  lying  over  against  New 
London,  Groton,  and  Stoneingtown,  within  the  Colony  of 
Connecticutt,  and  all  the  lands,  buildings,  stock,  and  im- 
provements thereon  in  the  present  tenure  and  occupation 
of being,  also  all  that  my  mansion  house,  home- 
stead, homelands,  and  mill,  with  the  members,  privi- 
ledges,  and  appur"'  thereof  lying  situate  in  the  town  of 
New  London. 

FuHher.     I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  my  said  son 


1717.]       WILL    OF   WAIT   WINTHROP,   NOT    EXECUTED.         369 

Jolm  Winthrop  and  his  heires  for  ever  all  that  my  neck 
of  land  situate  in  New  London  aforesaid,  excepting  &  re- 
serving a  convenient  alotment  of  the  quantity  of 


acre  thereon  for  a  house  lott  which  I  reserve  and  hereby 
give  to  my  loving  daughter  Anne  Lechmier,  wife  of  M' 
Thomas  Lechmier,  merchant,  and  her  heires  forever,  if  at 
any  time  hereafter  she  shall  see  meet  to  build  and  dwell 
thereon. 

Farther.  T  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  my  saiti  son 
John  Winthrop  and  his  heires  for  ever  all  that  my  farm 
lying  situate  at  a  certain  place  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Lanthorne  Hill,  and  my  great  swamp  and  other 
my  lands  within  the  township  of  Groton,  in  the  county  of 
New  London,  aforesaid,  as  they  stand  registered  in  the 
records  at  New  London.  I  also  give  to  my  said  son  for 
ever  all  my  household  goods  and  furniture,  book,  uten- 
sils, and  implements  whatsoever  which  I  have  already 
delivered  &  put  into  his  hands  and  possession. 

Item.  I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  my  only  daugh- 
ter Anne  Lechmier  aforementioned  and  the  heires  of  her 
body  lawfully  begotten  and  to  be  begotten  for  ever  all  my 
island  called  by  the  Indians  Katanuck,  othei'wise  called 
and  known  by  the  name  of  Elizabeth  Island,  al'  Tarpolin- 
cove  Island,  lying  over  against  Marthas  Vineyard,  with 
all  the   lands,  stock,  and    improvement  thereon,  in   the 

present  tenure  and  occupation  of  John  Weekes  and 

Fuller,  being  with  my  island  called  by  the  Indians  Nana- 
mesit  lying  betwixt  Tarpolincove  Island  and  Woodst  Hole 
and  all  other  my  islets  there  being ;  reserving  only  out 
of  the  rents  and  profits  of  the  said  islands  and  lands  an 
annuity  of  thirty  pounds  p  annum,  which  I  will  to  be 
paid  to  Katharine,  my  beloved  wife,  for  and  during  such 
time  &  term  as  she  shall  remain  my  widow  bearing  the 
name  of  Winthrop.  Provided,  nevertheless,  that  if  my 
aforenamed  son  John  Winthrop  or  his  heires,  at  any  time 
or  times  within  the  space  of  twenty  years  next  after  the 
47 


370  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

date  hereof,  shall  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  to  my  said 
daughter  Lechinier,  or  her  heires,  the  sum  of  two  thou- 
sand pounds,  then  and  in  such  case  I  hereby  revoke  the 
devise  of  the  said  islands,  lands,  and  stock  to  my  said 
daughter  Lechmier,  and  give  and  devise  the  same  to  my 
said  son  John  and  his  heires  for  ever. 

Item.  1  do  nominate,  constitute,  and  appoint  my  afore- 
named son  and  daughter,  John  Winthrop  and  Anne  Lech- 
mier to  be  the  executo"  of  this  my  last  Will  and  Tes- 
tament, and  do  fully  impower  and  authorize  my  said 
execute",  or  the  survivour  of  them,  to  dispose  of,  grant, 
bargain,  and  sell  such  and  so  much  of  my  other  lands  not 
herein  willed  situate  on  Long  Island,  in  Stoneingtown,  and 
other  parts  and  places  wheresoever,  as  shall  sufficiently 
enable  them  to  pay  and  satisfy  my  just  debts,  and  to  give 
and  pass  good  and  sufficient  deeds  and  conveyances  in  the 
law  for  the  alienating  and  granting  the  same  as  aforesaid. 
And  all  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  lands  after  payment 
of  my  just  debts  I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  my  said 
son  &  daughter,  John  Winthrop  &  Anne  Lechmier,  and 
their  heires  for  ever;  that  is  to  say,  two  third  parts 
thereof  to  my  said  son  &  one  third  to  my  daughter. 


In  witness  that  this  is  my  last  will  and  testament, 
hereby  revokeing  all  former  wills  by  me  made,  I  have' 
hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  the  day  and  year  first 
within  written. 

Signed,  sealed,  published,  &  delivered  by  Wait  Win- 
throp, Esq',  to  be  his  last  will  and  testament,  in  p'sence 
of  us  who  subscribed  our  names  as  witnesses  in  the  said 
testators  presence. 


CORRESPONDENCE  OF  JOHN  WINTHROP,  F.R.S  * 


GEORGE  PHILLIPS  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.f 
To  the    WorsMpfull  Maf  John  Winthrop,  living  at  New  London. 
From  SouTHOULD,  Dec.  3,  1717. 

Honoured  &  much  respected  S^ — I  doe  (without 
complem')  heartily  condole  y''  loss  of  y""  father.  Y°  Lord 
of  Heaven  sanctify  such  a  breach,  &  make  it  up  to  you 
in  himself.  You  have  a  comprehensive  promiss  to  have 
recours  to,  y'  he  hath  promised  to  be  a  father  to  y*  father- 
less, &  when  father  &  mother  forsakes  you,  God  will  take 
you  lip,  &c.  S%  as  I  had  a  great  respect  for  y'  honoured 
father,  so  I  have  now  in  his  absens  to  senter  it  upon 
y'self,  &  shall  ever  be  glad  of  y°  oppurtunity  &  as  ready 
&  willing  to  manifest  y*  same  to  doe  any  service  for 
y''self  as  flirr  as  my  ability  will  admit  of. 

»  John  Winthrop  did  not  become  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society  until  1733,  but  he  has 
been  habitually  designated  "F.R.S."  in  order  to  distinguish  him  from  other  persons  of 
the  same  name.  It  may  be  conrenient  to  repeat  that  he  was  born  in  Boston,  Aug.  26, 1681, 
and  died  at  Sydenham,  near  London,  Aug.  1,  1747.  Selections  from  his  previous  corre- 
spondence have  been  interspersed  with  the  letters  of  his  father  and  uncle,  and  are  to  be 
found  in  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  viii.,  in  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  iii.,  and  in  the  preceding 
pages  of  the  present  volume.  Much  of  his  correspondence  with  Cotton  Mather  is  sepa- 
rately printed  in  4  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  viii.  —  Eds. 

t  Rev.  George  Phillips  (Harv.  Coll.  1686)  was  a  younger  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Phil- 
lips of  Rowley,  and  for  forty-three  years  minister  of  Brookhaven,  L.  I.  See  Sibley's 
Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  iii.  pp.  360-362.  There  are  eight  letters  of  his  among  the  un- 
publislied  Winthrop  Papers,  all  chiefly  relating  to  matters  connected  with  a  large  tract 
of  land  on  Long  Island,  originally  acquired  by  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  in  1664,  and 
subsequently  created  a  manor.  Fitz-John  and  Wait  Winthrop  were  able  to  give  so 
little  personal  attention  to  this  property  that  it  suffered  much  from  encroachments  and 
from  unreliable  tenants.  For  references  to  it,  see  the  previously  published  selections 
from  the  Winthrop  Papers,  passim;  also  2  Proceedings,  vol.  v.  pp.  305,  306.  — Eds. 


372  THE    WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

S',  I  am  very  well  satisfyed  y'  y''  honoured  father  was 
not  willing  to  disoblidge  M"  Rich.  Smith  becaus  of  some 
kindness  he  received  (when  sick)  from  him,  but  I  beheve 
he  did  not  part  from  his  hous  without  sufficiently  satisfy- 
ing all  trouble  &  charg.  This  kindness  y'  he  received  was 
not  to  be  compared  to  what  I  did,  out  of  cordial  respects 
to  y''  honoured  father,  in  sending  information  concerning 
what  was  designed  to  clip  off  some  of  y'  western  necks, 
&  by  y'  means  a  stop  was  put  to  it.  It  might  have  created 
trouble  &  charge  ;  &  this,  S',  I  did  it  purely  out  of  cordial  re- 
spect to  y"'  family  (&  God  knows  I  never  expected  satisfac- 
tion, but  acception,  from  y''  father) ;  &  by  this  act  of  mine 
I  got  so  much  ill  will  from  M''  Nicoll  &  M''  Gibb  y'  it  was 
more  detrim'  to  me  then  y'  value  of  any  of  y'  necks  here. 
Now,  S',  I  request  no  more  then  y°  quiet  possession  of  y' 
trackt  of  land  which  I  have  settled  for  this  5  years.  You 
know  what  y'  father  had  promised,  &  when  last  at  Boston 
in  July  he  writ  to  M"'  Smith  not  to  disturb  me  in  my  im- 
provem'^ ;  yet  M''  Smith  sells  one  side  of  y'  land  to  his 
brothers  sons  &  puts  them  into  possession  of  it  for  con- 
siderable satisfaction  by  mony  they  paid  him  in  hand,  & 
hath  taken  of  one  fiimily  7  pounds  for  tarr  got  on  y' 
necks,  &  yet  writes  to  y"  father  a  complant  against  me, 
which  I  convinced  y""  honoured  father  last  summer  of  y° 
justness  of  my  proceedings,  &  I  had  don  nothing  y'  was 
any  detrim'  to  his  Hon'',  but  what  his  demands  were  it 
was  ready;  y'  my  putting  on  tenants  would  be  as  benificial 
to  his  Hon'  as  if  M'  Smith  had  let  it  out,  y'  his  Hon'  was 
convinced,  &  so  may  yourself,  y'  all  this  trouble  y*  M' 
Smith  hath  exposed  me  to  hath  bin  purely  spite  &  malice 
becaus  I  would  not  come  to  him  to  leas  y"  neck  ;  &  another 
great  cans  was  my  making  complaint  to  his  Exce"  about 
50  acres  of  land  y'  he  &  his  brethren  had  promised  me  ; 
but  he  was  y°  man  y*  was  y"  means  of  hind  ring  me  from 
it.  S',  when  I  was  last  with  j-ou  I  gave  you  a  hint  of 
what  he  was,  &  j^ou  will  find  wether  he  hath  bin  a  faithfull 


1717.]  ELIPHALET    ADAMS    TO    JOHN   WIXTHROP.  373 

steward  to  y""  honoured  ftither  or  not.  Though  I  have  bin 
acquainted  w""  him  upwards  of  twenty  years  I  can  not 
say  y'  there  is  any  thing  of  y"  principal  of  goodness  in 
him,  neither  hath  he  given  any  others  any  cans  to  say  any 
better  of  him.  Its  not  out  of  prejudice  against  him  y'  I 
speak  or  write  what  I  have  done,  but  reall  greife  y'  such 
an  aged  man,  &  one  y'  makes  some  profession  of  goodness 
&  justice  when  there  is  but  little  y'  resembles  it.  Neither 
doe  I  desire  any  more  then  y'  I  might  have  y°  refusall  of 
either  leasing  or  buying  y'  tract  of  land  y'  I  have  had  y° 
impi'ovem'  of,  which  I  desire  &  request  y'  Hon'  to  oblidge 
me  in,  &  while  you  haue  time  &  oppurtunity  to  come 
y'selfe  to  settle  affairs  here  to  write  a  line  or  two  what 
y'  pleasure  is  about  y*  premises,  &  to  let  M"'  Smith  know 
y"  mind  y'  I  should  haue  y°  land  y'  I  haue  improved.  I 
would  not  desire  what  I  request  for  if  it  should  be  any 
detrim'  to  y'  Hon''  one  mite.  So  y°  Lord  bless  you 
&  yours,  &  make  you  blessings  in  your  generation ;  so 
prays 

Y'  cordial  friend  &  humble  serv'  to  coinand, 

G.  Phillips. 


ELIPHALET  ADAMS  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

N.  London,  Dec.  25'",  1717. 

Sir,  —  It  is  because  I  have  expected  you  home  every 
week  almost  that  I  have  neglected  hitherto  to  write  to 
you,  &  condole  w""  you  upon  the  loss  of  your  excellent 
father.  But  perceiving  that  your  occasions  do  oblige 
you  to  a  yet  longer  stay,  I  take  the  liberty  by  letter 
(althQ  it  be  now  so  late  as  tp  render  it  something  more 
unseasonable)  to  join  my  sighs  &  mingle  my  tears  w"^ 
yours  upon  so  sorrowful  an  occasion.  And  the  rather 
because  he  was  ever  pleased  to  allow  me  no  inconsiderable 
share  in    his  favour  &   esteem :    so    that,  havin";   lost   a 


374  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717. 

very  good  friend,  I  can  the  more  naturally  sympathize 
w""  you,  who  are  bereaved  of  so  tender  &  dear  a  father. 

Not  that  I  would  renew  &  stir  up  your  grief  afresh, 
w'^  could  not  choose  but  be  exceeding  great,  but  only 
lest  I  should  seem  to  be  wanting  in  any  testimonyes  of 
a  sincere  friendship,  w'^''  it  shall  be  my  endeavour  to 
give  upon  every  occasion.  On  v/'^  acco'  you  will  now 
permit  me  to  wish  that  the  affliction  may  be  so  sancti- 
fyed  to  you  by  your  Better  &  Heavenly  Father,  as 
that  (tho  it  be  not  for  the  present  joyous  but  grievous) 
yet  afterwards  it  may  work  the  peaceable  fruits  of 
Righteousness. 

While  you  meet  w**"  so  heavy  an  affliction  abroad, 
God  is  increasing  &  bestowing  mercyes  upon  your  family 
here  at  home,  &  we  have  seen  w"'  pleasure  &  thankful- 
ness your  virtuous  &  agreable  consort  carryed  thro  a 
time  of  considerable  hazard,  w"""  was  the  more  trying, 
too,  thro  the  difficulty  of  the  season  &  your  absence. 
Since  your  departure  from  us  God  hath  been  visiting 
us  w*  sickness  here,  w*  hath  proved  mortal  to  diverse, 
altho  in  the  midst  of  wrath  he  hath  remembred  mercy ; 
and  I  hear  of  few  or  none  that  are  dangerously  ill  at 
present.  "We  are  exceedingly  surprized  &  humble  ever 
&  anon  to  hear  of  so  many  persons  of  great  worth  & 
emin'  figure  that  are  taken  away  one  after  another  in 
our  neighbor  colony.  Let  us  pray  that  it  may  not  be 
to  make  a  way  to  God's  anger  to  break  in  upon  us  as 
a  flood,  but  that  he  would  please  to  raise  up  others  in 
their  stead,  who  shall  make  good  their  ground  and  do  as 
worthily  in  their  generation. 

Sir,  we  wait  here  w*  impatience  till  your  affairs  will 
permit  you  to  return  to  us  again,  &  may  the  L**  graciously 
preserve  your  health  &  give  you  a  prosperous  journey 
home,  w"""  will  be  to  none  more  agreable  than  to.  Sir, 
Your  sincere  friend  &  humble  serv', 

Eliphalet  Adams. 


1717-8.]  COTTON   MATHER   TO    ROBERT   HUNTER.  375 


COTTON  MATHER  TO  ROBERT  HUNTER* 

To  his  ExceW"  RobeH  Hunter,  Esq',  Captain  Gen'  ^  Gov'  in  Cheife  of 
his  Majestye's  Provinces  of  New  York  Sf  the  Jerseys. 

Boston,  Feb?  y»  ^^  ,  171|. 

S*,  —  My  very  good  friend,  M'"  John  Winthrop,  design- 
ing to  pay  a  visitt  unto  yo'  Excellency,  his  design  fur- 
nishes me  with  an  agreeable  opportunity  as  well  to 
express  the  continuance  of  ray  inviolate  respects  unto  yo"' 
Excellency  as  to  do  the  friendly  office  of  giving  this  true 
&  brief  account  of  the  young  gentleman  :  that  he  is  one 
of  a  very  good  family,  a  very  good  interest,  a  very  good 
education,  and  a  very  good  capacity  ;  and  one  who,  I  be- 
lieve, will  approve  himself  worthy  of  the  share  that  he 
will  find  in  yo'  civilities. 

I  take  the  same  opportunity  to  rejoyce  w""  your  ExcelP'' 
in  the  felicity  that  Heaven  has  bestowed  upon  us  in  that 
incomparable  King  who  now  sways  the  scepter  of  the 
Brittish  Empire,  and  I  congratulate  the  more  particuler 
felicity  of  yo''  Provinces  in  that  a  Gov"",  disposed  as  yo' 
Excellency  is  to  make  them  happy,  has  for  that  very 
reason  the  royall  favor  so  sensibly  distinguishing  him. 
Concerning  this  best  of  kings  I  will  take  the  leave  to  ob- 
serve two  things  very  remarkable.  The  one  is  that  o' 
King  has  not  one  enemy  in  the  world  but  what  is  an 
enemy  to  the  kingdom  of  o'  Savio"",  &  maintaines  prin- 
ciples &  pursues  interests  inimical  to  the  kingdom  of  o' 
Savio'.  The  other  is  that  o'  King  is  the  only  king  upon 
earth  who  has  declared  himselfe  willing  that  o'  Lord  Jesus 
X'  should  be  restored  unto  his  throne,  which  is  by  perse- 

•  This  letter  is  printed  from  a  copy  in  the  handwriting  of  John  Winthrop,  who  being 
about  to  visit  New  Torlt  to  administer  his  father's  estate  in  that  Province,  obtained  from 
Governor  Dudley  and  Cotton  Mather  letters  of  introduction  to  Governor  Hunter,  both  of 
which  he  copied.  Dudley's  letter  is  purely  formal,  but  Mather's  is  characteristic.  Robert 
Hunter  was  Governor  of  New  York  from  1710  to  1719,  and  subsequently  Governor  of 
Jamaica,  where  he  died  in  1734.  His  Letter  of  Administration  to  John  Winthrop  is  dated 
June  7,  1718,  and  is  also  among  the  Winthrop  Papers.  —  Eds. 


376  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1717-8. 

cution  everywhere  denied  unto  him.  There  is  not  an 
other  king  upon  earth  but  what  usurps  the  throne  of  God 
in  the  conscience  of  man,  or  w'^  have  him  reign  there  if 
his  owne  froward,  fooHsh,  &  unjust  subjects  did  not  hinder 
him.  These  things  have  a  good  aspect  on  his  governni', 
but  oh  that  the  morralls  everywhere  so  depraved  gave 
no  abatement  to  it !  What  may  be  doing  on  the  con- 
tinent of  Europe  yo'  ExcelP^  knows  much  better  than  I ; 
but  yet  I  will  venter  to  mention  one  particularitie.  An 
eminent  person  in  Scotland  writes  me  that  a  person  of 
quality,  who  was  present  at  a  treat  w"*"  the  Earle  of  Stair 
made  for  the  Doctors  of  the  Sorbonne,  gave  him  a  great 
assurance  that  nine  parts  in  ten  of  the  clergy  in  France 
were  for  a  Eeformation,  and  that  they  were  already  gone 
farther  than  we  were  in  o'  old  Harry's  days,  and  that 
many  were  prepared  for  yet  much  greater  degrees. 

I  add  no  more,  but  commend  yo''  Hon'''''*  person,  family, 
and  governm'  unto  the  blessing  of  o''  most  glorious  Lord, 
and  subscribe  my  selfe, 

Yo'  Excellency's  most  humble  serv*, 

Cotton  Mather. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN   WINTHROP. 

[Extracts.] 

Boston,  Feb"'  lO*,  17I|. 

Dear  Broth",  —  I  have  yo'  favour  of  the  4"",  &  am 
wholly  at  a  loss  to  know  on  what  footing  you  are  with  y' 
postman,  for  some  times  he  will  be  paid,  some  times  he 
will  not ;  shall  wait  yo'  advice  herein.  M'  Nabbledy  has 
been  informed  of  yo'  receipt  of  his  letter,  is  glad  you  paid 
O**  for  it,  is  in  hopes  you  will  write  him  by  yo'  bundle 
next  time.  Mess"  Specie,  Stiff-Topps,  and  their  whole 
crew  are  as  it  were  dead  to  me,  for  I  never  see  any  of 
them.  ...  As  to  the  Lord  of  Oxford,  take  care  of  him 


1717-8.]   THOMAS  LECHMEEE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.     377 

&  his  associates.  Don  Belleshazar  may  go  whistle.*  I 
have  not  heard  anything  of  Sabin  as  yett.  I  have 
received  the  51/"  of  Green,  &  dehvered  him  up  his  writ- 
ing. I  have  not  finished  the  account  concerning  the 
warehouse ;  I  am  of  opinion  Grove  has  no  lease  thereof, 
&  shall  enquire  what  is  customary  on  such  occasions. 
M'  Edwards  informed  me,  if  I  mistake  not,  that  y^  mony 
from  s**  warehouse  will  discharge  every  thing  with  a  small 
surplus ;  there  may  be  some  not  yett  brought  in.  ...  I 
am  sorry  for  M''  Updike's  loss  ;  young  Farmer  Updike  was 
with  us  this  last  week  &  gone  home  again.  Our  winter 
has  been  very  severe  since  you  left,  but  is  now  very  mod- 
erate, so  I  hope  if  I  must  come  upp  I  shall  have  good 
weather  for  it.  I  have  been  trouble  enough  to  you  my 
self,  &  should  the  children  come  they  would  be  more  ; 
however,  wee  '11  think  hereon.  As  to  the  affair  of  Tanti- 
usques,  I  have  had  some  discourse  thereabout  w"^  M' 
Lynde  &  Cap'  Chambers,  who  have  promised  to  assist ;  I 
shall  acquaint  Cap'  Fullam  therew""  when  see  him.  Cap' 
Chambers  told  me  of  the  necessity  of  our  goeing  through 
therew"'  before  this  Sessions  was  expired,  &  I  shall  take 
care  to  mention  it  to  y*  Gov'  as  oppertunity  presents.  I 
wish  you  had  left  that  petition  my  father  drew  with  me, 
then  I  could  have  easily  managed  it,  and  in  all  probability 
succeeded.  If  you  can  meet  with  any  person  coming 
down,  pray  send  it.  We  some  time  since  had  a  report 
here  of  Justice  Newman's  being  dead.  Poor  man,  he  has 
been  sick  &  in  some  measure  recovered,  but  a  worse  dis- 
temper attends  him.  He  is  in  a  manner  dead  in  law,  for 
they  are  arresting  him  on  acco"  of  his  son  John,  &  have- 
ing  obtained  judgm'  against  him,  are  serving  execution 
on  him  &  his  land,  which  I  am  sorry  to  informe  you  of. 
Cous.  Martha  Wharton  was  yesterday  published  to  Peter 

*  Lechmere's  habit  of  using  nicknames  in  his  familiar  letters  renders  them  often  diffi- 
cult to  understand.  He  was  a  voluminous  correspondent,  but  his  letters  are  rarely  worth 
printing.  —  Eds. 


378  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1717-8. 

Butler,  a  fine  mate  indeed.  His  brother  was  some  time 
since  married  to  our  cous.  Priscilla  Hough.  You  have 
forgott  to  send  M'  Edwards  an  ord'  on  Cap'  OHver  for 
Coll"  Paige's  legacy.  The  salt  in  Mad""''  hands  is  not  yett 
disposed  of.  M''  Auchmuty  talks  of  setting  out  on  Wed- 
nesday for  N.  Yorke,  intends  to  come  yo''  way,  by  whom 
shall  write  you  a  word  or  two  if  proceeds ;  tho  I  am  of 
opinion  'tis  but  his  talk.  Fosdike  the  smith  has  bro'  a  note 
for  worke  done  about  the  house,  as  bolts  &  locks,  &c., 
likewise  for  hookes  for  the  hatchment  over  the  door. 
Cap'  Martin  y'  shopkeeper  was  some  time  since  taken 
sick  of  the  late  feaver  &  is  dead,  &  to  be  buried  this  day. 
I  hope  M""  Campbell  according  to  his  promise  sends  you 
y°  newspaper.  Here's  a  long  letter  for  you  full  of  non- 
sense. I  had  almost  forgott  to  tell  John  Harness  is  safe 
arriv'd,  with  his  budgett  on  his  back.  Wee  appointed  a 
generall  meeting  of  all  concerned,  w"*"  was  solemnized  w"" 
the  turkey,  goose  pye,  &c.  One  cheese  holds  out  still,  of 
w'=''  wee  partake  dayly  &  alhvays  remember  the  donor. 
Wee  heartily  thank  you  for  yo'  repeated  favours,  wishing 
you  &  yo"  all  health  and  happiness.  Now  give  me  leave 
to  subscribe  myself 

Yo''  very  obliged  bro'  &  humble  serv', 

Tho'  Lechmere. 

John  Harness  tells  me  your  man  John,  on  his  going 
from  our  house,  stole  my  pickerell  lines,  or  fishing  lines, 
off  of  the  clock,  w'^  haveing  had  y"  these  7  years  am  very 
unwilling  to  loose  y"  so  by  such  a  rascall.  Pray  search 
his  box  privately  for  them,  &  if  you  find  y"  lay  y"  up  for 
me  &  talk  to  him  about  it.  When  you  were  at  M''  Up- 
dike's he  shewed  y"  there,  &  made  his  braggs  how  he 
stole  y"  from  the  house,  and  likewise  the  hammer,  at 
Dedham,  out  of  my  slay.  You  must  take  care  of  him,  for 
if  he  will  do  such  things,  as  oppertunity  offers  he  will  do 
more  ;  so  you  must  watch  him. 


1718. J  HENRY   SMITH   TO   JOHN  WINTHROP.  379 

HENRY  SMITH  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.* 

To  John  Winthrop,  Esq'',  in  Neio  London,  these. 

Man"  S^  Georges,  June  y«  10«'',  1718. 

S%  —  I  take  this  op'tnnity  pathetically  to  condole  y* 
death  of  y'  hon""  &  d"  flither,  who,  as  he  was  most  hapily 
eminent  not  only  for  his  extraordinary  charity  &  many 
other  admirable  virtues,  consequently  his  death  is  much 
lamented,  &  his  memory  undoubtedly  will  be  blest ;  &  I 
hope  his  piety  in  nothing  more  perspicuously  evidenc't 
than  in  his  surviving  posterity.  And  as  it  was  his  pecu- 
liar care  to  confer  on  you  y°  best  &  most  generous  educa- 
tion these  parts  could  afford,  I  make  no  doubt  but  y' 
natural  propensity  concuring  w"'  his  heroick  example  will 
infallibly  influence  you  to  deserve  as  great  &  valuable  a 
character ;  &  you  may  be  assur**  not  only  of  my  hearty 
wishes,  but  fervent  prayers,  to  so  good  &  laudable  an 
effect. 

Wee  extreamely  rejoyce  to  hear  the  Almighty  has 
blest  you  w""  another  son,  for  w''''  my  spouse  joins  w""  me 
in  our  perticuler  congratulacon.  Pray  God  his  life  may 
be  spar'*  to  y*  unspeakable  comfort  of  his  indulgent  par- 
ents, &  that  yo'  other  d''  babes  may  be  reciprocally  sub- 
jects of  his  most  gracious  benignity.  Wee  have  for  some 
time  past  been  expecting  you  here  in  order  to  make  some 
settlem'  of  y'  concerns  ;  otherwise  had  long  since  acknowl- 
edg"*  y°  gratefuU  sence  I  entertain  of  y*  kind  &  generous 
entertainment  rec'*  from  you  &  yo'  virtuous  con.sort,  and 
(as  I  've  formerly  intimated)  esteem  my  selfe  still  oblig'' 
to  repeat  my  sentiments  that,  in  point  of  interest,  'tis 
absolutely  necessary  to  come  as  soon  as  possible.     For, 

*  Col.  Henry  Smith,  of  the  Manor  of  St.  George,  L.  I.,  was  the  eldest  son  of  Col. 
William  Smith,  some  time  Governor  of  Tangier,  and  afterward  Chief  Justice  of  New 
York.  See  Thompson's  History  of  Long  Island,  p.  502.  There  ore  numerous  letters  from 
him,  and  one  from  his  father,  among  the  unpublished  Winthrop  Papers.  They  relate 
chiefly  to  matters  connected  with  the  Winthrop  estate  on  Long  Hand.  —Eds. 


380  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1718, 

besides  other  weighty  reasons,  Justice  Rich'*  Smith  (a 
most  materiall  evidence)  languishes  under  a  most  violent 
cancer,  w"''  will  inevitably  terminate  in  his  death;  &  if 
you  can  not  come  sooner,  would  advise  not  to  faile  being 
here  y^  third  Tuesday  in  July,  at  w""  time  a  Supreame 
Court  will  be  held,  &,  besides  y*  Chiefe  Jus*,  y'  Attorny 
Gen",  &c.  will  be  here  to  try  a  case  ag'  Col"  Floyd,  w'"in 
bee  has  much  incens'*  y°  Govern''  &  governm',  &  he  being 
a  p'son  the  most  opposite  to  y'  p'sent  interest,  you  may  ad- 
vise &  w*  more  certainty  preengage  y"  favour  of  those 
that  are  most  capable  to  vindicate  yo'  right  than  at  any 
other  time. 

I  thank  God  my  d'  spouse  &  child"  are  blest  w""  health 
&  w"'  myselfe  ernestly  desire  our  choicest  reg**'  may  be 
aceptable  to  you  &  yo"  refin*  lady.  I  add  my  best  wishes 
that  yo'  esteem*  persons  may  ever  prosper  &  be  abun- 
dantly blest  both  in  this  &  a  better  life,  as  being  most 
candidly,  dearest  S", 

Yo''  sincere,  affectionate,  &  most  oblig**  hum.  ser', 

ff  Smith. 

Please  to  give  my  service  to  y°  Eev'*  M'  Adams  &  his 
spouse. 


INCREASE  MATHER  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

To  my  worthy  friend,  J/''  John  Winthrop,  in  New  London. 

Boston,  June  23,  1718. 

WoRTHT  DEAR  SiR,  —  I  had  the  honor  to  be  intimately 
acquainted  with  yo'  honourable  father  &  grandfather. 
They  designed  that  excellent  powder  they  called  rubila 
should  be  a  publick  benefit.  I  understand  y'  many  per- 
sons in  Boston  have  found  much  benefit  by  it,  and  I  liave 
bin  desired  to  write  to  yo'selfe  &  to  desire  that  you  would 
send  a  considerable  quantity  of  it  to  Madam  Winthrop, 
yo'  honorable  mother,  for  the  relief  of  such  as  the  Lord 


1718.]  JOHN    WINTHROP   TO   INCREASE   MATHER.  381 

shall  please  to  bless  it  for  y''  health.  Madam  Winthrop 
never  spoke  to  me  y®  least  word  about  it,  nor  have  I  seen 
her  of  a  long  time  ;  but  because  of  her  name  &  y'  she  has 
been  used  to  distribute  it,  I  suppose  her  to  be  y*  most 
suteable  person  to  be  entrusted.  It  is  a  principle  of 
charity  to  my  neighbours  y'  has  induced  me  to  write 
these  lines.  My  service  to  yo""  lady.  The  Lord  bless  you 
&  make  you  a  blessing,  as  yo'  progenitors  have  bin. 
I  am  yo'  friend  &  servant, 

Increase  Mather. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  INCREASE  MATHER. 

July  y  2'i  ,  1718. 
Venerable  S",  —  At  my  returne  from  New  Yorke  I 
had  the  bono'  of  yo'  letter,  for  w'''  I  humbly  thanke  you, 
&  greatly  rejoyce  to  hear  of  the  health  of  my  highly 
honoured  &  most  valuable  friend  Docter  Mather.  I  am 
much  obliged  that  you  are  pleased  to  remember  the 
names  of  my  hon"*  predecessors  w""  so  much  respect. 
They  were  truly  men  that  sincerely  lov'd  &  serv'd  New 
England  w"'  all  their  powers,  and  I  shall  be  heartily  glad 
if  I  can  any  ways  serve  this  country  also.  I  bless  God  that 
he  still  makes  use  of  me  to  prepare  &  give  away  o'  rubila 
to  the  sick  &  to  all  that  aske  it.  My  hon'*  rellative. 
Mad.  W.,  who  has  had  of  it  from  me  since  my  hon"*  fathers 
decease,  may  still  have  of  it  whenever  she  pleases  to 
command  me.  Your  towne  of  Boston  outdoes  all  the 
collonyes  on  this  continent  for  the  pure  worship  of  God 
&  the  strict  observation  of  the  Sabbath,  w'^''  is  not  kept 
w""  that  ord'  &  retirem'  at  New  York  as  it  is  at  Boston. 
If  you  were  to  see  the  actions  of  the  people  on  the  Sab- 
bath at  York,  you  would  imagine  it  was  more  like  a  Bos- 
ton Training-day  then  like  Sunday;  tho  the  Dissenters 
are  now  tollerated  to  preach  publickly  in  the  State  House 
and  are  building  a  church  in  the  citty,  w'*"  has  heretofore 


382  THE    WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1718. 

been  denyed  them.  M'  Anderson,  a  Scotch  gentleman, 
is  the  minister  to  this  new-gathered  Dissenting  church, 
and  their  congregation  increases  dayly.  I  pray  the  favo' 
of  the  inclosed  to  yo'  dear  son,  and  I  shall  be  glad  if  in 
anything  I  can  be  serviceable  to  you.  May  God  yet 
lengthen  out  yo'  life  many  years  for  the  comfort  &  ser- 
vice of  his  church  &  people.  I  humbly  begg  yo'  prayers 
&  blessing,  and  am,  most  Reverend  S"', 

Yo""  most  obedient  humble  serv',  J.  W.* 

D'  Increase  Mather. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  KATHARINE  WINTHROP. 

New  London,  July  y«  2=',  1718. 

Hon""  Mad",  —  I  doubt  you  conclude  I  am  unniinde- 
full  of  my  duty  in  not  answering  yo''  kinde  letters  before 
this  time,  but  I  must  assure  you  that  y"  only  reason  has 
been  the  unreasonable  trouble  I  have  niett  with  here 
from  wicked  people,  and  then  my  journey  to  Hartford,  & 
afterwards  a  long  absence  at  New  York  &  Long  Island ; 
but  I  thank  God  I  am  gott  safe  home  at  last,  tho  I  had 
an  ill  turne  or  two  whiles  I  was  at  CoH".  Smith's  at  Long 
Island,  w""  thretned  me  w""  a  fitt  of  sickness.  I  must 
now  render  thanks  for  yo",  perticulerly  for  that  to  poor 
Molly,  w""  a  book.  I  hope  she  will  ere  long  be  able  to 
doe  her  duty  her  selfe,  and  alwayes  remember  the  good 
advice  you  have  given  her.  I  am  sorry  I  mention'd  any 
thing  that  was  disagreeable  to  you  in  my  former  letter. 

*  Printed  from  a  rough  draft,  on  the  back  of  which  is  the  draft  of  one  to  Cotton  Mather 
in  which  occurs  the  following  passage  :  "I  delivered  yo'  letter  to  his  Excell.  Brigadcer 
Hunter,  who  was  pleased  to  favo'  me  w<h  a  view  of  his  well  furnisht  study,  and  grattefy'd 
me  w'h  y  sight  of  severall  curiositys  &  many  rare  books.  He  presents  his  humble  service 
to  you  w'ti  the  inclosed  letter.  I  hope  to  answer  D'  Woodward's  letter  shortly,  &  fitt  out 
an  "other  collection  of  rarities  for  Gresham  College;  but  I  am  now  so  much  diverted  from 
my  philosophicall  searches  by  a  wicked  generation  that  I  have  nothing  at  present  to  offer 
for  yo'  entertainment."  John  Woodward,  M.D.,  was  an  eminent  naturalist,  and  some- 
time Secretary  to  the  Royal  Society.  For  a  letter  from  him  to  John  Winthrop,  see 
Proceedings,  vol.  xiii.  p.  110.  — Eds. 


2718.]      JOHN   WINTHROP   TO   KATHARINE   WINTHROP.        383 

I  finde  since  that  I  was  imposed  on  (as  I  have  been  in 
many  other  things)  by  the  false  reporte  of  some  that 
should  haue  had  more  grace.  Severall  of  my  father's 
friends  at  New  Yorke  gave  their  service  to  you,  as  also 
Coll.  Smith  &  lady  did  at  Long  Island.  They  live  very 
happy  &  comfortable,  have  a  fine  seat  at  Brookhaven, 
where  the  Rever°'*  George  Phillips  on  Sunday  morning 
calls  the  congregation  together  by  beat  of  drum,  w"''  I 
that  was  a  stranger  took  to  be  an  allarrum.  M"  Anderson, 
a  Scotch  gentleman,  is  y°  minister  to  y°  new-gathered 
Dissenting  church  at  New  Yorke,  &  I  went  to  hear  him 
whiles  I  was  there.  They  have  a  fine  markett  there  every 
day,  w"*"  is  very  pleasant  &  advantageous,  and  in  it  they 
exceed  Boston  &  every  other  place  in  America.  But  the 
difference  between  o'  bills  &  their  money  is  intollerable, 
for  they  made  me  give  six  shillings  in  the  pound  for  their 
money  and  nine  shillings  p""  ounce  for  silver,  and  hardly 
gett  it  so  neither ;  w"*"  great  difference  in  the  exchange 
&  the  chargeable  living  there  presently  took  up  my  small 
allowance,  that  I  c'*  not  doe  as  I  intended,  to  have  sent 
you  some  chocolatt  flower  &  bread  from  thence.  How- 
ever, I  hope  you  will  accept  the  will  for  the  deed,  espe- 
cially at  this  juncture.  I  pray  you  w'*  give  my  humble 
service  to  M"'  Wendall  &  his  lady ;  tell  him  his  brother 
was  well  &  was  very  civill  to  me,  and  offered  me  any- 
thing that  I  wanted,  but  I  was  supply 'd  before  I  was 
acquainted  with  him.  He  made  a  very  generous  enter- 
tainment on  purpose  the  evening  or  two  before  I  came 
away,  where  was  all  sorts  of  good  things.  I  inclose 
a  paper  of  rubila;  haue  been  quite  out  of  all  sorts  of 
medicines,  elce  should  haue  supply'd  you  sooner ;  please 
allwayes  freely  to  command  me  for  it.  My  wife  sends 
you  by  Lester  a  little  bagg  w""  a  few  cakes  of  chocolatt 
out  of  her  owne  little  store,  &  a  5  shill.  bill,  praying  that 
you  w**  lay  out  the  bill  for  a  viall  of  Elixer  Proprietatis 
for  the  children.     And,  if  you  desire  it,  I  am  ready  to 


384  THE    WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1718. 

pay  the  interest  of  yo'  money  now,  or  stay  till  I  come 
to  Boston  in  the  fall,  w'^''  you  please.  My  wife  &  children 
present  y'  humble  regards  to  you  and  salute  all  yo' ;  and 
I  am,  hon^-^  Mad", 

Yo'  most  obed'  humb'  serv',  &c.,  J.  W.* 


FRANCIS  FOXCROFT  TO  JOHN  WINTHRORf 

To  John  Wintkrop.  Esq',  att  N.  London. 

July  21,  1718. 

S",  —  I  am  sensible  your  concern  for  us  leads  you  to 
expect  a  line  from  me  by  the  post,  w*  I  now  readily  em- 
brace to  inform  you  of  o'  circumstances.  That  day  we 
sat  out  from  you  we  got  as  far  as  Williams's  (as  John,  I 
suppose,  inform'd  you)  ;  from  Williams's  to  Cap'  Opdikes 

*  The  writer  did  not,  as  a  rule,  keep  copies  of  his  letters;  but  there  is  an  unfinished 
draft  of  one  dated  September,  1718,  in  answer  to  a  letter  of  August  26,  from  Cotton 
Mather,  who  had  urged  him  to  move  back  to  Boston  in  consequence  of  "the  uncivil  and 
barbarous  usage  which  you  suffer  from  your  Connecticotians."  (See  4  Mass.  Hist.  Coll. 
vol.  viii.  pp.  430,  431.)  Winthrop  replies:  "I  heartily  thank  you  for  yo'  kind  invitations 
to  returne  to  Boston,  the  place  of  my  nativity,  a  citty  w^li  has  many  charms  &  convenianccs 
to  render  it  most  agreeable  to  me.  I  lived  thirty  years  in  y'  Province,  and  had  the  oppor- 
tunity to  observe  y«  slights  and  ingratitude  of  that  part  of  }■=  country  to  some  of  its  best 
fi-iends,  and  have  known  &  felt  y  same  in  this  Colony  also.  It  is  a  matter  of  deep  medi- 
tation w**^  me  in  this  retirement  what  will  become,  in  the  nest  age,  of  those  churches  & 
colleges  w"!"  our  fathers  planted.  But  few  of  ye  people  y'  are  now  on  the  stage  can  tell 
what  was  their  errand  into  this  wilderness;  and  what  will  the  next  generation  be?  I  might 
here  inlarge  into  a  vollume,  but  you  are  sensible  of  y-'  wofuU  condition  of  this  declining 
time.  The  famous  &  k'ariK'd  S^  Kenelme  Digby  (then  at  Paris)  earnestly  solicited  my 
hnn'*  granfather  to  returne  back  to  England,  urging  that  America  was  too  scanty  for  so 
great  a  philosopluT  to  stay  long  in.  My  good  ancestor  modestly  answered,  '  Res  angusta 
domi,  my  duty  to  a  numerous  family,  will  not  permitt  it.'  And  so,  reverend  &  dear 
friend,  doe  I  conclude  to  you;  my  duty  to  my  children  enjoyns  me  to  stay  here  and  try  to 
improve  my  estate."  There  is  also  a  copy  of  a  letter  of  condolence,  dated  November  13 
of  the  same  year,  addressed  by  him  to  bis  sister  on  the  death  of  an  infant  daughter.  In  it, 
more  suo,  he  breaks  out  into  verse,  as  follows  :  — 

"  Farewell  awhile,  my  fairest  pretty  neice, 

Quicklv  we  '11  greet  you  in  y<;  realms  of  peace. 

Time  swiftly  flies  ;  life  hastens  on  amayne, 

The  resurrection  will  unite  ngayne  1 "  —  Ed3. 

t  Francis  Foxcroft,  of  Cambridge,  (Harv.  Colli  1712,)  was  son  of  Col.  Francis  Foxcroft 
by  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Deputy-Governor  Thomas  Danforth,  and  brother  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Foxcroft,  of  Boston.  See  Savage's  Gen.  Diet.,  vol.  ii.  p.  197.  He  was  at  this  time  Judge 
of  Probate  for  Middlesex,  and  subsequently  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Pleas  for  the  same 
county,  aud  a  member  of  the  Executive  Council.  —  Eds. 


1718.]  FRANCIS   FOXCROFT    TO   JOHN   WINTHROP.  385 

(where  we  found  all  well) ;    from  thence  to  Billings's ; 

from  B g's,  home ;    so  that  by  Saturday  2  p.  m.  we 

arriv'd  (thro,  y*  gooil  hand  of  Provid.)  in  safety  to  our  de- 
sir'd  period.  All  o"  friends  we  found  well,  the  Colledge 
very  empty  and  dull.  But  notwithstanding  all,  I  can 
but  with  sorrow  reflect  that  I  had  no  more  of  your  good 
company  and  the  rest  of  our  friends  in  N.  London  ;  but 
tho  now  debarr'd  of  this  happiness,  I  hope  ere  long  to 
enjoy  the  same.  Till  then,  the  Heavens  protect  you  & 
your  family,  give  you,  as  you  have  already  y°  plenty,  so 
all  the  ease  and  satisfaction  you  can  desire.  You  know, 
good  S',  what  world  we  are  bound  for,  and  under  what 
obligations,  also  that  the  concerns  of  this  world  are  but 
cloggs ;  therefore  ought  we  not  too  much  to  load  our- 
selves with  them,  but  chiefly  to  concern  our  selves  about 
those  substantials  of  another  world,  whereto  may  y*  Su- 
pream  Being  of  all  bring  you  and  all  of  us ;  that  tho  fate 
has  fixt  such  a  gulph  between  us  here  in  this  world  that  I 
am  unhappily  depriv'd  of  your  society,  we  may  have  an 
happy  and  everlasting  meeting  in  y"  next.  I  am,  S"",  with 
all  possible  respects  to  your  self  and  good  lady,  with  ser- 
vice to  all  friends, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

Francis  Foxcroft. 

My  father,  mother,  &  sister  desire  to  be  remembred. 
I  am  this  day  going  to  Boston,  but  think  not  to  send 
horse  till  the  next  post,  by  reason  of  my  being  desirous 
that  he  should  rest  awhile.  'T  will  no  way,  I  hope,  con- 
tradict your  proposals,  which  if  by  my  detaining  him  I 
have  done,  I  humbly  ask  pardon ;  and  for  the  lent  of 
him,  as  for  other  your  kindnesses,  would  give  you  thanks, 
thinking  myself  under  such  strong  obligations  to  you  that 
I  find  no  other  way  than,  by  my  weak  manner  of  retalia- 
tion, to  subscribe  as  before,  F.  F. 


386  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [171S. 


SAMUEL  SHUTE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.* 

Boston,  Septemb'  22*,  1718. 

Sir,  —  This  comes  to  return  you  thanks  for  your  kind 
present  of  the  cheese  and  buck,  which  came  very  well  to 
Khoad  Island.  The  venison  proved  extreamly  good,  and 
we  did  not  forget  to  drink  your  health  at  the  eating 
of  it.t 

Rhoad  Island  is  extreamly  pleasant.     I  think  I  hardly 

know  such  a  spot  in  Europe,  and  the  Goverm'  entertaind 

us  very  handsomly.     When  you  come  to  Boston  you  will 

allways  find  a  hearty  welcome  at  my  house.     I  am,  Sir, 

Your  humble  serv', 

Sam"  Shute. 

To  Jn9  Winthrop,  Esqt 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

[Extracts.] 

Boston,  Dec'  1,  1718. 

Dear  Bro",  —  I  have  wrote  you  by  all  opportunitys,  p' 
post,  &  W.  "Walworth.  I  can  not  tell  how  that  p''  post 
should  miscarry.  W"  went  from  hence  on  Saturday  on 
my  old  mare,  w'^"'  I  desire  may  be  kept  from  all  stone 
horses  till  spring.  He  has  bo"  a  negroe,  w"'"'  he  carrys  with 
him  on  his  own  horse.  As  to  y'  miller,  I  have  not  done 
any  thing  certain  about  him  as  yett.  Rideing  out  of  town 
y"  other  day,  I  very  happily  mett,  or  rather  overtooke,  y* 

*  Col.  Snmuel  Slmte  was  Governor  of  Massachusetts  from  1716  to  1723,  ivhen  he  went  to 
England  to  present  charges  against  the  General  Court.  On  the  death  of  George  II.  he  was 
superseded.    He  did  not  return  to  America,  and  died  in  England,  April  15,  1742.— Eds. 

t  This  venison  was  sent  at  the  suggestion  of  Thomas  Lechmere,  who  was  in  the  way  of 
dining  occasionally  with  Shute ;  but  when,  some  time  afterward,  Winthrop  offered  to  repeat 
the  attention,  T.echmerc  replied:  "  As  for  yo'  sending  another  buck  to  Samuell,  I  think  he 
ought  to  bo  contented  with  one,  being  more  than  any  body  else  will  send  him."  —  Eds. 


171S.]  THOMAS    LECHMERE   TO   JOHN   WINTHROP.  3S7 

gent,  w"'  his  companion,  running  away;  being  catched  by  y* 
Cap'  &  some  others.  Y"  Cap'  *  was  somewhat  startled  when 
I  spoke  to  him  on  y"  miller's  roguery,  &  should  I  buy  him 
w"'out  letting  you  know  this  &  he  should  doe  so  by  you,  I 
should  be  blameworthy.  My  advice  is  that  you  agree  with 
Thomas  yearly  or  more  for  so  much  certain,  he  paying  all 
charges  on  y°  mill  &  dam.  .  .  .  You  know  what  y°  mill  may 
yield  yearly,  or  one  year  with  another  ;  but  as  you  are  a 
better  judge,  I  leave  the  whole  to  you  to  act  as  you  think 
most  proper.  ...  I  forgott  to  tell  you  that  my  wife  took  a 
sheep  of  W"  w""  y*  other  things,  all  w'^''  prove  very  well,  & 
wee  no  oftener  partake  thereof  but  wee  think  on  you  all, 
w""  abundance  of  thanks,  &c.  As  to  jam  scges  est  uhi  Troja 
fuit,  I  hope  not  so  bad  ;  I  would  valine  none  of  their 
threats,  but  doe  y'  best  you  can  with  y".  As  to  y'  re- 
ports, Spring  Garden  is  absolutely  false ;  there  is  some- 
thing in  y°  other.  I  cannot  tell  how  to  write  it,  shall  tell 
you  by  word  of  mouth,  when  you  do  (as  y°  Irish  man 
does)  bring  an  answer  to  this  yo'  self,  the  post  comeing 
now  but  once  in  14  days.  Coll"  Hamilton,  Parson  Bridge, 
M"'  Clarke's  son  of  N.  Yorke,  yo""  security  for  administrator, 
ship,  do  sett  out  from  hence  to  morrow,  will  call  on  you 
on  their  way  to  N.  Y.  .  .  .  Shall  now  further  only  add 
that,  as  I  advised  you  p  W"  of  my  wive's  happy  delivery 
of  a  daughter,  her  inclination  lead  her  to  call  it  Ann,  & 
haveing  so  consented  to  it,  she  was  yesterday  so  baptised. 


*  The  Captain  in  question  was  Robert  Temple,  who  had  brought  over  several  ship-loads 
of  emigrants  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  some  of  them  well-to-do  persons  intending  to  settle 
at  the  eastward;  and  with  them  mechanics  and  laborers,  some  of  whom  he  was  willing  to 
dispose  of.  Lechraere  was  evidently  suspicious  that  Temple  was  parting  with  the  least  de- 
sirable part  of  his  cargo,  and  in  alluding  to  this  possibility  in  another  letter,  he  expressively 
remarks,  "No  man  who  has  fish  to  sell  will  say  it  stinks."'  There  had  been  during  tlie 
summer  a  considerable  intlux  of  immigrants  besides  those  brought  over  by  Tempi".  In  a 
letter  of  August  4  Lechmere  writes  his  brother-in-law:  "  I  am  of  opinion  all  the  North  of 
Ireland  will  be  over  here  in  a  little  time,  here  being"  a  third  vessell  with  Irish  familys  come 
in  &  5  more,  they  say,  expected;  &  if  their  report,  as  I  this  day  heard,  of  the  en- 
ccuragem'  given  to  these  be  liked  in  Ireland,  20  ministers  with  their  congregations  will 
come  over  in  Spring.  I  wish  their  coming  so  over  do  not  prove  fatall  in  the  end."  In  his 
succeeding  letter  (August  11)  he  adds:  "These  confounded  Irish  will  eat  ua  all  up,  pro- 
visions being  most  extravagantly  dear  &  scarce  of  all  sorts." — Eds. 


388  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1719. 

Wee  are  all  as  well  as  may  be,  &  do  kindly  salute  you 
all.     I  am 

Yo'  very  humb.  serv',  &c.  Tho^  Parter.* 

Docf  Noyes  has  cocked  up  his  chinn  since  y*  departure 
of  his  wife,  &  is  certainly  to  be  married  to  David  Jeffries's 
widow  Katharine. 


RICHARD  LECHMERE  TO  THOMAS  LECHMERE.f 
For  M'  Thomas  Lechmere,  in  Boston,  New  England. 

London,  July  8,  1719. 

Dear  Bro%  —  I  think  my  last  to  you  was  by  Cap' 
Letherhead,  tho  am  not  sure ;  however,  I  can  be  positive 
I  have  not  reced  any  answer  to  that  or  any  other  I  have 
writt  to  you  this  long  time,  nor  in  the  least  the  perform- 
ance of  those  assurances  you  gave  by  letf  last  year  of 

*  Lechmere  sometimes  signed  his  familiar  letters  with  this  nickname,  the  humor  of 
which  is  not  apparent.  His  references  to  public  affairs  are  never  numerous ;  but  under  date  of 
March  14, 1718-9,  he  writes:  *'  The  Assembly  has  sett  this  weeke,  &  are  farther  prorogued 
till  Aprill.  They  have  missed  of  their  oppertunity  again  of  paying  the  thousand  pounds. 
As  I  am  informed,  they  only  watch  for  an  oppertunity.  Wee  had  this  wecke  likewise  a 
towne  meeting,  wherein,  to  y"  great  surprize  of  all  y=  great  ones,  Docf  Elisha  [Cooke]  was, 
nemine  contradicente,  chosen  M""  Moderator.  They  according  to  custorae  proceeded  to 
y^  choice  of  Towne  officers.  He  was  likewise  chosen  W"  great  majority  a  Select  Man  ([ 
think  they  call  them)  &  the  Mobility  are  so  disgusted  at  the  ill  treatment  he  has  had  by 
being  turned  out  of  all  that  they  will  have  him  a  Deputy  this  turn :  they  are  sett  upon  it 
very  resolutely.  .  .  .  Mount  Wolle.'toiie  has  at  last  got  an  absolution  from  his  congregation, 
&  has  this  weeke  been  in  town ;  but  when  he  comes  for  good,  or  where  he  settles,  I  am 
wholly  at  a  loss  as  yett.  As  for  friend  Simeon,  he  is  well  &  gives  his  very  kind  love  & 
affection  to  you.  ...  I  did  speake  to  some  of  y"  Deputys  concerning  Brimfield,  but  I 
hope  you'll  be  in  town  at  their  next  meeting  &  have  that  affair  fully  compleated."  Under 
date  of  Mav  4,  1719,  lie  writes  :  "  I  have  a  letter  from  my  bror  Rich*  &  among  other 
things  he  tells  me  Jeremias  Agentus  [Dummer]  has  lately  mctt  w'h  a  great  rebuke  from 
yc  L  "  Commission's  of  Trade  &  they  were  on  y-'  14<'>  Feb'y  so  angry  w">  him  that  they 
have  declared  they'll  receive  no  memorial,  or  representation,  from  him  on  any  score,  &  like- 
wise adds  that  if  our  country  does  not  depute  some  one  else,  it  must  &  will  suffer.  This  is 
taken  very  hainously  here,  especially  that  I  should  divulge  it  at  this  juncture,  when  there 
arc  such  animositys  &  divisions  in  partys.  At  y=  Election  this  week  for  Deputys  they  have 
chosen  D'  Cooke,  D'  Noyes,  W.  Clarke,  Deacon  Joy,  all  by  a  considerable  majority,  not- 
withstanding all  endeavours  used  to  the  contrary.  I  am  sorry  such  divisions  should  be 
among  us.    I  wish  they  doe  not  prove  of  ill  consequence  to  the  whole  in  y<:   end."  —Eds. 

t  Richard  Lechmere,  of  Wick,  in  Worcestershire,  was  the  youngest  brother  of  Nicholas, 
Lord  Lechmere,  and  some  time  Secretary  of  the  English  Embassy  to  Russia.  —  Eds. 


1719.]       RICHARD    LECHMEEE    TO   THOMAS    LECHMERE.       389 

the  remittances  you  promis'd  me  on  my  acco".  What  ef- 
fect do  you  imagine  such  behaviour  can  have  w"'  any 
thinlcing  man  ?  I  must  tell  you  I  think  they  are  wrong 
measures  to  strengthen  freindship,  for  thu  good  nature 
may  for  some  time  be  sported  with,  yet  it  cannot  always 
bear  such  treatment ;  &  I  must  further  say  I  am  loth  to 
proceed  to  harsh  measures,  but  your  actions  would  even 
force  the  most  unwilling.  The  sume  I  left  in  yo''  hands - 
is  too  great  for  me  to  lose ;  my  fortune  will  not  bear  it, 
not  to  mention  the  manifest  great  detriment  I  sustained 
for  want  of  it  in  Jamaica,  besides  the  loss  of  its  im- 
px'ovem'  since  to  this  time.  I  am  sure  I  cant  tell  what 
reason  I  ever  gave  you  for  such  returns ;  &  if  you  sett 
inactive  at  home,  regardless  of  yo'  affairs,  must  therefore 
yo'  relations  be  the  only  main  sufferers  ?  Sure,  you  are 
the  first  of  the  family  that  ever  took  delight  to  be  su- 
pinely indolent  in  such  difficulties,  &  to  submit  to  the 
impositions  of  every  saucy  intruder.  What  can  you  pro- 
pose to  yo'  self  by  such  practice  ?  Do  you  think  sitting 
still  is  the  way  to  make  you  a  clear  man  ?  No,  so  farr 
to  y'  contrary,  that  twill  only  involve  you  the  deeper  & 
bring  inevitable  mine  on  you  &  yo'  family  in  y"  end.  Tis 
not  yo'  vast  number  of  untill'd  acres  can  secure  you  with- 
out some  thoughtfull,  prudent  management ;  for  without 
such  care  assure  yourself  the  storm  will  one  day  fall  very 
heavy,  &  tis  yo'  duty  by  due  application  &  proper,  honest 
methods  to  endeavour  to  ease  yo'  self  of  such  unhappy,  dis- 
mall  views.  I  would  fain  ask  you  one  moderate  question  ; 
w"''  is,  what  do  you  think  Major  Winthrop  gave  you  all 
that  land  for  ?  Can  you  imagine  twas  that  y"  far  greater 
part  of  it  should  always  continue  a  wilderness,  or  that 
you  &  yo'  family  should,  by  haveing  so  much  land,  always 
remain  under  the  same  difficulties  ?  I  cant  think  this, 
especially  if  he  consider'd  (as  tis  evident  by  the  gift  he 
did)  the  good  of  yo'  wife  &  children  ;  for  whereas,  by  the 
sale  of  a  small  part  of  it,  you  might  make  yo'  self  a  clear 


390  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1719. 

man,  yo'  family  &  yo'self  perfectly  easy  &  independant 
of  y"  world,  &  still  have  more  land  then  tis  possible  for 
you  with  yo"^  utmost  management  to  improve  as  long  as 
you  live.  What,  then,  induces  you  to  suffer  mankind  to 
revile  you ;  what  thoughts  can  you  entertain  with  yo''self 
for  such  unhappy  management  ?  Tis  impossible  to  recon- 
cile it  with  good  conduct,  &  the  world  will  censure  you 
as  long  as  you  give  them  such  a  handle,  when  tis  appar- 
ent you  have  it  in  yo'  power  to  free  yo''self  from  all 
imputations  of  that  kind. 

I  have  now  given  you  my  mind  freely.  Yo'  actions 
will  be  as  you  think  best;  only  let  me  tell  you  I  am 
afraid  my  brother  N.  will  do  nothing  for  you  till  you  do 
clear  yo''self ;  therefore,  if  that  has  any  effect  upon  you, 
you  will  take  care.  Why  don't  you  endeavour  to  satisfie 
y"  people  that  Anth"  &  Will  are  bound  for  ?  *  I  am  sure 
you  promised  that  you  would  this  last  spring  demonstrate 
to  y'  world  yo'  good  intentions.  I  wish  you  haue  per- 
form'd  them  ;  but  I  am  sure  I  see  nothing  of  it,  tho  am  in 
hopes  of  something  speedily.  My  humble  service  to  my 
sist'  &  yo'  little  ones,  &  am  wishing  you  &  them  all  hap- 
piness. All  our  fr'^'  in  y*  country  are  well. 
Yo'  affectionate  bro'  &  serv', 

Kich"  Lechmere. 


*  Anthony  and  William  Lechmere  were  two  other  brothers.  Two  months  later  came  a 
distinct  message  from  Nicholas  Lechmere  (then  Attorney-General)  that  he  should  do  nothing 
in  the  way  of  obtaining  public  employment  for  Thomas  until  his  affairs  were  in  a  better 
posture.  The  latter's  letters  exhibit  him  in  the  light  of  an  amiable,  sanguine,  self-indul- 
gent man,  who  rarely  suffered  hia  pecuniary  liabilities  to  prey  upon  his  spirits:  but  they 
occasioned  great  annoyance  to  his  relations  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  nearly  all  of  whom 
had  advanced  him  money  at  different  periods.  Richard  Lechmere's  letter  must  have  been 
forwarded  by  Thomas  Lechmere  to  John  Winthrop.  The  land  referred  to  appears  to  have 
been  Mrs.  Leclmiere's  third  of  her  father's  real  estate  in  Massachusetts,  which  Winthrop 
was  averse  to  selling  on  account  of  its  prospective  rise  in  value.  There  are  fifteen  letters 
from  Leclimere  during  the  remainder  of  this  year.  December  12,  he  writes:  "  What  I  have 
done  about  Brimtield  lands  I  hope  will  meet  with  yor  consent  &  approbation.  If  I  have 
acted  amiss  you  must  not  blame  me,  haveing  reced  no  timely  instructions  from  you,  as  I  for 
some  time  desired.  ...  I  send  by  Wm  a  memoriall,  or  somewhat  else,  of  Doct'  Mather 
&  some  other  gent'  concerning  yo  customes  of  ye  times;  but  in  my  weake  opinion,  notwith- 
standing its  authors,  I  think  it  is  y  emptiest  thing  I  ever  read  in  all  my  life."  —  Eds. 


1719-20.]      THOMAS    LECHMERE    TO   JOHN   WINTHKOP.  391 


WILLIAM  DUDLEY  TO  MRS.  JOHN  WINTHROP.* 

RoxBURY,  2  November,  1719. 

Dear  Sister,  —  Haveing  heard  nothing  from  you  since 
your  returne,  I  thought  it  proper  &  my  duty  to  write  to 
you  to  aquaint  you  of  our  welfare  &  health,  altho  the 
frequent  sickness  &  death  that  have  been  near  us,  &  that 
poor  sister  Sewall  hath  buried  all  her  hopes  in  her  little 
girl.t  I  hope  your  family  are  in  health ;  and  as  for  news, 
I  think  it  not  necessary  to  aquaint  you  of  any  foreign, 
and  to  let  you  know  any  thing  of  my  self.  I  suppose  it 
will  not  be  very  acceptable,  but  only  thus  much.  I  have 
not  seen  that  young  lady  since  you  did  at  Salem,  know- 
ing her  temper,  disposition,  &c.,  not  at  all  sutable  to  mine  ; 
tho  not  the  less  beholden  to  you  &  M"'  Winthrop  for  your 
kindness.  It  may  be,  if  you  do  not  come  down  quickly, 
you  may  have  a  sister-in-law  of  the  lady  I  saw  at  Rowley. 
If  she  is  willing,  whome  I  am  endeavouring  to  make  so 
the  match  will  be  speedily  concluded,  to  our  mutuall  joy 
&  hapyness.  I  have  nothing  to  add  but  that  (after  my 
humble  service  to  your  good  companion)  I  am,  dear 
sister, 

Your  most  affectionate  &  loveing  brother, 

W.  Dudley. 


THOMAS   LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Janrr  18,  17^. 

D"  S%  —  This  post  brought  me  none  from  you,  &  since 
what  I  wrote  you  last  nothing  of  any  great  moment  has 

*  M'illiaDi  Dudley,  a  younger  son  of  Gov.  Joseph  Dudley,  was  afterward  Speaker  of 
the  Massacliusetts  House  of  Representatives,  and  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas.  Judge  Sewall  describes  him,  at  the  time  of  this  letter,  as  disponed  to  marrj'  his 
daughter  Judith;  but  he  eventually  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Judge  Addingtou 
Davenport.  —  Eds. 

t  Hannah,  daughter  of  Samuel  Sewall,  Jr.,  and  Rebecca  Dudley,  died  Oct.  21,  1719.— 
Eds. 


392  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1719-20. 

happen'd,  only  on  Thursday  was  7n'  we  had  the  most 
violent  frost  begann  as  almost  ever  was  known  in  this 
country.  Charles  Town  ferry-boat  passed  at  8  of  y^ 
clocke  at  night ;  at  8  on  y°  following  morning  hundreds 
of  people  were  walking  over  on  the  ice,  which  was  to 
the  great  surprize  of  all.  My  little  daughter  Nanny  can 
say  more  than  her  father  or  mother ;  wee  having  sent 
for  her  home  (our  old  nurse  being  dead),  she  was  bro" 
over  on  the  ice.  Wee  were  all  frozen  upp.  The  inhab- 
itants of  Nantaskett  &  all  y"  islands  adjacent  constantly 
passed  &  re-passed  with  their  horses  &  sledds  thereon. 
The  sea  was  frozen  out  severall  leagues  beyond  any 
thing  in  the  memory  of  man ;  the  weather  likewise  was 
most  severely  sharp  &  cold ;  severall  people  have  been 
frozen.  On  Thursday  last  the  weather  began  to  be 
more  moderate  &  thaw,  &  came  on  gradually  with 
a  southerly  wind,  w"*"  so  continued  all  that  day  «& 
night,  the  streets  running  like  torrents,  y'  the  next 
morning  y®  ice  (as  surprizing  it  came)  was  all  vanished, 
the  harbour  all  clear;  &  the  weatlier  contlnueing  so 
warme  ever  since  has  carried  all  away  clear  from  out 
of  the  docks,  &c.,  so  that  wee  have  been  here  like  Aprill 
&  not  January ;  but  the  weather  beginns  now  to  grow 
cold  again.  Wee  had  a  great  deall  of  snow  likewise 
with  y"  frost,  but  all  is  likewise  gone.  Our  light  house 
has  been  most  unfortunately  burnt  this  season.  I  think 
there  is  nothing  more.  They  say  yo'  Doct^  is  turned 
catt  in  pann  with  M'  Thatcher ;  how  it  is  I  know  not, 
they  may  fight  it  out.  We  are  (God  be  thanked)  in 
good  health,  &  salute  you  all.     I  remaine 

Yo"'  most  affect'  bro'  &  serv',        ThoI  Lechmere.* 

I  forgott  to  desire  they  would  dock  the  mare,  but  not 
short. 

•  Feb.  29,  1719-20,  Lechmere  wrote:  "  A  thousand  thanks  for  yo'  favours,  especially 
the  bill,  w'h  I  must  confess  has  been  of  very  Rreat  service  to  us  at  this  juncture.  The 
venison  was  extraordinary  good  as  ever  I  eat  in  all  my  life.     I  talte  nothing  amiss  in 


1720.]  JOHN  WINTHEOP   TO   JACOB   WENDELL.  393 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  JACOB  WENDELL* 

New  London,  March  y'  26«i>,  1720. 
S",  —  The  sudden  returne  of  the  post,  together  w""  my 
owne  sickness,  hindred  my  answering  yo'  letter  the  last 
week  about  my  brother  Lechmere's  debts,  due,  as  you 
say,  by  bond  to  the  estate  of  M'  John  Mico,  of  Boston, 
deced.  I  have  allwayes  been  ignorant  of  the  whole  affairs 
till  you  were,  about  a  year  past,  pleased  transiently  to 
acquaint  me  with  some  thing  relateing  to  them  ;  and  I  am 
now  informed  concerning  them  by  my  brother  Lechmere 
himselfe,  w""  his  desire  of  my  assistance  in  makeing  the 
matter  easy  between  you ;  w"*"  I  am  very  ready  to  doe  to 
the  utmost  of  my  power,  having  the  comfort  &  wellfare  of 
him  and  his  family  much  at  heart.  He  tells  me  that  you 
are  agreed  to  accept  of  my  bond  with  him  as  a  farther 
security  in  the  affair,  and  that  you  will  upon  it  clear  &  in- 
denmifie  him  from  all  demands  whatsoever,  as  partnership, 
warehouse,  &c.  Now,  if  you  will  be  patient  vmtil  1  am  able 
to  undertake  a  journey  to  Boston  (w"""  I  hope  will  not  be 
long  first),  I  shall  come  on  purpose  to  serve  my  brother 
Lechmere  in  the  affair  w"*"  is  now  so  troublesom  to  him, 
that  so  I  may  in  an  amicable  manner  make  all  things 

yor  counteing,  but  rather  an  obligation.  Farr  from  afn^nting  you,  I  am  defective  in 
my  duty  &  you  must  excuse  me."  March  14,  1719-20,  Lechmere  thus  describes  the  trouble 
at  the  New  North  Church  between  the  Mathers  and  Kev.  Peter  Thacher:  "On  Mr  T.'s 
first  design  of  removeing  from  Weymouth,  the  Doct"  sen'  &  jun'  were  his  entire  freinds, 
as  doubtless  you  heard  when  here,  &  extreamly  approved  of  his  actions  &  management 
in  that  affair,  &  so  carryed  it  on;  were  never  wanting  in  giveing  him  their  advice 
thereabout,  nay,  by  what  I  hear,  assisted  him  as  much  in  his  removall  as  'twas  proper. 
But  when  it  came  to  the  upshott,  some  management  or  transactions  did  not  please  ym, 
they  turned  his  utter  enemys  &  obstructed  his  settlement  all  that  in  y">  lay.  However, 
after  all  their  spite  &  nielice,  a  certain  day  was  sett  apart  &  appointed  for  his 
installment  &  settling  w'h  M'  Webb  at  ye  New  North.  Well,  the  day  came,  &  I  dent 
believe  the  like  was  ever  heard  of  or  seen  before  ;  no  bear  garden  certainly  was  ever  like 
it;  such  treatment  &  language  had  they  that  hardly  ever  was  given  to  y=  vilest  of 
men,  &  had  they  been  such  they  could  not  have  done  worse.  And  the  Doct"  could 
not  be  satisfied  with  their  own  retracting,  yett  they  must  infuse  (I  do  not  know  what) 
into  ye  other  minist"  heads  so  farr  that  not  one  hardly  was  at  the  ceremony;  but,  not- 
withstanding, all  the  matter  is  finished,  &  he  settled,  &  all  well  so  farr  as  that  they  are 
goeing  to  build  a  new  meeting  out  of  meer  contradiction."  —Eds. 

*  Jacob  Wendell  was  a  merchant  of  Boston,  originally  from  Albany.     His  wife,  Sarah 
Oliver,  was  a  great-niece  of  the  widow  of  Wait  Wiuthrop.  —  Eds. 


394  ,  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1720. 

easy.  Please  to  lett  me  hear  from  you  in  answer  hereto, 
&  give  my  humble  service  to  Mad™  Mico,  &  accept  the 
same  from,  S', 

Yo"'  very  humble  serv',  J.  W. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  PAUL  DUDLEY. 

New  London,  Aprill  y=  7"",  1720. 

Dear  S",  —  This  morning  the  post  brought  us  yo'  letter 
w*''  the  sad  &  melancholly  tydings  of  the  decease  of  o' 
excellent  parent,  w"''  has  filled  us  and  o'  house  w"*  grief 
and  lamentations ;  and  o'  sorrows  may  not  be  uttered  at 
this  darke  hour  but  w""  silence  &  a  profound  submission 
to  the  will  of  Heaven,  y'  ord"  &  disposes  of  us  &  o"  at 
his  pleasure.*  And  tho  the  distance  of  o'  habitation 
deny  us  the  bono'  of  doeing  o'  duty  at  his  interment, 
yet  w""  great  affection  &  sincere  simpathy  doe  we  weep 
w"'  you,  sorrow  &  mourne  w"*  o''  good  mother,  und' 
this  heavy  affliction,  and  mingle  our  tears  w""  the  whole 
land  to  whom  he  has  been  a  father !  We  pray  to  God 
for  you  all  at  this  time  of  distress,  that  it  may  be  sanctified 
to  all  related,  &  help  us  to  follow  the  wise  &  holy  examples 
of  o'  good  ancestors  who  are  gott  home  to  heaven  before 
us.  We  must  soon  pass  thro  an  uncertain  world  &  over- 
take them  on  the  path  to  Eternity ;  but  haveing  o"'  cre- 
dentialls  sign'd  w""  the  blood  of  Jesus,  we  may  not  fear 
pale  Death,  who  is  but  the  doorkeeper  to  o'^  Father's 
mansions,  and  will  lett  us  in  allsoe  to  that  happy  rest 
reserved  for  the  blessed   saints.     I  am,  dear  8% 

Yo''  sorrowfull  &  very  affection'  broth'  &  humb'  serv', 

J.  W. 

•  Joseph  Dudley  died  at  Roxbury,  April  2,  1720.  He  lind  been  much  out  of  health  for 
some  time,  and,  four  months  before,  Lechmere  had  written  that  Governor  Shute  had  told 
him  it  would  be  worth  any  man's  while  to  take  down  in  shorthand  "  those  fine  aphorisms" 
Pudley  would  utter  in  his  sick-room,  "and  then  immediately  grow  delirious."  There  is  a 
ni'tc  fii.m  Paul  Dudley  to  John  Winthrop,  stating  that  he  had  forwarded  to  New  London  a 
suj'iily  of  uiourniug  apparel,  "  rings,  and  a  scutcheon."  —  Eus. 


1720. j  JOHN   WALTON    TO    JOHN    WINTHROP.  395 

0'  little  birds  all  of  them  come  in  y"'  turnes  w"' 
their  affection'  &  dutifull  crys  for  the  loss  of  their  ex- 
cellent granfather. 


JOHN  WALTON   TO  JOHN   WINTHROP.* 

To  M'  John  Winthrop,  living  in  New  London,  these  deliver ;  sent  free 
per  W  Morgan. 

Yale  Colledge,  May  16,  1720. 

Honoured  &  Worthy  S",  —  After  due  regards  to  your 
self  &  Madam  presented,  these  lines  may  inform  y'  I 
have  composed  a  funeral  elegy  dedicated  to  y^  memory 
of  his  Excellency  Governour  Dudley,  and  have  sent  it 
to  y°  Rev'^M'  Woodbridge  for  to  pass  his  censure  (I  mean 
M"'  Woodbridge  of  Hartford).  If  he  liked  it,  then  M'  Pier- 
pont  was  to  carry  it  to  Boston  ;  if  not,  he  was  to  send  it 
back ;  but  I  having  heard  nothing,  I  conclude  they  are 
gone  along. 

S',  I  haue  had  thoughts,  by  the  advice  of  M'  Ebenezer 
Pierpont  of  old  Rocksbury,  to  send  a  copy  to  your  self,  — 
you  being  a  gentleman  of  learning,  and  nearly  related. 
M"  Pierpont  brought  some  verses  made  by  M'  Danforth ; 
yet  he,  and  all  y"  schollars  almost,  advis'd  me  to  send 
mine,  which  were  finish'd  y'  day  he  came.  They  con- 
cluded it  would  be  very  suitable  y'  many  elegys  should 
be  made  on  so  great  a  man,  so  y'  two  were  scarce  enough. 
They  urg'd  it  might  be  very  suitable  to  have  mine  printed 
at  New  London,  y'  this  Colony  as  well  as  the  other  might 
lament  him.  If  they  pass  W  Woodbridges  approbation, 
who  is  a  great  man,  I  shall  be  willing  to  send  a  copy  if 
you  desire  it.    I  have  also  thought  to  compose  some  verses 

*  Rev.  John  Walton,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1720,  was  bom  in  New  London, 
Conn.,  and  studied  for  the  ministn-.  He  preached  in  various  places,  and  also  practised  as 
a  physician,  besides  serving  in  the  General  Assemhh-  of  Rhode  Island.  The  dates  of  his 
birth  and  death  are  not  known.  See  Dexter's  Biographical  Sketches  of  Graduates  of  Yale 
College,  pp.  232-235.  — Eds. 


396  THE    WINTHROP   PAPEES.  [1720. 

on  the  eminent  Major  Wintlirop  ;  and  I  believe  I  shall  do 
them  in  a  little  time  if  these  I  have  made  on  y°  Governour 
Dudly  be  approv'd.  Only  I  should  be  glad  to  receive  a 
few  lines  from  your  self,  in  which  please  to  tell  whether 
there  hath  been  many  made  already,  &  whether  if  I 
should  make  them  well  you  would  print  them.  The 
memory  of  great  and  good  men  should  live  to  y"  worlds 
end.  M"'  Winthrop  deserves  verses  fit  to  read  in  Old 
England  as  well  as  New.  S',  if  it  would  be  acceptable 
to  your  self,  I  shall  be  ready  to  do  my  endeavour  to  bring 
it  to  pass.     In  the  mean  time  I  remain 

Y'  humble  serv',  John  Walton. 


JOHN  READ  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP* 
To  Jn"  Winthrop,  Esq",  atl  New  London. 

Boston,  August  26,  1720. 
S%  —  I  find  in  y°  Province  Records  a  grant  made  of 
three  thousand  acres  of  land  to  M"  Margaret  Winthrop, 
wife  of  M""  John  Winthrop,  late  Gov%  dec",  dated  May, 
1640.  In  1641  it  is  ordred  to  ly  ab'  y'  lower  end  of 
Concord  River,  near  Merrimack  ;  in  1664  laid  out  to  her 
in  the  bounds  of  y°  town  of  Billerica,  begihing  at  y°  mouth 
of  Concord  River  &  so  runing  up  y"  river,  &c.,  p'  Jona- 
than Danforth,  survey',  and  approved  by  y"  rest  of  y" 
Coinittee,  Edw*  Johnson,  Tho.  Addams.  Now,  S',  one  of 
your  kinsmen,  of  y"  same  stock  and  family,  in  Antigua, 
supposing  y'  a  part  of  it  belongs  to  him,  imploys  Maj'  Ilat- 
ton,  of  Boston,  a  late  coiner,  to  look  into  the  matter,  and  he 
tells  me  they  say  y'  is  y'  land  severall  have  y'  parts  in  it. 
Some  parts  are  swallowed  up  by  purchasers  who  take  what 

•  John  Read  (Harv.  Coll.  1697)  was  then  a  lawyer  in  Boston,  and  afterward  Attorney- 
General  of  Massachusetts.  The  kinsman  alUided  to  was  Samuel  Winthrop  (third  of  that 
name  in  Antigua),  grandson  of  Gov.  John  Winthrop's  son  Samuel,  for  whose  letters  see 
5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  viii.  For  some  account  of  the  estate  in  question,  see  Hazen's  His- 
tory of  Billerica.— Eds. 


1721.]  JOHN   WINTHROP   TO    ISAAC    TATLOK.  397 

they  please ;  and  he  can  not  by  any  means  come  at  M"^ 
Margarett  Winthrop's  will,  or  deed,  settling  y'  land,  nor 
any  court  settlem'  whereby  your  kinsman  by  any  possi- 
bility may  make  out  his  right  and  obtain  his  due.  No 
man  can  tell  him  where  to  find  any  thing  to  unfold  y" 
matter. 

Now,  S'',  if  you  can  come  at  y°  knowledge  of  y'  affair, 
and  inform  w'  these  settlements  may  be  had  (for  you,  be- 
ing y*  eldest  son  &  heir  of  y"  family,  are  y*  likelyest  to 
know),  I  beg  y°  favour  you  'd  open  these  matters  as  soon 
as  conveniently  you  may,  in  a  few  lines  for  y'  benefit  of 
your  kinsman,  and  direct  y'  discourse  to  Maj""  Hatton 
(without  a  Christian  name,  for  I  know  of  none),  lest  I 
being  out  of  town  shod  not  meet  with  it. 

S',  ¥"■  most  humble  serv',  Jn"  Read. 


JOHN   WINTHROP  TO  ISAAC   TAYLOR. 

May  the  8'^,  1721. 
S",  —  By  yo''  kinsman  &  namesake  now  here  I  am  in- 
formed that  yo''selfe  w""  a  number  of  virtuous  &  religions 
familys  are  lately  come  over  from  Ireland  to  seek  a  place 
of  cohabitation  in  America,  and  that  you  are  minded  to 
remove,  w*  a  suitable  number  of  yo'  people,  to  some  qui- 
eter neighbourhood  then  the  eastern  frontiers  of  this  wil- 
derness. And  at  the  request  of  severall  of  yo"'  countrymen 
allready  here,  you  are  saluted  w""  this  epistle,  w''*'  ac- 
quaints you  that  I  have  a  large  tract  of  land,  about  ten 
miles  square,  scituate  in  the  middle  of  Long  Island  &  lying 
on  the  south  coast  thereof,  where  is  good  meadows  & 
intervale  land  immediately  capable  of  keeping  large  stocks 
of  sheep,  cattle,  &c.,  and  raising  of  wheat.  There  is  alsoe 
good  whaling,  &  all  sorts  of  fish  both  fresh  &  salt,  many 
sorts  of  wild  fowle,  as  ducks,  gees,  &  teele,  and  great 
numbers  of  lesser  birds,  the  land  being  surrounded  w"" 


ijyS  THE   WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1721 

honest  &  pious  townes  of  yo''  owne  pei'swasion.  That  w'*" 
lyes  on  the  sea  branches  out  into  severall  necks  (easily 
fenced)  into  a  salt  bay,  w"*"  is  formed  by  a  long  beach  be- 
tween the  necks  &  the  sea.  There  is  also  brave  oysters 
and  all  other  sorts  of  shell  fish  to  be  had  on  the  place,  & 
w''''  may  be  at  all  seasons  of  the  year  taken  up  by  the 
very  children.  Here  is  several  sorts  of  clay,  both  for 
making  bricks,  potts,  &  tobacco  pipes  also,  and  the  land 
is  not  rocky,  or  full  of  stones  (as  some  parts  of  this  wil- 
derness is),  but  levell  &  pleasant,  full  of  brooks  &  springs; 
and  the  winters  are  nothing  near  so  hard  or  so  long  as  on 
the  Continent.  And,  to  conclude,  it  is  a  very  healthy 
place,  and  not  much  more  than  three  score  miles  from 
the  citty  of  New  York,  a  wellthy  &  populous  markett, 
where  is  to  be  had  all  sorts  of  commodities,  and  where 
may  be  vended  whatsoever  the  husbandman  or  other 
industrious  trades  can  raise;  and  you  are  here  forever 
out  of  the  way  of  the  Indian  enemys.  Now,  being  urged 
by  some  of  yo'  countrymen  to  write  to  you  on  this  ace*,  I 
don't  pretend  to  launch  out  into  the  praises  of  the  place, 
but  only  to  give  you  a  plain  &  real  relation  of  the  land, 
w'*"  if  you  incline  to  look  this  way  it  will  be  best  to  send 
two  of  yo""  trusty  brethren  to  view  it,  on  whose  report  you 
may  be  able  to  depend.  My  proposall  is  for  20  or  30 
familys,  that  are  able  to  transport  themselves  thither  and 
to  sett  down  together  in  a  compact  village  near  the  cen- 
ter of  the  land  on  the  sea-side,  and  have  substance  to  sup- 
port themselves  for  a  year  &  purchase  a  small  stock  of 
sheep  &  cattle,  strength  to  build  comfortable  habitations 
&  plant  orchards;  each  family  paying  the  yearly  quitt- 
rent  of  twenty  shillings  f  annum  during  the  term  ol 
seaven  years.  Each  family  to  occupy  &  injoy  equal 
divitions  for  &  during  the  space  of  seaven  years,  in  con- 
sideration of  the  aforementioned  quitt-rent  and  above 
performances ;  and  after  the  expiration  of  the  first  seaven 
years,  each  family  to  pay  to  the  landlord  such  rent  as  it 


1721.]  PAUL    DUDLEY   TO   JOHN   WINTHEOP.  399 

shall  then  be  honestly  &  rationally  worth.  For  the  first 
terme  of  time  I  should  incline  to  releas  the  quitt-rent  to 
the  minister  that  should  settle  there  w"'  the  people,  pro- 
vided he  instructs  the  children  in  school-learning  proper 
for  them.* 

ludorsed :  "  Coppy  to  M'  Izac  Tayler,  at  Topaham  ;  p'  M'  Humphrey 
Tayler." 


PAUL  DUDLEY  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

[Date  torn,  July,  1721.] 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  doubt  not  but  that  when  you  were  down 
the  last  year  you  were  acquainted  with  the  substance  of 
my  father's  will,  and  that  he  had  left  a  legacy  of  one 
hundred  pounds  to  each  of  his  daughters.  I  have  not 
been  able  till  very  lately  to  get  in  of  my  father's  moneys 
sufficient  to  answer  these  legacys,  and  was  loath  to  give 
the  legatees  the  trouble  of  bonds,  if  it  might  be  pre- 
vented. I  have  some  time  since  paid  Sister  Sewall,  and 
more  lately  Sister  Dummer,  and  am  now  ready  to  dis- 
charge Sister  Winthrop's  legacy.  If  there  be  any  pros- 
pect of  your  coming  down  quickly  (as  I  am  told  there  is), 
it  may  be  as  well  for  you  to  receive  it  yourself;  but  if 
not,  or  you  chuse  otherwise,  it  lyes  ready  for  your  order 
whenever  you  please  to  write  for  it,  but  then  I  shall  be 
glad  you  will  inclose  a  receit,  signed  by  j'our  self  and 
Sister  Winthrop,  of  one  hundred  pounds  in  discharge  of  a 
legacy  left  by  my  father  in  his  last  will  and  testament. 

We  have  not  heard  from  you  a  great  while,  but  hope 

•  This  is  printed  from  a  rough  draft,  with  which  was  found  the  draft  of  a  note  to  Cotton 
Mather,  dated  April,  1721,  in  which  the  writer  says:  "I  thank  you  for  yo'  Accomplisht 
Singer,  but  the  jarrings  on  earth  will  still  interrupt  o'  melody,  and  we  shall  not  be 
happy  till  we  gett  to  Hpaven  &  bear  a  part  in  the  harmony  of  angels.  Neal's  History  is  a 
vile  contriv'd  thing,  projected  by  some  vipers  in  this  country  and  compleated  by  tools  at 
home,  wch  have  horribly  imposed  on  that  man.  I  aske  yo'  acceptance  of  the  inclosed  sheet, 
w':''  my  neighb'  Timothy  hastily  snatched  from  me  and  printed  a  few  weeks  agoe  without 
my  knowledge.  W  is  become  of  the  Docf  at  Gresham?  I  am  making  an  other  sett  of 
rarieties  &  curiositys  for  the  Royall  Society,  wch  I  am  thinking  to  present  w""  my  owne 
hands."  — Eds. 


400  THE    WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1721. 

you  are  all  well.  M'  Lechmere  may  be  expected  in  a 
short  month.  The  small  pox  is  like  to  goe  thro  the  town 
of  Boston,  and  many  die  of  it.  Our  Indians  at  the  east- 
ward are  very  insulting,  and  got  together  in. great  num- 
bers. The  Gov''  has  dissolved  the  General  Assembly  in 
some  displeasure.  With  my  best  affection  to  my  sister 
and  service  to  all  friends,  I  am,  S% 

Your  very  affectionate  brother  and  humble  servant, 

Paul  Dudley. 

My  mother  is  going  to-morrow  to  Newbury  for  a  week  ; 
gives  her  blessing  to  your  family.* 

*  Dudley's  allusion  to  Lechmere's  absence  affords  an  opportunity  to  explain  that  about 
the  middle  of  March  the  latter  had  suddenly  sailed  for  England  to  make  a  fresh  appeal  to 
his  brothers  in  consequence  of  being  much  harassed  by  creditors.  April  4,  of  the  previous 
year,  he  had  written  Winthrop  that  Governor  Shute's  nephew,  John  Yeomans,  wished  to 
give  his  brother-in-law  Shrimpton  some  deer  for  Noddle's  Island,  but  had  only  two  bucks, 
and  that  he  (Lechmere)  would  take  it  as  a  great  favour  if  Winthrop  would  supply  two  does 
from  Fisher's  Island  to  mate  with  them.  He  added:  "I  have  written  to  England  that  my 
affnirs  are  in  progress,  &  that  you  have  been  extreamly  assistant  therein."  In  reply  to  a 
hint  from  Winthrop  that  blood  relations  were  nearer  than  relations  by  marriage,  and  that 
he  could  not  fairly  be  expected  to  do  as  much  as  Lechmere's  own  brothers,  the  latter  re- 
plied (Juue,  1720):  "As  to  wliat  has  been  told  you  that  relations  of  mine  have  at  anytime, 
or  on  any  head,  reflected  on  you,  I  doe  hereby  averr  there  was  never  the  least  ground  for 
anything  tending  that  way,  &  he  that  told  you  ought  to  have  his  ears  cutt  or  be  recorded 
for  a  lyar."  July  4,  he  wrote:  "I  hope  what  I  last  wrote  has  not  disobliged  you,  but  I  am 
harassed  &  dunned  out  of  my  life."  August  8,  he  wrote :  "  I  am  plagued  with  complaints 
from  Billerica  of  people's  destroying  timber  &  hay  yearly,  and  they  say  they  know  I  have 
nothing  to  doe  with  it  yett,  therefore  will  not  mind  whatever  I  w-ite  or  say.  Would  you 
release  to  your  sister,  we  would  endeavour  to  reap  some  advantage  therefrom,  w':''  would 
not  be  amiss,  considering  the  damage  &  waste.  You  are  the  best  judge,  &  I  hope  you  will 
not  take  amiss  my  thus  mentioning  it  to  you."  Feb.  27,  1720-1,  he  wrote:  "  M"  Mico'.s 
arresting  nie  will  be  no  news  to  you.  What  will  be  y«  issue  I  know  not;  but  my  chief 
business  at  present  is  to  left  you  know  y«  Town  of  Boston  have  built  a  School-house  &  liave 
putt  y=  Pound  on  ye  land  formerly  granted  to  my  father  on  ys  Coinon,  &  they  are  goeing  to 
dispose  of  y'  land  my  father  proposed  for  an  Exch«.  M'  Auchmuty  advises  to  sue  for  it 
iinediately.  I  think  it  is  pitty  to  loose  y<^  whole  thro'  our  neglect;  pray  send  me  a  power 
of  attorney  to  act  herein."  March  13,  he  wrote :  "  M'  Swallow  came  on  Teusday  last, 
bringing  a  packett  from  you  directed  to  yo'  sister,  containing  £2:30  bills,  &  according  to 
Tor  order  M'  Bowdoine  is  paid  y^  interest  on  y  mortgage  of  ;£1500  &  bond  of  £460,  & 
Mad""  Winthrop  is  paid  her  interest  on  bond  of  £1,200.  My  wife  has  the  remainder,  being 
i40."  With  this  last-named  sum  Lechmere  must  have  started  at  once  for  England,  as  on 
the  S>*<  of  May  his  wife  wrote  John  Winthrop  her  husband  had  then  been  gone  seven  weeks, 
and  that  she  was  so  pinched  for  necessaries  for  herself  and  the  children  that  she  had  sold  a 
pair  of  shoe-buckles.  Winthrop  came  to  the  rescue  as  usual,  but  intimated  his  belief  that 
Lechmere  sometimes  pocketed  remittances  intended  for  his  wife.  Mrs.  Lechmere,  in  reply 
(May  22),  defended  her  husband  warmly,  but  admitted  that  one  particular  remittance  of 
£.30  she  had  never  seen  or  heard  of.  S!ie  added:  ''For  the  kindneses  wee  have  received 
from  you  wee  have  and  allways  shall  be  graitful,  but  I  beleive  my  husband's  relations  are 


1722.]  THOMAS   LECHMEEE   TO   JOHN   WIKTHEOP.  401 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Sep'.  11,  1721. 

Dear  Broth'',  —  It  may  in  all  probability  surprize  you 
to  hear  of  my  return  from  Eng**  in  so  short  a  time  &  in 
tlie  station  I  am  in,  w"''  I  hope  will  be  acceptable  to  you, 
altho  perhaps  not  to  some  others  with  you.*  I  have  not 
been  on  shoar  above  2  or  3  hours,  &  have  but  just  time 
now  to  acquaint  you  herewith.  Wee  are  all  well,  &  I 
am,  with  due  respects  to  you  all  in  generall,  d'  S', 
Yo'  most  affec'  bro'  &  serv*, 

Tho'  Lechmere. 

I  desire  you  would  order  my  mare  down  from  y°  Island 
if  any  oppertunity  offer ;  otherwise  send  her  p"'  post  as 

ie. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
To  John  Winthrop,  Esq.,  at  New  London. 

N.  YoRKE,  Oct.  14,  1722. 

Dear  Bro",  —  We  got  safe  over  to  L.  Island,  as  doubt- 
less you  have  heard  before  now  by  return  of  y'  boats.  I 
meet  with  some  difficultys  here  likewise,  &  when  I  shall 
return  1  can  not  say.  I  hope  you  are  by  this  time  thor- 
oughly recovered  &  will  get  ready  to  goe  to  Boston  with 
me  ;  shall  be  very  glad  of  yo'  good  company.     You  must 

now  willing  to  enabel  him  to  stand  on  his  owne  legs  ngain."  These  and  other  passages, 
too  numerous  to  quote,  show  that  while  John  Winthrop  had  a  personal  regard  for  his  sis- 
ter's husband,  he  distrusted  him  financiall}-;  and  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  the 
delay  in  a  final  settlement  of  Wait  Winthrop's  estate  may  have  arisen  partly  from  a  desire 
to  keep  Mrs.  Lechmere's  share  out  of  the  reach  of  creditors.  —  Eds. 

•  Nicholiis  Lechmere,  who  was  about  to  be  raised  to  the  peerage  (the  patent  was  dated 
Sept.  2,  1721),  apparently  thought  it  incumbent  to  do  something  for  his  brother  Thomas. 
Some  of  the  latter's  pressing  liabilities  were  cleared  off,  and  he  was  provided  with  the  post 
of  Surveyor-General  of  Customs  for  the  Northern  District  of  America.  A  report  of  this 
appointment  occurs  in  the  "  Boston  News  Letter"  of  June  22,  1721.  Lechmere's  hint  that 
it  might  not  be  acceptable  in  New  London  was  perhaps  intended  to  apply  to  Governor 
Saltonstall,  whom  he  for  some  reason  particularly  disliked.  —  Eds. 
51 


402  THE   "WINTHEOP   PAPEPwS.  [1722. 

excuse  me  for  reminding  you  of  Mumford  concerning  the 
mare,  to  pace  her,  &  that  he  has  the  black  horse  &  does 
not  pace  him,  intending  him  for  my  slay  in  y"  winter. 

I  have  been  very  well  since  my  arrivall  here ;  my  man 
is  ill  of  fever  &  ague,  am  afraid  shall  not  be  able  to  take 
him  with  me  to  y'  Jerseys.  My  kind  love  &  service  to 
sister  &  all  friends.  I  drank  yo'  health  at  Coll"  Smith's, 
who  very  heartily  enquired  after  yo''  welfare.  Cous.  H. 
Lane  enquired  after  you,  as  likewise  Landlady  Swift. 
Have  been  at  y'  Gov" ;  *  he  is  a  very  merry,  fine,  good- 
natured  gent,  farr  exceeding .     I  am  once  more 

Yo'  most  affect*  bro'  &  serv', 

ThO'   LECHMERE.f 


SAMUEL   SEWALL  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
For  John  Wintkrop,  Esq'',  at  New-London. 

Boston,  8^  8*,  1722. 
S",  —  This  visit  is  to  wish  you  and  your  lady  joy  of 
your  desirable  children,  and  especially  of  your  John  Still 

*  William  Burnet,  son  of  Bishop  Burnet.  He  was  afterward  Governor  of  Massachu- 
setts and  New  Hampshire.  —  Eds. 

t  The  Winthrop  Papers  contain  thirteen  letters  written  by  Lechmere  to  Winthrop  be- 
tween this  letter  and  the  preceding  one,  but  they  are  of  little  interest.  Dec.  IS,  1721,  he 
wrote:  "I  hear  Parson  Hellhouse  has  been  w*  you  to  purchase  or  hire  y  land  on  Long 
Island.  Would  you  take  my  advice  you  would  have  nothing  to  doe  w'''  such  an  Irish  crew, 
but  you  are  the  best  judge.  I  should  be  glad  to  buy  one  of  the  Necks  of  you  for  myself ;  of 
this  more  hereafter."  Jan.  28, 1721-2,  he  wrote:  "  Reports  are  running  up  &  down  Town  as 
if  y^'  Lord  Staires  was  com?  over  here  a  Vice  Roy.  How  true  it  is  or  may  be  I  know  not  a; 
yett;  but  if  soe  you  m:iy  easily  judge  wh.it  will  happen  to  y'  Charters."  June  4, 1722.  he 
wrote :  "  I  was  Billerica  way  some  time  agoe,  &  was  informed  those  villains  were  cutting  &. 
destroying  all  they  could  on  the  land.  Was  it  in  my  possession  I  would  have  satisfaction 
of  such  rascalls."  July  23,  in  alluding  to  a  carriage  accident  met  with  by  Governor  and 
Mrs.  Saltonstall  on  their  journey  to  Boston,  he  wrote:  "  I  have  not  yett  had  y  hon'  of  a 
sight  of  yo'  Excellw  dejir  phiz,  neither  have  I  seen  his  lady  or  their  flying  chariot.  Their 
weight  being  so  uncommon,  I  don't  wonder  at  their  misfortune;  but  I  hope  all  y^  bread  & 
cheese  was  not  lost  out  of  y«  top  of  yc  jack  boots,  a  place,  I  think,  generally  used  on  such 
occasions."  August  20,  he  wrote:  "  It  is  a  very  great  concern  to  me  that  you  are  still  thus 
harassed  by  y  Tennants  &  others  that  you  should  lay  it  so  to  heart.  I  am  of  upininn  that 
had  all  incumbrances  been  at  first  cleared  off  (as  I  did  once  advise),  all  concerned  would  have 
been  much  more  easie."  This  is  in  allusion  to  Winlhrop's  paying  snmi>  nf  his  father's  debts 
by  mortgaging  land  instead  of  selling  it,  in  view  of  its  prnspoctiv."  rise  in  Viilue.  —  Eds. 


1723.]  THOMAS   LECHMEEE   TO   JOHN   WINTHROP.  403 

and  of  your  Basil,  hoping  that  they  will  both  be  great.* 
Besides  Hannah  in  the  Old  Testament  and  the  Blessed 
Mary  in  the  New,  there  is  a  numerous  company  of  Holy 
Women  listed  in  Christ's  army,  which  renders  that  sex 
honourable.  And  if  your  sons  should  be  taken  away, 
which  God  forbid,  yet,  as  your  worthy  ancestours  were 
the  builders  of  the  walls  of  our  Jerusalem,  so  you  &  your 
daughters  will  engage  in  the  pleasant  &  profitable  em- 
ployment of  repairing  them  ;  as  we  haue  an  instance  in 
the  3*  of  Nehemiah.  And  they  that  thus  express  their 
love  to  Jerusalem  will  be  sure  to  prosper. 

I  apprehend  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  treats  of  the 
New  Jerusalem.  When  shall  we  see  the  holy  city,  New 
Jerusalem,  coming  down  from  God  out  of  heaven,  pre- 
pared as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  hu.sband  I 

I  have  reprinted  M''  Willard's  sermon  for  the  Conver- 
sion of  the  Jews,  to  comfort  us  in  waiting  for  this  gloi'ious 
sight.t  Please  to  accept  of  half  a  dozen  of  them  from, 
Sir, 

Your  very  humble  serv',  Samuel  Sewall. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  May  20*,  1723. 

Dear  Bro", — I  have  yo'  fav'  of  y^  lO"*,  w'^''  I  sent  to 
M''  Shack,  by  reason  I  was  apprehensive  (according  as  you 
wrote  me  you  had  reced  none  from  me)  it  should  mis- 
carry, I  haue  a  letter  from  M'  Updike  of  Narragansett 
that  my  horse  is  there  in  a  poor  condition.    I  desired  you 

*  The  two  sons  born  to  John  Winthrop  after  Wait  Winthrop's  death.  From  the  elder 
descend  the  various  branches  now  existing  of  Gov.  John  Winthrop's  descendants  in  the 
male  line.  —  Eds. 

t  To  the  edition  of  Mr.  Willard's  sermon  here  referred  to  ("  The  Fountain  Opened:  or 
The  admirable  Blessings  plentifully  dispensed  at  the  National  Conversion  of  the  Jews ") 
Judge  Sewall  added  an  appendix  of  nine  pages.  A  copr  of  this  edition  in  the  Library  of 
the  Historical  Society  has  on  the  titlepage  (he  name  of  Sewall's  granddaughter,  "Jane 
Hirst.     Octr  i<\  1722,"  in  his  handwriting.  —  Eds. 


404  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1723. 

to  speak  to  M'  Havens  concern^  my  mare  comeing  down 
in  order  to  breed.  If  he  has  bro"  her,  you  may,  if  you 
please,  ride  her  down.  I  am  surprized  to  hear  my  colt 
is  dead ;  if  it  is  soe,  I  cannot  help  it,  &  must  stand  to 
y*  loss. 

I  am  very  sensible  of  y"  Connecticutt  game.  I  was 
told  yo'  Gov'  did  not  intend  to  serve  any  longer,  but  I 
find  they  cannot  doe  without  him.  I  never  heard  any 
thing  of  J.  D.'s  getting  any  mony  for  y*  Colledge.  As 
to  their  whisperings,  I  valine  them  not ;  but  certain  it  is 
that  Vetch  did  put  in  for  this  gov'ment  (1  never  heard 
for  Connecticutt),  &  they  say  M"  Boydell  will  be  Coll'  of 
Salem,  &  that  y*  dispute  between  him  &  L"*  B.  was  con- 
cerning M'  Lamb't  &  Boydell  as  to  y"  Comptrollers  office. 
There  is  no  certainty  as  yett  concerning  our  Gov"  coming, 
or  how  he  would  come.  Wee  are  as  bare  of  news  as  ever, 
as  you'll  perceive  by  old  Muzzy's  paper. 

I  doe  expect  you  lett  me  know  when  you  sett  out  for 
this  place,  for  am  resolved  to  wait  on  you  some  part  of 
the  way,  &  lett  me  once  more  assure  you  none  shall  be 
more  wellcome  to  what  you  can  find  here,  as  beef  &  porke, 
&c. ;  a  hearty  wellcome  w""  mean  things  is  better  than 
otherwise.  I  hope  the  indisposition  of  yo'  children  is 
over,  &  that  you  will  not  be  retarded  through  any  such 
casualtie.  Heartily  wishing  you  &  yo"  all  the  health  & 
success  imaginable,  &  a  good  journey  to  us,  I  am,  w"' 
kind  respects  to  all  with  you, 

Yo'  very  affect*  bro'  &  serv*, 

Tho^  Lechmere.* 

*  Nine  letters  intervene  between  this  one  and  that  of  Oct.  14,  1722.  They  relate 
largely  to  a  scheme  of  Lechmere's  for  prosecuting  a  claim  of  Wait  Winthrop's  estate  to  cer- 
tain land  in  Rhode  Island.  He  was  anxious  John  Winthrop  should  send  him  a  power  of 
attorney  to  move  in  the  matter;  and  when  Winthrop  objected  on  the  ground  of  the  great 
uncertainty  and  expense,  Lechmere  rejoined:  "They  [the  local  authorilies]  are  much  afraid 
of  me,  I  mean  of  my  brother,  my  Lord,  and  if  I  threaten  to  appeal  to  the  King  &  Couiicill. 
might  give  it  up."  The  present  letter  shows  that  on  the  20th  of  May,  1723,  the  two 
brothers-in-law  were  still  on  the  old  footing  of  familiar  intim  icy.  Precisely  what  afterward 
occurred  is  not  apparent,  but  before  August  1st  they  had  quarrelled  and  gone  to  law.  —  Eus. 


1723.J  JOHN  WINTHROP   TO   HIS   WIFE.  405 

JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  HIS  WIFE. 

To  M"  Ann  Winthrop,  p'^sent,  at  New-London. 

RoxBURY,  August  -f  26"^,  1723. 

My  dearest  Spouse,  —  This  is  my  birth-day,  as  to- 
morrow is  yo",  and  I  conchxded  to  have  been  now  re- 
joycing  w""  you  at  home,  but  the  last  week  when  I  was 
comeing  away  I  was  unexpectedly  stopt  in  my  intended 
journey  by  some  of  my  nearest  relations,  who  I  hitherto 
thought  I  might  have  trusted  my  life  and  my  all  in  tlieir 
hands  ;  but  I  now  finde  those  that  dip't  in  the  dish  w""  me 
have  betrayed  me.  I  pray  God  forgive  them,  for  I  have 
done  them  no  wrong.* 

I  have  left  my  business  in  M"'  Read  &  M'  Robinson's 
hands,  and  am  to-morrow  morning  comeing  homewards. 
It  will  be  best  to  be  as  silent  in  speaking  hereof  as  may 
be,  till  I  can  informe  you  of  all  things.  Yo"'  daughters 
are  both  well.  Molle  is  at  Sister  Dummer's,  and  Nanne  is 
here  at  Roxbury,  and  will  sometimes  be  at  Boston  w""  her 
Granmother  Winthrop,  who  is  very  kind.  I  am  quite  im- 
patient till  I  see  you,  w"*"  I  trust  in  God  will  be  in  a  few 
days.  I  pray  you  not  to  be  troubled  at  anything,  nor 
have  no  uneasy  thoughts.  I  doubt  not  but  all  will  end 
well.  I  pray  an  infinite  good  God  to  keep  &  bless  you, 
and  all  o",  and  am,  w""  the  utmost  affection,  my  most 
dear  wife, 

Thy  faithfull  loving  husband, 

J.  Winthrop. 

Broth'  Dudley  is  very  {toni].  There  is  a  small  trunk 
put  on  board  Curtis's  sloope,  w"*"  you  must  enquire  for. 

*  This  refers  to  his  nrrest  at  the  suit  of  Lechmere,  on  the  charge  of  never  having  filed  an 
adequate  and  proper  inventory  as  administrator  of  Wait  Winthrop's  estate.  Lechmere 
cannot  be  blamed  for  claiming  whatever  he  was  advised  to  be  legally  his  wife's,  but  it  is 
strange  that  the  closest  examination  of  his  voluminous  letters  to  John  Winthrop  fall  to 
disclose  any  dissatisfaction  with  the  latter's  administratorship.    It  would  seem  as  if  an 


406  THE   WINTHROP   PAPEKS.  [1723. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  ELIPHALET  ADAMS. 

[Sept.,  1723.] 

Reverend  &  dear  S",  — I  earnestly  request  yo'  friend- 
ship &  secresy  in  a  matter  w'''  greatly  concerns  me.  You 
know  the  troubles  I  am  ingaged  in,  and  how  unreasona- 
bly I  am  used  by  those  whose  unwarrantable  methods  have 
been  privately  contriv'd  to  pervert  right  &  justice,  frus- 
trate my  being  the  heir  to  my  family,  and  divide  a  great 
estate  that  they  may  purchase  for  a  trifle.  When  I  was 
coming  away  from  Boston,  fiU'd  w"*  a  multitude  of  hurryes 
&  confusions  and  in  a  dangerous  state  of  health  (the 
jaundice  laying  strong  upon  me),  I  was  arrested  to  answer 
the  Court  there.  My  brother  at  Eoxbury  writt  a  power 
of  attorney  to  M'  Robinson  &  Read,  and  I,  being  over- 
whelmed w""  the  unexpected  occurrances  &  trusting  to 
my  s"*  brother's  fidellity  &  kindness,  never  read  or  consid- 
ered it,  but  signed  it,  concluding  it  was  only  an  ordinary 
power  of  attorney  to  answer  at  that  Court.  Now  I  am 
lately  told  that  I  am  trap't  &  ensnared,  and  that  Read  & 
others  have  droptsome  strange  words  about  it  w"**  I  never 
dream't  of  This  is  to  pray  you  to  use  yo'  wisdom  in 
takeing  up  that  unlawfuU  power  of  attorney  out  of  their 
hands,  and  bringing  of  it  to  me  when  you  return  home. 
I  have  inclosed  a  short  letter  to  M'  Read,  w"""  I  pray  you 
w"*  deliver  w""  yo'  owne  hands,  but  seal  it  first.  I  am 
ashamed  of  my  inadvertency,  but  they  that  thus  imposed 
on  me  are  reckned  faithfull  Xtian  friends,  that  liave  been 
above  20  years  in  communion  w""  a  church  of  God. 

A  friend  of  mine  here  tells  me,  if  you  demand  it  point 
blank,  he  will  promise  you  he  will  look  for  it  &  send  it  to 
you,  but  disappoint  you  ;  or  elce  will  say  it  is  mislaid,  or 
anything  to  put  you  off;  but  it  is  a  thing  of  such  con- 
unexpected  quarrel  had  resulted  in  his  making  a  claim  he  had  not  previously  contem- 
plated. Winthrop,  as  will  appear,  believed  lliat  the  idea  had  been  perfidiously  suggested 
to  him  by  designing  persons,  with  a  view  to  break  up  the  estate  and  procure  laud  at  low 
prices.  —  Eds. 


1723.]         PAUL    DUDLEY   TO    MRS.    JOHN    WINTHROP.  407 

sequence  to  me  that  I  intreat  you  to  use  some  policy  in 
obtaining  of  it.  Can't  you  before  you  give  him  my  letter 
enter  into  some  talk  about  my  affairs,  and  say  you  hear  I 
had  given  him  a  power  of  attorney,  and  aske  him  to  let 
you  see  it,  and  then  deliver  ray  order  to  him  concerning 
it  ?  I  leave  it  w"'  yo''  prudence  to  doe  for  me  in  this 
matter,  and  I  know  you  will  faithfully  and  secretly  serve 
me  ag'  those  that  w*  overreach  an  innocent  honest  man  ; 
w"''  will  ingage  me  to  the  strongest  obligations  and  add  to 
the  many  favo"  I  am  already  under  to  you.  I  am,  most 
reverend  &  dear  S^ 

Yo'  affection'  faithfull  friend  &  humb'  serv*, 

J.  W. 

You  need  not  intimate  that  I  mean  to  discharge  him 
from  my  service,  or  that  I  distrust  his  help  in  my  business, 
but  that  since  I  hear  M'  Robinson  has  lay'd  downe  the 
practise  of  the  law,  and  sent  me  word  he  c'^  not  serve  me, 
&c.,  I  w*  make  an  other  power.  Yo''  family  is  all  well. 
Excuse  this  hast. 


PAUL  DUDLEY  TO  MRS.  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

RoxBURT,  18  Nov,  1723. 
Dear  Sister,  —  Your  letter  found  me  abroad,  and 
since  my  return  I  have  been  in  a  continual  hurry  with 
one  Court  and  another.  I  am  obliged  to  M""  Winthrop 
for  his  potatoe;  it  is  by  much  the  largest  I  ever  saw. 
I  rejoyce  with  you  in  the  deliverance  of  your  daughter 
when  in  such  imminent  danger.  I  had  some  discourse 
with  Judge  Sewall  as  to  M'  Winthrop's  inventorying  any 
estate  his  father  left  in  Connecticut  Colony,  and  he  tells 
me  that  he  has  nothing  to  doe  with  it,  nor  dos  he  de- 
mand any  such  thing ;  but  we  suppose  you  have  the 
same  law  that  we  have  as  to  intestate  estates,  and  then, 
if  you  have  taken  administration  on  Major  Winthrop's 


408  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1723. 

estate  at  New  London,  there  you  will  be  obliged  to 
give  an  inventory  of  such  estate  as  he  died  seised  or 
possessed  of  within  that  Colony,  but  no  further.  I  tho't 
M'  Winthrop  had  been  resolved  to  have  petition'd  our 
Super.  Court,  who  are  still  sitting,  to  have  had  leave  to 
sell  some  part  of  Major  Winthrop's  lands  in  this  Province, 
in  order  to  discharge  the  debts,  &c.  As  to  what  you 
must  inventory  with  the  Probate-office  at  New  London, 
I  earnestly  desire  you  take  and  ask  Gov'  Saltonstall's 
advice ;  but  if  you  would  know  anything  further  from 
me,  be  a  little  more  particular,  and  I  shall  endeavour 
to  give  you  satisfaction.  I  am,  dear  sister. 
Your  most  affectionate  brother, 

Paul  Dudley. 

My  wife  gives  her  best  service  to  M'  Winthrop  &  the 
whole  family. 


THOMAS  LECHMERE  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Monday  Morning. 

S%  —  I  doe  not  doubt  but  that  you  may  thinke  it  some- 
what strange  that  I  trouble  you  with  a  letter  ;  but  meet- 
ing with  the  oppertunity  of  M'  Shackmaple,  I  choose  to 
send  it  by  him  for  safe  &  certain  conveyance  &  to  avoid  the 
great  charge  of  postage,  to  lett  you  know  our  reall  inten- 
tions relateing  to  what  estate  our  hon"^  father  left  behind 
him,  w'^''  you  well  know  was  very  considerable,  &  because 
I  would  willingly  avoid  the  charge  of  all  law  &  the  noise 
arising  thereby,  &  makeing  any  breach  in  yo'  family.  I 
desire  you  would  seriously  consider  of  it  &  make  some 
proposalls  for  an  accomodation,  which  wee  had  much 
rather  have  than  any  difference  ;  &  pray  send  us  an 
answer,  &  pray  lett  me  say,  once  for  all,  if  you  do  not 
thinke  any  of  this  proper  for  you,  you  must  excuse  it  if 
wee  are  obliged  to  tell  you  you  will  hear  otherwise  from 


1723-4.]  JOHN  WINTHROP   TO   HENRT   SMITH.  409 

US.  For  you  cannot  think  wee  can  maintain  our  chil- 
dren &  family  with  nothing  any  longer  ;  therefore  lett 
me  again  reccoiuend  it  to  you.  Assure^  you  of  what  I 
here  say,  &  on  which  you  may  depend,  I  am,  with  due 
respect,  S"', 

Yo""  bro""  &  humble  serv', 

Tno'  Lechmere.* 

My  wife  has  lately  miscarried  of  a  boy ;  is  pretty  well 
again  &  at  yo'  service,  &  desires  yo'  serious  consideration 
&  thoughts  hereon. 

Indorsed:  "  Receiv'd  Jan.  y'^  23«,  172|," 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  HENRY  SMITH. 

New  Lond.,  Feb'  y=  20^  172f. 

Hon""  &  DEAR  S",  —  Yo'  brother,  Maj''  Smith,  giving 
us  a  short  visitt,  we  are  exceedingly  rejoyc't  to  hear  of 
yo"  &  yo'  good  lady's  health  and  the  wellfare  of  all  yo' 
good  family.  Yo"  brother  informes  me  of  y''  kind  offer 
about  takeing  the  trouble  of  manageing  and  looking  after 
my  concernes  and  estate  over  at  South.,  w"*"  I  readily  & 
thankfully  imbrace;  and,  reposeing  special  trust  &  confi- 
dence in  yo''  friendship  and  fidellity,  hereby  desire  & 
humbly  request  you  will  doe  for  me  as  if  it  were  yo'  owne, 

*  A  few  weeks  later  (Feb.  10)  he  wrote  again,  and  after  alluding  to  the  fact  that  his 
overtures  for  a  compromise  had  been  ignored,  adds :  "  I  have  now  sent  a  writ  of  partition  on 
Elizabeth  Islands  down  to  Martha's  Vineyarde,  &  shall  do  th3  same  here  in  a  little  time  on 
every  thing  else  &  with  you:  for  lam  resolved  not  to  stay  any  longer,  haveing  allready 
been  w""  y=  Judge  of  Probates  in  relation  to  yo'  administration  bond.  ...  Mr  Bow- 
doine  has  been  with  me  in  relation  to  those  bonds  &  mortgages  wherein  I  am  linked  with 
you,  &  has  threatened  to  arrest  me  if  you  do  not  take  some  care  thereof  iinediately ;  &  if  it 
so  happens  that  he  does  sue  me  on  yo'  acco',  you  must  expect  I  doe  the  same  by  you." 
There  appears  to  be  no  doubt  that,  at  the  outset,  Lechmere  would  have  been  amply  satisfied 
with  a  compromise  on  the  basis  of  the  will  of  1713,  or  even  less ;  but  finding  th.it  nothing 
was  to  be  obtained  without  fighting,  he  proceeded  to  lay  claim  to  hi.s  wife's  third  of  all 
property  outside  of  Massachusetts.  The  words  "with  nothing  any  longer  "  imply  that 
Winthrop  had  ceased  making  remittances  to  his  sister  pendente  lite.  He  subsequently 
claimed  to  have  already  paid  her  considerably  more  than  her  share  of  the  personalty. 


410  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1723-4. 

and  transact  every  thing  about  my  lands  there  as  may  be 
most  beneficial  for  my  interest  and  the  best  preservation 
of  those  lands.  To  w"''  end  I  have  herein  inclosed  a 
power  of  attorney,  praying  that  in  any  grave  &  weighty 
matter  you  will  advise  w"*  me  concerning  the  premises. 
Alsoe  praying  you  to  take  to  yo''selfe  &  accept  of  all  the 
proffitts  of  all  the  husbandry  improvements  of  s''  lands, 
either  by  mowing,  or  wintering  creatures  there,  or  pas- 
turing in  the  summer,  or  any  other  lawfuU  improvements, 
till  I  or  my  heirs  or  assignes  shall  otherwise  take  order 
about  that  my  estate  ;  praying  that  the  wood  &  timber 
may  be  preserved,  and  that  the  hay  &  dung  produced  on 
s'*  lands  may  not  be  carryed  off  the  premises,  but  spent 
thereon.  And  humbly  praying  that  yo'  Hon''  will  regu- 
late all  these  people  that  live  upon  my  land  there  by 
causing  them  to  pay  unto  yo'selfe  a  resonable  rent  as 
my  tenants,  or  elce  to  put  others  in  their  places.  People 
have  had  the  use  of  my  estate  there  too  long  already  for 
nothing.  I  should  not  incline  at  present  to  give  any  body 
leases  there  longer  then  three  years  terme,  and  that  for  a 
proper  resonable  rent ;  w'^''  I  pray  you  will  transact  as  in 
j-o"'  wisdom  you  shall  think  well.  With  my  &  m}^  com- 
panion's hearty  &  most  affection'  salutes  to  you  &  yo''  lady 
&  branches,  I  remain,  d'  S"', 

Yo'  very  affection'  humble  serv',  J.  W. 

Coll.  Henry  Smith,  Mannor  of  S'  Georges,  Nassau  Island. 


SAMUEL  SEWALL  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Feb.  24'^  172f. 

Sir,  —  Having  reed  none  from  you  since  the  23d  of 
August,  I  this  day  sent  to  the  post-office  to  enquire  after 
a  letter,  and  yours  of  the  13'"  current  was  deliver'd  me.* 

•  There  is  no  draft  of  it  among  the  existing  papers.  —  Eds. 


1721.]  ROBERT   ROBIXSON    TO   JOUX   WINTIIROP.  411 

The  reading  of  which  was  painfulle,  to  see  that  a  non- 
entity should  put  you  upon  raising  so  many  batteries. 
What  you  mention  is  so  far  from  being  done  that  it  never 
came  into  my  mind.  But  the  importunity  wherewith  I 
am  pressed  renders  it  necessary  for  me  to  make  out  a  let- 
ter of  attorny  to  M"  Lechmere,  for  want  of  your  adminis- 
tration account.  Six  years  and  two  moneths  are  spent 
since  you  gave  in  the  inventory. 

I  heartily  desire  the  welfare  of  your  self  and  family, 
and  am,  Sir, 

Yours  to  love  and  serve  you,  Samuel  Sewall 


ROBERT  ROBINSON   TO  JOHN   WINTHROP. 
To  John  Winthrop,  Esf,  at  New  London  in  Connecticut.     These. 
Salem,  Aug''  i"-,  1724. 

S"",  — This  day  by  the  post  I  rece''  yo"  dated  y'  SO"'  of 
last  month,  &  in  regard  my  business  as  Collector  of  y' 
Customs  here  oblidges  me  at  present  to  abide  at  this 
place,  I  therefore  w^'in  2  hours  after  I  rece'*  yo"  had  an 
oppurtunity  of  sending  by  M'  Wollcutt  of  this  town  yo' 
letter  inclos'd  to  M'  Reed  &  desird  him  to  go  imediately 
to  New  London  to  serve  you.  I  was  something  surprizd 
at  the  contents  of  yo",  wherein  you  also  pleasd  to  say  you 
had  writt  to  me,  when  I  can  assure  you  that  since  I  last 
see  you  at  my  house  in  Boston  I  never  as  much  as  rece** 
one  line  from  you,  altho'  I  writt  seu''al  letters  to  you,  at 
Vi''^  I  was  very  much  amaz'd  &  I  did  believe  you  had  no 
further  dependance  upon  me  in  yo'  business.  I  therefore 
gave  M'  Reed  the  letter  of  atto'"ney  w"^*"  the  Hono"*  Judge 
Dudley  deliv"*  to  me,  it  being  made  to  him  &  me  joyntly 
&  seu^ally.  I  writt  to  you  one  letter  signifying  that  I 
had  presented  a  petit"  in  yo'  behalfe  to  y"  Hono^'"  Sam' 
Sewall,  Esq",  Judge  of  Probates,  for  time  to  produce 
an  inventory  &  acco'  of  such  estate  of  w'^''  yo'  fa'  died 


412  THE   TVINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1724. 

seizd,  &  at  y*  time  told  you  he  had  given  time  till  March, 
and  afterwards  writt  to  you  again  to  desire  you  not  to 
exceed  that  time,  for  y'  if  you  did  it  would  be  of  evil  con- 
sequence. I  likewise  after  y°  Infer^  Court  was  over  writt 
to  you  again  to  tell  you  I  had  abated  M"  Lechmeres  writt, 
and  that  there  was  an  end  of  his  accon  ag"  you  in  this 
governm',  but  still  desird  you  to  take  care  of  the  inven- 
tory &  acco'  ag"  March,  &  of  these  letters  I  never  rece* 
one  line  in  answ'.  And  as  to  y°  Judges  putting  y"  bond 
in  suit  ag^'  M'  Lechmere,  it  is  all  owing  to  yo""  owne  neg- 
lect in  not  sending  y°  inventory  &  acco'  to  M"'  Reed  or  me 
y'  wee  might  have  deliverd  it  to  y°  Judge  &  yo'  not  write- 
ing,  so  y'  now  it  seems  M'  Lechmere  takes  y'  advantage 
of  it. 

Now  as  to  M'  Lechmeres  proseeding  ag"  you,  I  suppose 
it  is  to  compell  you  to  an  allowance  of  one  share  or  part 
of  yo''  fathers  estate,  both  real  &  personal  of  w"*"  he  died 
seizd,  not  only  in  y'  Colony  of  Connecticutt  but  likewise 
in  this  Province,  w"""  by  Connecticutt  law,  page  61,  he 
will  undoubtedly  recover  in  right  of  his  wife,  &  by  y°  law 
of  this  Province,  page  3,  he  will  recover  of  all  both  real 
&  personal  here,  &  if  I  may  be  allowed  to  speak  as  a 
friend  to  you  (w"""  is  the  same  I  allways  say'd),  it  is  my 
opinion  that  neither  M'  Reed  nor  I  or  all  y'  lawyers  upon 
y'  continent  of  America  can  prevent  it;  for  those  laws 
having  beene  made  for  y°  convenience  of  these  Collo- 
nies  at  their  first  settlem'  &  having  had  y"  royal  assent, 
lands  are  made  personalties  &  as  much  lyable  to  be  di- 
vided where  a  person  dies  seizd  &  intestate  as  cattle, 
sheep,  or  any  oth'  personal  estate  whatsoever,  &  to  try  it 
here  is  to  no  purpose,  for  should  it  be  otherwise,  not  only 
y°  laws  but  y'  whole  constitution  of  both  Provinces  would 
be  unhinged  &  oversett;  &  to  try  it  in  England  cannt 
be ;  first,  because  of  y'  royal  assent  allready  passd,  both 
in  Connecticut  &  this  Province,  &  next,  because  y'  tryal 
of  tytle  of  land  is  local  &  must  be  tryd  where  y'  land 


1724.]  JOHN   READ    TO   JOHN   WINTHROP.  413 

lyes,  and  w"'out  a  spetial  verdict  found  (w""  is  not  to  be 
obtaind)  they  have  allready  declard  they  will  not  try 
tytles  in  England  (as  in  y'  case  of  Gov""  Usher  at  New 
Hampshire,  &  Holms  &  Carrs  case  from  Rhode  Island, 
both  upon  appeals  to  England). 

I  do  assure  you,  dear  S"',  I  write  this  to  you  for  no  other 
end  then  to  perswade  you  to  save  yo'  money,  &  not  vex 
yo"'selfe  in  law  suits  to  no  purpose,  but  do  that  w"'  all 
yo''  heart  w"''  y*  law  will  compell  you  to  wheth'  you  will 
or  no,  &  lett  y"  whole  of  yo'  fathers  estate  in  Massachu- 
setts &  Connecticutt  be  valued,  &  lett  yo'  sisf  have  a 
third  or  single  share  in  specie  or  value  (for  so  it  will  be 
at  last).  But  as  to  that  in  y^  Province  of  New  York,  it  is 
yo"  &  yo'  heires  for  ever,  because  they  have  no  such  laws 
of  intestates  or  divition  of  real  estates  there ;  but  if  a 
man  dies  intestate  in  that  Province  the  land  goes  all  to  y* 
eldest  son  as  heir  at  law  to  his  fa'  &  y"  personal  estate 
to  be  divided  as  it  is  in  Engl*  by  statute  Ch.  2^  for  y' 
purpose. 

Pardon  me  if  I  have  beene  too  free  w"'  you,  but  beleive 
me  it  is  because  of  y'  respect  I  bear  to  you  &  that  I  am 
a  friend  to  truth.  I  therefore  shall  add  no  more,  only  to 
desire  y*  favour  of  my  most  sincere  respects  &  humble 
service  to  good  M'°  Winthrop  &  all  yo'  family  concludes 
me,  worthy  S', 

Yo'  most  assured  friend  &  humble  serv', 

Egbert  Robinson. 

P.  S.  The  postage  on  yo'  letter  to  this  place  cost  me 
6%  w'^  I  think  is  a  great  shame. 


JOHN  READ  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Aug'«  5,  1724. 
S",  —  I  haue  this  day  rec'd  yours  to  M'  Robinson  &  me, 
dated  July  30,  &  understand  it  impossible  for  me  to  be  at 
y'  Court  w"  by  y'  account  began  yesterday,    M'  Robinson 


414  THE   WINTHEOP    PAPERS,  [1724. 

is  Collect'  of  y'  Port  of  Salem,  and  cannot  come  at  all.  I 
cant  write  you  by  y"  post  of  y°  week,  as  you  desired,  w°  I 
can  come,  but  y'  shal  come  by  y^  first  opportunity  to  an- 
swer you  and  say,  I  cant  see  what  it  can  avail  for  me  to 
come  when  you  have  no  Court.  Tho  I  am  sincerely  wil- 
ling to  serve  you  w"  there  is  occasion,  3'et  for  me  under 
cover  of  y'  kindness  to  come  now,  when  y'  is  no  Court 
setting,  would  be  only  to  pick  your  pockett.  Wherefore 
my  advice  to  you  is  this :  take  y°  copys  of  y°  writs,  and 
records  of  w'  y*  Court  hath  done  upon  y",  with  copj'S  of 
such  writings,  papers,  or  evidences  as  they  have  &  as  you 
have,  on  either  side,  to  produce,  and  send  them  to  me  by 
the  first  opportunity.  I  will  thereupon  consult  y"  law, 
state  y'  bases,  and  give  my  opinion  and  argument  upon 
them,  and  wait  upon  M"'  Justice  Dudley  (or  such  others  as 
you  shall  think  fit  for  y'  correction),  and  then  remit  it  to 
you  to  advise  upon.  After  this  I  shall  be  ready,  when  a 
Court  shall  come  and  occasion  require,  to  wait  upon  you 
at  New  London  to  prosecute  and  finish  the  afiiiir.  This 
is,  in  my  opinion,  your  best  method.  S'',  my  humble  ser- 
vice to  Mad",  y'  lady.     I  am 

y  most  humble  serv',  Jn"  Read. 


WILLIAM   SMITH  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.* 

New  York,  Aug'  24,  1724. 

WoRTHT  Sir,  —  Yours  of  the  12  instant  I  reed  under 
the  hand  of  the  Rev''  I\r  Adams,  and  should  have  retui-ned 
you  an  answer  by  the  last  post  had  not  my  absence  from 
the  city  at  that  time  rendered  me  uncapable  of  it.  I 
thank  you  for  your  favourable  sentiments  of  me  and  the 

»  William  Smith  (Yale  CoIIepre,  1719)  was  at  this  time  a  yarnif;  lawyer  in  New  York, 
and  afterward  .Vttorney-Generfil  and  a  distinpiished  Judfje.  Thomas  Clark  and  Jolm 
Thenhalds  were  Winthrop's  sureties  on  his  administration  bond  for  the  Province  of  New 
York  in  1718.— Eds. 


1721.]  WILLIAM    SMITH    TO   JOHN   WINTHEOP.  415 

confidence  you  repose  in  me,  and  shall  be  glad  on  every 
occasion  to  do  you  service.  According  to  your  request, 
I  have  been  with  Cap'  Clark  and  the  widow  of  Cap'  The- 
obalds, deed,  both  of  which  inform  me  that  M'  Lechmere 
has  said  nothing  to  them  of  the  affair  whereof  you  men- 
tion ;  neither  do  I  suppose  that  he  can  move  any  thing 
in  the  law  against  them  in  the  first  instance,  but  must,  if 
he  has  any  demands  upon  the  estate  of  your  father,  com- 
mence his  process  against  you  as  administrator,  and  upon 
your  non-performance  of  the  bond  of  administration  I 
am  of  opinion  that,  by  the  assignment  and  licence  of  the 
ordinary,  he  may  apply  himself  to  the  sureties ;  but  this 
will  be  a  work  of  time,  and  I  can't  perceive  that  at  pres- 
ent you  have  any  occasion  to  put  your  self  into  great 
concern  about  it. 

The  methods  of  administering  justice  in  the  courts  of 
law  and  equity  in  this  Province  are  attended  with  all  the 
deliberation  that  is  necessary  in  favour  of  the  defendant, 
and  I  believe  there  is  no  danger  of  any  precipitant  pro- 
cedure against  you  if  any  controversie  in  the  law  between 
you  and  M'  Lechmere  should  arise.  If  it  should  happen 
that  you  may  have  occasion  for  an  attorny  in  this  affair, 
if  it  be  not  very  speedily,  I  shall  be  ready  and  willing  to 
serve ;  but  hitherto  I  have  thought  proper  to  withstand 
sundry  sollicitations  to  appear  in  practice,  believing  that 
it  would  tend  to  my  future  ease  and  interest,  and  also  the 
safety  of  my  client,  that  I  should  allow  myself  some  time 
to  search  into  our  Constitution  and  advance  my  studies 
to  a  greater  degree  of  perfection,  for  w"  I  am  certainly 
under  the  best  advantages  that  America  can  afford.  How- 
ever, for  the  present  you  may  depend  upon  the  best  ad- 
vice that  I  can  give  you,  and  if  you  shall  want  any  thing 
farther  I  will  do  you  what  service  lies  in  my  power  by 
engaging  one  or  more  that  may  appear  for  you.  If  you 
shall  think  fit  to  honour  me  with  your  commands,  perhaps 
my  being  in  the  country  at  the  seat  of  the  Chief  Justice 


416  THE   WI>rTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1724. 

(where  I  mostly  reside)  may  prevent  my  answering  b}"- 
the  very  next  post;  but  your  lines  directed  as  before 
will  speedily  come  to  me,  and  I  shall  take  care  to  send 
you  as  speedy  an  answer  as  may  be. 

Pray  present  my  service  to  your  lady,  and  the  Rev* 
M''  Adams  and  his,  and  accept  my  hearty  wishes  for  the 
recovery  of  your  health ;  and  wherein  I  can  at  any  times 
be  serviceable  to  you,  I  desire  that  you  would  freely  com- 
mand, worthy  Sir, 

Your  very  humble  serv*, 

W"  Smith. 


FRANCIS  FULLAM  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.* 

Weston,  Sep«  y«  4'^,  1724. 

M"*  WiNTHROPE,  S",  —  I  rec'd  y"^  of  y^  27"^  of  Aug'*, 
wherby  you  aquaint  me  with  some  of  your  p'sent  diffi- 
culties &  law  sutes  between  M''  Leachmore  &  your  self; 
for  w"''  I  am  very  sory,  &  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to 
redress  y'  greevance  so  as  to  make  all  things  easy,  but 
fear  it  is  not.  I  assure  you,  S',  y'  my  hearty  effections 
are  not  alienated  from  your  p'son  or  illustrious  family,  to 
which  I  wish  all  hapiness,  but  should  rejoyce  if  I  had  a 
prospect  &  opertunity  to  do  you  any  service.  But  y°  sor- 
rows &  afflictions  I  have  been  under  since  I  saw  you  last, 
by  my  long  sickness  &  y^  death  of  my  dear  consort,  &  my 
p'sent  weakness  of  body  y'  has  hindred  my  waiting  on 
you  &  writing  to  you,  (for  I  was  so  weak  for  a  long  time  y' 
I  could  not  write  my  own  name,)  and  even  now  question 
whether  I  have  strength  sufficient  to  p'form  y"  journey  & 
service  you  desire  of  me.     And  therefore,  if  I  should  not 


•  Francis  Fullam,  of  Watcrtown,  previously  referred  to  in  tliese  pages  as  a  lawyer  em- 
ployed by  Wait  Wintlirop,  would  appear,  from  the  handwriting  of  this  letter  and  the  weak- 
ness of  body  therein  described,  to  have  been  then  an  aged  and  infirm  man ;  yet  Savage 
states  that  less  than  four  weeks  afterward  he  married  a  second  wife.  See  Savage's  Gen. 
Diet., vol.  ii.  p.  215.  —Eds. 


1724-5.]      PAUL   DUDLEY   TO    MRS.   JOHN   WINTHROP.  417 

com  up  accordin  to  your  request,  I  hope  you  will  excuse 
me  with  favour  &  charity ;  &  after  I  have  with  very  great 
affection  &  esteem  respectfully  saluted  y'self  &  illustrious 
lady,  with  y°  olive  plants  about  your  board,  give  me  leave 
to  say  y*  I  am,  S', 

y  humb'''''  serv', 

Fra.  Fullam. 


PAUL  DUDLEY  TO  MRS.  JOHN  WINTHROP. 
For  M"-  Ann  Winthrop,  at  New  London. 

RoxBURY,  17"'  March,  172^. 

Dear  Sister,  —  I  understand  M'  Lechmere  is  going  up 
to  New  London,  and  with  a  sincere  inclination  to  accom- 
modate matters  with  M'  Winthrop.  He  has  been  told 
that  M"'  Winthrop  is  willing  to  referr  all  matters  in  differ- 
ence to  the  judgment  of  five  gentlemen  that  may  be 
agreed  on ;  and  I  am  told  M''  Lechmere  is  willing  M'' 
Winthrop  should  have  the  nomination,  even  all  of  them, 
provided  they  are  not  persons  related  or  otherwise  unac- 
ceptable. Dear  sister,  you  know  my  tho'ts  in  this  mat- 
ter already,  so  that  I  shall  not  need  to  repeat  things ; 
but  I  earnestly  desire  and  sincerely  advise  to  an  agree- 
ment, and  that  M'  Winthrop  may  be  persuaded  either  to 
enter  into  a  rule  of  Court  or  sign  bonds  of  arbitration.  I 
don't  intend  he  should  leave  the  title  of  Fisher's  Island, 
or  any  thing  in  the  goverm'  of  New  York,  to  arbitration, 
nor  dos  M''  Lechmere  expect  it.  As  to  Avhat  was  Gov'' 
Winthrop's  estate  in  Connecticut  or  our  Province  (I  mean 
the  uncle  that  M'  Winthrop  claimes  to  be  the  sole  title 
to),  that  must  be  judged  of  by  the  arbitrators,  who,  I 
doubt  not,  will  doe  better  justice  than  a  Connecticut  jury, 
besides  the  comfort  of  a  peaceable  issue  of  this  great  & 
troublesome  affair.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  of  the  sickness 
among  you,  but  am  glad  to  hear  nothing  to  the  contrary 


418  THE   WIXTHKOP    PAPERS.  [1725. 

but  that  your  family  are  well.     I  pray  God  to  continue 
his  great  mercy  to  you  &  your's,  and  am,  dear  sister, 
Your  most  affectionate  brother, 

Paul  Dudley 
My  best  service  to  M'  Winthrop  &  M'  Adams. 


ANNE  WINTHROP  TO  PAUL  DUDLEY. 

New  London,  July  the  2,  1725. 

Brother,  —  M'  Winthrops  ill  state  of  health  not  per- 
miting  him  to  write  at  this  time  is  the  reson  that  I  give 
you  this  trouble.  M'  Reads  failing  of  M''  Winthrop  and 
not  coming  to  the  Court  here  when  it  was  to  the  last  try- 
all  of  the  bisness  between  M"^  Lechmer  and  him,  nor 
send^  what  was  the  reson  of  his  not  coming,  nor  sent  him 
no  word  what  he  had  done  in  his  bisness  at  Boston,  nor 
whether  he  intends  to  come  again,  all  which  gives  M' 
Winthrop  reson  to  beleve  that  he  has  taken  up  for  the 
other  side,  or  at  least  that  he  is  resolved  not  to  serve  M' 
Winthrop,  tho  he  has  receved  large  fees  from  my  hand 
for  to  do  this  bisness  and  has  made  grate  promises  of  his 
fidelity  and  industry  to  us  in  this  affair.  This  is  my  re- 
quest to  you,  brother,  that  you  would  know  sartainly  of 
M"'  Read  himself  if  he  is  resolved  to  serve  my  husband 
or  not.  If  he  will  not,  and  has  betrayd  his  trust,  I  pray 
3'OU  to  demand  and  receve  the  leter  of  attorny  which  by 
your  advice  and  of  your  owne  wording  was  made  to  him 
and  M'  Robason,  which  my  husband  thought  at  the  time 
was  too  grate  a  power  to  be  given,  but  he,  intierly  re- 
lying on  your  knoledg  and  skill  in  affars,  and  trusting  to 
your  fidelity  and  frend.ship,  thought  him  self  save.  It  is 
too  grate  a  fault  for  me  to  be  gilty  of  to  think  that  my 
brother  drew  my  husband  into  a  snare,  or  that  his  de- 
pending on  your  judgment  rather  than  his  owne  sliould 
be  by  you  improved  to  his  disadvantage.     M"'  Reads  say- 


1725.]  JOHK   READ    TO   JOHN    WINTHKOP.  419 

ing  to  others  as  to  us  that  he  should  take  all  his  meshuers 
and  derection  from  Judg  Dudley,  and  act  accordingly  in 
all  M""  Winthrops  affars,  makes  the  matter  look  the  more 
dredfull  to  us.  No  more  to  ad  at  this  time  but  my  kind 
love  to  sister. 

Your  affection'  sister,  A.  Winthrop. 


JOHN  READ  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  July  20,  1725. 

S*,  —  I  lately  rec*  a  letter  from  M"'  Stone,  dated  June 
10  last,  from  N.  London,  wherein  he  tells  me  of  a  former 
letter  sent  me ;  but  this  is  the  first  I  ever  rec"*  from  any 
person  touching  your  affair.  I  have  no  acquaintance  nor 
conversation  with  M"'  Lechmore,  nor  ever  had  any  thing 
farther  to  do  with  him  since  I  saw  you,  but  only  y'  he 
sent  to  me,  as  soon  as  I  came  home,  for  his  five  pounds, 
w"  I  sent  him  in  y°  same  bills  wrapt  in  y*  same  letter  y'  he 
sent  it  to  me  in.  Before  March  Court  last,  M''  Fulham 
informed  me  y'  was  an  accoiiiodation  on  foot,  fair  for  an 
amiable  &  final  one  ;  and  on  his  word  I  had  dependence 
intirely,  tho  many  others  talked  to  the  same  effect.  I 
was  well  a.ssured  from  y*  Judges  of  y''  Sup""  Court  at  New 
London,  they  judged  y"  jileas  made  in  Sept'  for  you  Avere 
law  and  must  stand,  if  mended  only  in  point  of  form  to 
be  more  particular.  Therefore  I  knew  you  could  suffer 
nothing  in  y"  main  actions.  And  as  to  the  three  thou- 
sand pound  ace"  grounded  on  y''  judgment  here,  y'  be- 
ing the  only  remaining  difficulty  might  be  remedied  if 
the  accoinodation  proposed  did  not  take  effect ;  therefore 
thought  not  proper  to  intermeddle  any  ways,  or  give  my 
self  y°  trouble  of  a  journey  to  New  London,  e.specially 
hearing  nothing  from  you  and  things  being  represented 
as  above.  Now,  rebus  sic  staniibvs,  I  have  waited  upon 
Judge  Dudley,  consulted  your  affair,  and  the  result  is  y' 


420  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1725. 

all  thoughts  of  a  Writ  of  Err'  are  utterly  vain  here,  seing 
there  is  no  such  practice  at  all  among  us,  but  a  review 
&;c.  lyeth  instead  of  it.  M'  Stone's  letter  came  to  hand 
too  late  for  any  review  before  your  Sept'  Court,  nor 
can  it  properly  serve  you,  as  the  case  is,  without  your 
giving  in  your  inventory,  and  pass^  your  acc°  here  with 
the  Judge  of  Probates.  But  you  have  a  remedy,  and  y' 
only  one  is  to  come  down,  finish  your  Inventory,  and  pass 
your  acc°  here  with  the  Judge  of  Probates,  and  he  will  in- 
stantly deliver  you  from  all  y"  peril  of  that  action  ;  and 
therefore  we  have  jointly  concluded  to  recoiuend  to  you. 
Pray,  S',  let  nothing  hinder  you,  if  you  intend  to  make 
your  self  secure  &  easy ;  but,  on  receit  of  this,  prepare 
your  acc°  and  instantly  come  awaj'  and  settle  the  matter, 
for  you  may  never  have  the  like  opportunity  to  do  it,  and 
now  you  '1  have  all  the  assistance  you  can  desire  to  that 
end.  My  service  to  Mad",  y'  lady,  and  family,  with  all 
our  friends.     I  am,  S% 

Your  most  humble  serv', 

John  Eead. 

M'  Jn"  Winthrop. 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO  SAMUEL  SEWALL. 

New  Lond.,  Sept'  9*  1725. 

Hon'"  S^  —  Yo'  letter  w""  the  intelligence  of  Mad. 
Winthrop's  death,  dated  August  y'  12"",  did  not  reach 
hither  till  the  last  Fryday,  and  it  is  the  only  letter  1  have 
had  from  Boston  a  long  while ;  and  tho  I  might  justly 
have  expected  some  notice  might  have  been  taken  of  me, 
but  since  I  perceive  I  am  not  worthy,  I  have  done  my  selfe 
the  bono'  to  goe  into  mourning  for  her  and  am  heartily 
sorry  for  her  loss ;  and  I  desire  to  sympathize  w""  all  con- 
cerned therein,  and  pray  God  the  bereavement  may  be 
sanctifyed  to  the  children.  I  am  obliged  to  yo'  Hon'  for 
the  concern  you  express  for  my  debts,  and  I  must  assure 


1725.]  JOHN   WINTHROP   TO    SAMUEL   SEWALL.  421 

you  there  is  none  uppon  earth  more  sollicitous  for  the 
discharge  thereof  then  I  am ;  but  great  &  long  sickness, 
accompanyed  w""  oppressive,  illegal,  &  abusive  measures, 
rendered  me  uncapable  to  doe  w'  I  sincerely  desired  to 
have  accomplished.  You  well  know  that  the  debt  you 
perticulerly  mention  was  not  of  my  contracting,  but  I 
took  it  on  my  selfe  out  of  an  honest  &  respectfull  regard 
I  had  to  a  deceased  parent;  and  w'  you  are  informed 
about  the  interest  is  a  mistake,  haveing  constantly  and 
duely  paid  the  annual  interest  till  the  last  year,  &  this 
years  is  not  due  till  next  Decemb',  when  I  hope  I  shall 
discharge  the  whole.  The  interest  of  the  last  year  w* 
have  been  pay'd  at  the  time,  but  those  I  depended  on 
took  advantage  of  my  illness  &  troubles  and  disappointed 
me,  and  so  I  writt  to  Mad""  Winth.  before  she  dyed. 

Yo'  Hon'  is  pleased  to  say  it  is  the  advice  of  all  my 
friends.  Alas,  I  am  the  most  alone  man  perhaps  in  the 
world,  haveing  no  friends  or  relations ;  and  I  have  been 
twitted  that  the  friends  &  relations  I  trusted  to  had  be- 
tray'd  me  &  forsaken  me.  However,  I  have  a  faithfull 
friend  in  the  Heavens,  whose  eyes  sees  all  the  contrivan- 
ces against  me  and  the  peace  &  wellfare  of  my  family.  I 
pray  God  forgive  those  that  hate  me  &  can't  bear  I  should 
be  in  prosperous  circumstances  tho  at  so  great  a  distance. 
Woe  be  to  them  by  whom  offences  come !  I  wish  the 
country  may  find  better  friends  then  I  or  my  family  has 
been.  My  humb'  service  to  o'  old  friend,  Docf  Mather. 
I  wish  yo''  Hon'  happy,  whatever  becomes  of  me,  and  shall 
all  way  es  remayne,  S% 

Yo'  most  humb'  serv',  J.  W.* 

*  For  Sewall's  letter  to  which  this  is  in  answer,  as  well  as  Sewall's  answer  to  this, 
see  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  ii.  pp.  190,  192-194.  Wait  Winthrop  had  died  owing  his  wife 
£1,000,  and  in  order  not  to  embarrass  the  estate  she  had  taken  a  bond  for  the  amount. 
The  reason  her  death  had  not  been  officially  communicated  to  John  Winthrop  was  because 
her  only  son,  John  Eyre,  was  indignant  at  his  delay  in  discharging  this  obligation.  Both 
principal  and  interest,  however,  were  paid  in  full  a  few  months  later,  as  appears  by  the 
followins!  letter  from  Sewall  to  Winthrop,  which  was  originally  printed  in  Proceedings 
Slass.  Hist.  Soc,  vol.  xiv.  pp.  199,  200,  but  the  copy  then  made  was  not  wholly  accu- 
rate. —Eds. 


422  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1725-6. 

I  should  be  glad  to  be  informed  by  the  next  post  when 
&  in  w*  manner  the  Judge  of  Probate  at  Boston  sued  my 
administration  bond,  &c.,  and  wether  there  has  been  no 
Inferio'  Court  at  Boston,  or  adjournment  of  the  Inferio' 
Court,  since  June  last. 


SAMUEL  SEAVALL  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP. 

Boston,  Jan'  S"",  172f . 
Dicite  io  ptean,  et  io  his  dicite  pcean  ! 

I  WILL  assure  you,  Sir,  it  was  a  joyfull  surprise  to  me 
this  morning  to  hear  that  you  had  taken  up  Madam  Win- 
throp's  bond,  cut  down  the  tree,  and  grub'd  up  the  roots, 
that,  if  it  Were  a  chesnut,  it  could  never  sprout  agen. 
Next  to  the  payment  of  my  own  debts  I  could  not  be 
more  gratified,  and  I  hope  God  will  give  you  an  equiva- 
lent for  what  you  have  parted  with  to  doe  it.  I  intend 
by  the  first  opportunity  to  acquaint  the  executors  that 
my  letter  could  have  no  influence  in  this  affair,  which, 
for  ought  I  know,  was  finished  before  my  letter  was  re- 
ceivd  into  the  post-office,  tho  I  had  been  spoken  to  about 
it  weeks  before. 

Having  only  one  Benatus  by  me,  I  have  inclos'd  it,  &  a 
copy  or  two  of  Judge  Lynde's  verses.  His  epithet  Aged 
puts  me  in  mind  of  M"  Anne  Pollard,  who  died  in  the 
105"'  year  of  her  age.  Her  bearers  were  Sewall,  Town- 
send,  Bromfield,  Stoddard,  Checkley,  Marion,  the  years  of 
whose  age,  put  to  gether,  made  up  445.  A  mortal  fever 
is  rife  at  Rowley,  where  my  only  sister  &  her  families 
dwell.  May  we  have  a  house  not  made  with  hands  eter- 
nal in  the  heavens,  prepared  for  us  before  we  are  call'd 
to  remove  from  our  earthly  accoinodations.  I  am,  Sir, 
Your  friend  &  most  humble  servant, 

Samuel  Sewall. 


1725-6.]         JOHN   WINTHROP   TO    COTTON   MATHER.  42c 


JOHN  WINTHROP  TO   COTTON  MATHER. 

My  ancient,  honoured,  &  dear  Friend,  —  Tho  I 
have  in  my  thoughts  concluded  some  times  that  you 
had  erac't  my  name  out  of  the  cattalougue  of  those  that 
were  worthy  to  be  honoured  w"*  yo''  frendship  and  cor- 
respondence, not  divining  the  reason  unless  false  reports 
and  imaginary  suggestions  industriously  spread  for  my 
hurt  might  have  unhapily  offended  you,  I  begg  now  to 
acknowledge  the  rec't  of  yo""  leter  &  packet,  dated  the 
1"  of  last  May,  w"*"  arriv'd  to  me  not  before  this  morning.* 
Where  it  has  been  lodged  or  traveling  so  long  a  season 
I  know  not,  but  I  am  greatly  oblig'd  for  it,  tho  a  danger- 
ous long  sickness,  which  brought  me  even  to  the  gates 
of  death,  has  rendered  me  so  feeble  and  left  me  in  such 
broken  health  that  I  am  dayly  longing  for  a  better 
country  where  I  may  be  releas'd  from  injuryes  &  op- 
pressions, w''''  I  hear  you  also  feel  &  in  w"''  I  truely 
simpathize  w""  you.  I  perceive  there  is  the  hands  of 
severall  Joabs  &  Judases  in  my  troubles  as  well  as  yo", 
and  I  have  been  cuningly  ensnar'd  &  betray'd.  Even 
by  those  I  thought  my  Xtian  faithfull  friends  the  cry  has 
been,  Loe,  this  is  the  heir  !  come,  lett  us  kill  him  &  divide 
his  inheritance  !  And  the  business  was  carryed  on  w"* 
that  spirit  &  whispering  that  every  body  almost  was  fore- 
stalled against  me,  and  all  the  attorneys  that  had  hereto- 
fore taken  generall  retaining  fees  of  me,  and  had  ingaged 
years  agoe  to  be  for  me  in  any  business  I  should  have, 
now  turned  against  me.  When  my  trouble  first  com- 
menc't  at  Boston,  M'  D.   (who,  I  have  since  reason  to 

*  For  this  letter  of  Mather's,  see  4  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  viii.  p.  458.  In  it  he  men- 
tions, as  he  had  done  more  than  once  before,  that  Winthrop  was  in  his  debt  for  letters 
(which  must  have  miscarried),  and  he  urges  him  "that  you  would  not  lett  your  mind  be 
disturbed,  much  less  your  health  impaired,  by  the  base  usages  you  may  be  maltreated 
withal.  .  .  .  If  the  best  man  in  Connecticot  government  will  use  a  poor  minister  as  I 
have  been  used,  you  will  not  wonder  if  inferiour  people  treat  you  as  I  have  heard  they 


424  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1725-6. 

think,  had  a  great  share  in  contriving  the  quarrell  by 
private  measures)  invited  me  w*^  many  fair  words  to 
betake  my  self  to  him,  who  sayd  he  w**  advise  &  assist 
me  in  the  affair.  Accordingly,  w°  I  was  arrested  by 
M'  Lechmere  just  at  ray  coming  away,  he  told  me  I  must 
leave  a  power  of  attorney,  &  offered  to  write  one  for  me, 
w"*"  1,  being  much  overwhelmed  w"'  the  unexpected  occur- 
rances  at  that  instant,  and  trusting  to  my  s*  Eoxburian 
brother's  kindness,  never  read  it  nor  considered  of  it,  but 
signed  it,  concluding  it  to  be  only  a  common  power  of 
attorney  to  answer  at  that  Court.  But  it  seems  he  had 
contriv'd  it  most  unwarrantably,  &  had  put  my  whole 
interest  into  the  hands  of  men  I  suspect  of  attempting  in 
an  underhand  manner  to  destroy  me.  You  formerly,  as 
I  remember,  in  a  letter  wisht  that  I  might  be  preserv'd 
from  the  Venom  of  Roxbury,*  but  I  have  lately  heard 
that  one  whom  I  hear  you  have  earnestly  petitioned 
home  might  be  yo'  Gov",  has  had  a  jealousie  I  was  seek- 
ing that  place  by  means  of  you  know  who,  and  was  not 
unwilling  these  discords  should  arise.  If  I  had  ever 
sought  the  place  (w"''  I  never  have)  I  know  not  where 
the  fault  c*  have  been,  haveing  (I  think)  as  much  right 
to  have  sought  it  as  Frater  Paule  or  any  body  else, 
I  doe  assure  you,  my  old  friend,  I  am  not  a  man  of 
tricks,  or  little,  low,  mean  arts  to  obtain  any  thing,  but 
am  content  to  lead  a  quiett  domestick  life,  to  educate  my 
children,  to  improve  my  estate,  to  injoy  philosophical! 
studies,  &  to  exhibit  a  Xtian  disposition  to  doe  good  to 
the  distressed  &  afflicted. 

But  I  will  be  silent  at  present  about  what  was  con- 
triv'd against  me  in  yo'  Colony,  and  just  hint  a  few 
hardships  done  here.  I  was  arrested  &  cited  to  answer 
before  an  illegall  special  Court  erected  on  purpose  only 


*  This  expression  occurs  in  a  letter  from  Mather  to  Wait  Winthrop,  written  many 
years  before,  and  in  allusion  to  Gov.  Joseph  Dudley  (see  4  JIass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  viii. 
p.  -118).    John  Winthrop  now  applies  it  indirectly  to  Paul  Dudley.  —  Eds. 


1725-6.]         JOHN   WINTHEOP    TO    COTTON   MATHER.  425 

for  my  confusion,  they  thinking  they  had  surpriz'd  me 
w"'out  any  help  to  advise  w"".  However,  at  the  short 
notice  I  appeared  and  pleaded  against  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Court,  but  they  over-ruled  all,  and  I  was  forc't 
to  appeal  to  the  Superiour  Court  &  extravigant  bonds 
taken  for  my  appearance  to  prosecute  my  appeal;  but 
before  the  session  of  that  Court  it  pleased  God  to  visitt 
me  w""  an  extraordinary  fitt  of  sickness,  soe  that  I  was 
rendered  uncapable  either  to  attend  or  to  furnish  coun- 
cell  w"'  w'  was  necessary  for  my  defence.  This  was 
demonstrated  to  them  in  a  humble  memoriall,  praying 
the  actions  might  be  continued  to  the  next  sessions; 
but  such  was  the  extraordinary  measures  of  Judge  Burr 
&  his  associates  that  they  would  not  hear  any  thing 
in  my  favo'',  but  the  business  was  pusht  on  w"'out  any 
proper  defence  made  for  me,  and  a  very  strict,  unheard 
of  judgement  entered  that  the  mansion  hou.se  &  lands 
I  live  in,  w"'  all  the  inheritance  I  have  in  this  Colony, 
should  forthwith  be  divided  &  sett  out  by  meets  &  bounds, 
regardless  of  the  law  of  England,  my  uncle's  will  and 
deed,  and  that  the  intestate  himselfe  had  putt  me  into 
quiett  peaceable  possession  many  years  before.  And 
this  Burr,  who  was  so  warme  for  dividing  my  inherit- 
ance w*''out  hearing  my  defence,  was  soon  after  cited 
to  appear  before  a  higher  Court  above  &  dyed  intestate 
himselfe,  thereby  open'g  a  trap  door  to  intangle  his  owne 
family.  Such  is  the  remarkable  providence  of  God.* 
Besides,  a  3000£  administration  bond  given  to  the  Court 
of  Probates  at  Boston  was  putt  into  the  hands  of  my 
antagonist  and  my  two  bondsmen  one  sues  the  other  and 
judgment  goes  by  default  for  the  forfeiture  of  the  whole 
sum.  This  action  they  bring  from  the  Court  at  Boston 
and  enter  against  me  at  this  special  sham  Court,  and  the 
Superio'  Court  here  also  enters  judgement  against  me  for 

•  Peter  Burr,  of  Fairfield,  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Connecticut,  died  Dec.  25, 
1721.     See  Conn.  Col.  Eec,  vol.  vi.  p.  505.  —  Eds. 
51 


426  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1725-6. 

the  forfeiture  of  the  whole  3000£ ;  wherein  advantage 
was  taken  of  the  great  age  of  ray  father's  old  frend,  Judge 
Sewall,  who  (I  believe)  knew  not  the  contents  of  the 
writt,  for  they  made  him  therein  assert  a  wrong  thing  in 
contradiction  of  himselfe,  alledging  that  I  never  gave  any 
inventory  into  the  Probate  Court  at  Boston,  when  the 
Judge  gave  me  an  oath  to  s*  inventory  exhibited  into  his 
office  a  few  weeks  after  my  father's  decease,  an  attested 
coppy  of  w"""  I  have  had  all  this  while  by  me  ;  but  I  under- 
stand they  make  their  braggs  how  they  imposed  uppon 
y*  old  Judge,  &c. 

I  was  also  cited  by  the  Judge  of  Probates  here  to  finish 
my  administration.  Accordingly  I  went  and  offered  an 
inventory  of  all  I  was  obliged  to  offer,  w'^''  consisted  only 
of  cattle  &  sheep  to  the  value  of  about  80£  &  a  few  shil- 
lings (w'^''  cattle  &  sheep  was  truly  given  to  me  by  my 
father  in  his  life  time,  but  having  neglected  to  take  them 
into  formall  possession  I  putt  them  in,  tho  in  conscience  I 
was  not  soe  oblig'd) ;  but  the  Judge  utterly  rejected  & 
refus'd  s*  inventory,  unless  I  added  the  lands  my  uncle 
had  settled  upon  the  heir  and  tlie  intestate  had  putt  me 
into  possession  of  as  my  right  of  inheritance.  So  I  under- 
writt  s*  inventory  of  personall  estate  w""  this  reason  :  y' 
administrators  have  nothing  to  doe  w""  lands  belonging  to 
an  heir  at  law  who  has  been  many  years  seiz'd  of  them  & 
is  in  possession  of  them  secundum  legem  et  cotisvetudinem 
Anglke,  and  noe  such  real  estate  is  cognizable  by  a  Court 
of  Probate.  But  y'  benefitt  of  y"  common  &  statute  law 
of  England  was  denyed  me,  and  I  forc't  to  appeal  to  y" 
afores'^  Superio""  Court  (so  warme  for  division),  and  y'  s* 
Judge  actually  sued  the  bond  of  3000£  more  uppon  me 
even  whiles  there  was  an  appeal  from  his  judgement 
allow'd,  and  I  was  arrested  to  the  afores*  Superio"  Court 
after  the  time  was  expired  for  serving  writts  for  that 
Court,  not  six  dayes  notice.  This  Probate  action  was  my 
whole  strength  and  on  wi"^  all  the  partition  actions  must 


1725-6.]         JOHN   WIXTHROP   TO    COTTOJf   MATHER.  427 

needs  have  depended,  but  it  was  perfidiously  w"'drawne 
w*out  my  leave  or  knowledge  by  Read  my  attorney  (who 
marryed  Gov'  Talcott's  sister),  who  in  y"  begining  took  a 
fee  of  2d£  from  me  w"*  promises  as  solemn  as  a  man  c* 
make  to  serve  me  ;  but  all  he  did  for  me  was  to  w""draw 
my  main  action  w°  I  was  sick  a  dying,  assuring  me  that 
y'  administration  bond  action,  as  well  as  the  rest,  were 
continued  upon  my  memoriall  to  y^  Court  setting  forth 
y"  impossibility  of  my  appearing  or  instructing  councell 
by  reason  of  sickness ;  yet  he  suffered  y*  action  to  be  car- 
ryed  against  me  in  the  most  unheard  of  manner.  After 
that,  he  promist  he  w""  get  y"  administration  bond  action 
imravel'd  &  sett  to  rights  at  Boston  before  y*  next  Court 
came  &  w'*  be  here  himselfe  to  serve  y"  other  actions  at  y* 
coming  Court ;  but  did  neither,  but  left  me  in  y'^  utmost 
confusion,  not  knowing  w'  he  had  done  in  y^  affair,  nor 
prepared  to  answer  the  rest.  And  tho  the  humanity  of 
the  Court  w^  not  continue  thehi  w°  I  was  so  sick,  yet  w" 
the  March  Court  came  they  continued  them  to  Septemb'' 
for  their  owne  pleasure  &  w"'out  my  desire  ;  and  to  this  C 
y"  s"*  attorney  never  came  nor  took  any  care  of  my  business, 
but  writt  a  private  letter  to  another  attorney  here  to  betray 
me  &  give  up  my  cause,  w"*"  letter  I  have  a  coppy  of.* 
This  Read  was  once  a  minister,  but  (like  some  others)  left 
that  imployment  for  temporall  advantage;  and  he  &  one 
M"'  Robinson  (not  much  better)  are  the  men  to  whom  my 
kind  Roxbury  brother,  under  pretence  of  service  to  me,  in- 
trusted my  whole  intrest.    M"'  Fullam  (who  is  now  a  Maj'') 

*  Among  the  papers  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Read  to  John  Stone,  a  Connecticut  law- 
yer, instructing  him  about  several  cases  to  which  he  (Read)  says  he  finds  it  impossible  to 
attend  personally  at  that  time.  He  adds,  "  I  have  your's  of  y«  5'  instant  before  me,  & 
say,  for  M'  Winthrop's  affair,  you  can  not  legally  avoid  paying  the  £3000,  but  only  by 
his  coming  here  &  making  up  his  acco.  with  the  Judge  of  Probates,  w'h  I  have  writt  to  him 
and  as  yet  he  dont  mind  me."  There  is  also  a  copy  of  an  earlier  letter  to  Read  from  Stone 
(dated  New  London,  April  2,  1725),  in  which  Stone  reproaches  Read  for  his  failure  to  be 
present  at  the  Superior  Court  in  the  preceding  month,  whereby  he  says  he  [Stone]  was 
placed  at  great  disadvantage,  and  obliged  to  plead  a  general  demurrer.  He  contends  that 
Mr.  Winthrop  really  filed  a  proper  inventory  within  the  time  limited  by  law,  and  charges 
his  sureties  (Lechmere  and  Abiel  Walley)  with  collusion  in  allowing  judgment  to  go  by 
default.  — Eds. 


428  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1725-6. 

came  up  to  help  me  w°  I  was  sick,  but  afterwards  w*  not 
stay  to  plead  at  y^  Superio''  Court,  saying  he  had  layd  downe 
the  barr  business  &  was  above  it.  But  he  was  not  above 
taking  a  fee  of  28£  and  then  leaving  me  in  a  time  of  great 
difficulty.  And  at  this  Court  I  was  insulted  by  an  adverse 
attorney,  who  trumpt  up  gavelkind  uppon  me,  (w"''  has  so 
long  been  out  of  date  by  Act  of  Parlem'  &  w'^''  y'  Charter 
knew  nothing  of,)  and  made  a  long  flourish  of  words  how 
I  was  but  a  coe-heir,  &c.  I  desire  to  be  patient  under  these 
horrid  injuryes  &  abuses,  and  I  have  never  to  any  before 
vented  my  troubles  at  such  length,  having  few  friends  & 
fewer  relations,  but  I  feel  that  I  am  safe  w*  you,  even  as 
in  a  citty  of  refuge,  and  I  am  bold  to  unburden  my  tribu- 
lations to  you  as  one  in  whose  fidellity  &  secresy  I  may 
securely  confide.  The  eye  of  God  sees  the  secret  plottings 
of  my  enemies,  and  He,  I  trust,  will  rescue  me.  Eead  y° 
69  Psalm,  Docf  Patrick's  version. 

Have  you  forgotten  all  the  transactions  in  this  country 
even  from  the  year  1686  to  this  time?  And  have  you 
not  seen  a  pamplet  called  A  Modest  Enquiry  into  the 
grounds  &  occasions  of  a  late  pamphlet  intituled  A  Memo- 
rial of  the  Present  Deplorable  State  of  N.  Eng*,  by , 

printed  at  London,  1707?*  Besides  several!  other  little 
prints  w"*"  I  have  formerly  seen  at  a  certain  place,  one 
of  them  a  sort  of  farce  or  comedy  (about  M'  I.  M.  & 
C.  M.)  pretended  to  have  been  acted  at  the  play-house 
in  London,  and  sent  over  at  that  time  from  that  apos- 
tate Harry  N ,t  a  man  so   attacht    to   y'    Dudlean 

intrest  that  he  sticks  at  nothing,  be  it  never  so  mean 
or  base.  There  is  alsoe  a  sett  of  men  in  this  country 
who  are  privately  instructed  to  serve  that  turne,  who 
goe  whispering   about  and   carry  papers  &  letters    thro 

•  It  is  reprinted  in  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  vi.  —  Eds. 

t  Perhaps  Henry  Newman,  who  was  for  many  years  Apent  for  New  Hampshire,  and 
whose  appointment  as  Agent  for  Massachusetts  was  recommeiidHd  by  Dudley,  after  the 
position  was  declined  by  Sir  William  Ashurst.  See  Hutchinson's  Hist,  of  Mass.,  vol.  ii. 
p.  187.  —  Eds. 


1726.]  JOHN    CHANDLER   TO   JOHN   WINTHROP.  429 

the  country,  and  soe  by  imposing  wrong  ideas  &  false 
rumo"  stagger  wavering  minds  and  gain  over  abundance 
to  their  opinion.* 


JOHN  CHANDLER  TO  JOHN  WINTHROP.f 

Woodstock,  April  4%  1726. 

Sir,  —  I  was  in  New  London  in  Octob"'  last,  and  coming 
to  wait  on  your  self  &  Madam  was  informed  by  the  way 
of  an  entertainment  that  day  at  your  house,  so  had  the 
misfortune  of  coming  out  of  town  without  paying  my 
regard ;  w"^  (with  great  regret)  I  was  constrained  to  do 
early  next  morning  because  I  was  under  obligation  to  be 
at  home  the  same  day.  I  now  herein  acquaint  your 
Honour  with  what  I  should  then  have  communicated,  had 
oppertunity  favoured  it,  viz. :  that  a  petition  having  been 
exhibited  by  sundrey  persons  in  &  ab'  Medfield  to  our 
General  Court  for  the  lands  lying  between  Brookfield, 

•  This  letter  is  printed  from  a  rough  draft,  which  here  ends  abruptly.  It  was  prob- 
ably- written  toward  the  close  of  1725,  or  very  early  in  1726,  and  is  the  last  of  the  writer's 
letters  found  among  these  papers  prior  to  his  going  to  England,  though  he  did  not  sail 
until  the  following  summer.  In  the  mean  time  his  troubles  had  thickened.  In  March, 
172-5-6,  his  appeal  on  review  was  rejected  by  the  Superior  Court  of  Connecticut,  and  he 
was  not  only  condemned  in  costs,  but  his  letters  of  administration  were  vacated  and  a 
fresh  administration  granted  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lechmere.  Whereupon  he  presented  a  re- 
monstrance to  the  General  Assembly,  intimating  his  intention  of  appealing  to  the  Privy 
Conncil,  but  the  Assembl.v  summarily  di'^missed  this  remonstrance,  and  ordered  a  bill  to  be 
brought  in  enabling  Lechmere  to  sell  land.  Winthrop  having  again  protested,  and  in  a 
manner  the  Assembly  declared  contemptuous  of  their  authority,  on  May  25,  1726,  he  was 
ordered  to  be  brought  to  their  bar  by  the  Sheriff,  Joseph  Pitkin,  when  he  appears  to  have 
displayed  his  usual  want  of  tact,  and  probably  lost  his  temper,  as  the  Assembly  committed 
him  into  custody  for  having  behaved  himself  "  insolently,  contemptuously,  and  disorderly, 
declaring  himself  on  a  par  with  the  Assembly,  and  not  suffering  the  Hon''l=  the  Gov- 
ernor to  speak  to  him  without  continual  interruption."  The  next  day  the  Sheriff  reported 
that  his  prisoner  had  "escaped  in  the  night,"  whereupon  it  was  ordered  that  "for  his  high 
contempt  in  the  words  and  behaviour  aforesaid,  ...  the  said  John  Winthrop  shall  pay  a 
fine  of  twenty  pounds  to  the  publick  treasury  of  this  Colony,  and  that  the  Secretary  send 
execution  to  levy  the  same."  For  further  particulars  of  these  transactions,  see  Conn.  Col. 
Kec,  n25-2S,  passim ;  Trumbull's  Hist,  of  Conn.,  vol.  ii.  p.  54  ;  Caulkins's  Hist,  of  New 
London,  pp.  412,  413;  Palfrey's  Hist,  of  New  England,  vol.  iv.  pp.  577-579;  also  "The 
Emancipation  of  Massachusetts,"  bj'  Brooks  Adams,  pp.  297-302.  — Eds. 

t  Captain  John  Chandler,  of  Woodstock,  afterward  of  Worcester,  is  repeatedly  referred 
to  by  Wait  Winthrop  as  charged  with  some  important  survej-s.  This  letter  is  the  latest  in 
date  found  among  John  Winthrop's  papers  prior  to  his  going  to  England.  —  Eds. 


430  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1726. 

Brimfield,  Oxford,  &  the  Province  line,  the  Assembly  has 
directed  me,  at  the  charge  of  the  Province,  to  survey  the 
s'*  lands  and  report  to  them,  at  their  sessions  in  May  next, 
the  quantity  &  quallity  thereof,  &  what  farms  are  con- 
tained therein.  Wherefore,  being  sencible  that  a  consid- 
erable part  of  your  interest  lyes  w'4n  those  bounds,  tlio't 
it  very  proper  you  should  know  that  I  design  to  attend 
that  service  the  beginning  of  May  next,  that  so  you  might 
(if  you  saw  good)  either  in  your  own  or  some  other  person 
be  present  at  the  said  survey  ;  or  at  least  might  take  that 
oppertunity  to  renue  the  lines  of  your  own  tract,  that  so 
no  inconvenience  may  hapen  respecting  the  same.  The 
affair,  also,  of  Brimfield,  which  has  lain  still  for  the  space 
of  two  years  in  expectation  of  your  coming  up,  may  also 
crave  your  consideration  whether  it  will  not  be  very 
convenient  that  you  should  be  there  about  that  time ;  for 
I  am  apt  to  think  that  an  accomodation  between  your 
Honour  and  Brimfield  cant  be  so  well  setled  hereafter  as 
at  this  juncture.  However,  I  am  satisfyed  your  wisdom 
will  easily  discern  what  is  proper  to  be  done  by  you  in 
the  premises ;  and  if  I  might  have  the  honour  to  wait 
on  you  there  and  be  in  any  respect  serviceable  to  your 
interest,  should  be  very  glad,  who,  with  best  regards  to 
your  self  &  Madam,  am,  S% 

Your  devoted  &  obliged  humble  serv", 

John  Chandler. 


WILL  OF  JOHN  WINTHROP.* 

[July,  1720.] 

In  nomine  Dei,  Amen.  Being  at  present  (through  the 
goodness  of  the  Almighty)  in  good  health  of  body,  yet 
intending  shortly  (if  God  please)  to  make  a  voyage  over 

•  Printed  from  a  copy  found  among  the  papers  of  his  widow.  The  testator  lived  twentv- 
one  years  after  making  tliis  will,  which  is  here  inserted  on  account  of  its  being  so  char- 
acteristic of  him,  its  reference  to  the  value  he  attached  to  his  family  papers,  and  its 
approximation  of  the  date  of  his  departure  for  England  to  seek  redress  from  the  Privy 
Council.    He  is  believed  to  have  sailed  soon  after  e-xecuting  it.  —  Eds. 


1726.]  WILL    OF   JOHN   WINTHROP.  431 

the  sea  into  Europe,  —  finding  to  my  full  satisfaction, 
after  long  &  serious  consideration,  the  providence  of  God 
directing  me  thereunto  as  by  a  full,  clear,  &  necessary  call 
to  undertake  the  said  voyage,  —  I  doe  committ  my  selfe, 
soul  &  body,  into  the  hands  of  the  Almighty,  my  faithfull 
Creator  &  mercifuU  Redeemer,  wether  in  life  or  in  death, 
as  relying  only  upon  his  divine  providence  &  goodness  for 
protection  and  guidance  in  everything  in  this  long  voy- 
age, so  relying  only  upon  the  merritts  of  my  gratious 
Saviour  for  the  salvation  of  my  soul  in  the  day  of  his  ap- 
pearing and  the  resurrection  of  the  just.  Resting  in  full 
hope  &  assurance  of  my  part  therein  through  the  wonder- 
full  power  &  virtue  of  his  glorious  resurrection,  I  thought 
it  necessary,  for  the  setling  of  my  outward  temporall 
estate  for  the  comfort  of  my  family,  to  make  this  my  last 
will  &  testament.  First,  I  desire  that  all  my  just  debts 
may  be  sattisfyed  out  of  that  part  of  my  estate  that  will 
be  least  detrimentall  to  the  main  body  of  s**  estate.  I 
give  &  bequeath  unto  my  faithfull,  kind,  &  most  dear 
wife  one  hundred  pounds  per  annum  out  of  the  rents  of 
Fisher's  Island  dureing  her  naturall  life,  with  her  living 
in  my  mansion  house  at  New  London,  with  the  proffits  of 
the  mill  and  neck  of  land  adjoyning,  with  the  garden, 
orchard,  and  other  accommodations  belonging  to  my  s'* 
dwelling  house,  so  long  as  she  shall  remain  my  widdow; 
earnestly  in  treating  she  will  see  all  my  dear  children 
brought  up  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  all  of  them  to  be  edu- 
cated, &  live  with  her  till  they  shall  be  disposed  of  in 
marriage,  out  of  the  proffits  of  my  estate,  both  my  sons 
to  be  educated  at  the  Colledge  without  faile.  And  after 
my  s*  wife's  decease  or  marriage,  I  doe  give  my  afores* 
mansion  house  w""  all  the  accomodations  thereunto  be- 
longing, &  w"'  the  rocky  hill  above  s*  house  and  all  the 
other  peices  of  the  Neck  that  is  above  the  raile  fence  w"'' 
now  divides  the  lower  part  of  the  Neck  from  the  upper 
part,  together  w"'  the  ox  pastures  at  the  head  of  s''  Neck, 


432  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS,  [1726. 

w"'  the  mill  and  all  appurtenances  thereto,  with  the  mill 
house  &  land  thereto  adjoyning,  all  unto  my  well  beloved 
&  dear  son,  John  Still,  with  one  acre  of  land  at  the  lower 
end  or  point  of  the  Neck  and  the  northermost  half  of  the 
Half  Mile  Square  in  Groton ;  together  with  Poquannuck 
farm,  Ram  Island,  and  Fisher's  Island,  w""  the  hummocks, 
&c.,  unto  my  s**  John  Still  forever,  to  be  &  abide  to  him 
&  his  heirs  male  forever,  together  with  all  my  books, 
writings,  &  papers,  &  whatever  else  is  in  my  study,  to  be 
always  kept  together  in  my  name  &  ftxmily  forever.  And 
to  my  dear  son  Basil  I  give  all  that  part  of  the  Neck  that 
lyes  next  the  cove  &  towne  from  the  raile  fence,  &  so 
downwards  through  the  middle  of  the  plain  down  to  the 
harbour,  to  be  a  house  lott  to  him  &  his  heirs  male  forever. 
Then  I  give  to  my  s''  son  Basil  one  acre  of  land  more,  on 
the  southwestermost  end  of  the  banke  of  the  Neck  at  tlie 
lower  end,  fronting  to  the  little  island  of  rocks  &  to  the 
harbour ;  also  the  southernmost  half  of  the  Half  Mile 
Square  in  Groton,  bounded  on  the  great  river  or  harbour; 
together  with  Lanthorn  Hill  farme,  with  three  thousand 
acres  of  land  at  Tantiusques  or  the  Black  Lead  Mine,  in- 
cluding the  s*  lead  mines ;  together  with  the  Elizabeth 
Islands  &  the  accomodations  thereto  belonging ;  all  w"*" 
peices  &  parcells  of  land  I  will  &  bequeath  to  my  dear  son 
Basil  and  his  heirs  male  forever.  Item,  I  give  and  be- 
queath unto  my  dear  &  most  dutyfuU  loving  daughters, 
Maria,  Anna,  Catherina,  Rebecka,  &  Margarita,  each  of 
them,  a  house  lott  to  contain  about  two  acres,  and  to  be 
laid  out  to  each  of  them,  adjoyning  one  to  the  other,  on 
the  fairest  part  of  the  bank  at  the  bottom  of  my  afore- 
mentioned neck  of  land  at  New  London  fronting  the  har- 
bour ;  the  said  house  lotts  to  be  one  acre  in  the  width  of 
the  front,  and  two  in  the  depth  for  gardens  &  yards, 
besides  the  beach  down  to  the  water  for  wharfs  &  ware- 
housing, that  they  may  live  near  their  two  brothers  nnd 
near  their  mother.     I  alsoe  will  and  bequeath  to  each  of 


1726.]  WILL    OF   JOHX   WINTHROP.  433 

my  dear  daughters  one  thousand  pounds  current  mony 
of  New  England,  to  be  paid  to  each  of  them  out  of  the 
rents  &  proffits  of  my  estate,  as  they  shall  severally  come 
of  age  or  be  married,  they  to  receive  soe  much  j/  annum, 
to  sattisfye  their  s'^  legacyes,  as  the  estate  will  conveniently 
bear  without  hurting  the  estate  or  straiting  the  comfort- 
able and  honourable  maintenance  &  education  of  my  said 
wife  &  children. 

EUzahdha  filia  mea  quondam  amabilissima,  et  dilcctiis  mens 
Johannes  jnimogenihis,  heu  dolor !  e  vivis  cessaverunt  et  nunc 
non  cgcnt  'partes* 

And  all  the  rest  of  my  estate,  after  my  just  debts  &  my 
aforesaid  legacyes  are  paid  and  sattisfyed,  to  be  equally 
divided  between  my  most  dear,  loving,  and  faithfull  wife 
and  all  the  rest  of  my  dear  &  dutyfuU  children.  And  in 
case  any  of  my  said  children  should  dye  w^out  children, 
then  after  their  decease  their  part  or  share  thus  herein 
willed  to  them  I  desire  may  goe,  and  accordingly  will  it, 
to  the  surviving  male  heir  of  my  name  &  family,  to  him 
&  his  male  heirs  forever.  And  now  I  pray  God  to  bless 
my  dear  wife,  and  all  my  dear  sweet  children  and  their 
offspring  forever,  with  all  sorts  of  spirituall  &  temporall 
favours,  mercyes,  &  blessings  in  their  baskett  &  their  store 
for  time  &  eternity;  and  be  sure  you  live  in  love  &  peace, 
and  fall  not  out  by  the  way.  And  I  doe  nominate,  con- 
stitute, ordain,  &  appoint  my  dear  &  loving  &  most  faith- 
full  wife  to  be  my  executrix,  and  my  well  beloved  sons 
John  Still  &  Basil  to  be  my  executors,  of  this  my  last 
will  &  testament.  Alsoe  T  give  to  my  two  sons  my  two 
chests  of  writing  w"*"  I  now  carry  with  me,  w""  whatever 
elce  there  is  in  them,  willing  &  desiring  my  dear  wife  to 
make  strict  inquirys  for  them  &  preserve  them  safe  when 
she  receives  them  for  my  aforesaid  sons,  to  be  kept  in 
the  name  and  family  forever.     And  I  now  ordain  &  make 

*  There  appear  to  be  a  few  more  Latin  words  here,  which  the  copyist  could  not  clearly 
decipher.  —  Eds. 

55       ■ 


434  THE   WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1726. 

this  my  last  will  &  testament  in  manner  &  forme  as  I 
have  with  my  owne  hand  writt  &  compiled  it,  I  being  of 
sound  &  healthfall  mind  and  well  considering  what  I  now 
in  a  solemne  manner  rattifye  &  confirme  w""  my  seal. 

J.   WiNTHROP. 

Signed,  sealed,  &  declared  to  be  the  last  will  &  testa- 
ment of  me,  John  Winthrop,  this  19*  day  of  July,  Anno 
Domini  1726,  in  the  presence  of 

Hugh  Markes. 

Edw°  Hollam. 

Tho'  Mumford,  Jun*. 

New  London,  the  IQ'!"  day  of  July,  1726. 

Then  personally  appeared  before  me,  Jonathan  Pren- 
tice, one  of  his  Majesties  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the 
county  of  New  London,  John  Winthrope,  Esq"',  &  freely 
acknowledged  the  above  instrument  to  be  his  last  will  & 
testament,  to  which  he  hath  sett  to  his  hand  &  seal  as 
such. 

Test :  Jon*  Prentis. 


ROBERT  CHAUNCY  TO  CHARLES  CHAUNCY.» 
For  M"  Charles  Chmmcy,  att  f  Hartichoke  on  Cornhill,  London. 

[Bristol,  England,  September,  1726.] 

Dear  Coz"  Chauncy, — My  good  friend  and  coun- 
tryma  M'  Winthrop  designs  to  sett  out  fro  hence  for 

*  Robert  Chauncy  was  second  son  of  Rev.  Israel  Chauncy,  of  Stratford,  Conn.,  and 
grandson  of  Rev.  Charles  Chauncy,  President  of  Harvard  College.  Among  the  unpub- 
lished papers  is  a  letter  dated  May  29,  1699,  in  which  Israel  Chauncy  asks  Fitz-John  Win- 
throp's  advice  concerning  his  son  Robert's  going  to  England.  He  subsequently  became  a 
physician  at  Bristol,  where  John  Winthrop  landed  after  his  voyage.  A  family  connection 
e.Kisted  between  them,  the  wife  of  President  Chauncy  having  been  a  granddaughter  of 
Dr.  John  Still,  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells,  whose  sister  Alice  was  the  first  wife  of  the  first 
Governor  Winthrop's  father.  The  Charles  Chauncy  to  whom  this  letter  is  addressed  was  a 
London  merchant,  son  of  Rev.  Ichabod  Chauncy,  for  whom  see  Sibley's  Harvard  Graduates, 
vol.  i.  pp.  308,  309.  There  is  a  rough  draft  of  a  letter  from  John  Winthrop  to  Dr.  Robert 
Chauncy,  dated  London,  Oct.  10,  IViC,  cNpressing  his  sense  of  the  many  attentions  of 


1726.]        EGBERT    CHAUXCT   TO    CHARLES    CHAUNCT.  435 

London  y"  next  Wednesday  morning  by  y"  coach.  I  must 
in  y"  first  place  request  you  on  his  behalfe  y'  you  take 
him  some  convenient  lodgings,  as  near  yourself  as  you 
can,  in  a  house  y'  is  quiet  and  a  sober  family,  viz.:  a 
chamber  on  y"  first  story  for  himself,  and  an  other  near 
to  this  for  his  servant.  He  has  two  chests,  a  wigg  trunck, 
a  bundle  of  bedding  and  hatt  box,  w''''  goe  hence  to- 
morrow by  John  Sartains  wagon,  directed  for  you ;  the 
carriage  is  agreed.  The  proper  officers  att  y°  custome 
house  have  made  a  due  inspection,  and  you  have  a  note 
of  y*  suSies.  He  has  papers  of  consequence,  so  I  hope 
they  will  give  no  farther  trouble  in  unpacking  his  chests. 
If  any  accid'  sh'*  happen  that  they  arrive  before  M'  Win- 
throp,  I  beg  you  w"^  take  y""  into  y'  own  care.  He  is 
perfectly  a  stranger,  and  will  stand  in  need  of  some  good 
acquaintance  to  direct  him  in  his  affaires.  He  is  a  person 
of  meritt  and  very  well  deserves  y''  countenance.  He  has 
a  plentifuU  estate  there,  and  will  not  be  burthensome  to 
any  body,  but  I  am  shure  will  be  allwaies  ready  to  ac- 
knowledge y°  least  favour  done  him.  Nancy  greets  you, 
and  I  am 

Y'  most  obed'  humble  serv', 

Rob''  Chaunct. 


Charles  Cbauncy,  and  concluding  as  follows :  "  Please  to  make  my  best  compliments  to  the 
fair  lad}',  yc  excellent  daughter,  and  to  the  other  young  gentlewoman  in  your  family;  ask- 
ing pardon  for  the  trouble  I  gave  yC  house.  To  D'  Deverell,  his  son  &  daughter,  to  M' 
Sword  Bearer,  II''  Elbndge,  &.C.,  salutations,  w'l"  humble  thanks  for  all  their  favours  &  civil- 
ityes.  I  hope  to  wait  on  you  at  Bristol  some  time  in  the  winter,  if  my  affairs  will  pennitt." 
There  is  also  a  letter,  dated  Aug.  25,  1726,  from  the  celebrated  William  Whiston  to  a  Dr. 
French,  of  8  Queen's  Square,  Bristol,  with  reference  to  a  course  of  lectures  Whiston  was 
getting  up.  In  it  he  ulludes  more  than  once  to  Dr.  Chauncy,  who  must  have  given  the 
letter  to  John  Winthrop,  who  was  interested  in  some  of  Whiston's  theories,  which  he  had 
discussed  with  Cotton  Slather.  In  a  subsequent  letter  (Dec.  20,  1726)  Dr.  Chauncy  writes: 
"  I  had  y'  last  week  a  letter  from  D'  Meade,  who  advises  me  y'  you  have  not  yet  been  wth 
him,  for  wch  I  am  sorry.  Tis  very  ticklish  dealing  w«ii  gentlemen  of  his  figure  wUiout  the 
greatest  punctuality.  D'  Nesbitt  will  waite  upon  you  to  him,  to  wm  I  have  written  by  this 
oportunity.    Please  not  to  faile  to  present  him  w'li  the  snakes  egg."  —  Eds. 


436  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1726. 


APPEAL  OF  THOMAS  AND   ANNE  LECHMERE  TO  THE 
GOVERNOR   AND  COUNCIL   OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

To  the  Honourable  William  Dummer  and  the  Hon*'' 
Council  of  said  Province,  the  appeal  of  Thomas  Lechmere 
and  Ann  his  wife  from  a  denial  decree,  or  sentence,  of 
the  Hon""  Samuel  Sewall,  Judge  of  Probate,  the  [torn'] 
day  of  December,  1726  :  — 

The  case  was  in  the  year  1717.  The  Hon*'"  Wait  Still 
Winthrop,  of  Boston,  Esq',  aforesaide,  died  seized  &  pos- 
sest  of  a  very  considerable  real  &  personal  estate,  and  intes- 
tate, leaving  behind  him  John  Winthrop,  of  New  London, 
in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  Esq',  his  only  son,  &  the 
apell'  Ann,  his  only  daughter.  That  on  the  23.  day  of 
December,  1717,  the  said  Judge  of  Probats  granted  let- 
ters of  administ"  to  the  said  intestate's  estate  to  the  said 
John  Winthrop.  That  to  this  day  the  sayd  adrainist'  hath 
not  exhibited  a  compleat  or  perfect  inventory  of  said  es- 
tate, or  taken  any  prudent  steps  or  measures  towards 
settling  the  s'*  estate  according  to  the  Province  law  in 
such  cases,  but  the  same  still  remains  as  much  unsettled, 
&  no  distribution  thereof  made  according  to  the  express 
direction  of  the  law,  as  it  did  at  the  time  when  said  let- 
ters of  administration  were  granted,  notwithstanding  the 
continued  solicitation  of  the  appellants,  for  almost  nine 
years,  to  obtain  a  settlement  &  distribution  thereof  ac- 
cording to  law. 

That  the  s*  Winthrop,  soon  after  he  had  obtained 
letters  of  administration  as  aforesaid,  returned  to  New 
London,  where  he  has  resided  almost  ever  since,  and,  im- 
agining he  was  out  of  the  reach  of  said  judge  &  had  pre- 
vented any  other  taking  out  letters  of  administration, 
conceived  it  most  for  his  interest  there  to  rest  without 
settling  the  said  estate  or  making  any  distribution  tliereof, 
so  as  to  defeat  the  appell"  of  their  undoubted  right  of 
one   third  in  s*"  estate  to  be  sett  off  to  them,  &  out  of 


1726.]        APPEAL    OF    THOMAS   AND   ANXE    LECHMERE.        437 

which  they  have  now  for  nine  years  been  thus  artfully 
kept.  That  the  s'*  administ'  has  been  gone  for  England, 
leaving  the  said  estate  as  much  unadministered  upon  as 
when  lie  found  it,  and  when  he  will  return,  and  when  if 
ever  there  will  be  a  settlement  of  s'^  estate,  or  distribu- 
tion made,  is  unknown  to  the  appelP. 

That  the  appellants  (tho  no  lawyers)  yet  upon  the 
bare  reading  of  the  Province  law  conceived  they  were 
intituled  to  have  one  third  in  the  intestate's  estate,  and 
therefore,  on  the  20""  of  June  last,  exhibited  their  petition 
to  the  said  judge  that  granted  administration  as  aforesaid, 
to  have  forthwith  the  estate  settled  &  distributed  accord- 
ing to  law,  or  revoke  the  s"*  letters  of  administ™  &  grant 
letters  of  adminisf"  to  an  other  who  will  faithfully  dis- 
charge the  s**  trust,  so  that  y*  appellants  may  not  for 
ever  be  denied  their  right  in  a  legal  distribution  accord- 
ing to  the  law  of  the  Province,  as  by  the  prayer  of  the 
s"*  petition  reference  thereto  had  will  more  fully  appear. 
But  the  s"  judge,  on  the  19""  day  of  Decemb"',  1726,  totally 
denied  the  prayer  thereof ;  from  which  denial,  sentence, 
or  decree,  as  wrong  &  erroneous,  the  said  petitioners 
have  appealed  to  yo''  Hon"  for  the  following  reasons :  — 

1".  Such  sentence  seemingly  justifies  the  adminisf  in 
his  proceedings,  notwithstanding  he  has  not  in  any  one 
instance  complied  with  what  the  Province  law  positively 
enjoins. 

2diy_  This  sentence  or  denial  vertually  is  a  denial  of  the 
benefit  «&  interest  the  Province  law  affords  the  appell*^, 
and  after  nine  years  &  no  settlement  made  of  the  intes- 
tate's estate,  or  perfect  inventory  given,  this  sentence 
says  ther  shall  be  no  perfect  inventory  given,  no  settle- 
ment shall  be  made,  or  that  the  appell"  shall  not  have  a 
distribution  according  to  the  Province  law. 

3'^'^.  It  is  urged  the  appelf"  may  bring  their  writ  of 
partition  at  common  law.  The  answer  is,  they  have 
waited  nine  years  to  have  the  estate  settled  &  distributed 


438  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1726. 

according  to  the  law  of  this  Province,  &  in  that  method 
expect  their  portion  out  of  their  father's  estate,  for  siu'ely 
it  is  with  them  to  malve  their  election.  That  therefore 
the  law  obliges  a  settlement  &  distribution  of  the  intes- 
tate's estate  is  plain,  and  that  after  nine  years  it  is  time 
the  administ'  sh''  do  it  is  certain ;  and  that  the  appell"^ 
sh'^  suffer  by  a  judge  making  an  adminisf  that  will  not 
do  it,  is  unreasonable.  And  whether  yo''  Honours  will 
see  cause  to  repeal  the  s'*  letters  of  administration,  or  grant 
others  to  y°  petitioners  or  any  others,  is  submitted  to  y' 
Honours  judgem'.  All  that  your  appelP"  insist  upon  is  to 
have  the  estate  settled  &  distributed  in  the  method  & 
order,  &  before  a  Court  of  Probates,  as  the  law  of  the 
Province  directs,  and  in  order  to  it  your  appell*^  doubt 
not  of  yo'  Honours  justice  in  reversing  the  s**  denial,  sen- 
tence, or  decree. 

Tho'  Lechmere. 

Anne  Lechmere. 

Suffolk,  December  the  26*,  1726. 

Filed  p'  John  Boydel,  Register.  A  true  copy  exam- 
ined, John  Boydel,  Register. 

In  Council,  Jan.  5,  172  f^.  Read  and  ordered  that  a 
hearing  be  had  of  this  appeal  npon  Wednesday,  the  first 
of  March  next,  at  three  a  clock  in  the  after  noon,  and 
that  the  appelf'  forthwith  serve  the  adverse  party  with  a 
copy  of  the  reasons  of  appeal  &  this  order. 

A  true  copy,  examined  p  J.  Willard,  Sec  >■//.* 

*  The  foregoing  is  printed  from  a  copy  indorsed  by  John  Winthrop,  "  Since  my  coming 
away;  at  Boston."  It  was  forwarded  to  him  in  England  by  his  wife,  who  added:  "It  is 
sayd,  tho  I  dont  know  the  truth  liereof,  tliat  the  Governor  of  New  York  has  given  L. 
incouragement  that  he  will  favour  him  if  his  freinds  will  try  to  bring  Fisher's  Island  under 
this  goverment.  In  case  of  any  ditficulty  arising  from  tliat  quarter,  I  think  it  wold  be  very 
prudent  to  make  a  freind  of  that  Govenor  by  means  of  som  of  his  freinds  in  Iiiglaud,  if 
yon  know  who  they  be."  —  Eds. 


1727.]  JEEEMIAH    DUMMER   TO    JOnX    WINTHKOP.  439 


JEREMIAH  DUMMER  TO  JOHN   WINTHROP* 

LoNDO,  27  Nov',  1727. 
S", — I  have  just  reciev'd  from  Connecticut  an  answer 
to  your  charge  against  that  Colony,  &  should  be  glad  to 
know  whether  you  intend  to  make  good  your  charge  on 
the  first  of  December,  which  was  the  day  appointed  for 
it  by  their  Lord''''^  I  understand  that  my  Lords  have, 
upon  M"'  Lechmere's  petition,  appointed  the  14"'  to  hear 
you  against  him ;  but  if  you  design  to  begin  with  the 
Colony  first,  tho  the  time  be  very  short,  I'll  endeavour 
to  prepare  my  council.  Tho,  if  I  were  worthy  to  advise 
you,  it  should  be  wholly  to  drop  your  complaint  against 
the  Colony,  from  which  I  am  perswaded  you'l  have  no 
other  fruits  than  great  trouble,  expence,  &  disappoint- 
ment. Besides,  what  prudent  man  could  contend,  at  his 
own  charge,  with  a  whole  province,  especially  when  it  is 
your  countrey,  where  all  your  estate  lyes!  But  it  is  not 
my  buisness  to  direct  you,  but  to  make  the  best  defence 
I  can  for  my  principals.  I  beg  you'l  favour  me  with  a 
line,  directed  for  me  at  M"'  Markham's,  y"  7  Stars,  under 
S'  Dunstan's  Church,  Fleet  Street.  I  am,  S% 
Your  humble  serv', 

Jer:  Dummer. 


*  There  have  been  preserved  no  letters  from  John  Winthrop  to  his  family  or  friends  in 
New  England  between  his  arrival  abroad  and  March  25, 1728,  but  there  are  several  from  his 
wife  to  him.  She  habitually  addresses  him  as  "  Dear  Soul,  ten  thousand  times  dear," 
describes  the  proceedings  of  his  adversaries,  whose  object,  she  says,  is  to  subject  him  to 
delay  and  expense,  expresses  doubts  of  his  ultimate  success,  requests  him  to  send  a  riding- 
hood  and  other  articles  of  dress  for  her  daughters,  and  acknowledges  a  portrait  ho  had 
found  time  to  have  painted  of  himself,  which  bj-  no  means  answers  her  expectations: 
"Nothing  but  the  original!  will  satisfye  me."  In  her  letter  of  May  4,  1727,  she  says: 
"M'  Lechmere  is  expected  here  next  week,  but  whether  it  is  to  finish  the  bisness  by  devid- 
ing  the  estate,  or  to  go  to  Hartford  to  lay  his  empty  noddle  together  with  the  sages  of 
that  grate  Assembly  in  order  to  confound  yo,  proceedings,  I  know  not.  The  bisness  at 
Boston  is  defer'd  till  some  time  in  June.  M'  Duiner  wrote  me  word  there  was  three  hours 
debate  uppon  it  in  the  Councill  last  month."  Among  the  law  papers  forwarded  by  her  to 
her  husband  at  this  period  is  a  copy  of  a  long  deed,  to  Richard  Douglas  and  John  Richards, 
of  a  piece  of  the  estate  sold  by  Lechmere  under  the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly  and 
Superior  Court  of  Connecticut ;  but  in  1728,  after  the  decision  of  the  Privy  Council  ia 
Winthrop's  favor,  all  land  so  conveyed  was  restored  to  him.  —  Eds. 


440  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 


BRIEF  IN  APPEAL  TO   THE  PRIVY  COUNCIL* 

For  the  Appellant :  To  the  King's  most  excellent  Majesty 
in  Councill.  The  humble  petition  and  representation 
and  appeal  of  John  Winthrop,  of  New  London  in  yo' 
Majesties  Colony  of  Connecticutt,  Esq'',  only  son  &  heir 
at  law  of  Major  General  Waite  Winthrop  of  Boston  in 
New  England,  Esq',  his  late  father,  deced,  and  nephew 
&  heir  at  law  to  the  Honble  Fitz-John  Winthrop,  Esq', 
late  Governor  of  the  said  Province  of  Connecticutt,  and 
grandson  and  heir  at  law  to  the  Honble  John  Winthrop, 
Esq',  late  Governor  of  the  said  Province, 

Sheweth,  That  by  charter  granted  by  his  Majtie  K: 
Charles  y»  2\  dat  23'^  April  in  y'  14"^  year  of  his  reign, 
2.3ApU4Car.  and  w"*"  was  obtained  at  the  sollicitation  &  by  y° 
porating  means  &  at  y°  expence  of  y'  s'*  John  Winthrop, 
AbiiitVto       vo'  peticoiiers  grand  father,   v*  s"^    Colony  are 

take  &  alien,     r  ,    ,  n      %,  o    r, 

Compato  mcorporated  by  y'  name  ofy'  Gov'  &  Conip"  ot 
Govr,  Dep       the  English  Colony  of  Connecticut  in  New  Eng- 

Govt,  &12  ,..  -m,  , 

Assistants,  land  lu  America :  lo  have,  take,  possess,  ac- 
quire, and  purchase  lands,  tenem'^,  or  heredm",  or  any 
goods  or  chatties,  and  y'  same  to  lease,  grant,  demise, 
alien,  bargain,  sell,  &  dispose  of  as  other  y*  liege  people 
of  y"  realm  of  England,  or  any  other  corporation  within 
y'  same  may  lawfully  do,  and  the  s*  Company  to  consist 
of  a  Governor,  Deputy  Governor,  &  twelve  Assistants,  to 
be  chosen  annually  out  of  y"  freemen  of  y°  s**  Comp",  and 
y*  s*  John  Winthrop,  yo'  petitioners  said  grand  father, 
was  by  the  s^  Charter  appointed  first  Governor,  —  and  the 
said  Gov'  has  power  to  call  a  General  Assembly  as  often 
as  occasion,  which  General  Assembly  is  appointed  by  the 

•  The  brief  here  printed  is  beautifully  written  on  thirteen  folios  of  two  foolscap  pafjes 
each.  The  marginal  notes,  as  well  as  those  indorsed  on  the  reverse  of  the  first  two  folios, 
are  nearly  all  in  a  different  hand,  and  are  often  very  hard  to  decipher.  The  niargin-il  notes 
were  presumably  made  either  by  Sir  Philip  Yorko  (afterward  Lord  Chancellor  Hardwicke), 
the  Attorney  General,  or  by  Charles  Talbot,  the  Solicitor  General,  and  afterward  Lord 
Chancellor,  who  were  of  counsel  for  the  appellant  and  argued  the  case.  —  Eus. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO    PEIVT    COUNCIL.  441 

Charter  to  sit  twice  in  a  year,  and  all  the  subjects  of  this 
Crown  which  should  go  to  inhabit  y*  s*  Colony,  &  every 
of  their  children,  were  to  have  &  enjoy  all  libties  &  immu- 
nities of  free  &  natural  subjects  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses as  if  born  within  y°  realm  of  England,  Power  to 
and  the  Governor  &  Assistants  in  Assembly  are  makrwifoie- 
impowered  to  erect  judicatories  for  hearing  &  souTbie  faws 
determining  all  actions,  causes,  matters,  &  things  "nt  [o'the"" 
arising  within  the  said  plantation  and  from  time  re-iim°of  '^ 
to  time  to  make  &  ordain  all  manner  of  whole-  "^  ' 
some  &  reasonable  laws,  statutes,  ordinances,  directions, 
and  instructions,  not  contrary  to  the  laws  of  this  realm 
of  England.  And  the  said  Charter  grants  to  y"  s*  Gov' 
and  Comp%  and  their  successors,  the  lands  belonging 
to  the  said  Colony,  which  are  bounded  in  the  Char- 
ter :  Habendum  to  the  s*  Gov'  and  Comp",  their  succes- 
sors and  assigns  for  ever,  upon  trust  and  for  the  benefit 
of  themselves  and  their  associates,  freemen  of  the  said 
Colony,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  to  be  holden  of  his  said 
Majesty,  his  heirs  &  successors,  as  of  the  mannor  of  East 
Greenwich,  in  free  and  comon  soccage. 

That  under  this  Charter  thus  obtained,  and  in  regard 
of  the  many  &  great  services  of  y^  s'*  Jn"  Win-  John  win- 
throp  to  y°  s'*  Colony,  as  well  in  obtaining  the  Gov?' con- 
said  Charter  as  in  many  other  respects,  he  con-  hTs'deaih. " 
tinned  by  annual  elections  Governor  of  y'  s""  Colony  to 
his  death. 

That  the  said  John  Winthrop,  being  at  his  death  seized 
&  possed  of  a  very  considbl  real  estate  in  y"  s**  Colony, 
which  he  held  under  the  said  Charter  to  him,  g  sons,  fuz 
his  heirs  &  assigns,  in    free  &  comon  soccage,  waSJethep 
and    having  issue  two  sons,  Fitz- John  &  Waite,  r;",'  ^'^[^^'^ 
and  five  daughters,  in  1676  he  made  his  will,  '"""■ 
whereby  he    made    suitable    provisions   for   all    his   said 
children,  and  made  an  equal  provision  out  of  his  real 
estate  for  his  said  two  sons. 
56 


442  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

That  upon  the  death  of  y°  s*  Jn"  Winthrop,  his  s*  eldest 
Fitz  John  son,  Fitz  John,  was  in  like  manner  chosen  Gov' 
as  Gov.  of  y^  s'^  Province,  and  having  a  large  psonal 
estate,  and  having  no  male  issue,  and  only  one  daughter, 
who  was  married  &  disposed  of,  and  his  brother  Wait- 
still  having  male  issue,  your  petitioner,  and  the  s'*  Fitz 
John,  your  petitionjer's  uncle,  being  minded  that  his 
estate  should  come  to  your  petitioner  as  heir  male  of  the 
family,  having  always  declared  that  he  would  keep  his 
father's  estate  inviolate  and  unbroken  for  the  heir  of  his 
family  and  the  name  of  his  flither,  and  that  his  father's 
estate  should  never  be  divided  for  him,  and  that  your 
petitioner  should  succeed  to  all  he  had  as  well  as  to  all 
what  his  father  had,  and  that  after  his  death  all  he  had 
was  yo'  petitioner's  own,  and  all  which  he  repeated  in  his 
4  Octr,  1700,  last  sickness,  and  to  carry  such  his  intention  into 
his  rear'sfate  exccution  by  instrum*  of  deed  pole  bearing  date 
topetriufee.  4th  October,"^1700,  lie  granted  and  confirmed  to 
y'  petitioner  all  his  part,  interest,  right,  &  title  of,  in, 
&  to  all  y'  lands  &  estate  which  was  formerly  his  honoured 
father's,  and  w*  he  had  in  partnership  with  his  brother, 
yo""  petitioner's  father,  with  all  other  his  lands,  tene- 
ments, stocks,  goods,  chattels,  &  estate  whatsoever,  of 
w'  nature,  kind,  or  property  soever  in  New  England  or 
elsewhere :  Habend  unto  yo"  petitioner  and  his  heirs 
from  henceforth  &  for  ever,  with  a  covenant  of  warranty, 
and  a  declaration  of  his  having  put  yo'  pet'  in  possion 
thereof. 

That  the  said  Fitz-John  being  at  his  death  possed  of 
several  other  pcells  of  land  in  Connecticut  Col- 
ony by  him  pchased  and  granted  to  him  by  the 
Colony,  he  by  his  will  made  a  disposition  thereof  with 
a  considble  psonal  estate  to  his  widow  &  daughter,  and  to 
His  devise  to  sh^w  that  it  was  his  intention  that  his  said  fii- 
^r*o'p\>fe\'.""  ther's  estate  should  go  to  and  continue  in  the 
bodyof  hfs     ™^l6  heir  of  the  family,  he  wills  and  bequeaths 


1727.]  BRIEF    IN   APPEAL   TO    PRIVY    COUNCIL.  443 

to  his  brother,  Major  Waitstill  Winthrop,   yo'  |,°*,e'f'^'^ 
petitioner's  father,  and   the  heirs  male  of  his  fa.I'd'^o^ia. 
body  for  ever,  his  half  of  that  real  estate  which  '■^  ''*"• 
was  their  fathers,  by  which  he  could  only  mean  to  shew 
his  intention  to  be  as  afores'*,  since  it  is  extream  plain 
nothing  could  really  pass  by  this  part  of  his  will. 

That  by  articles  of  agreem'  dated  2'*  April,  1711,  the 
said  testator's  widow  &  daughter  (with  her  husband)  for 
the  coiis  therein  mentioned,  remise,  release,  surrender, 
and  quit  claim  unto  the  said  Waite  Winthorpe,  2  Ap:  1-11. 
his  heirs  &  assigns  for  ever,  all  the  said  testator  Znve.%iV^'^ 
Fitz  John  Winthrop's  s'*  estate  so  devised  to  w^/te  win- 
them  by  his  said  will :  Habend  to  the  said  Waite  "'"p  '°  ^^'■ 
Winthorpe,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  his  and  their  only 
proper  use,  benefit,  &  behoofe  for  ever. 

That  the  said  Waite  Winthrop  having  no  issue  male  but 
your  petitioner,  and  only  one  daughter  besides,  whom  he 
provided  for  and  disposed  of  in  marriage  in  his  life  time 
to  Tlio'  Lechmere,  merch',  of  Boston,  he  likewise  always 
made  y°  same  declaration  in  his  life  time  as  to  yo'  peti- 
tioners succeeding  to  all  his  real  estate,  and  that  he  would 
keep  the  real  estate  inviolate  and  unbroken  for       j^ji 
yo"  petitioner,  the  heir  of  the  family,  and  that  ^ve'up^' 
all  his  lands  should  be  and  abide  to  the  male  n^connmu 
heir  of  the  family;   and  in  pursuance  of  such  piVhinUnto 
his  intention  he  actually,  in  the  year  1711,  freely  ''"^^  °' 
gave  &  delivered  up  to  your  petitioner  all  his  estate  in  the 
said  Province  of  Connectici;t,  and  settled  and  put  your 
petitioner  into  the  possion  thereof,  and  went  &  lived  all 
the  rest  of  his  life  at  an  estate  he  had  at  Boston,  Kest  of  ufe 
in  the  Province  of  Massachusets,   and  yo'  pe-  Boston, 
titioner  from  that  time  to  the  death  of  his  said  father, 
which  was  upwards  of  six  years,  lived  on,  possessed,  & 
enjoyed  the  said  Connecticut  estate  as  his  own,  and  the 
same  was  rated  &  taxed  to  yo"'  petitioner  as  his  own. 

That  yo'  petitioner's  father  being  ab'  to  marry  a  sec- 


444  THE   WIKTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

ond  wife,  Katli™  Eyres,  in  the  year  1707,  in  further  pur- 
suance of  such  his  intention  to  leave  his  said  estate  entire 
to  your  petitioner,  and  to  prevent  the  said  Kath  Eyre's 
having  any  demand  of  dower  thereout  in  case  such  in- 
tended marriage  took  effect,  the  said  Kath  Eyres  entered 
into  a  bond  to  yo"'  petitioner,  as  son  &  heir  to  his  fiither, 
dat  12  Nov"",  1707,  in  the  penalty  of  2000*  conditioned 
that  in  case  y°  s^  marr  took  effect,  y'  s**  Kath  sho'*  not  de- 
mand any  dower  out  of  any  the  said  Waite  Winthrop's 
real  estates,  and  which  marriage  did  afterw*'  take  effect. 

That  yo'  petitioner's  said  father,  having  taken  all  these 
precautions  to  keep  his  real  estate  whole  and  unbroken, 
and  having  disposed  of  and  preferred  his  daughter  in 
marriage  in  his  life  time,  and  having  made  provision  for 
his  said  wife,  and  having  no  other  issue  save  only  your 
petitioner  &  his  said  daughter,  and  well  knowing  that  his 
real  estate  by  the  words  of  the  Charter  and  the  coinon 
law  of  this  realm  must  come  and  descend  unto  yo''  peti- 
tioner at  his  death  as  heir  at  law,  according  to  his  inten- 
tions,  he  did   not  therefore  make  any  will,  but  in  the 

1717.  latter  end  of  the  year  1717  died  intestate,  on 
dTedTnt"?™^  whose  death  your  petitioner,  as  his  only  son 
of  Jower*'^'^'^  find  heir  at  law  as  he  is  advised,  and  humbly  in- 
&aQ?l'd-  sists  by  y*  coinon  law  of  the  land  and  y"  words 
Zrlo"  of  the  Charter  became  intitled  to  all  his  said  fa- 
Tho.  Lech-  ^j^gp'g  YQ^i  estates,  and  which  he  entered  on  and 
possed  accordingly. 

That  soon  after  the  said  Wait  Winthrop's  death  the 
26  Dec  1717  ^^^^  Kath""  his  wid"  in  cons  of  yo'  petitioner's 
wid.  psuant'  paving  to  her  5328'*'  12'  2'',  the  suin  agreed  to  be 

to  bond  re-        i^    ''       °  '  _  ^  _ 

oir^e't"'"'"  p"*  her  by  her  s*  husband  before  their  intermar- 
M-^8 ^2**2  "age,  being  the  marriage  portion  she  brought 
ff  admnfo"  'with  her,  &  psuant  to  her  s"*  bond,  26  Dec',  1717, 
^^^'-  she  executed  a  general  release  to  yo'  petitioner 

(as  only  son  &  heir  of  his  s*  father),  his  heirs,  exec",  &c., 
and  particularly  of  all  her  right  of  dower  to  the   said 


1727.]  BEIEF    IN   APPEAL   TO    PKIVT    COUNCIL.  445 

Waite  Winthrop's  real  estate  ;  and  23'^  same  Dec''  said  Kath 
signed  a  writing  certifying  that  by  an  agreem'  made  be- 
tween her  &   her  s**  husb'*  before  marriage  she  was  to 
have  resigned  &  renounced  all  her  right  to  the  intestate's 
estate  or  the  adin''con  thereof,  and  did  assign  all  the  right 
of  adin'oon  she  might  or  could  have  to  yo""  petitioner,  and 
desired  adiii^con  might  be  granted  to  him  accordingly. 
And  accordingly,  21  Feb^,  1717,  at  the  Court  of  Pro- 
bates held  for  y"  County  of  New  London  in  Connecticut, 
Ires   of  adiu'con  were  granted  to  yo'  petitioner  of  the 
goods,  chatties,  and  credits  of  his  s*  father,  late  2iFeb.,i7i7. 
of  Boston   afores'' ;  and  yo''  petitioner    entered  ^^^^^  "^at- 
into  bond  by  himself  and  one  surety  to  Rich''  Its'Vanted^" 
Christopher,  Esq"",  then   Judge    of  y°   Court  of  court' Jf 
Probates  for  the  s*  County  of  New  London,  in  countyof"' 
3000*  penalty  conditioned    for   yo'  petitioners  Connecticut. 
making  a   true    inventory  of  all    and  singular  mate  inven- 
the  goods,  chatties,  and   credits  of  the  deced,  IcS'to'lrJf, 
and  to  exhibit  the  same  into  the  registry  of  the 
said  Court  of  Probates  on  or  before  the  second  Tuesday 
in  August  then  next,  and  the  same  well  &  truely  to  adm' 
according   to   law,   and    to    make   a  true  account  of  his 
adiu'con  at  or  before  the  2'*  Tuesday  in  April,  1719,  and 
to  deliver  &  pay  the  ballance  of  such  account  (the  same 
being  first  exixled  and  allowed  by  the  Court)  as  the  Court 
by  their  decree  or  sentence  pursuant  to  the  true  intent 
&  meaning  of  the  law  should  limit  and  appoint,  and  the 
like  adiFfcon  yo'  petitioner  took  out  to  the  said  Likeadmn 
intestates  psonal  estate  in  the  County  of  SufFolke  coimty"of 
in  the  Massachusets,  and  gave  the  like  adiu'con  jialkichC 
bond  to  Samuel  Sewell,  Esq',  Judge  of  y"  Pro-  ^'^'^' 
bates  for  the  s**  Count}-  of  Suffolk,  and  in  which  adin^con 
the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  and  Abel  Wall  *  were  bound 
with  yo'  petitioner  as  his  sureties. 

That  your  petitioner  having  paid  &  advanced  to  &  for 

*  The  name  should  be  Abiel  Walley.  —  Eds. 


446  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

and  on  y  acco'  of  y°  s*  The.  Lechmere,  who  had  inter- 
Petr  pd  married  with  his  sister  in  her  father's  hfe  time, 

ux^m"'" y?  as  afores*,  much  more  than  her  share  of  y'  s"*  in- 
lifeon'r!'"'  testate's  psonal  estate  come  to  yo''  petition- 
moftTpsi.  er's  hands,  and  having  on  all  occasions  to  the 
dJb'ts''but"  vtmost  of  his  power  approved  himself  a  true 
Xich'"'''  brother  to  his  s*  sister  and  a  friend  to  y"  s^ 
chK'"  Tho.  Lechmere,  and  the  said  Tho^  &  Anne  Lech- 
receire.  mere  having  actually  possed  most  of  the  said 
Wait  Winthrop's  psonal  estate,  he  d3dng  at  Boston  where 
they  both  were,  your  petitioner  being  at  his  father's  death 
at  New  London,  and  the  said  Tho.  &  Anne  Lechmere  not 
having  required  your  petitioner  to  exhibit  any  inventorj'- 
or  adnfcon  of  his  acco'",  and  having  paid  and  discharged 
all  the  intestate's  debts  save  only  one  bond  which  he  often 
offered  to  pay,  but  the  obligee  therein  always  declined 
taking  the  principal,  and  on  which  bond  yo'  pet'  always 
duely  p"*  y*  int,  and  therefore  yo'  pet'  did  not  apprehend 
it  any  ways  incumbent  on  him  to  exhibit  the  same. 

That  upwards  of  six  years  after  the  said  adin'cons  so 
taken  out,  yo'  petitioner  being  then  at  Boston  paying  a 
visit  to  his  s''  sister  &  M'  Lechmere,  his  family  being  then 
at  New  London,  he  reced  a  message  from  home  of  his  chil- 
dren being  taken  ill  and  that  he  was  much  wanted,  which 
requiring  yo'  petitioners  immediate  departure  from  Bos- 
ton, he  acquainted  his  sister  &  her  husband  herewith,  and 
the  very  morning  he  was  going,  and  wlien  his  horses 
were  at  the  door,  M'  Lechmere  caused  yo'  petitioner  with- 
out any  previous  notice  thereof  to  be  sumoned  in  the 
Court  of  Probates  in  his  own  house  to  appear  before  the 
said  Court  &  give  in  an  inventory  of  the  intestate's  estate 
in  the  County  of  Suffolke,  and  also  his  adiTi'con  accounts, 
and  also  to  be  arrested  at  his  own  suit  on  account  of  his 
being  bound  as  suretie  with  your  petitioner  in  the  said 
adm'con  bond,  and  insisted  on  yo'  pgt"  giving  bail  in 
4000*. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO    PRIVY   COUNCIL.  447 

That  your  petitioner  could  not  but  be  greatly  sur- 
prized at  a  treatment  of  this  nature  from  one  he  had 
endeavour'd  so  much  to  serve  &  oblige,  and  especially 
as  the  said  M'  Lechmere  nor  his  wife  or  any  one  else 
had  not  mentioned  any  thing  of  that  nature  or  any 
ways  in  relation  to  the  said  adm''conship  to  yo""  peti- 
tioner, tho  your  petitioner  had  been  with  them  near  three 
months,  and  as  the  s**  M"'  Lechmere  well  knew  the  neces- 
sity of  yo""  petitioners  imediate  returning  to  New  Lon- 
don, and  that  he  had  none  of  his  papers  ab'  him,  they 
being  all  at  New  London,  which  was  above  100  miles 
distance.  However  yo'  petitioner  made  his  immediate 
application  to  the  Courts  there  &  appeared  to  the  said 
action  (which  was  afterw"*'  discharged),  and  then  returned 
to  Connecticutt. 

That  the  Gov™'  of  Connecticut  having  conceived  some 
very  great  prejudices  ag"  yo"  petitioner,  as  yo""  pef 
humbly  conceives,  &  that  for  no  other  reason  that  yo' 
pet"  knows  or  ever  heard  of  than  because  you'  pef 
has  always  supported  the  prerogative  of  yo'  Majtie  in 
that  Province,  and  taken  all  proper  occasions  to  put 
them  in  mind  of  the  terms  and  conditions  of  their 
Charter,  which  was  so  obtained  for  them  by  yo'  petition- 
er's ancestor  as  afs'*  and  which  they  have  of  late  years 
seemed  too  much  to  forget,  and  they  uniting  with  the 
said  Lechmere  to  ruine  and  oppress  yo'  petitioner,  as 
yo'  pet'  has  great  reason  to  apprehend  and  believe,  in 
order  to  accomplish  which  yo'  petitioner  further  shews 
that  on  25  July,  1724,  the  said  Tho.  Lechmere  in  his 
own  name,  and  the  name  of  his  wife,  yo'  peti''*  sister, 
whom  he  has  pleased  to  stile  in  all  the  proceedings 
hereafter  stated  only  daughter  &  coheir  of  the  s"* 
Wait  Winthrop,  tho',  as  yo'  petitioner  apprehends  &  is 
advised,  such  terras  are  inconsistent  with  each  other, 
itt  being  impossible  in  the  nature  of  the  thing  for  an 
only   daughter   to   be   a   coheir.      However,  by  such  a 


448  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

25 July,  1724,  description  of  his  wife  and  in  her  right  as  coheir 
urprti"oad  with  yo''  petitioner,  he  petitioned  the  Judge  of 
bat"lforNew  j"  Court  of  Probates  for  New  London  afores'', 
reTuce"in"es-  alleadging  y°  s**  Wait  Winthrop's  estate  remained 
tollegai&  unsettled,  and  that  he  was  held  out  of  his  just 
m"ent  Sum-  proportiou  thereof,  which  ought  to  be  distributed 
cause  why  he  aud  Set  out  to  his  Said  wife,  and  therefore  prayed 
inveiitorv       such  mcasurcs  might  be  taken  as  were  consist- 

estate&fin-  ....  -,     ,  „  ,        .  ■ 

ish  hisadm".  ent  with  justice  and  the  power  &  authority  of  y° 
psiexhited.     Court  of  Probates  in  ord''  to  reduce   the   said 

insisted  . 

they  had       estatc  to  a   legal    and    lust    settlement,  upon 

nothinstodo        ,  .    ,  .    °  "'      _  ,  ^     , 

'"i-  h  h  which  yo""  petitioner  was  sumoned  to  appear  and 
claimed  as  ghew  causc  OH  Tucsday  then  next,  28""  of  s*  July, 
admr.  -why  he  had  neglected   to  inventory  the  said 

intestate's  estate,  and  finish  his  adin''con  according  to  his 
said  bond. 

Th.at  your  petitioner  was  much  surprised  to  find  such 

a  proceeding  as  this  comenced.     However,  yo""  pef  ap- 

28  July,     peared    on   s^  28  July,   and    exhibited    an    in- 

Court  refused    '■  •  ■,     . 

toadn.itsuch  vcntory  01    the    said  mtestate  s  nsonal    estate, 

inventory.  "  *  ' 

Pet'appeai'd  and  at  the  foot  thereof  insisted  that  adm"  had 
Court.  nothing    to  do  with  lands ;    they  belonged  to 

the  heir  at  law,  and  that  he  was  in  possion  of  them  as 
his  right  of  intiitance  according  to  the  law  and  custome 
of  England,  and  that  therefore  he  was  not  obliged  to 
exhibit  any  account  of  the  real  estate,  that  not  being 
cognizable  by  that  Court,  and  which  inventory  yo'  peti- 
tioner moved  might  be  accepted  and  recorded.  AVhere- 
npon  the  Court  the  same  day  by  their  decree  reciting 
the  said  Lechmere's  petition,  and  the  sumons  thereon 
to  yo'  petitioner,  and  that  yo'  petitioner  had  offered 
his  objections  in  writing  why  he  had  neglected  to  inven- 
tory the  real  estate  of  the  deced,  and  had  exhibited  an 
inventory  of  some  personal  estate  of  the  deced  without 
any  estimate  or  appraisement  made  on  them  as  the  law 
directed,  and  moved  it  might  be  accepted  as  a  perfect 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO   PRIVY    COUNCIL.  44D 

inventory  of  the  said  estate,  and  declaring  they  were 
fully  satisfied  the  same  was  not  a  true  &  perfect  inven- 
tory of  all  y"  s'*  intestate's  estate  within  that  county, 
and  that  yo'  petitioners  objections  were  ag^'  the  known 
laws  of  that  Colony,  and  the  constant  practice  upon 
them,  —  the  Court  decreed  that  the  said  inventory 
should  not  be  admitted,  and  refused  to  admit  it  as  such 
an  inventory  of  the  intestate's  estate  as  ought  to  be 
exhibited  and  recorded  in  the  records  of  that  Court, 
from  which  sentence  yo'  petitioner  appealed  to  the  next 
Superior  Court,  and  the  said  Lechmei'e  then  moving  for 
liberty  to  put  yo''  petitioners  adm''con  bond  in  suit  at  the 
Special  County  Court  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  Aug'  then 
next,  the  Court  was  of  opinion  it  could  not  equitably  be 
refused  &  denyed  him  after  so  long  a  time  as  six  years, 
which  had  been  allowed  yo'  petitioner  to  settle  the  said 
estate,  and  thereupon  the  Court  was  pleased  to  ^^^an'/"'/' 
allow  thereof,  &  accordiujjlv  the  said  Lechmere,  ?'''^t''  "^  , 

^  *^  '    Lechmere  3 

29  same  July,  brought  an    action  of   debt  for  "f  jlj°"u'^te 
3000*  against  yo'  petitioner  on  the  said  bond  in  couiftyc'oart 
the  name  of  Rich*^  Christopher  as  Judge  of  the  Ki"hd"chri3- 


be  holden  at  New  London  on  the  first  Tuesday 
of  August  then  next,  and  took  out  a  writ  or  o^onfin^a  toTe 
sumons  for  sumonsing  yo''  petitioner  to  appear  ^N^vr."^""^ 
at  that  time  accordingly  before  the  said  Court,  tho'  in 
reallity  yo'  petitioner  humbly  informs  yo'  Majesty  all 
such  Special  County  Courts  had  been  then  long  before 
abolished,  viz',  by  an  Act  of  Assembly  passed  in  the  tenth 
year  of  her  late  Majties  reign  intituled  An  Act  for  estab- 
lishing Superior  Courts,  and  altering  the  times  of  holding 
the  County  or  Inferior  Courts  in  the  several  counties  of 
the  Colony,  and  by  which  all  Spial  County  Courts  were 
abolished,  and  the  County  or  Inferior  Courts  reducted  to 
certein  stated  times  of  meeting,  viz',  for  New  London  in 

57 


450  THE   WINXnEOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

June  and  November  and  at  no  other  time,  nor  had  there 
been  any  such  Court  held  before  since  that  time  save 
once  in  relation  to  that  Act,  and  before  such  Act  such 
courts  could  only  be  held  upon  extraordinary  occasions, 
whereas  there  was  no  such  occasion  in  this  case,  and 
besides  such  sumons  was  not  within  time  served  on  yo' 
petitioner,  supposing  such  a  Special  Court  could  have  had 
any  existence. 

pietto"^''  '^^^^*  ^^  *^^  ^'^  ^^  ^^  ^^^g''  y^'  peticoner  ap- 

overrafed  pearcd  at  what  was  so  stiled  the  Special  County 
Court,  and  pleaded  in  bar  to  their  proceedings  on  the 
said  action  that  the  said  Special  County  Court,  as  it  was 
stiled,  had  no  foundation  or  power  in  the  law  to  sumons 
any  of  his  Majesties  subjects  to  answer  before  them,  as 
appeared  by  the  above  recited  Act,  to  which  he  referred, 
and  the  foundation  of  such  a  Court  failing,  yo''  petitioner 
insisted  all  that  was  built  thereupon  must  fixU  with  it, 
always  saving  to  himself  his  plea  in  abatement  of  the 
writ,  and  the  pit  for  reply  thereto  said  the  said  Act  had 
no  relation  to  special  courts,  but  stated  courts. 

Whereupon  the  Court  the  same  day  gave  their  opinion 
Pet' appealed  that  yo"'  petitioners  said  plea  was  insufficient  to 
*s°upeHor  barr  the  pits  action,  and  overruled  the  same, 
and  adjudged  that  the  action  should  proceed 
and  yo'  petitioner  pay  costs,  from  which  determination 
yo'  petitioner  appealed  to  the  next  Superior  Court. 

That  at  the  same  time  the  said  Lechmere  in  his  own 
Same  Court  name  and  y"  name  of  y°  s*  Abel  Walley  also 
Lecbmerc^^  brought  auothcr  action  upon  the  case  in  y*  same 
f  ™p7e.  Spial  County  Court  ag»'  yo'  petitioner  in  SlOO"^' 
recovd^ag"'  damages,  pretending  the  said  Samuel  Sewall  as 
lyXpet"'  Judge  of  the  Probate  of  Wills  for  the  County 
alim""/"'"'  of  Suffolke  in  the  Massachusets  Province  had 
Suff.  ■  recoverd   judgment    against    them    in    the    s* 

County  of  Suffolk  for  3000 »>  debt  and  2:5:6  costs  upon 
your  petitioner's  adiu'con  bond  so  given  to  the  said  Sam. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO    PKIVY    COUNCIL.  451 

Sewall  as  aforesaid,  and  wherein  the  said  Tho.  Lechraere 
&  Abel  Walley  were  bound  as  sureties  with  yo'  petitioner 
as  afores*^,  on  acco'  of  yo"  petitioners  not  having  exhibited 
any  inventory  or  brouglit  in  his  adih''con  accounts  pur- 
suant to  the  condition  of  tlie  said  bond,  and  to  which 
action  yo''  petitioner  likewise  appeared  and  pleaded  in 
barr  as  afores'*,  and  the  pits  replyed  :  and   the  same  piea 

^  ....         overruled. 

said  Court  made  y°  like  determination  as  m  the  Appeal. 
said  other  action,  from  which  yo''  petitioner  in  like  manner 
appealed. 

That  the  said  Lechmere  being  resolved  to  give  yo'  pe- 
titioner all  y*  vexation  &  trouble,  and  to  put  him  to  all 
y"  expence  possible,  he  at  the  same  time  also  4.„i,gof 
brought  four  several  writs  of  ptition  in  his  own  gr^/andsTn 
name  and  the  name  of  his  wife,  pits  ag'  yo''  peti-  ^"Uave'Tai- 
tioner,  deP  in  the  s^  Spial  County  Court,  thereby  &"x.'"^ 
setting  forth  that  the  said  Waite  Winthrop  dyed  &c'!^p'"'' 
seized  in  fee  of  the  several  parcells  of  land  and  premisses 
in  New  London  in  the  said  four  writs  set  forth,  and  which 
to  create  vexation  and  expence  he  is  pleased  to  divide 
into  four  several  writs,  and  left  issue  only  yo'  petitioner 
and  the  said  Anne  Lechmere,  who  were  his  only  coheirs, 
and  to  whom  at  his  death  his  said  land  and  premisses  de- 
scended, and  whereby  they  became  seized  of  the  premisses 
as  their  own  proper  estate  in  fee,  viz',  two  thirds  thereof 
to  yo'  petitioner,  and  the  other  one  third  to  the  said  Anne 
Lechmere  ;  but  yo'  petitioner  and  the  said  Lechmere  and 
his  wife  could  not  agree  to  divide  said  premisses  according 
to  their  respective  rights  ;  whereupon  said  pits  Lechmere 
and  his  wife  demanded  of  your  petitioner  a  partition  of 
the  said  lands  &  apurtenances,  that  their  one  third  might 
be  set  out  by  meets  and  bounds  with  costs. 

That  yo'  pet'  apprehended  these  actions  to  be  of  the 
most  extraordinary  nature  possible,  being  brought  not 
only  to  recover  from  yo'  pet'  what  his  father  had  in  a 
very  solemn  manner  given  to  and  put  him  in  possion  of 


452  THE   WINTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

in  his  own  life  time  and  made  your  petitioners  own  estate 
as  afores'*,  but  to  establish  a  right  of  succession  in  the 
female  issue  with  the  male  issue,  which,  as  your  pet'  is 
advised  &  humbly  apprehends,  is  expressly  contrary  to  y' 
comon  laws  of  this  land  and  directly  contrary  to  y"  let- 
ter and  intention  of  the  said  Charter ;  however,  yo'  pef 
appeared  and  severally  pleaded  the  like  plea  in  barr  to  all 
y"  said  4  actions  as  he  had  done  to  the  said  other  2,  and 
the  pits  replying  in  like  manner,  and  the  Court  giving  the 
same  judgment,  yo"'  pef  also  appealed  therefrom  to  the 
next  Superior  Court. 

That  the  extream  concern  and  vexation  such  a  be- 
haviour as  this  from  the  s*  M'  Lechmere  flung  yo'  orator 
into  a  severe  fit  of  sickness  of  near  three  months  con- 
tinuance, so  that  when  the  next  Superior  Court  met  yo' 
pet'  was  confined  in  his  bed,  and  was  uncapable  either  to 
attend  the  said  Court  himself  or  to  instruct  his  councell 
with  what  was  necessary  for  his  defence  and  safety,  and 
22Sep,,i724.  therefore,  considering  the  value,  weight,  &  na- 
TppaK  pe^'  tuJ'e  of  the  actions  depending,  22"^  Sept',  1724, 
fineTp"""  ^6  caused  a  petition  to  be  presented  to  the  said 
sickness.  Superlor  Court  praying  in  consideration  of  the 
premisses  the  s'*  appeals  might  be  adjourned  over  to  the 
next  Superior  Court  for  that  County. 

That  at  the  very  same  time  yo'  petitioner  was  thus  ap- 
plying to  have  all  his  said  appeals  adjourned  over  to  a 
Entry  as  to  futurc  day  yo'  pet'  finds  an  entry  made  in  the 
court'ofFvo-  record  in  yo'  pet"  said  appeal  from  the  deter- 
had  With-'"  mination  of  the  Court  of  Probates  on  the  28  of 
condTJaid  July  disallowing  the  inventory  yo'  pet'  had  ex- 
m  costs.  hibited  as  afores**,  purporting  that  the  pties 
appeared  at  the  Court,  and  that  yo'  pet'  withdrew  his  said 
appeal,  and  that  thereupon  yo'  pet'  was  condemned  in 
costs,  whereas  yo'  pet'  humbly  affirms  he  did  not  then 
attend  the  s*  Court,  nor  did  he  give  any  directions  or  au- 
thority whatever  to  his  attorney  or  any  other  pson  wliat- 


1727.]  BRIEF    IX   APPEAL    TO    PEIYY    COUNCIL.  453 

ever  to  withdraw  that  or  any  other  of  his  said  appeals, 
but  on  the  contrary  he  expressly  directed  his  attorneys 
to  get  them  all  adjourned  if  practickable,  if  not,  to  de- 
fend y"  same  in  the  best  manner  possible. 

That  the  Court  on  yo''  pet"  s'*  memorial  were  of  opinion 
yo''  peticoner's  reasons  were  not  sufficient  to  adjourn  over 
y°  s''  appeals,  and  therefore  ordered  the  same  to  Pieastothe 

•^  J  1  '  ]urisdic. 

proceed  ;   and  thereupon,  in  yo"'   pet"    appeale  overruled; 
from  the  judgm'  given  in  the  s'^  action  in  the  name  of  s* 
Christopher  as  Judge  of  the   Probates  of  New  London, 
by  their  judgm'  bearing  date  y°  first  Tuesday  in  Sep'', 
1724,  the  Court  declared  the  Act  in  yo''  pet"  plea  in  barr 
mentioned  did  not  repeale  that  clause  in  the  law  which 
allowed  of  a  Spial  County  Court  to  be  appointed  and  held 
as  had   been  vsual  on  extraordinary   occasions,  and   af- 
firmed the  jurisdiction  of  y®    s*   Special   County  Court, 
upon  which  yo''  pef'  attorney,  who  was  then  present,  of- 
fered pleas  in  abatement  of  the  writ,  but  which  y°  Court 
refused  to  receive,  alleadging  them  to  be  out  of  i,ut  ordrd 
season.     But  notwithstanding  it  appearing  by  ofxtopSnot 
the  return  of  the  office  that  the  writ  had  never  Jfetnofhave 
been  legally  served  on  yo""  pef,  the  said  Court  serv'd  w*^ 
adjudged  that  the  said  action  should   not  pro-  ™'" 
ceed,  and  gave  yo""  pef  2"^  costs  ;  and  on  yo'  pet"  appeale 
from  the  said  judgm'  given  in  favour  of  Tho'  Lechmere  & 
Abiel  Walley  the  same  day,  the  Court  overruled  yo'  pe- 
ticoners  plea  in  barr  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Spial  County 
Court ;  whereupon  yo'  pet'  by  his  said  attorney  g^^,  ^^^,^ 
demurred    generally,  in  which  the  pit  having  a°Jo^""'" 
joined,  the    said    Superior   Court   gave  judgm'  •iXV'Ji^r^pt^. 
thereon  for  the  pits,  and  that  they  should  re-  pr'ayf^to 
cover  against  yo'  pet'  the  said  3100*  damage  courf&''^"'"' 
with  costs,  from  which  sentence  yo'  pet'  prayed  ''"°'^'<*- 
&  was  admitted  a  review  to  the  next  Superior  Court  on 
giving  the  vsual  security;  and  the  s"*  four  appeals  on  the 
said  M'  Lechmere  and  his  wife's  writs  of  partition  also 


454  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

coming  on  at  y°  same  time,  the  said  Court  overruled  yo' 
pet"  several  pleas  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  s**  Special 
County  Courts  in  all  the  said  actions,  whereupon  yo"  pef 
by  his  said  attorney  to  all  the  said  actions  likewise  de- 
murred generally ;  and  the  pits  having  joined  in  demur- 
rer, and  the  same  coming  on  to  be  argued,  the  said  Court 
in  all  the  said  actions  severally  gave  judgment  ag*  j-o'' 
pef,  and  adjudged  that  a  partition  should  be  made  of  all 
y''  lands  in  y"  s**  writs  severally  contained,  and  that  writs 
should  issue  to  the  Sheriffe  comanding  him  by  the  oaths 
of  three  sufficient  freeholders  to  set  out  one  third  part 
thereof  to  pits  in  severalty  by  meets  &  bounds,  and  yor' 
pet"  was  also  condemned  in  costs,  from  all  which  judgm** 
yo'  pef  in  like  manner  prayed  and  was  admitted  a  review 
to  the  next  Superior  Court. 

That  one  of  y'  s'^  4  several  reviews  in  y'  s*  partition 
23  March,  actious  coming  on  to  be  argued  at  y'  Superior 
ontneofthe  Court  held  23  March,  1724,  the  Court  on  yo' 
part^c!**  pst"  demurrers  were  of  opinion  that  a  declara- 
opinbn  y'  tion  of  y*  scizin  of  y"  ancestor,  and  of  y"  number 
ofthe  seis?S  of  his  children  or  those  who  by  the  laws  of  that 
tOT&t'hTno'  govei'nment  were  to  inherit,  together  w*  y^ 
the  propOT-^  proporcons  menconed  in  y'  law  was  insufficient 
8ufft'tTsup°p"t  to  support  y"  demand,  the  regulation  whereof 
the  re"puiac.  by  y'  law  of  y"  &^  Colony  is  lodged  with  y'  Court 
laTfoihe  ^  of  Probates;  whereupon  the  Court  gave  judg- 
p?ob*at°es.  ment  for  yo'  pef,  and  adjudged  that  the  pit's 
forget'?"  ^  declaration  &  matters  therein  contained  were 
withdrew  y    not  Sufficient  to  maintain  y"  s"*  action,  and  also 

"  "  adjudged  that  yo'  pef  should  recover  his  costs 
of  Court  from  the  pit  to  be  taxed  ;  whereupon  all  the 
other  actions  were  continued  to  the  next  Court,  at  which 
Court  y'  said  M"  Lechmere  withdrew  his  said  other  three 
partition  actions. 

The  ace.  of  And  the  review  on  the  action  of  y°  s"*  Tho. 
waiiey.      Lechmere  &  Abiel  Walley  demanding  3100*  dam- 


17:^7.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO   PKIVY    COUNCIL.  455 

age  coining  on  before  the  said  Superior  Court  Petr  waved 
on  28  Sept'   1725,  yo''  pef  waived  his  demurrer  pi«uied 

...  ,  .  sen'  issue. 

and  pleaded  the  general  issue   to  y"  s    action,  vdicttor 
and   issue  being  thereon    joined  and  witnesses  judg'. 
examined,  the  jury  brought  in  a  verdict  for  yo'  pef  gen- 
erally,  upon   which  judgment   was   given   for  yo'   pet' 
with  costs. 

That  your  petitioner  having  thus  defeated  y^  s'*  Lech- 
mere  in  all  his  s^  actions  &  attempts  upon  him,  he  well 
hoped  he  should  now  sit  down  &  enjoy  his  own  inherit- 
ance with  that  quiet  &  security  as  by  law  he  ouglit,  and 
that  y°  s"*  Lechmere  would  be  convinced  of  the  injustice 
of  his  said  attempts  and  of  his  vsage  of  yo'  pet' ;  but  your 
pet'  quickly  found  himself  mistaken,  and  that  the  de- 
signs ag"  yo'  pet'  were  laid  too  deep  for  your  peticoner 
to  avoid  the  ill  consequences  of  them,  for  it  now  coming 
out  that  yo'  peticoner's  inheritance  could  not  be  split  and 
tore  to  peices  by  the  coinon  ordinary  means  of  justice  as 
the  law  was  then  understood,  some  more  certain  ^p,  ^^gg. 
and  irresistable  way  was  to  be  found  out  to  op-  petls^to  the 
press  yo'  petitioner,  and  for  that  purpose  the  ^S',&Rep,^ 
said  Tho.  Lechmere  in  the  name  of  himself  &  be'^sem! '° 
his  wife  preferred  a  petition  in  April,  1725,  di-  '''^'^■ 
rected  to  the  Governor,  Council!,  and  Representatives  to  be 
assembled  in  General  Court  the  second  Thursday  of  May, 
1725,  setting  forth  their  having  brought  their  s''  writs  of 
partition  ag"  yo'  pet'  for  a  third  part  of  y^  s*  Wait  Still 
Winthrop's  estate,  alleadging  y®  same  to  have  descended 
to  yo'  pet'  and  y*  said  Anne  as  the  only  children  &  coheirs 
of  y"  s*  Wait  Still  Wiiithrop,  which  action  being  fully 
tryed  in  the  Superior  Court,  where,  on  yo'  pet"  demurrer, 
the  Cort  were  of  opinion  the  regulation  &  settlem'  of  in- 
testates estates  was  lodged  with  y"  Cort  of  Probates,  and 
gave  judgm*  ag''  y*  s*  Lechmere  with  costs,  so  that  they 
were  never  like  to  recover  of  your  pet'  the  one  third  of  the 
said  Wait  Winthrop's  estate,  which  as  they  alleadged  de- 


456  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

Aiiedge  im-     sceuded  to  them  as  afores''  without  the  aid  and 

possibiiitv  of 

vTvcoveiy     relief  of  that  Assembly;    and  that    either   by 

from  insuthcr  "  '' 

of  laws  reason  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  direction  of  the 

provided,  or    laws  of  the  Colouy  already  made  and  provided 

Courts  expo-  rt  . 

sic.  of  them,  or  by  the  Courts  sense  or  exposition  thereof  as 
that  House  might  be  pleased  to  understand ;  for,  first, 
1)  they  had  ^^  they  alleadge  they  had  no  remedy  by  the 
cLp'^s'i"''  comon  law,  as  appeared  by  the  said  judgment 
j"^s'-  against  them;  nor,   secondly,  any    remedy  by 

the  Court  of  Probates,  for  that  yo'  pet',  being  adm",  had 
not  presented  any  inventory  of  y"  a^  estate  as 
Court  of  Pro-  afores*,  but  refused  so  to  do,  nor  could  they 

bates  because  „  .  . 

no  iiiveiitory    have  releif  by  forfeiture  of  your  peticoner's  ad- 

exhited  of         _  ■'  .  

real  &  bond    m''con  bond  of  3000*  if  put  in  suit,  that  sum  if 

of  30001,  not  '^  ' 

nearvaiue  rccovcred  falling  several  thousand  pounds  short 
of  their  thirds  in  said  estate,  and  as  the  laws  of 
the  Colony  had  given  the  said  Tho.  &  Anne  Lechmere  a 
right  to  one  third  of  the  said  estate,  they  could  not  con- 
ceive it  consistent  with  the  honour,  dignity,  &  ju.stice 
of  y°  Colony,  but  that  the  government  already  had  or 
would  afford  some  indisputable  method  for  their  better 
PrayAsscm-  obtaining  their  said  right,  so  that  the  said  law 
aside  judg'  might  uot  be  rendred  vain  and  fruitless.  They 
trvai wherein  therefore  praved  the  Assembly  to  take  the  prein- 

they  might        .  .  '',      r  .  ,  •  n       i  i  •  i 

weiisupport  isscs  luto  their  consideration,  and  that  the  said 
partic.',  not-    iudgment  might  be  set  aside,  and  a  new  tryal 

withstanding   "^        ^       ,        ,       °  ,  .  ,  .    ,  •   , 

theexposic.  granted  them  wherein  they  might,  notwith- 
pevior  Court    standing  the  exposition  of  the  Superior  Court 

upon  the  . 

Colony  law.  upou  the  Said  Colony  law,  well  support  or  main- 
tain their  s'^  action  of  partition  and  for  general  releif, 
which  petition,  tho'  of  so  very  extraordinary  a  nature, 
and  tho'  directed  to  a  Gen"  Court  not  then  in  being,  was 
received  and  an  order  made  thereon  .signed  Xtopher  Xto- 
phers,  A.ssistant,  and  dated  the  29  of  April,  1725,  (which 
was  before  the  Gen"  Court  was  a.ssenibled,)  and  directed 
to  the  Sheriffe,  requiring  lain  to  suiiions  y"  pet'  to  appear 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO    PRIVY   COUNCIL.  457 

before  the  General  Court  at  Hartford  the  first  Tuesday 
after  y"  2*^  Thursday  of  May  then  next,  to  answer  the  said 
petition,  which  was  served  on  yo""  pef  the  first  of  May,  1725; 
and  accordingly  yo"'  pef  appeared  &  put  in  his  answer,  13 
May,  1725,  thereby  insisting  the  said  petitioners  ought  not 
to  be  heard  on  their  said  petition,  for  that  nothing  was 
thereby  prayed  in  which  the  said  General  Court  ^^3,^^^., 
was  wont  or  ought  to  give  releif.     No  error  was  Xdg^dT 


leadged  wherein  the  laws  of  the  Colony  could  '''^'"'''''• 
releive,  and  ought  not  therefore  to  be  releived  by  this 
Court;  upon  which  answer  of  yo''  petitioners,  Resolved yt 
without  any  hearing  thereupon,  the  Assembly  ^'ou'r™"" 
immediately  resolved  that  releif  might  &  ought  I'he'probltes 
to  be  had  in  the  Probates  in  such  like  cases  by  c'ase"!by  a^ 
a  new  grant  of  an  adm'',  exhibiting  of  an  inven-  admn^^xMb^ 
tory  of  the  whole  estate,  and  a  distribution  made  venfo^y  if 
according  to  the  rules  of  law  upon  the  whole;  & a^cUs^ribue. 
-whereupon   it    was    resolved    that  the  petition  kw"  '"^  ° 
should  abate    and    the    def    recover    his    costs.  petTcIw^ 
That  the  Speaker  of  this  Assembly  was  attorney 
for  the  said  Lechmere  in  these  causes. 

That  your  petitioner  apprehended  this  to  be  a  very 
artfull  way  found  out  by  the  Assembly  to  reach  yo''  peti- 
tioner &  his  estate  by  coming  to  a  resolve  on  the  said 
Lechmere's  petition  (at  the  same  time  that  they  dis- 
missed it  as  improper)  to  let  the  Court  of  Probates  see 
that  the  Assembly  would  approve  of  their  exercising  an 
extraordinary  power  in  this  case  which  was  never  exer- 
cised before  in  any  other ;  and  yo''  pef  finding  from  this 
extraordinary  step  what  danger  he  was  in,  he 

I'l'Ti  •  I'Aii      29  June,  1725. 

agam   exhibited  the    inventory  of  his  father  s 
psonal  estate  come  to  his  hands  valued  &  appraised  upon 
oath,  and  again   insisted  in  writing  at  the  foot  thereof 
that  adm"'^  had  nothing  to  do  with  lands,  they  belonged  to 


458  THE    WIXTHKOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

him  as  heir  at  law,  and  who  had  been  many  years  and 
then  was  seized  and  pussed  of  them  as  his  right  of  inher- 
itance according  to  the  law  &  custome  of  England,  and 
that  no  real  estate  ought  by  law  to  be  exhibited  as  not 
cognizable  by  a  Cort  of  Probates,  and  yo"  petitioner  then 
Inventory  of  i^iovcd  that  the  Same  might  be  accepted  as  a 
Subited  ^"-ill  *^<^  perfect  inventory  of  all  the  intestate's 
on  oath.  estate  within  that  Colony  proper  for  a  Court  of 
Probates  by  law  to  expect  or  demand,  and  offered  his  oath 
that  it  was  y*  whole  personal  estate  of  the  deced  ;  upon 
which  being  informed  by  the  Court  that  the  law  of  that 
Colony  intituled  An  Act  for  the  Settlem*  of  Intestates 
Estates  had  directed  all  adm"  of  intestates  estates  to 
make  an  inventory  of  all  the  estate  of  y'  deced  as  well 
movable  as  immovable,  and  unless  yo''  pef  would  make 
oath  that  the  said  inventory  produced  by  him  was  an  in- 
ventory of  the  whole  of  the  intestates  real  as  well  as 
psonal  estate  come  to  his  knowledge,  y"  same  ought  not 
Rejected  be-  to  be  accepted  as  a  perfect  inventory  of  the  de- 
not  included,  ced'"  estatc,  which  oath  yo''  pet'  the  adm'  re- 
fused to  take,  insisting  he  ought  not  to  inventory  any  real 
estate  for  the  reasons  aforesaid,  the  s*  law  of  the  Colony 
notwithstanding.  Whereupon  Xtopher  Xtophers,  Judge 
of  the  said  Court  of  Probates,  and  who  is  also  to  the  Su- 
perior Court  and  is  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  rejected 
the  said  inventory  and  refused  to  accept  the  same  as  an 
inventory  agreeable   to   the   law  in    that   case 

Appeal. 

provided,  from  which  sentence  of  denyall  yo' 
petitioner  prayed  an  appeal  to  the  Superior  Court. 

That  after  this  appeale  prayed  and  allowed,  and  before 
the  same  came  on  to  be  argued,  the  said  Tho.  Lechmere 
moved  the  Court  of  Probates  that  adiu'con  might  be 
granted  to  him  of  the  said  Wait  Winthrop's  estate  in 
regard  yo'  pet'  had,  as  he  alleadged,  neglected  to  inven- 
tory y"  s'*  estate  or  give  any  account  of  his  adin'con,  so 
that  the  said  Tho'  had  been  hitherto   kept  out  of  his 


1727.]  BKIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO   PEIVY    COUXCIL.  459 

wife's  part  of  the  said  estate;  and  upon  his  petition  to 
the  General  Assembly,  it  was  resolved  by  the  Assembly 
to  be  the  only  proper  remedy  for  the  said  Lechmere  to 
recover  his  just  debt  to  take  out  adin'con  as  afores'^ ;  and 
yo""  pef  was,  on  the  26  of  Aug',  1725,  sumoned  to  attend 
the  Court  of  Probates  to  shew  cause  why  adiTfcon  ought 
not  to  be  granted  to  the  said  Tho.  Lechmere  in  manner 
afores'',  and  yo"  pet'  appeared,  and  the  matter  coming  on, 
30  Aug',  1725,  the  said  Lpchmere  produced  and  insisted 
on  y"  s*"  vote  of  Assembly ;   to  which  yo'  pet'  answered, 
that  since  then  &  before  Lechmere's  motion  he  had  ex- 
hibited an  inventory  into  that  Court  of  the  deced's  estate, 
but  which  the  Court  had  rejected,  upon  which  yo'  pet' 
had  appealed  to  the  Superior  Court,  and  which  Lechmeres 
appeal  was  depending,  and  'till  the  same  was  de-  ^dmnr" 
termined  no  new  adiTi'con  ought  to  be  granted,  J7ulea''ppGai 
which  the  Court  agreed  to,  and  refused  to  grant  H?a'p-'"^' 
Lechmere   a  new  adili'con  'till  the  said  appeal  ^'^^^'"^' 
was  determined,  from  which  sentence  Lechmere  appealed 
to  the  Superior  Court. 

That  yo'  petitioner's  appeal  coming  on  to  be  heard  be- 
fore the  Superior  Court,  28  Sept',  1725,  they 

„  .     .  ,  ,  „  ,  28Sepr,1725. 

were  of  opinion  that  real  as  well  as  psonal  es- 
tate is  ordered  to  be   inventoryed  by  the  laws  of  that 
Colony,  and  that  all  Courts  of  Probates  ought  Bothsenten- 
to  be  guided  in  their  adiii'cons  thereby,   not-  '^^^^^'^' 
withstanding  the  laws  of   England   do  not  ordain  that 
real  estates  should  be  inventoried,  and  thereupon  ordered 
that  the  said  adm'  should  not  be  admitted  to  evidence  to 
y*  s''  inventory  by  any  other  oath  than  that  which  was 
agreeable  to  the  laws  of  the  Province,  and  affirmed  the 
judgment  of  y°  Court  of  Probates,  and  condemned  yo' 
pet'  in  costs,  from  which  judgment  of  the  Superior  Court 
yo'  pet'  prayed  a  review  before  the  next  Supe-  ^^  reviews 
rior  Court ;  and  the  said  Lechmere's  appeal  com-  '"'''•'■'''• 
ing  on  at  the  same  time,  the  said  Court  also  affirmed  the 


460  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

judgm'  of  the  Court  of  Probates,  refusing  to  grant  him 
adm''con  as  afores'^  'till  yo'  pet"  said  appeal  was  deter- 
mined, from  which  sentence  the  said  Lechmere  pra3'ed 
and  had  a  review  likewise. 

That  your  petitioners  said  appeale  coming  on  to  be 
argued  by  way  of  review  before  y"  Superior  Court  on 
22  March,       22"  Mar,  172 1,  the  Court  were  pleased  to  affirm 


condemned  yo'  pet"  in  costs,  and  on  the    said 


i'adf,"  on  pel 
appeal  afiii, 

Lechmere's  review,  which  came  on  at  the  same  time,  the 
said  Superior  Court  forasmuch  as  yo''  pet"  said  appeale 
was  then  issued  and  determined,  and  that  it  appeared  to 
the  Court  that  yo'  pef  had  neglected  his  adni''con  up- 
wards of  7  years,  and  had  hitherto  by  his  neglect  kept 
s*  Lechmere  out  of  his  wife's  proportion  of  her  father's 
estate,  and  yo''  peticoner  then  giving  the  Court  to  un- 
derstand that  he  would  not  adm'  according  to  y°  laws  of 
y*  Colony  in  such  cases  provided,  the  Court  gave  their 
opinion  that  the  said  letters  of  adiu''con  formerly  granted 
to  y"'  pet'  should  be  vacated  and  a  new  adm""  appointed, 
and  accordingly  the  s*"  Court  by  their  sentence  ordered 
the  said  letters  of  adin''con  to  be  vacated,  and  that  the  said 
Tho'  Lechmere  &  Anne  his  wife,  the  only  daugh- 
meresadm-  tcr  of  the  dcccd,  sliould  havc  adiTi'con  on  the 
him  &  Hx.  &  said  estate,  and  the  s*  Superior  Court  thereby 

pet"  vacated.  _ 

granted  power  of  adm'con  to  the  said  Tho'  & 
Anne  Lechmere  on  the  s*  Wait  Winthrop's  estate,  and 
yo'  pef  was  condemned  in  costs  in  that  action,  from  both 
which  judgments  of  the  s"*  Superior  Court  yo'  petit-oner 
Appeal  to  prayed  an  appeale  to  yo'  Majesty  in  Councill  on 
!irsired^&  giving  security,  but  which  was  in  a  contemptu- 
demed.  ^^^  manner  denyed  him,  tho'  often  demanded 

and  insisted  on ;  the  Court  saying  they  were  not  under 
yo'  Majties  government,  and  their  Charter  knew  nothing 
of  yo'  Majesty  in  Councill,  and  that  yo'  pet'  might  come 
and  tell  yo'  Majtie  that  they  denyed  him  an  appeal  and 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO    PRIVY   COUNCIL.  461 

bid  him  take  evidence  thereof,  which  yo''  pef  accord- 
ingly did,  and  has  affid''  taken  before  one  of  the  Justices 
of  y"  s'^  Colony  to  prove  the  same,  which  are  herewith 
humbly  presented. 

That  your  petitioner  finding  his  inheritance  was  in  this 
imminent  danger  of  being  torn  in  peices,  and  his  applica- 
tion for  releif  to  yo""  Majesty  being  thus  denyed  him,  to 
prevent  if  possible  any  thing  being  done  to  his  prejudice 
in  the  p'^mise^  till  he  could  lay  his  case  before  yo"'  Majesty, 
yo""  petitioner  entered  &  signed  his  protest  as 

•'         ^  ,  Protests  en- 

heir   at  law  to  his   father  ag"  any  illegal  pro-  tered  in  court 

"  ''  °         ^  of  Probate,  v. 

ceedings  of  the  Court  of  Probates,  viz.  That  the  Adin-.  to 

"  Lechmere  & 

Court    presumed  not   under   colour  of   law  to  ».  Division  of 

'^  _  1  •  I  ^"'^  estate. 

grant  Ires  of  adm''con  on  the  said  estate  to  any 
otlier  person  whatsoever ;  the  Court  having  already 
lodged  that  power  with  yo'  pef,  who  was  most  immedi- 
ately concerned  in  the  matter,  and  also  entered  a  caution 
and  protest  ag''  y"  division  of  any  real  estate  pretended  to 
belong  to  yo'  petitioner's  said  father  in  the  said  Colony 
of  Connecticut,  all  such  real  estate  being  yo'  petitioner's 
undoubted  right  of  inheritance,  who  was  seized  and  pos- 
sessed of  the  same  according  to  the  law  and  custome  of 
England,  and  therefore  your  petieoner  protested  ag"  any 
proceedings  or  transactions  of  the  said  Court  contrary  to 
the  laws  of  England,  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  liberties 
and  immunities,  benefit,  right,  &  priviledge  of  which 
laws  apperteined  to  yo'  petitioner  both  by  act  of  Parlia- 
ment and  by  the  royal  Charter  as  a  free  and  natural  born 
subject  of  Great  Britaine  to  all  intents,  constructions,  and 
purposes  whatsoever. 

Notwithstanding  all  which  yo'  pet'  shews  that  the 
Judges  of  y'  s*  Superior  Court,  viz.  Sam'  Eeles,  Mat- 
thew Allyn,  James  Wadsworth,  &  John  Hooker,  Esq., 
(all  members  of  the  Assembly,)  immediately,  viz',  on  s* 
22"*  March,  1725,  took  an  adiTi'con  bond  to  themselves 
from  the  said  Lechmere  &  sureties  in  30,000*  penalty, 


462  THE   TVINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 


Yet  adm" 


one  of  which  sureties  was  Speaker  of  the  said 
Sup'  coirt  Assembly,  and  hereupon  took  upon  themselves 
on  security,  ^g  grant  letters  of  adiTi''con  of  the  said  intes- 
tates estate  to  the  said  Tho.  Lechmere  &  Anne  his  wife, 
tho'  yo'  petitioner  humbly  insists  the  said  Superior  Court 
had  no  power  whatsoever  in  them  so  to  do,  the  taking 
such  bonds  and  issueing  of  administracons  wholly  be- 
longing to  the  Court  of  Probates. 

That  such  bond  &  adiffcon  only  extended  to 

Both  adm-  &  .  .  -^ 

bond  extend    the  goods,  rifflits,  aud   credits  of  v*  s**  deced 

only  to  goods,  O  '        O         »  ^  J 

rights,  &  which  yo'  pef  had  before  adn/ed  (prout  cop- 
pyes  thereof  annexed).*  However,  the  said  Lech- 
mere under  colour  thereof  inventoried  and  appraised  all 
your  petitioner's  real  estate,  and  exhibited  an  inventory 
thereof  before  a  Special  Superior  Court  held  for 
Lechmfre       that  Durpose  ow  the  29""  of  April,  1726,  of  which 

exhfed  in-  ^        ^  •      i  t        i 

ventoryof  the  Same  psons  were  judges,  and  who  came  at 
least  100  miles  a  peice  to  receive  such  inv''y, 
tho'  such  Superior  Court  could  not  by  law  be  so  specially 
held,  that  Court  being  confined  by  act  of  Assembly  to 
particular  stated  times  of  sittings,  and  tho'  such  Court 
had  no  power  to  receive  such  inventory,  and  tho'  ye  s*^ 
Lechmere,  supposing  him  a  legal  adm',  which  however 
he  was  not,  as  yo'  pet"  apprehends,  had  nothing  to  do 
with  the  intestates  real  estate,  or  if  he  had,  all  y'  s*  estates 
so  inventoried  were  your  peticoners  own  estates  of  which 
he  had  been  seized  &  possessed  in  his  own  right  several 
years  before  his  said  father's  death.  Yet  the  said  Supe- 
rior Court  took  upon  them  to  sit  spially  on  the  said  29"^ 
of  April,  1726,  and  reced  the  said  inventory,  and  by  their 
act  of  that  date  approved  y*  same  and  ordered  it  to  be 
recorded,  but  no  psonal  estate  whatsoever  was  included 
in  such  inventory ;  and  the  said  Lechmere  also  then  exhib- 
ited to  the  said  Court  an  acco'  of  38'  7'  4"  for  charges  and 

*  The  writer  probably  meant  certified  copies.    The  abbreviation  is  plainly  written. 
—  Eds. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO   PRIVT    COUNCIL.  463 

time  spent  in  the  adin''con,  and  a  debt  due  to  Robert  Lat- 
temore  for  318*  silver  money,  which  was  the  bond  yo' 
pef  had  so  often  offered  to  pay  as  afores'',  and  for  which 
he  had  duely  paid  interest ;  whicli  account  the  said  Court 
also  allowed  and  ordered  to  be  kept  on  the  fyle,  and  the 
12  May,  1726,  the  said  Lechmere  being  conscious  he  had 
no  power  over  any  real  estate  by  virtue  of  such 

J  ,  .  ,  .   .  ,     ,         12Mav,  1726. 

adni''con  of  v"  s  mtestate  s  estate,  petitioned  the  Lechmeres 

•^  .  ,_     1         petic.  to  As- 

Assembly,  setting  forth  his  having  adni''ed  to  sembiyto 

•'  '  °  ^  enable  him  to 

Wait  Winthrop,  no  part  of  the  personal  estate  pay  debts  of 
of  the  intestate  had  or  was  like  to  come  to  his  orderinK  sale 

of  pt.  of  real. 

hands,  the  estate  come  to  his  hands  being  all 
real,  and  finding  there  was  due  from  the  said  estate 
35gib  ^js  ^d^  being  the  two  sums  in  his  above  account  men- 
tioned, and  no  moveables  to  pay  the  same,  he  prayed  the 
Assembly  that  they  would  in  their  great  wisdom  be  pleased 
to  enable  him  to  pay  the  said  debts  by  ordering  him  to 
sell  and  dispose  of  so  much  of  the  deced's  lands  thereby 
to  defray  the  said  debts  with  the  other  necessary  charges. 
That  yo'  pef  being  informed  of  his  application  to  the 
Assembly,  that  they  might  do  nothing  herein  without  the 
fullest  notice  possible,  yo'  pef  on  20""  of  y^  same  May 
presented  a  memorial  to  the  said  Gov''  &  Comp*  acquaint- 
ing them  that  the  extraordinary  measures  that 

20  May. 

had  been  taken  in  reference  to  his  estate  occa-  Pet"  petison 
sioned  his  appearing  then  before  them  to  de-  mandinsan 
mand  from  them  an  appeale  to  his  Majesty  the  Majy  dis- 
King  in  Councill  from  the  said  two  judgments 
of  the  Superior  Court,  such  sentences  tending  under  col- 
our of  law  to  break  in  upon  your  peticoner's  inheritance, 
and  contrary  to  the  laws  of  England  to  defeat  the  heir  at 
law  of  his  just  right,  and  designed  to  cut  in  peices  the 
real  estate  of  yo"'  pet"  family  which  he  had  been  many 
years  rightfully  seized  of,  and   descended   to  him  from 
his    ancestors     seem    legem    &   conmetmUncm   Anr/lice,    and 
which  ought  to  be  preserved  entire  and  unbroken  to  yo' 


464  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

pef  as  a  free  and  natural  born  subject  of  Great  Britaine 
to  all  intents,  constructions,  and  purposes  whatsoever,  ac- 
cording to  the  tenor  of  the  royal  Charter,  the  acts  of  Par- 
liam',  and  the  coiuon  law  of  England,  and  declaring  that 
he  being  aggreived  did  appeale  to  his  Majesty  in  Coiin- 
cill,  but  which  remonstrance  the  Assembly,  observing  the 
comon  course  of  justice,  and  the  law  of  the  Colony  be- 
ing by  application  to  the  said  Assembly  when  the  judg- 
ments of  the  Superior  Courts  are  greivous  to  any  person, 
and  yo'  pef  not  having  attended  the  orders  &  method  of 
the  government,   they  dismissed  his  said   remonstrance 

from  further  consideration,  and  immediately 
to  be  brot  in  aftcrwards  on  the  said  Lechmere's  petition 
Lechmere^o    granted   him  a  power  to  sell  the    said  lands, 

and  ordered  that  a  bill  should  be  brought  in 
for  that  end  in  forme,  which  resolve  was  sent  up  to  the 
Upper  House  for  concurrence. 

That  hereupon  yo''  pef  being  forced  thereto,  and  having 
before  declared  his  having  appealed  to  yo'  Majesty  in  the 
premisses  on  the  22d  of  the  said  May,  he  as  heir  at  law  to 
the  real  estate  of  his  father  entered  and  fyld  his  protest 
and  caution  with  the  said  Gov''  &  Comp"  at  the  sessions  of 
the  Gen"  Assembly  against  any  illegal  proceedings  in  ref- 
errence  to  his  estate  of  inheritance  contrary  to  the  law  of 
England,  the  acts  of  Parliament,  and  the  tenor  of  the 
royal  Charter,  informing  the  Assembly  that  he  was  and 
had  been  many  years  rightfully  seized  of  the  re.al  estate 
of  his  family,  which  lawfully  descended  to  him  from  his 
ancestors  as  his  undoubted  estate  of  inheritance,  and  there- 
Pet"  protests  foro  he  protcsts  atjiiinst  the  illegal  doins-s  of  anv 

».  sale,  divis-     ^  _'  _      "  ^  ^.  .       *  ^,    " 

ion,  &c.  Gov',  Judges  Ordinarys,  Commissaries,  or  other 
judicatories  whatsoever,  that  thej'  did  not  under  colour  of 
law  grant  Ires  of  adiu'con,  receive  pretended  inventories 
and  appraisements,  or  other  wrong  measures  whereby  to 
hurt  yo'  peticoner's  land  of  inheritance,  particularly  that 
they  did  not  proceed  to  grant  power  to  any  pretended 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN  APPEAL   TO   PRIVY   COUNCIL.  465 

adm''  to  sell  any  part  of  your  peticoner's  real  estate  under 
colour  of  debts  due  from  the  deced,  and  also  protesting 
against  the  division  of  any  real  estate  belonging  to  the 
deced,  as  they  would  answer  for  such  their  illegal  meas- 
ures and  proceedings  before  yo"'  Majesty  in  Councill. 

That  the  Assembly  upon  reading  such  protest  were 
pleased  to  be  of  opinion  that  it  had  in  it  a  great  shew  of 
contempt  to  the  Gov'  and  Assembly,  and  the  authority  by 
the  Charter  there  established,  and  thei-efore  they  on  25  of 
y°  same  May  issued  their  order  to  the  Sheriffe  forthwith 
to  bring  yo''  pef  to  the  barr  of  the  Assembly  to  order  to  take 
answer  for  the  contempt  manifested  in  the  said  JodVibr  ^u- 
protest,  and  immediately  afterwards  by  an  ord"  ''*"'p'" 
reciting  Lechmere's  said  petition  the  said  Assembly  gave 
&  granted  to  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  full  power  and 
authority  to  sell  so  much  of  the  said  lands  of  the  deced  as 
might  produce  money  sufficient  to  discharge  the  ^ct  pass'd 
said  debts,  and  the  necessary  costs  in  selling  the  '"^  ^''^^' 
same,  the  said  Lechmere  taking  the  directions  and  advice 
of  the  Superior  Court  in  such  sale,  the  Assembly  enact 
and  declare  such  deed  or  deeds  of  sale  to  be  good  in  law 
for  the  sure  holding  thereof  to  the  purchasor  in  fee. 

That  your  petitioner,  being  brought  to  the  barr  of  the 
said  Assembly,  with  all  proper  respect  represented  the 
hardships  of  his  case,  the  right  he  had  in  coiiion  with  them 
all  to  the  laws  of  this  land,  and  the  priviledges  of  the 
Charter,  &  the  reasonableness  of  such  his  protest,  and  that 
he  should  lay  the  whole  of  these  proceedings  before  yo' 
Majesty  in  Councill.  This  was  treated  as  an  insolent, 
contemptuous,  and  disorderly  behavior  in  yo'  pef  as  de- 
claring himself  coram  non  jiidice,  and  putting  himself  on 
a  parr  with  them,  and  impeaching  their  authoritys  and 
the  Charter,  and  his  said  protest  was  declared  to  be  full 
of  reflections,  and  to  terrific,  so  farr  as  in  him  lay,  all  the 
authorities  established  by  the  Charter,  where-  Pef  commit- 

:  ,  ,  ,  „  ted  &  kept 

upon  your  pef  was  comitted  to  the  custody  of  for  3  days, 


466  THE   WIXTHKOP  PAPERS.  [1727. 

the  SherifFe,  who,  after  yo''  pet'  had  been  with  him  three 
days,  told  yo'  pef  he  was  at  Hberty  to  go  where  he  would, 
which  yo'  pef  did,  and  which  was  aftei'w'*'  charg'd  ag" 
yo'  pet'  as  wanting  his  escape,  and  yo'  pet'  was  the 
next  day  fined  in  20"^  to  the  treary  of  the  Col- 
ony (for  such  his  contemptuous  words  as  the 
Assembly  termed  them)  and  the  Secretary  ordered  to  send 
execution  to  levy  the  same. 

That  soon  after  this  yo'  pet'  took  his  passage  for  Eng- 
land, and  some  small  time  since  arrived  here. 

That  since  yo'  petitioner's  said  appeale  he  has  reced 
Lechmere  an  accouut  that  y^  s*^  Tho  Lechmere  in  the 
mine  pfits.  name  of  himself  &  his  wife  hath  brought  an  ac- 
tion against  yo'  pet'  in  the  County  Court  for  New  London 
afores*  for  an  account  of  the  rents  &  profits  of  the  said 
estate  since  yo'  pet"  said  father's  death,  and  is  proceed- 
ing with  all  rigour  therein,  and  is  also  applying  to  the 
&  in  the  Mas-  Licuteuunt  Gov'  and  Councill  of  Massachusetts 
sachusets.  Province  to  get  the  like  orders  &  directions 
for  a  division  and  sale  of  yo'  pet"  reall  estate  there. 

That  yo'  pet'  humbly  lays  the  whole  premisses  before 
yo'  Majesty,  by  which  y°  many  extraordinary  and  unjus- 
tifiable steps  that  have  (as  yo'  pet'  humbly  apprehends) 
been  taken  ag'  yo'  pet'  to  divest  yo'  pet'  of  his  intiitance, 
and  to  set  up  his  sister  as  coheir  with  yo'  pet',  and  to  make 
a  division  of  yo'  pet"  estate  between  him  &  his  said  sister, 
contrary  to  the  coinon  and  statute  law  of  this  realm  and  y' 
Charter  of  the  s''  Provinces.  That  therefore  and 
In  consideration  of  y'many  uncoiiion  hardships  of  yo' 
pef^  case,  and  to  prevent  his  inheritance  being  thus 
violently  severed  from  him,  your  pet'  humbly  prays 
yo'  Mnjtie  to  admit  to  appeal  to  yo'  Majtie 
2sentences     lu    Couucill    from    the    Said    two    sentences    of 

of  22  March. 

miuef"        y"  ^^  Superior  Court  of  y*  22''  of  March  last, 

and    that   thereupon  yo'  Mnjtie    would    please 

to  reverse  the  same   with  costs,   and  to  ord'  the   said 


1727.]  BEIEF    IN   APPEAL   TO    PPJVY    COUNCIL.  467 

adm''con  so  illegally  and  irregularly  granted  to  the  said 
Tiio  &  Anne  Lechmere  to  be  called  in,  and  also  Pray  reversal 

of  adm"  & 

to  set  aside  and  discharge  all  subsequent  pro-  aiisubse- 
ceedinojs  founded  thereon,  and  that  yo''  Majtie  ceedings. 

o  '  ,    Repeal  of  Act 

will  be  also  pleased  to  repeal  the  said  Act  passed  of  Assembly. 
by  the  Assembly  impowering  the  said  Tho  Lechmere  to 
sell  and  dispose  of  yo"  pet"  real  estate  as  afore-  stav  pro- 

r  -y        ^  _  ceedings  for 

s'*,  and   that  all  proceedings  in  the   said  action  mmejiats. 
ag"  yo'  pef  for  an  account  of  the  rents  and  proffits  o£ 
yo'  pet"  said  estate  may  be  directed  to  be  stayed  until 
yo'  Majties  further  ord''  in  the  premisses,  and  that  yo"' 
Majties  Gov'  of  the  Massachusets  may  be  directed  not  to 
suffer  any  division  or  sale  to  be  made  of  yo'  Qo^foVMas- 
pet"  said  intiitance  in  that  Province,  and  that  tolffef ""' 
yo'  Majtie  will  be  pleased  to  make  such  ord'  and  reliutrre.* 
give  such  directions  in  relation  to   the  behaviour  of  the 
Gov'  &  Comp"  of  the  said  Province  of  Connect!-  oirecsas  to 
cut  and  the  Judge  of  the  said  Court  of  Probates,  ofOo^^As- 
and  the  Judges  of  the  said   Superior  Court,  as  Judgei'&c. 
yo'  Majtie  shall  find  proper,  and  that  yo'  pet'  may  have 
such  further  and  other  releif  in  the  premisses  as  the  hard 
circumstances  and  nature  of  his  case  considered  the  same 
shall  require.  ^^^^  ^^_ 

By  Ord"  in  Councill  the  above  petition  was  lej^nry 
referred  to  the  Comittee  of  Councill,  who,  upon  ^'^^®- 
hearing  councill  on  both  sides,  reported  as  their  jg  pg^ry 
opinion  to  his  Majesty  that  the  pet'  should  be  ^"'"' 
admitted  to  an  appeale  to  his  Majty  in  Councill  from  the 
s**  2  sentences  past  in  the  Superior  Court  of  Connecti- 
cutt,  on  giving  the  usuall  security  here  in  the  sume  of 
100*   sterg.  to  prosecute  the  appeale  to  effect,  and  to 
abide  the  determinacion  of  his  Majesty  in  Councill  there- 
upon, which  report 

was  confirmed  by  Order  in  Councill,  and  M'  Win-  gs  March 
throp  imediately  gave  security  as  directed,  and  ^'^^' 


468  THE   WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

then  preferred  his  petition  of  appeale  in  the  very  same 
words  with  the  above  petition,  save  only,  instead  of  pray- 
ing leave  to  appeale,  he  states  that  he  had  obtained  liis 
Maties  leave  to  appeale  as  afsd,  w*  petition  was  ref  to 
a  coiSee,  who  app'td  y"  same  to  be  heard  in  Dec'. 
21  Novr  The  respond*^  applyed  to  the  comittee  to  putt 

'*^'-  off  the  hearing  the  appeale  till  June  next  und''  an 

an  allegacon  that  he  was  in  want  of  severall  papers  and 
proceedings  from  New  England.  But  no  afiid''  being  made 
in  support  hereof,  nor  any  particular  papers  pointed  out, 
and  the  application  being  made  so  late  and  just  before 
the  day  of  hearing,  and  M"  Winthrops  sole,  offering  to 
lett  the  respond"  take  copies  of  any  papers  he  should 
want  from  the  proceedings  in  his  custody,  their  Lord"" 
ordered  the  appeale  to  be  peremptorily  heard  on  Thurs- 
day, y"  li""  Dec''  instant,  and  note  the  respond"  have  had 
what  papers  they  wanted,  which  were  only  one  or  2,  to 
countenance  their  application  for  time. 

Note. — The  nature  of  y*  case  with  a  state  thereof  &  of 
y°  proceedings  in  the  Courts  below  are  fully  sett  forth  in 
the  above  petition,  y"  same  containing  a  very  full  brev'  of 
y*^  pleadings,  so  that  it  will  be  unnecessary  to  sett  them 
out  again,  and  as  for  proofs  y"  nature  of  y°  case  speaks 
itself  &  appears  from  y' proceedings  themselves,  so  that 
our  proofs  are  but  short  and  are  as  follows :  — 

Our  proofs  to  shew  that  our  uncle  Fitz  John  Winthrop 
intended  the  pef  to  succeed  to  all  his  real  estate,  &c. 

His  Excell'^  Henry  Dudley,  Esq'.,  Gov'  of  New  Eng- 
land. 2  Oct',  1710,  made  the  foU^  affidavit,  wch  is  recorded 
in  New  England,  &  transmitted  under  seal,  viz':  — 

That  he  had  for  40  years  a  particular  intimacy  & 
friendp  with  s'*  Fitz  John  Winthrop,  &  often  heard  him 
declare  he  w*  keep  his  fa"  estate  inviolate  &  unbroken 
for  y"  heir  of  y'  family  &  y'  name  of  his  fii' ;  att  olhor 
times,  that  his  fa'^  estate  sho**  never  be  divided  for  iiim, 


1727.]  BRIEF    IN   APPEAL    TO    PRIVT    COUNCIL.  469 

mentioning  his  only  bro'  with  y*  greatest  respect,  and  in 
y*  sumer  1707,  when  the  pef"  offered  an  intemarr.  with 
dep*'  daiir,  s*  Fitz  John  Winthrop,  his  uncle,  treated  with 
y"  dep'  of  y*  said  marr.  for  his  nephew  &  told  y"  dep'  his 
nephew  the  pef  was  y"  last  heir  in  y^  Province,  and 
that  all  he  had  as  well  as  all  his  fa'  had  was  for  him, 
and  that  his  nephew  must  be  content  to  lett  him  his 
s"*  uncle  have  his  life  in  s**  estate,  &  then  it  was  all  his 
own,  &  that  he  designed  by  that  means  to  raise  his 
family  ;  and  once  more  in  conference  during  that  treaty 
he  told  dep'  his  nephew  was  sick  y*  then  last  sumer, 
&  that  he  was  fearfull  of  his  death,  &  then  he  determined 
in  his  own  mind  to  send  for  Major  Adam  Winthrop, 
then  living  in  Boston,  &  give  him  all  his  lands  to  bear 
up  the  name  of  his  father  and  family.  These  things 
&  many  more  y"  lilie  he  sayd  to  dep'  in  his  last  two 
m"  conversation,  wch  being  on  a  treaty  of  marriage  wch 
soon  after  was  consumated  dep'  always  rested  upon  as 
a  just  settlement  for  y°  petitioner.* 

Our  Proofs  as  to  y"  like  declaration  of  the  pet"  fa",  and 
his  giving  the  pef  y°  estate  in  qucon  in  his  life  time :  — 

That  Maj'  Gen"  Wait  Winthrop  sev"  years  before 
his  death  came  to  New  England  with  his  fa m-  Robert  Lati- 
ily  &  settled  his  only  son,  y'  pef,  in  y*  estate  Sam%'l°ed^"* 
of  his  ancestoi's  in  Connecticutt,  &  having  muttd'byT= 
settled  him  there  returned  with  his  own  family  i^'fan^l^*'' 
to  Boston  again,  &  left  ye°  pef,  his  son,  in  y''  ^nne'^xef to 
possion  of  s*  estate,  who  still  lives  thereon  &  has  Sur.''4iuiy° 
so  done  ever  since,  and  dep''  being  intimately  "''^^'^ 

*  It  is  perhaps  needless  to  saj"  that  the  solicitor's  clerk  in  copying  the  foregoing  affida- 
vit into  the  brief  blundered  as  to  Dudley's  Christian  name,  and  there  are  some  other  errors. 
A  certified  copy  of  the  affidavit  is  in  6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  iii.  pp.  419,  420.  See  also 
ante,  p.  Ifi".  — Eds. 

t  The  marginal  notes  to  the  Proofs  are  in  the  same  handwriting  as  the  body  of  the  brief. 
They  were  no  doubt  put  in  the  margin  so  that  they  might  more  readily  catch  the  eye  of  the 
counsel.  The  mistakes  in  respect  to  names  are  p'obably  due  to  carelessness  or  the  in.ability 
of  the  solicitor  or  his  clerk  to  decipher  the  signatures  attached  to  the  documents  transmitted 
from  Connecticut.    The  original  has  been  closely  followed  in  printing.  —  Eds. 


470  THE  WINTHKOP   PAPEES.  [1727. 

acquainted  with  Maj'  Winthrop,  they  always  understood 
he  intended  his  son,  y"  pet',  sho'*  inheritt  y°  whole  of  said 
estate. 

jur.29May,  Had  a  particular  intimacy  &  acquaintance 
wiuiamGai'-  with  y'  late  Maj''  Gen"  Wait  Winthrop,  Esq"",  of 
Transmitted  Boston  in  New  England,  and  some  time  after 
uuder  seal,  j^g  Ymd  bro'  his  son,  y'  pet',  into  possion  of  y' 
estate  at  Connecticutt,  &  as  s'*  Wait  Winthrop  was  re- 
turning home  to  Boston  from  New  London,  he  stayed 
&  lodged  at  dep**  house  in  1711,  &  then  declared  &  told 
dep'  in  discourse  ab'  y'  settlem*  of  his  estate  that  he 
wo"*  keep  his  real  estate  inviolate  &  unbroken  for  his 
son,  y°  heir  of  his  family,  &  that  wtever  lands  he  had 
wch  were  his  fa"  they  sho*  be  his  sons,  and  also  shewed 
dep*  a  deed  of  his  bro'  Fitz  John  Winthrops  whereby 
s''  Fitz  John  gave  his  pt.  of  y'  lands  wch  was  his  fa" 
to  y*  pet',  &  y"  s^  Wait  Winthrop  declared  he  wo'*  do 
y°  like,  &  that  all  his  land  sho*  be  &  abide  to  y°  male 
heir  of  his  family,  with  many  other  words  to  the  like 
purpose,  &  dep*  ever  understood  that  the  s*  Wait  Win- 
throp brought  his  son,  y°  pef,  into  y"  possion  of  the  estate 
to  inherit  all  y'  lands  appertaining  to  his  ancestors. 
Hrv?ns&  That  for  many  years  before  the  late  Maj' Wait 

wit-7thdr  Winthrops  death,  they  hired  y°  stock  on  Fishers 
?a*e'n  25°  Island  of  y*  pet'  &  p*  him  rent  for  them  ever 
t^ansm'itteli  since,  &  have  had  to  do  with  no  other  landlord 
fefi"d%*&  but  y'  petition',  and  say  the  s*  Maj'  Gen"  Win- 
pet"iHon''&"  throp  told  them  his  eldest  bro',  who  always 
opS '"  ^^  had  lived  on  s"  estate,  had  given  all  his  estate  to 
^i-uee!'      r  pet'. 

Thomas  "^^at  anno  1714  he  hired  of  y*  pet'  part  of 

and'trans-""  Fishcr's  Island  &  y*  stock  thereon  with  George 
Havens'''*  Havfins,  &  ncvcr  had  any  other  landlord  but 
affidt.  ye  pg|.r^  jjQj,    gygj.    heard  of  any  other  claimer 

during  his  abode  there,  wch  was  sev"  years  before  Maj' 
Winthrop's  death  &  some  years  after. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO    PRIVY    COUXCIL.  471 

Our  Proofs  as  to  y*  pet"  being  denyed  an  appeal,  trans- 
mitted p  Judges,  sealed    up  &  annexed  to  our  petition  & 
ordered  to  be  opened  p  y'  Lords  of  the  Comittee  :  — 
James  TiUey        Were  preseiit  in  y'^  Superior  Court  at  Con- 

&  Jeremiah  .  •         ci       r     t  »r>  r      o        i 

Chapman  necticutt,  ui  bep',  1725,  &  then  heard  y^  pef 
demand  an  appeal  to  y*  King  in  Council  from  y°  judgra' 
given  ag'  him  by  s'^  Court  in  a  inre  concerning  his  in- 
hitance,  &  y°  Deputy  Gov""  of  y^  Colony,  being  Judge  of  y° 
Court,  refused  to  grant  an  appeal  to  y"  King  &  Council, 
&  told  y'^  pef  he  might  go  home  to  England  &  complain 
if  he  would. 

Solomon  coit  Were  both  present  at  y°  Superior  Court  for 
Brown  New   LoikIou   at   Connecticutt,  28  Mar.,  1726, 

&  prove  Winthrop  y*  pef  then  demanded  an  appeal  from 
y"  judgm'  of  that  Court  to  y°  King  in  Council  in  2  accons 
given  ag'  him  concerning  his  intiitance,  &  y'  y°  Judges  of 
s"*  Superior  Court  refused  to  grant  an  appeal  to  y"  King 
in  Council,  &  told  the  pef  he  might  take  evidence  that 
they  refused. 

Note.  —  There  is  also  transmitted  w""  s*  affid'*  sealed  up 
by  y"  judges  &  wch  was  annexed  to  our  petition,  &  wch  is 
opened  by  y°  Lords  of  the  Comittee,  a  certificate  dat'  21 
June,  1726,  signed  by 

Peter  Brion,  Certifying  that  they  were  p'sent  when  y*  pet' 
Irrt^  &  Paul  delivered  a  paper  to  Joseph  Talcott,  Esq'.,  Gov' 
irayse,  ^f  Connccticutt,  before  y*  General  Assembly  at 
Hartford  in  May  then  last,  and  that  they  never  observed 
but  that  he  carried  &  behaved  himself  with  all  y"  modesty 
imaginable. 

That  since  preferring  our  petition  of  appeal  we  have 
had  transmitted  to  us  under  the  seal  of  y'  Province  an 
order  of  the  Superior  Court,  dated 

27  sc  '  1726    ^^^^^  0°  ^*  Lechmere's  motion  for  y*  direccon  of 

that  Court  in  y'  sale  of  part  of  the  real  estate 

of  Major  Wait  Winthrop,  deced,  to  answer  the  debts  and 

charges  of  adiu'con  &c.  pursuant  to  y"  Act  of  Assembly  in 


472  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

May  then  last  before  stated,  whereby  y°  s'*  Court  order 
that  the  s'^  adiuor  be  allowed  to  sell  of  s*  real  estate  to 
y°  value  of  90*  currant  mony  for  charges  &  318"*  silver 
mony  to  answer  the  debt  of  that  value. 

Tho'  N.  B. :  The  charges  as  stated  &  prayed  to  be  al- 
lowed by  him,  &  as  allowed  by  y°  ord''  of  29""  April,  1726, 
amounted  to  but  38*  7^  4'',  under  wch  order, 

22  ctr  1-2  ^y  ^^^^  P°^^  °^  *^^^  ^^^^'  reciteing  y°  s^  Act 

of  Assembly,  dat*  12  May,  1726,  &  s"*  order  of  y' 
Superior  Court  of  27  Sep',  1726,  the  s"*  Tho'  Lechmere,  in 
coris  of  300"'  silver  mony  &  90*  curr'  mony  p*  him  by 
Richard  Douglass  &  John  Richards,  both  of  New  London 
in  Connecticutt,  conveyes  to  y°  a^  Douglass  &  Richards  in 
fee  sev"  tracts  of  land  in  y°  deed  pticularly  described  & 
cont^  307  acres,  put  s*  deed  of  sale  likewise  lately  trans- 
mitted us  under  y°  Province  seal. 

We  have  also  transmitted  us  a  copy  of  an  accon  of  ac- 
count bro'  ag'  us  in  y''  adjourned  County  Court  of  New 
London  by  y°  s''  Lechmere  &  his  wife,  y"  15  July,  1726, 
(but  not  under  seal,)  requireing  M'  Winthrop  to  render 
them  an  account  of  y'  time  in  wch  he  was  baylifl'e  &  rec" 
of  their  monys,  (viz')  the  annual  rents  &  profitts  of  their 
sundry  lands  &  tenem'^  in  New  London  fi'om  21"'  Febry, 
1717/8,  and  so  thenceforward  annually  until  the  time  of  the 
s^  accon  brought ;  whereupon  pl'°  say  that  Maj"  Wait  Win- 
throp of  Boston,  deced,  sometime  before  s*  21°'  Febry, 
1717/8,  dyed  intestate  &  seized  of  sundry  lands  &  tenem'* 
in  New  London,  (viz')  and  then  setts  out  five  sev"  farms 
of  274*  p  ann  wch  they  alledge  at  Wait  Winthrops  death 
descended  &  came  to  def  and  pP  as  only  children  &  co- 
heirs of  s*  deced,  (viz')  two  thirds  thereof  to  def  &  |-  to 
pit',  but  y'  def  entred  on  all  s'*  lands  &  reced  y°  rents  & 
profitts  thereof  yearly,  &  so  continues  to  do,  but  refuses 
to  account  with  pi"  for  their  one  third  of  y"  profitts  of  s* 
land,  tho  often  requested  thereto  by  pits,  to  pit'  damage 
3000,  &c. 


1727.]  BRIEF  IN   APPEAL   TO   PRIVY    COUNCIL  473 


We  have  likewise  copys  of  sev"  accons  bro'  in  y" 
chusetts  Bay  by  Lechmere  &  his  wife  to  obtain  adiii''con 
&  to  recover  one  third  of  our  real  estate  there. 

As  to  y"  meritts  of  this  appeal,  y°  same  fully  appear  on 
y"  petition,  &  y"  proceedings  of  y°  Courts  &  Assembly  be- 
low liave  been  so  very  extroadinary  &  partial  as  that 
we  make  no  question  but  that  on  this  appeal  the  same 
will  be  all  reversed  &  sett  aside. 

We  do  not  contend  to  vitiate  w'  has  been  done  be- 
low, for  y°  meer  informality  &  irregularity  of  y*  proceed- 
ings wch  they  are  full  off,  for  we  are  sensible  accons  in 
Connecticutt  are  not  bro'  or  prosecuted  in  like  manner  as 
in  y"  courts  of  England,  no  strict  forms  in  declarations, 
pleadings,  or  judgm*'  being  observed. 

Nor  do  we  app''hend  it  will  be  very  material  to  shew 
that  y"  Speciall  County  Courts  in  wch  Lechmere  bro'  his 
sev"  accons  had  no  existence  in  law,  since  y"  final  deter- 
minacbns  in  those  courts  in  all  Lechmere's  accons  were  in 
our  favour,  yet  to  shew  that  we  have  inserted  nothing  in 
our  petition  but  w'  is  strict  fact,  we  observe. 

That  by  an  Act  in  y*  printed  Book  of  Laws,  fo.  22  (but 
y°  time  when  passed  does  not  appear),  entituled  An  Act 
for  "  Holding  of  Courts  &  appointing  the  times  &  places 
for  the  same,  It  is  enacted  (iiit.  al.) 

"  That  there  shall  be  two  Courts  of  Assistants  or  Su- 
perior Courts  of  Judicature  yearly  held  in  y"  Colony  by  y* 
Gov'  or  Dep'''  Gov'  &  six  Assistants,  the  first  at  Hartford 
on  y°  first  Thursday  in  May,  &  y*  2*  at  New  Haven  on 
y°  first  Thursday  in  Ocf,  which  court  to  have  pow'  to 
hear  &  determine,  by  a  jury  or  otherwise,  all  such  appeals 
as  sho''  be  bro'  before  them  from  any  of  y^  County  Courts, 
both  of  civil  &  criminal  causes;  and  it  shall  be  in  y® 
pow'  of  the  s*  Court  of  Assistants,  upon  necessary  occa- 
sion, to  adjourn  the  s'*  Court ;  and  y"  Gov',  or  in  his  ab- 
sence y"  Dep'^  Gov',  is  empowered  to  call  a  Special  Court 
of  Assistants  on  any  extroadinary  occasion. 

60 


474  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

"  And  it  further  enacts  that  there  shall  be  kept  in  each 
respective  county  yearly,  at  y"  times  &  places  after  men- 
cond,  an  Inferior  Court  of  Judicature  or  County  Court  by 
a  Judge  &  two  Justices  of  y"  Quorum,  who  have  pow'  by 
a  jury  or  otherwise  to  determine  all  causes,  civil  &  crimi- 
nal, ariseing  in  y°  county. 

"  The  times  &  places  for  holding  s^  Inferior  Coiu'ts 
or  County  Courts  to  be  as  fols  :  (viz')  for  y*  Comity  of  New 
London,  at  New  London  on  y"  first  Tuesday  in  June  & 
y'  third  Tuesday  in  Sept'  yearly.  And  so  appoints  fixed 
days  for  y'  other  county,  with  a  pow''  to  adjourn  s**  Court 
on  any  necessary  occasion  as  they  see  cause. 

"  And  y'  Judge  of  each  respective  County  Court  is  em- 
powered to  call  a  Special  County  Court  upon  any  extroa- 
dinary  occasion,  provided  no  charge  arise  thereby  to  y° 
county. 

"  And  y"  Judges  appointed  to  keep  y*  County  Courts  are 
to  hold  &  keep  y°  Court  for  Probates  of  Wills,  granting 
adiTfcon,  &  appting  &  allowing  of  guardians,  with  full  pow' 
to  act  in  all  mfes  proper  for  a  Prerogative  Court,  with 
liberty  of  appeal  to  y^  Court  of  Assistants  from  s'*  Pre- 
rogative Court." 

N.B.  So  that  if  y°  pow'  of  this  Special  County  Court  was 
to  rest  on  this  Act,  it  is  observable  it  co*  not  be  called  but 
upon  some  extry  occasion,  wch  cannot  be  p'tended  in  y° 
present  case.  But  in  fact  this  act  was  afterwards  repealed 
&  all  Special  County  Courts  abolished,  for  by  an  Act 
passed  10  Anna?,  fol.  167,  1G8,  in  y'  Book  of  Laws  en- 
tituled  "  An  Act  for  establishing  Superior  Courts  &  alter- 
ing the  times  of  holding  the  County  or  Inferior  Courts 
in  y*  sev"  Countys  of  this  Colony,"  after  reciteing  that 
it  had  been  found  very  inexpedient  the  having  but  two 
places  &  two  terms  for  holding  the  Superior  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  called  the  Court  of  Assistants, 

"  It  enacts  that  a  Superior  Court  of  Judicature  over  y° 
Colony  sho''  be  established,  to  be  held  at  y*  times  &  places 


1727.]  BRIEF    IN   APPEAL    TO    PRIVY    COUNCIL.  475 

after  meneoned,  to  consist  of  one  Chief  Judge  &  4  other 
judges,  &  to  have  cognizance  of  all  pleas,  real,  psonall,  or 
inixt,  &  generally  of  all  actions  wtever,  whether  the  same 
concern  y°  reality  &  relate  to  any  I'ight  of  freehold  &  in- 
hitance  or  w'  y*  same  concern  y^  psonalty  &  relate  to 
mres  of  debt,  contract,  damage,  &c.,  bro'  before  them  by 
appeal,  review,  writt  of  error,  or  otherwise,  in  as  full 
manner  as  y*  Court  of  Assistants  theretofore  had. 

"  And  then  fixes  y*  time  &  places  of  holding  &  keeping 
the  s*"  Superior  Courts  in  each  county  at  diff'  times :  and 
within  &  for  the  County  of  New  London,  at  New  London 
on  the  fourth  Tuesdays  in  March  &  September. 

"  And  all  accons  depending  in  y°  late  Courts  of  Assist- 
ants by  review,  or  in  any  y"  late  County  Courts  by  appeal, 
were  referred  to  y*  next  Superior  Court,  there  to  be  heard 
&  determined. 

"  And  all  acts,  or  clauses  of  acts,  for  establishing  two 
Courts  of  Assistants  is  thereby  repealed. 

"  And  it  is  further  enacted  that  y"  County  or  Inferior 
Courts  within  y"  Colony  sho*  be  holden  annually  at  y* 
times  &  places  foil*,  viz :  (and  then  y*  act  names  y*  places 
&  times  for  each  County),  and  {int.  al)  the  Court  or  In- 
ferior Court  within  &  for  y"  County  of  New  London  shall 
be  holden  at  New  London  on  y"  first  Tuesday  in  June  & 
fourth  Tuesday  in  November. 

"  And  all  acts,  or  clauses  in  any  acts,  provideing  for  3^* 
holding  of  Inferior  Courts  at  any  other  time  or  in  any 
other  place  than  those  afs""  is  repealed. 

"  And  all  accons  depending  in  s'^  late  County  Courts 
by  review  are  by  this  act  referred  to  y^  s'^  next  Inferior 
Court  to  be  there  heard  &  determined." 

So  that  by  this  last  act  repealing  y*  act  for  County 
Courts  &  constituting  Inferior  Courts  in  their  stead  to 
meet  at  fixed  times  without  any  pow'  to  call  Special 
County  Courts  on  any  occasion  wtever,  we  take  it  to  be 
indisputably  plain  that  y*  Special  County  Courts  before 


476  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

wch  wee  were  summoned  had  no  legall  existence,  &  that 
we  were  right  in  insisting  they  had  no  foundation  or 
power  in  law  to  summons  any  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  to 
answ'  before  them. 

We  app'"hend  also  it  is  not  very  iureal  to  enter  into  a 
particular  examination  of  y'  illegality  &  unwarrantable- 
iicss  of  the  two  accons  on  y'  administration  bonds  &  four 
partition  accons  &  y°  proceedings  thereon,  the  finall  de- 
terminations of  those  accons  being  also  in  favour  of  M' 
Winthrop ;  but  we  thought  it  necessary  to  state  y'  same 
to  shew  in  what  an  extroadinary  manner  we  have  been 
proceeded  ag',  &  to  demonstrate  y*  great  injustice  of  y® 
subsequent  proceedings  of  the  Assembly  &  that  very 
Court  which,  whether  the  same  are  agreeable  to  y"  Char- 
ter, y*  rules  of  law  &  justice,  or  reconcilable  with  reason, 
is  the  chief  point  now  to  be  considered,  and  as  to  the  sub- 
sequent proceedings  of  y®  Assembly  prior  to  Lechmere's 
suing  for  y'  administration. 

1".  We  observe  Lechmere's  petitioning  y'  Assembly 
after  he  had  been  cast  in  all  y"  courts  at  law  was  very 
extroadinary,  &  an  applicacon  of  y®  fii'st  impression  &  of 
a  very  dangerous  consequence  and  wholly  unpresidented 
&  illegall ;  for  we  shew  by  one  of  the  first  Acts  passed  in 
y«  Province,  in  fo.  3  of  y"  printed  Laws,  entituled  "  An 
Act  relateing  to  y"  Civil  Actions,"  it  is  enacted,  "  That  if 
any  pson  be  aggrieved  with  y'  sentence  of  any  assistant 
or  justice  of  y®  peace  he  may  remove  his  case  by  appeal 
to  y°  next  County  Court,  &  from  thence  he  may  appeal 
to  y"  next  Court  of  Assistants,  or  by  new  process  review 
his  cause  in  y°  County  Court,  &  from  y®  judgm'  on  such 
review  may  appeal  to  y*  new  Court  of  Assistants  ;  and  if 
either  pty  be  aggrieved  with  y®  judgm*  or  determination 
of  y"  Court  of  Assistants  upon  y®  first  tryal  of  y'  case, 
there  he  shall  have  liberty  by  a  new  process  once  &  no 
more  to  review  his  case  in  y®  same  court,  there  to  be 
tryed  to  a  final  issue." 


1727.]  BRIEF    IN   APPEAL   TO    PRIVY   COUNCIL.  477 

And  Note  :  No  other  pow"^  or  right  of  applicacon  is  by 
this  or  any  other  act  reserved  from  y*  determination  of 
this  Court  to  y"  Assembly,  nor  indeed  co**  it ;  the  As- 
sembly having  no  judicial  povv'  vested  in  them  by  their 
Charter,  for  tho  they  have  a  pow'  to  erect  Courts  of 
Judicature  &  make  laws,  yett  they  have  no  povv"'  to  ex- 
ecute them,  and  y°  above  act  is  nowhere  repealed  but  by 
y°  proceedings  in  this  cause  appears  to  be  in  force  to  this 
day.  The  Court  of  Assistants  is  indeed  abolished,  but 
then  the  Superior  Court  is  constituted  in  their  stead  by 
the  s**  Act  10°  Ann£B,  and  vested  with  y*  same  pow"'  y* 
Court  of  Assistants  had,  &  conseqtly  by  this  act  y^  judgm' 
of  y"  Superior  Court  was  final,  &  no  applicacon  lay  from 
thence  but  to  his  Majesty  in  Council  by  y"  inherent  right 
of  y*  Crown,  where  Lechmere  never  thought  fitt  to 
appeal. 

2'^.  Lechmere's  petition  to  y"  Assembly  admitts  that  by 
y"  laws  of  y'  Province  as  then  practised  &  understood 
he  CO'*  not  be  relieved,  for  that  they  had  no  remedy  by 
y*"  coiiion  law,  as  appeared  by  y"  judgm'  of  y*  Superior 
Court  (&  wch  virtually  admits  their  judgmt'  to  be  final), 
nor  any  remedy  by  y"  Court  of  Probates,  but  pray  y°  As- 
sembly to  aiford  them  some  indisputable  method  of  re- 
covery, &  whereby,  notwithstanding  the  Superior  Courts 
exposition  of  the  Colony  laws,  that  they  might  support 
their  accon,  and  therefore  y"  Assemblys  interposeing 
herein  in  y*  manner  they  did  was  very  partial  and 
unjust. 

3.  The  Assembly  had  no  pow'"  to  come  to  any  such  re- 
solve on  Lechmere's  petition  as  they  did  on  y"  IS""  of  May, 
1725,  but  ought  generally  to  have  dismissed  y°  same  as 
improper  before  them ;  and  their  resolveing  that  Lech- 
mere might  and  ought  to  have  relief  in  y"  probates  by  a 
new  grant  of  an  adinor,  exliibiteing  of  an  inventory  of  y° 
■whole  estate,  &  a  distribution  made  upon  y"  whole,  was 
assuming  a  pow""  to  themselves  in  interfering  in  mres  no 


478  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

ways  properly  before  them,  &  wch  were  only  proper  for 
y'  cons  of  y^  conrts  of  law,  &  wch  y°  proper  courts  of  law 
had  finally  determined  ;  and  this  resolve  was  also  very 
partial  &  unjust  in  that  it  tended  to  sett  aside  y^  solemn 
determinacon  of  y'  sev"  courts  of  law  &  of  probates,  and 
overawed  &  intimidated  those  courts  to  come  to  new  de- 
terminations no  ways  warranted  &  supported  by  law,  and 
in  regard  the  same  putt  those  mre  in  qucon  between  M' 
Winthrop  &  Lechmere  wch  they  had  been  already  finally 
determined  in  a  new  method  of  being  determined  con- 
trary to  &  ag'  law,  &  in  a  very  extroadinary  &  impartial 
manner,  and  without  hearing  y''  pties  or  having  y"  case 
before  them  in  proof  or  any  otherwise  than  as  alledged  in 
Lechmere's  petition,  decl.  y°  s*  Lechmere  might  &  ought 
to  have  releif,  &c.,  tho  y°  law  had  denyed  him  any,  &  de- 
clared he  was  not  entitled  to  any  releif,  as  was  sett  forth 
even  in  Lechmere's  own  petition ;  and  this  was  deter- 
mineing  &  prejudgeing  y*  iure  ag'  M'  Winthrop  without 
hearing  him  in  his  defence,  &  in  effect  was  a  directing  & 
commanding  y*  court  to  give  judgm'  ag'  Winthrop  &  for 
Lechmere,  tho  by  y"  laws  as  they  then  stood  he  Avas  (as 
confessed  by  Lechmere  himself)  entitled  to  no  relief  ;  & 
this  resolve  is  not  p'"tended  to  have  y*  force  of  a  new  law, 
but  only  to  be  declaratory  of  y"  law  then  in  force,  well 
ought  to  have  been  impartially  left  to  y*  determination  of 
y*  judges,  whereas  it  is  exceeding  plain  it  was  this  resolve 
that  wholly  influenced  the  courts  in  their  subsequent 
proceedings. 

4.  This  interposition  of  y*  Assembly  is  wholly  unpresi- 
dented,  &  was  calculated  to  alter  y°  gen"  law  &  settled 
methods  of  justice  by  directing  measures  to  be  taken 
which  it  is  plain  from  Lechmere's  petition  y"  courts  knew 
nothing  of  before,  and  y*  gen"  course  &  practice  of  y*  law 
ought  not  to  have  been  varied  in  y"  present  case,  &  in 
favour  of  M'  Lechmere,  from  w"^  it  was  before  practised 
in  all  other  cases. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN  APPEAL   TO  PRIVY   COUNCIL.  479 

As  to  the  proceedings  of  the  Courts  &  Assembly  subse- 
quent to  this  resolve,  Ave  insist  y"  same  are  erroneous  :  — 

For  1"'.  It  appears  on  the  21st  of  Febry,  1717/8,  Richard 
Christophers,  Judge  of  y"  Prerogative  Court  or  Court  of 
Probates,  granted  M''  Winthrop  administration,  the  vporda 
whereof  are  (int.  al.)  "Do  committ  unto  you  full  power 
to  administer  the  goods,  rights,  &  creditts  of  the  deced 
wch.  to  him  while  he  lived  &  at  y'  time  of  his  death  did 
apptain,  and  to  pay  all  debts  in  wch  s*  deced  stood  bound 
so  farr  as  his  goods,  rights,  &  creditts  co*  extend,  and  to 
make  a  true  &  pfect  inventory  of  all  &  singular  the  goods, 
rights,  k  creditts  of  the  said  deced  &  exhibit  the  same  into 
y*  registry  of  the  Court  of  Probate,  &  also  to  render  to  the 
s*  Court  an  account  of  your  adiu'con.  And  we  do  by 
these  presents  oi"dain  &  constitute  you  adinor  of  all  & 
singular  y^  goods,  rights,  &  creditts  afs"*.    In  witness,  &c." 

And  note  :  Real  estates  or  any  words  which  can  extend 
thereto  are  not  once  mentioned  in  y"  Ires  of  adm''con. 

It  also  further  appears  that  on  the  s''  21"  of  Febry, 
1717/8,  M'^  Winthrop  entred  into  bond  to  y'  s*  Rich*  Chris- 
tophers as  Judge  of  y®  Court  of  Probates  in  y*  County  of 
New  London  in  y"  penalty  of  3000*,  with  condition  under 
written  in  these  words,  viz :  — 

"  The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such  that  if  y* 
above  bounden  John  Winthrop,  Esq"",  adinor  of  all  &  sin- 
gular y'  goods,  chetls,  &  creditts  of  Maj''  Gen"  Wait  Win- 
throp, late  of  Boston  afs**  deced  do  make  or  cause  to  be 
made  a  true  &  pfect  inventory  of  all  &  singular  y"  goods, 
chetls,  &  creditts  of  the  said  deced  wch  have  or  shall  come 
to  y'  hands,  possion,  or  knowledge  of  the  said  John  Win- 
throp, Esq',  or  into  y°  hands  or  possion  of  any  other  pson 
or  psons  for  him,  &  y*  same  so  made  do  exhibitt  or  cause 
to  be  exhibited  into  the  registry  of  y^  s"  Courts  of  Pro- 
bates, on  or  before  y°  second  Tuesday  in  August  next 
ensuing ;  &  y"  same  goods,  chetls,  &  creditts,  &  all  other 
y"  goods  &  chetls  &  creditts  of  y°  s^  deced,  at  y"  time  of 


480  THE   WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1727. 

his  death,  wch  at  any  time  after  shall  come  into  y*  hands 
or  possion  of  y°  s*  John  Winthrop,  or  into  y°  hands  or  pos- 
sion  of  any  other  person  or  psons  for  him,  do  well  and 
truly  administer  according  to  law,  and  further  do  make  or 
cause  to  be  made  a  true  &  just  ace'  of  this  adin'oon  at  or 
before  y'  second  Tuesday  in  April,  Annoq*  Dhi  1719, 
and  all  y°  rest  &  residue  of  the  s*  goods,  chetls,  &  creditts 
wch  shall  be  found  rem^  upon  y''  s*  adiuors  accompt  (ye 
same  being  first  examined  &  allowed  of  by  the  Court) 
shall  deliver  and  pay  unto  such  pson  or  psons  respect- 
ively as  y°  s**  Court  by  their  decree  or  sentence  psuant 
to  y'  true  intent  &  meaning  of  y'  law  shall  limitt  &  ap- 
point. And  if  it  shall  hereafter  appear  that  any  last  will 
&  testam*  was  made  by  s**  deced,  &  y'  ex'  or  ex"  therein 
named  do  exhibitt  y"  same  into  y'  s"*  Court,  makeing 
request  to  have  it  allowed,  &  accord^'^  if  y'  s*  adm'  above 
bounden  being  thereunto  required  do  render  &  deliver 
y*  s''  Ires  of  adm''con  (approbation  of  such  testam'  being 
first  had  &,  made)  in  y'  s"*  Court,  then  this  obligacon  to  be 
void  &  of  no  effect,  or  else  to  remain  in  full  force,  effect, 
&  virtue." 

N.  B.  In  y°  condition  of  wch  adm^con  bond,  it  is  also 
to  be  noted  y'  real  estates  or  any  words  wch  can  ex- 
tend thereto  are  not  once  mencond,  so  y'  by  y'  Ires  of 
adiTfcon  &  y°  adm'con  bond  it  fully  appears  M''  Win- 
throps  adm'con  only  extended  to  y'  intestates  psonal 
estate  &  that  was  that  only  he  was  to  inventory  & 
administer. 

It  also  appears  that  M'  Winthrop  did  imediatl}^  on 
Lechmere's  comenceing  his  first  accon  &  wherein  he 
was  cast,  (viz')  28  July,  1724,  exhibitt  an  inventory 
in  y"  Court  of  Probates  of  all  y*  intestates  psonal  es- 
tate, but  M"  Winthrop  not  having  appraised  in  the 
s"*  estate  in  such  intry  imediatly  after  &  s**  extry  re- 
solve of  y*  Assembly,  to  p''vent  all  possibility  of  objon 
to  s"*  intry  he  exhited  y*  same  over  again  in  y"  Court 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO   PKIVY   COUNCIL.  481 

of  Probates  with  y°  value  thereof  as  appraised  upon 
oath  amounting  to  89*  15'  0"^,  &  insisted  administra- 
tors had  nothing  to  do  with  real  estates  nor  ought  any 
real  estate  to  be  exhibited,  the  same  not  being  cogniz- 
able by  a  Court  of  Probates. 

And  it  is  not  p''tended  that  there  was  anj'  other  psonall 
estate  y"  w'  was  contained  in  s*  ihtry ;  on  y°  contrary,  it 
appears  of  Lechmeres  own  confession  when  adiWcon  was 
granted  to  him,  y'  this  was  y^  whole  psonall  estate,  he 
declaring  he  co*  find  no  other ;  and  this  being  so  we  con- 
ceive it  to  be  plain  to  a  demonstracon  this  was  an  iiitry 
of  all  contained  in  our  Ires  of  adm''con  &  of  all  that  in 
our  bond  we  stood  engaged  to  inventory  &  administer 
&  conseqtly  y*  Court  of  Probates  ought  to  have  allowed 
of  and  reced  y*  same  as  a  full  inventory,  &  their  not  do- 
ing so  was  erroneous  &  y°  Superior  Court  on  M''  Win- 
throps  appeal  ought  to  have  reversed  s'^  judgm'  of  y* 
Court  of  Probates,  &  directed  them  to  have  received 
and  accepted  the  said  inventory,  it  being  agreeable  to 
y'  letters  of  administration  granted  to  and  y"  adm'con 
bond  entred  into  by  the  said  Winthrop,  &  the  Superior 
Court  not  having  so  done,  but  having  affirmed  the  first 
sentence,  is  greatly  erroneous,  and  as  such  wee  hope 
shall  be  reversed  here,  and  y'  Court  of  Probates  directed 
to  receive  our  inventory  as  a  full  &  true  inventory  of 
the  intestate's  estate  by  us  administred. 

And  then  the  sentence  of  the  s**  Superior  Court  is 
farther  greatly  erroneous  in  declaring  that  it  appeared 
M''  Winthrop  had  kept  M'  Lechmere  out  of  his  wife's 
proportion  of  her  father's  estate,  and  also  in  vacating 
y"  Ires  of  adni''con  granted  to  the  appellant  and  grant- 
ing new  letters  of  adin'"con  to  M'  Lechmere  &  his  wife, 
and  in  condemning  yo'  pet'  in  costs,  nothing  of  which 
ought  to  have  been  ordered,  but  Lechmere's  action  de- 
manding Ires  of  adiu'con  ought  to  have  been  dismissed 
with  costs. 

61 


482  THE   TVIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

1".  For  that  there  is  no  pretence  but  M""  Winthrop 
had  faithfully  &  duely  adiii''ed  all  y''  psonal  estate  of  y" 
intestate,  &  to  which  only  his  Ires  of  adiu'con  &  bond 
extended,  and  as  to  y'  pretence  that  he  ought  to  havo 
adin''ed  the  real  estates  neither  his  Ires  of  adiTfcon  oi" 
bond  extended  thereto,  besides  there  will  be  a  full  an- 
swer given  to  this  pretence  hereafter. 

2'"''.  Itt  cannot  be  nor  is  it  denied  but  adiTfcon  was 
well  granted  to  M'  Winthrop,  M'  Lechmere  being  his 
security  in  one  of  his  adin''con  bonds,  and  it  appears 
M'  Winthrop  gave  bond  for  his  faithfull  adiu'con,  and 
w'^''  is  all  y®  law  requires,  and  if  he  did  not  discharge 
his  duty  the  regular  and  legal  method  is  by  sueing  y* 
adilfcon  bonds  w'^''  in  this  case  Lechmere  has  done, 
and  his  s^  action  was  dismissed,  and  in  another  action 
brought  by  him  ag"  Winthrop  under  like  pretence 
under  another  adin''con  bond  a  verdict  found  for  M' 
Winthrop,  and  after  this  to  repeal  and  vacate  y*  s'* 
adiu.''con  and  grant  a  new  adiii''con  to  Lechmere,  who 
was  also  bound  for  him  in  one  of  his  adiii''con  bonds 
which  he  sued  out  ag°'  Winthrop,  is  a  thing  that  we 
dare  say  was  never  before  practiced  in  that  Province 
or  any  where  else. 

3*^'^.  The  great  end  of  an  adm''  is  to  pay  y'  just  debts 
of  y°  deced  and  to  distribute  y°  surplus  (if  any)  to  y° 
next  of  kin  entitled  thereto,  and  there  is  no  pretence 
but  M'  Winthrop  has  applyed  y'  whole  psonal  estate  of 
his  intestate  in  discharge  of  debts,  and  in  fact  M'  AVin- 
throp  hath  applyed  more  in  payment  of  his  fa"  debts 
than  all  his  real  &  psonal  estate  too  would  answer, 
he  having  paid  all  his  father's  debts  except  the  300* 
bond  in  Lechmere's  petition  mentioned,  and  which  was 
the  only  debt  Lechmere  could  find  out  to  serve  his 
purposes,  and  which  M'  Winthrop  was  always  ready  & 
often  desired  to  pay  off,  but  the  obligee  was  unwilling 
to    take    his    money,    and    at   his    request   M'  Winthrop 


172-.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO   PRIVY   COUNCIL.  483 

continued  y°  bond,  and  always  discharged  the  int.  due 
thereon,  and  it  is  observable  there  is  not  any  one  cred' 
that  complains  or  makes  any  demand  ag"  M'  Win- 
throp. 

^thiy  ^j^^  j^g  ^Q  Lechmere  &  his  wifes  claiming  any 
part  of  y°  real  estate,  the  same  is  a  demand  properly 
&  only  triable  at  law,  and  no  ways  affects  the  adiii^con, 
and  where  they  have  tryed  their  right  &  been  cast,  and 
the  adiu'con  being  continued  in  M"'  Winthrop  could  no 
ways  hinder  his  sisters  coming  to  her  just  right,  so  that 
it  is  conceived  to  be  very  plain  there  was  not  y'  least 
reason  or  necessity  in  law  to  change  y°  adin^'con  either 
on  account  or  of  cred"  or  of  the  next  of  kin,  or  of 
M"  Lechmere,  and  consequently  they  ought  to  have 
dismissed  y^  s''  Lechmere's  appeal,  as  also  for  that  his 
original  action  was  improperly  comenced  at  first,  itt  be- 
ing comenced  while  Winthrop's  appeal  was  depending. 

S""'^.  The  four  Judges  of  y"  Superior  Court  taking 
upon  them  to  grant  Ires  of  adiTfcon  in  their  names  to 
Lechmere  &  his  wife,  and  taking  bond  from  Lechmere 
to  themselves,  was  wholly  illegal  &  unpresidented,  the 
probate  of  wills  &  granting  of  adin''cons  and  appointing 
&  allowing  of  guardians  belonging  to  Christopher  Chris- 
tophers, EsqS  as  Judge  of  y^  County  Court ;  and  tho'  an 
appeal  lies  from  him  to  the  Superior  Court,  and  they 
have  power  to  reverse  or  affirm  his  sentence,  yet  y"  is- 
sueing  y°  adiu'con  belongs  to  him  &  must  run  in  his 
name,  and  y*  bond  be  taken  to  him  as  Judge  of  y' 
Prerogative  Court,  and  by  means  thereof  the  appellants 
adin''con  bond  to  Judge  Xtophers  of  y"  Prerogative 
Court,  and  Lechmere's  bond  to  y®  4  Judges  of  y*  Su- 
perior Court  are  both  subsisting  and  standing  out,  the 
appellants  bond  not  being  called  in  or  vacated. 

6'''.  The  Ires  of  adiu"'con  to  Lechmere  &  his  wife  & 
Lechmere's  adin''con  bond  are  in  y°  very  same  words 
w""  that  before  granted  &  enter'd    into   by  the   appel- 


484  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

lant,  and  extend  only  to  the  goods,  chatties,  and  cred- 
its of  y"  deced,  and  no  ways  mention  or  extend  tc  the 
real  estate  of  the  deced,  which  makes  it  y*  more  extra- 
ordinary in  regard  the  appellant  had  fully  adin''ed 
all  y°  goods,  chatties,  &  credits  of  the  intestate,  as  is 
before  observed,  and  as  Lechmere  himself  afterwards 
owned,  and  which  shews  the  pretence  set  up  of  adin'^ing 
the  real  estate  was  a  mere  handle  to  get  the  adin'cou 
from  y*  appellant  and  vest  it  in  Lechmere,  tho'  this 
pretence  was  afterwards  turned  into  a  reallity  against 
the  appellant. 

T^.  The  appellant  insists  y^  s'^  Superior  Cort  ought 
not  to  have  reced  y"  inventoiy  exhited  to  them  by 
Lechmere,  29  Ap.,  1726,  in  regard  the  same  contained 
no  personal  estate  whatever,  but  consisted  wholly  of 
real  estate,  the  inhitance  of  y"  appellant,  and  w""  which 
y'  s'*  Lechmere  under  his  new  &  illegal  Ires  of  ad- 
m'con  by  the  words  thereof  had  nothing  to  do,  neither 
could  the  s*  Superior  Court,  as  being  no  Court  of  Pro- 
bates, receive  any  inventory  at  all,  and  then  in  fact 
y'  estates  included  in  y"  s*  inventory,  or  any  part  there- 
of, were  not  the  estate  of  the  intestate  at  his  death,  but 
were  in  reallity  y°  inhitance  of  y"  appellant,  one  moiety 
thereof  being  entailed  on  him  by  his  unckle  Fitz  John 
Winthrop  as  afores'',  and  his  fa''  having  given  to  &  put 
the  appellant  in  possion  of  the  other  moiety  in  his  life 
time. 

8'^  The  appellant  insists  the  Assembly  granting  y"  s** 
Lechmere  a  power  to  sell  the  lands  of  the  intestate  to 
pay  the  debt  &  costs  in  Lechmere's  petition  to  y"  Assem- 
bly mentioned  without  hearing  yo'  pet%  the  undoubted 
heir  to  such  lands,  and  leaving  Lechmere  to  sell  what 
part  thereof  and  in  what  manner  he  saw  proper,  is  ag" 
y°  coinon  &  statute  law  of  this  realm,  and  destructive  of 
the  liberty  and  property  of  y"  subject,  and  ag'  reason,  and 
as  such  contrary  to  }•''  royal  Charter  of  y"  Province,  and 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO   PRIVY   COUNCIL.  485 

the  Assembly  fining  the  appellant  in  20"^  for  his  oppos- 
ing the  said  measures  was  equally  unwarrantable  and 
unjustifiable. 

9'^.  The  Superior  Courts  allowing  Lechmere  to  sell 
lands  to  answer  90'  costs,  when  he  demanded  but  38'  7'  4'* 
costs,  is  unjust  and  partial,  and  the  deed  of  sale  from 
Lechmere  to  Richards  illegal. 

10'^.  The  said  Lechmere's  sueing  the  appellant  for  the 
rents  and  proflfits  of  his  father's  estate  when  he  is  no 
ways  intitled  thereto,  and  has  been  already  cast  in  sueing 
for  the  lands,  is  unjust  &  vexatious,  as  is  also  his  taking 
the  like  measure  as  to  the  appellant's  estate  in  the 
Massachusets. 

Objection.  What  Lechmere's  council  will  insist  on 
to  support  the  whole  of  his  proceedings  is  a  printed 
Act  the[y]  find  amongst  the  Connecticut  printed  laws, 
fo.  (dO,  intituled  an  Act  for  Settlem*  of  Intestate's  Es- 
tates, by  which  it  is  enacted  that  adm''^  of  in- 

'      •'  .  Act.* 

testates  estates  calling  to  him  2  or  more  of  y* 
intestates   cred",  and  on  their  refusal  2  of  his  next  of 
kin    or    2    honest    neighbours,    shall    in    their   presence 
make   a    true    inventory    of   all    the    deced's    estate,    as 
well  movable  as  not  movable,  and  by  him  de- 
liv''  to  the  Court  of  Probates,  and  adin^con  to  an  XTtl"7af 
intestate  is  by  this  act  directed  to  be  granted  Tbi"  ^°not 
to  y°  wid"   or  next  of  kin  of  3^  deeed  or  to  '"°''''''''^- 
both  as  the  Court  of  Probates  shall  think  fit,  who  shall 
thereupon  take  bond  w""  sureties  from  the  adm'  for  his 
faithful!  discharge  of  the  same,  which  Court  of  Probates 
shall  &  may  proceed  to  call  such  adm"  to  acco'  for  & 
touching  y°  goods  &  estates  of  y°  intestate,  and  on  con- 
sideration thereof  (debts,  funerals,  &  just  expences  of  all 
sorts  being  first  allowed),  the  s*  Court  of  Probates  are 
impowered  to  ord'  &  make  a  just  distribucon  of  Dij,ri,,„j 
y'  surplusage  or  remaining  goods  &  estate  of  any  '°'"'  """''^ 


!  and  those  which  follow  are  in  the  handwriting  1 


486  THE   WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727 

of  surplus  of    such  intestate,  as  well  real  as  psonal  in   manner 

estate  real  ,  ■    ■,  ,. 

&  p»i.  jd  of   folR  Viz',  one  third  part  of  y^  psonal  estate  to 

psl  to  wife ;  ' ,  .  '^  J      f 

aoweroutof    y^  •yyife  of  v' intcstatc  (if  any)  for  ever,  besides 

real ;  residue     •'  •'  \  J  J  ' 

of  real  &  p>i    her  dowcr  or  3'^  in  the  housino'  &  lands  for  life 

by  equal  poi^       _  <-' 

the^^chndren  (i^ ^^^t  barr'd  thereof),  and  all  y'  residue  of  y°  real 
son^to'have^'  &  psonal  estate  by  equal  portions  to  &  amongst 
double  pore,  ys  children,  &  such  as  shall  legally  represent 
them  if  dead,  other  than  such  child"  who  shall  have  any 
estate  by  settlem'  of  y'  intestate  equal  to  y'  others  shares  ; 
child"  advanced  by  settlem'^  or  porcons  not  equal  to 
others  shares  to  have  so  much  of  y'  surplusage  as  shall 
make  all  to  be  equal  except  y*  eldest  son,  who  shall  have 
2  shares,  or  a  double  portion  of  y°  whole,  and  where 
there  are  no  sons  y°  daurs  to  inherit  as  copartners,  such 
division  to  be  made  by  3  freeholders  on  oath,  to  be 
appointed  &  sworn  by  y'  Court  of  Probates,  &  provided 
where  houses  &  lands  are  not  capable  of  being  divided 
without  prejudice,  y®  Court  of  Probates  may  order  y° 
whole  to  the  eldest  son,  he  paying  to  y"  wid°  &  other 
children  their  shares  of  y®  value.  If  no  wife  nor  children 
nor  legal  representative  of  the  children,  then  y'  whole  to 
be  distributed  to  the  next  of  kin  in  equal  degree,  saving 
a  right  of  appeal  from  any  sentence,  order,  or  decree  of 
the  Court  of  Probates  to  the  next  Court  of  Assistants, 
and  the  Court  of  Probates  is  directed  to  take  bond 
of  every  adm''  with  sureties  in  y'  name  of  y®  s**  Court, 
with  y"  condicon  as  set  out  in  the  act,  which  condicon 
only  extends  to  goods,  chatties,  &  credits.  But  all  sales 
of  real  estates  made  by  adm"  where  there  is  any  proper 
heir  living  shall  be  void,  unless  such  sales  be  ratified  and 
established  by  y*  approbation  of  y*  General  Assembly. 

Answer.  But  as  to  this  Act  we  answer  &  insist  (first) 
Act  long  that  it  is  an  obsolete  act,  made  in  y°  infancy  of 
of  use.  y°  Province,  and  long  since  out  of  use  and  not 

of  any  force  or  regard  in  y°  Province,  and  the  time  when 
it   was   made   does   not   appear  save  that  it  was  made 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO   PPJVT   COUNCIL.  487 

when  Courts  of  Assistants  were  also  in  use  there,  which 
have  been  long  since  abolish'd,  which  is  plainly  evi- 
denced from  the  loss  Lechmere  was  at  what  steps  to 
take  in  this  affair,  and  from  the  extraordinary  applica- 
tions of  Lechmere  for  an  interposition  of  y°  Assembly 
therein,  and  there  is  not  y®  least  proof  made  by  Lechmere 
of  this  being  a  law  in  force  or  practiced  at  this  time  in 
Connecticut,  tho'  we  insisted  before  the  Courts  below  that 
notwithstanding  this  law  we  were  intitled  toy"  whole  real 
estate  of  our  father  ;  tho'  if  this  law  was  not  obsolete,  we 
insist  (secondly)  that  y"  same  is  void  in  it  self 
as  being  not  warranted  by  the  Charter,  and  can  ^' 
no  ways  influence  the  present  case.  For  by  the  Charter 
their  power  of  making  laws  is  restrained  and  limitted  in 
a  very  special  manner,  (viz')  such  laws  must  2.  ^hr  war- 
be  wholsome  and  reasonable,  and*  contrary  to  ''^"^'JpChr. 
the  laws  of  this  realm  of  England,  and  then  by  the  Char- 
ter the  inhabitants  may  have,  take,  possess,  &c.  lands,  &c., 
and  the  same  dispose  of  as  other  the  leige  people  of  y° 
realm  of  England,  and  were  to  enjoy  all  liberties  &  im- 
munities of  natural  born  subjects,  and  the  soil  of  y"  whole 
Province  is  granted  to  y*  Gov'  &  Comp",  and  their  suc- 
cessors and  assigns  for  ever,  upon  trust  and  for  the  use 
&  benefit  of  themselves  and  their  associates,  their  heirs  & 
assigns,  to  be  holden  of  his  Majtie,  as  of  the  Mannor  of 
East  Greenwich  in  free  &  comon  soccage. 

By  the  comon  law  of  England,  which  is  what  the 
Charter  has  a  view  to,  it  is  undoubted  that  real  estates 
descend  to  the  eldest  son  of  him  that  was  last  seized 
in  fee  as  his  heir  at  law,  and  neither  an  adm''  or  an 
Ecctial  Court  have  any  thing  to  do  therewith,  and  by 
the  law  of  England  an  only  daughter  cannot  be  coheir 
with  an  only  son,  but  y  son  is  absolute  and   sole  heir 

*  The  word  "not"  was  accidentally  omitted  hy  the  solicitor  who  prepared  this  argu- 
ment, or  by  his  clerk,  and  curiously  enough  the  omission  apparently  escaped  the  notice  of 
the  counsel  who  made  the  marginal  notes.  —  Eds. 


488  THE  WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

to  the  fa',  and  must  as  such  inherit  his  real  estate 
undevised  by  will,  and  we  take  it  that  where  an  estate 
of  inheritance  is  granted  under  the  Great  Seal  of  Great 
Brittain,  which  this  Charter  does,  that  the  same  is  de- 
scendible according  to  the  course  of  y'  coinon  law,  and 
we  also  take  it  that  all  our  Plantations  carry  with  them 
the  coinon  law  of  their  mother  country,  which  prevails 
in  all  the  Plantations,  and  we  know  of  no  part  of  the 
Plantations  but  where  real  estates  descend  to  the  heir 
at  law  as  with  us,  and  the  first  Gov'',  the  appellants 
grand  faf,  on  receiving  the  Charter,  was  obliged  to 
swear  before  a  Ma'  in  Chancery  that  he  and  his  suc- 
cessors would  observe  and  keep  the  coinon  law  of 
England.  There  have  been  also  several  acts  of  Par- 
liam'  passed  here  which  as  we  apprehend  support  the 
right  of  descent,  and  by  the  Charter  the  tenure  of 
the  lands  in  Connecticut  is  declared  to  be  held  under 
the  Crown  as  lord  of  the  fee  under  the  most  free 
tenure  possible,  and  it  is  against  reason  as  well  as  law 
that  an  only  daughter  should  be  coheir  with  an  only 
son.  We  therefore  insist  this  law  is  null  and  void,  as 
being  contrary  to  the  law  of  this  realm,  unreasonable, 
and  against  the  tenour  of  their  Charter,  and  conse- 
quently the  Province  had  no  power  to  make  such  a 
law  and  the  same  is  void. 

Note.  The  laws  of  Connecticut  are  not  by  their 
Charter  directed  to  be  laid  before  y"  Crown  for  their 
approbacon  or  disallowance,  so  that  there  is  no  other 
way  to  avoid  any  laws  they  shall  make  but  by  seeing 
if  they  are  agreeable  to  y°  powers  of  their  Charter, 
which  if  they  are  not,  then  we  apprehend  they  cannot 
be  considered  as  any  laws  at  all,  since  a  formal  repeal 
of  them  cannot  be  had  otherwise  than  by  voiding  the 
Charter. 

3'".  This  law  is  not  only  contrary  to  y*  Charter,  but 
clashes  with  other  laws  of  y'  Province,  particularly  one  of 


1727.]  BEIEF  IN   APPEAL   TO   PRIVY   COUNCIL.  489 

y*  laws  before  mencon'd  by  which  y*  power  of  y^  Court 
of  Probates  is  restrained  to  probate  of  wills,  granting 
adnfcon,  and  appointing  &  allowing  of  guardians,  with 
power  to  act  in  all  matters  proper  for  a  Prerogative  Court, 
whereas  by  this  act  they  have  a  power  to  determine  the 
propertys  of  land  and  make  partition  thereof,  which  is  no 
part  of  y*  business  of  a  Prerogative  Court,  and  by  an  act 
(fo.  29)  intituled  An  Act  concerning  y*  Dowry  of  Widows, 
itt  is  enacted  that  widows  shall  have  one  third  of  the  real 
estate  of  their  husbands  for  life,  and  the  widow  is  to  keep 
the  houses,  fences,  and  inclosures,  and  leave  y*  same  in 
good  repair ;  otherwise  the  County  Courts  may  deliver  y* 
s"*  houses  &  land  to  the  next  heir  of  the  same  in  the  sin- 
gular number,  whereas  by  the  intestate  act  it  ought  to  go 
to  y*  sons  &  daughters  as  coheirs ;  and  by  an  act  which 
follows  within  two  after  y*  s'^  act  for  settling  intestate's 
estates  (fo.  65),  and  which  was  pa.ssed  10  Oct.,  1672, 
intituled  An  Act  (or  acts)  ab'  y"  Tenure  of  Lands,  itt  is 
enacted  that  whatever  lands  had  been  or  should  be  granted 
by  tlie  General  Assembly  to  respective  townships  or  any 
pticular  persons,  should  be  held  to  them,  their  heirs,  suc- 
cessors, and  assigns  for  ever,  according  to  y"  most  free 
tenure  of  East  Greenwich  in  the  county  of  Kent  in  the 
realm  of  England,  according  to  their  royal  Charter ;  and 
by  another  Act  passed  14  May,  1685,  to  the  end  that 
every  towfips  grant  of  lands,  as  they  had  been  obtained 
by  gift,  purchase,  or  otherwise  of  y°  natives  and  grant  of 
y*  Assembly,  might  be  settled  upon  them,  their  heirs, 
successors,  and  assigns  for  ever,  according  to  their  Charter 
granted  by  the  Crown,  itt  is  enacted  that  every  town 
should  take  out  patents  for  their  said  grants,  which  should 
be  granted  to  them  for  the  holding  such  tracts  of  land  as 
had  been  formerly  or  should  be  thereafter  granted  them, 
and  to  their  heirs,  successors,  and  assigns,  firm  and  sure 
according  to  the  tenure  of  their  Charter  in  free  and 
coilion  soccage,  and  not  171  capUe  or  by  kn''^  service,  the 


490  THE   WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

like  course  to  be  taken  in  all  grants  to  all  private  persons 
within  the  Colony.  And  by  another  Act  passed  3"°  Georgii 
(fo.  221),  intituled  An  Act  concerning  Purchasors  of  Na- 
tives Rights  to  Land,  itt  is  enacted  and  declared  that  all 
lands  in  y^s*  government  are  holden  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britaine,  as  P  of  y^  fee ;  under  which  several  acts  we  con- 
ceive the  estates  of  our  father  ought  to  descend  to  us  as 
his  sou,  and  not  our  sister  as  coheir  with  us.  And  by  an  Act 
passed  7°  Georgii  (fo.  257)  for  the  Partition  of  Lands,  itt  is 
enacted  that  all  persons  holding  lands  as  copai'ceners,  joint 
tenants,  or  tenants  in  comon,  may  be  compelled  by  writ  of 
partition  to  divide  y*  same,  which  implies  there  is  no 
other  partition  to  be  made,  such  as  that  between  brother 
and  sister  now  contended  for,  and  the  oaths  established 
by  act  [iorii]  the  Gov""'  oath  and  Assistants  oath  is  to 
execute  all  wholsome  laws  made  by  lawfuU  authority 
consonant  to  their  Charter,  and  all  which  laws  and  oath 
we  apprehend  clash  with  the  said  act  for  settling  in- 
testate's estates,  and  shew  y^  same  to  be  obselete  and 
out  of  use.     But 

4'''.  Under  this  law  all  the  proceedings  complained  of 
are  void,  since  by  this  act  y"  inventory  is  to  be  delivered 
on  oath  to  y'  Co''t  of  Probates,  and  adin''con  to  be  granted 
by  the  Court  of  Probates,  and  the  bond  to  be  taken  by 
that  Court  and  in  y"  names  of  the  Court,  whereas  the 
adin''con  is  granted  to  and  bond  taken  from  Lechmere 
by  the  Supei'ior  Court;  and  then  this  act  directs  the 
adin'con  to  be  granted  to  the  widow  or  next  of  kin  to 
y'  deced,  or  both.  Now  Wait  Winthrop's  widow  had  as- 
signed her  right  to  the  appellant,  and  be  was  next  of 
kin,  and  consequently  under  this  act  intitled  to  hold  his 
adirrcon,  and  then  by  this  act  the  appellant  being  settled 
on  the  estate  in  question  by  his  fa'  in  his  life  time,  the 
same  ought  not  to  be  taken  away,  and  M"  Lechmere  in 
order  to  demand  a  partition  ought  to  bring  into  hotch  pot 
what  she  reced  in  her  father's  life  time,  which  she  never 
offered  to  do. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL   TO   PKIVr   COUNCIL.  491 

All  which  being  considered,  together  with  the  intention 
of  both  the  appellant's  fa''  and  uncle  that  he  should  suc- 
ceed to  the  whole  real  estate,  and  as  he  claims  one  moiety 
thereof  under  his  uncle,  and  as  his  fa''  put  him  in  pos^ion 
of  y'  whole,  and  settled  him  therein  to  his  the  appellant's 
own  use  and  benefit  many  years  before  his  death,  and 
considered  it  ever  afterwards  as  the  appellant's  own  in- 
heritance, and  who  took  so  much  pains  to  leave  the 
same  free  from  his  wife's  dower,  and  any  claim  from  his 
brother's  widow  and  child,  and  as  the  appellant  actually 
paid  his  father's  widow  5328'  12^  2''  in  lieu  of  her  dower, 
and  has  actually  laid  out  many  thousand  pounds  in  im- 
pi-oving  the  said  estate,  which  it  can't  be  imagined  he 
would  do  for  the  benefit  of  M''  Lechmere  &  his  wife,  and 
as  the  appellant's  sister  was  fully  promoted  by  her 
fa"^,  we  hope  these  prosecutions  of  M'  Lechmere  will 
appear  very  ill  grounded,  and  that  the  same  shall  be 
all  discharged. 

AVhat  we  are  to  pray  is. 

First,  That  the  resolve  of  the  Generall  Assembly  de- 
claring Lechmere  might  and  ought  to  be  releived  by 
the  Court  of  Probates  may  be  declared  null  and  void. 

Secondly,  That  the  inventory  tendered  by  us  to  the 
Court  of  Probates  of  all  our  father's  psonal  estate  may  be 
declared  a  right  and  proper  inventory,  and  ought  to  be 
accepted  as  such,  and  that  y"  sentences  rejecting  the  same 
may  be  reversed. 

Thirdly,  That  the  sentence  of  the  Superior  Court  grant- 
ing adiu''con  to  M''  Lechmere  &  his  wife  may  be  reversed 
and  set  aside,  and  Lechmere's  action  demanding  the  same 
be  dismissed. 

Fourtly,  That  the  adin''con  granted  to  Lechmere  may 
be  called  in  and  vacated,  and  the  adin''con  before  granted 
to  the  appellant  ordered  to  stand. 

Fifthly,  That  the  inventory  exhibited  by  M'  Lechmere 
and  his  wife  of  the  appellant's  real  estate,  and  also  of  his 


492  THE   WIKTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

charges,  and  the  debt  due  to  Latteraore,  may  be  vacated 
and  taken  off  the  fyle,  and  the  order  allowing  the  same 
and  directing  the  same  to  be  recorded  may  be  discharged. 

Sixthly,  That  the  order  of  the  General  Assembl}'  im- 
powering  the  said  Lechmere  to  sell  the  appellant's  lands, 
and  y"  order  of  the  Superior  Court  founded  thereon, 
dated  27  Sepf,  1726,  allowing  of  Lechmere's  making 
such  sale,  andy°  sale  itself,  maybe  declared  null  and  void, 
and  expurged  the  record ;  and  generally 

Sevently,  That  all  which  M""  Lechmere  hath  done 
under  the  said  adiTfcon,  together  with  y°  s"  law  for  set- 
tling intestate's  estates  may  be  declared  void,  and  that 
the  appellant  is  intitled  to  succeed  to  the  real  estate  of 
his  father  as  heir  at  law,  according  to  the  comon  law  of 
the  land. 

Second  Ohjeciion.  Note :  We  are  informed  the  respond- 
ent  Lechmere  intends  to  cite  a  case  determined  before  the 
late  Queen  in  Councill  in  1706,  between  Major  Palmes, 
appellant,  and  Fitz  John  Winthrop,  the  appellant's  un- 
cle, respondent.  If  they  should  cite  this  case,  we  take 
it  it  will  make  much  more  for  than  against  us.  The  case 
was  thus. 

M'  Palmes  married  Lucy,  one  of  the  daughters  of  John 
Winthrop,  the  coiuon  ancestor,  and  who  was  sister  to  y* 
s*  Fitz  John.  John  Winthrop  made  a  bill,*  and  thereby 
gave  his  two  sons,  Fitz  John  &  Waitstill,  each  an  equal 
proportion  out  of  his  estate,  which  was  to  be  double  to 
what  he  gave  his  daughters,  and  after  payment  of  his 
debts  he  gave  y'  rest  of  his  estate  to  his  daughters 
equally.  M'  Palmes  married  one  of  the  daughters,  who 
dyed,  and  Palmes  apprehending  he  had  a  larger  demand 
on  the  real  estate  than  was  allotted  him  he  petitioned  to 
have  letters  of  adiTi'con  granted  him  to  his  s*  wife,  and  to 
be  allotted  a  further  part  of  her  fixther's  real  estate.  He 
also  brought  another  action   ag'  Fitz  John,  to    recover 

•  This  is  an  obvious  mistake  on  tUe  pari  of  the  solicitor's  clerk  for  "  will."  —Eds. 


1727.]  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO    PRIVY   COUNCIL.  493 

2500'  in  I'elation  to  a  ship.  In  all  which  demands  judg- 
ment was  given  against  him  below,  and,  being  denyed  an 
appeal,  he  petitioned  and  was  allowed  the  same  here  on 
terms.  But  those  terms  not  being  complyed  with,  S' 
Henry  Ashurst,  as  agent  for  said  Fitz  John,  petitioned 
her  Maj'^  that  the  said  appeals  might  be  dismissed.  And 
note,  this  petition  of  S''  Henry  Ashursts  is  the  only  petition 
we  can  meet  with  in  the  office,  Palme's  petitions  being 
none  of  them  to  be  found,  and  this  gives  but  a  very  im- 
perfect state  of  the  case. 

Itt  also  appears  that  on  hearing  the  said  appeals  the 
judgment  below  in  relation  to  y°  ship  was  affirmed,  and 
11  April,  1706,  by  Order  in  Councill,  the  sentence  of 
the  Court  below  relating  to  the  adiTfcon  of  y°  s"*  Palme's 
to  his  wife  was  reversed,  and  ordered  that  the  adm''con 
should  be  granted  to  him.  And  we  find  an  original 
letter  from  S'  Henry  Ashurst,  dat  21  May,  1706,  wherein 
he  tells  him  the  appeal  as  to  the  ship  affair  was  dis- 
missed with  costs.  That  Palme's  pretence  to  any  more 
of  his  father's  estate  that  was  knocked  o'the  head  by  S' 
Henry's  petition  \_toru  in  the  fold  of  the  paper,  and  nearly 
the  whole  of  one  line  illegible'].  But  his  [torn']  petition  and 
appeale  of  yo'  refusing  to  admit  \torn'\  adin''con  to  his 
[Av/v;]  went  against  3'ou,  with  costs,  for  we  could  not 
defend  that,  for  you  ought  not  to  have  refused  it  him ; 
let  him  make  of  it  what  he  will.* 

So  that  itt  appears  this  was  a  quite  different  case. 
This  being  in  y"  case  of  a  will  made,  and  whether  Palme 
should  or  should  not  have  adin''con  to  his  wife,  where  no 
adm''con  was  taken  out  before.  The  present  case  being 
where  there  is  no  will,  and  where  the  dispute  as  to  the 
adin''con  is  to  take  away  an  adm^con  then  in  force,  from 
the  eldest  son  of  the  intestate,  to  whom  it  was  granted 
by  consent  of  y°  widow,  and  even  of  Lechmere  himself, 

*  For  repeated  references  to  the  attempt  of  JIajor  Edward  Palmes  to  disturb  the  settle- 
ment (if  file  estate  of  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  see  the  correspondence  of  Fitz  John  Winthrop, 
6  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  vol.  m., passim.  —  Eds. 


494  THE    WINTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727. 

as  appears  by  his  being  snretie  for  him,  and  to  give  it  to 
the  intestate's  daughter  and  her  husband,  so  that  this 
case  cannot  possibly  make  any  thing  for  Lechmere.  But 
Ave  apprehend  it  makes  for  us,  in  this,  that  the'  by  the 
laws  and  practice  of  Connecticut  as  insisted  on  a  husband 
was  not  intitled  to  take  out  adin''con  to  his  wife,  yet  as 
by  the  law  here  it  is  unquestionable  every  husband  is 
intitled  to  adm'  to  his  wife,  so  agreeable  thereto  their 
Lordships  advised  the  Crown  to  determine  that  disjDute, 
and  as  what  we  insist  on  is  equally  agreeable  to  the  laws 
and  vsage  of  England,  so  we  hope  we  shall  have  the  like 
success. 

If  Lechraere's  councill  insist,  as  we  are  informed  they 
will,  that  the  proceedings  in  this  case  are  agreeable  to 
y'  constant  practice  of  the  Colony,  we  answer  M"'  Lech- 
mere's  own  petition  to  the  Assembly  confutes  this,  he 
alleadging  therein  that  by  the  laws  of  the  Province,  as 
then  practiced  and  understood,  he  could  not  be  releived, 
for  that  he  had  no  remedy  either  in  the  temporal  or 
spiritual  courts,  and  the  very  form  of  letters  of  adminis- 
tration and  administration  bonds  confutes  this,  and  they 
have  no  proof  of  any  such  practice  or  vsage. 

If  the}'  should  oppose  our  going  into  the  merits  for 
that  we  ought  to  have  appealed  to  the  Assembly,  that  is 
over  ruled  by  his  Majties  having  allowed  us  an  appeale. 
Besides,  we  have  before  shewn  the  Assembly  to  be  no 
court  of  judicature,  and  that  the  judgment  of  the  Supe- 
rior Court  is  final  there,  and  in  all  appeals  from  that 
Province  hither  the  same  have  been  from  the  judgments 
of  the  Superior  Court. 

[The  editors  have  made  every  effort  to  obtain  a  copy  of  the  brief  for 
the  respondent,  but  without  success  ;  and  they  are  inclined  to  think  it  is 
no  longer  in  existence.  On  the  reverse  of  the  first  and  second  pages  of 
the  brief  here  printed  (see  mite,  pp.  440-447)  are  the  following  memo- 
randa, which  are  evidently  the  objections  of  the  counsel  for  the  respond- 
ent to  the  argument  for  tlie  appellant.  Mr.  Willes,  whose  name  appears 
first,  was  probably  Sir  John  Willes,  soon   afterward  Attorney- General 


1727. J  BRIEF   IN   APPEAL    TO    PRIVY    COUNCIL.  495 

and  subsequently  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  Mr. 
Booth  we  have  not  been  able  to  identify.  Thomas  Lechraere's  brother, 
Lord  Lechmere,  died  six  mouths  before  the  appeal  was  argued.] 

jW  WUles,  4>  Rnt. 

Obj  •  1)    Regularity  of  gceedings. 

2)   Point  of  law. 

1 )  Obj°'  as  to  what  was  the  estate  of  any  of  pet"  ancestors,  &  how 
pet'  intitled  imm'. 

2)  Proceedings  before  applicac:  to  Assembly  out  of  the  case.     Suites 
on  bond,  writs  of  ptic ;  because  in  fav'  of  pet'. 

On  bond,  because  cond°  is  agreable  only  to  the  stat.  here. 

On  writs  of  ptic.,  because  begun  in  County  Courts  &  not  Court  of 


1""  ace.  Inventory  rejected   by  Court  of  Probates  because  real  not 
comprised. 

Y'  withdrawne  &  sentence  of  Probates  confirm'd  22  Sept',  1724. 
No  appeal  from  thence. 

3)  Complaint  of  applicac.  to  Assembly. 

Y'  was  to  them  as  a  Court,  assembled  in  their  General  Court  &  not  in 
a  legislative  capacity  to  make  a  law  ex  post  facto. 

4)  2*   inventory  rejected  because  real   not    included;    thence   adm° 
vacated  &  new  granted. 

Obj:  not  gran  table  p  Sup'  Court. 

5)  Merits:  admit  sentence  v.  to  law  of  England. 
Law  of  the  Colony  2  3''  to  eldest  son,  y'  ch"  1  S"*. 
1)  Obj:  real  estate  throwne  in  accidentally. 
First  p'  takes  notice  of  lands  &  tenem". 

If  no  will,  the  same  shall  be  subj'  to  distribuc  w*  ps'. 
2''  Obj.     Never  put  in  use  &  obsolete. 
Not  prepared  w"'  instances,  nor  any  c.  v. 
Writs  of  ptic. 
Applicac.  to  Assembly. 
3*.     No  power  p  Chrt.  to  make  such  laws. 
1  p'  gen'. 

Last  words  give  them  power  to  make  all  laws  whatsoever. 
How  can  they  be  peaceably  governd  w""  laws  relating  to  Jjpty. 
Massachusetts. 

Not  like  a  corporac  here.     Corporac.  here  bound  by  laws  here. 
2.  "Wh'  laws  of  Eng*  extended  to  this  Colony  bef.  the  Chrt 
4)  Repugn'  to  laws  of  Eng*. 

i.  e.  They  are  not  to  repeal  the  laws  of  Engl*  where  plantac'  mencond; 
if  extended  to  laws  variant  they  can  make  none  ;  c^  unprovided  for. 


496  THE   WINTHKOP  PAPERS.  [1727-8. 

3fr.  Booth. 

Wh'  lands  descendible   acc^   to   laws   of  Eng*  or  wh'  in   power  of 
Assembly  to  vary  descent. 

1)  Supposing  they  have  no  laws. 
Blauchard  &  Galdy,  4  Mod. 
Stat,  of  E.  6.  ab'  selling  offices. 

Law  of  Eng*  doth  not  extend  to  Colony  unless  by  ptic'  act. 
In  c*  of  conquest,  laws  of  conq'  do  not  extend  to  it. 

2)  [illegible]  real  to  pay  debts. 

Clirt.  gives  power  to  ptc"  purchase  lands  &  alien. 

If  ptc"  may  dispose,  why  may  not  the  whole. 

Clause,  not  to  make  laws  contrary  to  law  Eng""  in  publick  mres,  trade,  &c. 

Bond,  forme  of  it  no  reason  to  set  aside  adm'. 

Eeady  to  give  farther  security. 


DECREE  OF  THE  KING  IN  COUNCIL* 

At  the  Court  at  St.  James's,  the  15""  day  of  February, 
172T[-8]. 

Present. 
The  Kings  Most  ExcelP  Majesty. 
Lord  President.  Earl  of  Scarborough. 

Lord  Privy  Seale.  Earl  of  Loudoun. 

Lord  Steward.  Earl  of  Uxbridge. 

Lord  Chamberlain.  Earl  of  Sussex. 

Lord  Great  Chamberlain.  Lord  Viscount  Cobham. 

Duke  of  Newcastle.  Lord  Viscount  Torrington. 

Earl  of  Lincoln.  Lord  Berkley  of  Stratton. 

Earl  of  Westmoreland.  Liev'  General  Wills. 

Earl  of  Berkley.  S'  Robert  Sutton. 

Upon  reading  this  day  at  the  Board  a  Report  from  the 
Right  Hono*'''  the  Lords  of  the  Committee  for   hearing 

*  Two  cnpies  of  tliis  decree  nre  amons  the  Wintlirop  Papers,  each  wilh  the  seal  of  the 
Privy  Council  attached,  and  each  attested  bv  the  fisnature  of  Edward  Soutliwill.  On 
one  is  the  following  indorsement:  'Recorded  in  the  lifth  book  of  Wills  for  the  County 
of  New  London,  folio  2fi9,  270,  271,  272,  273.  .June  2-)'\  1728.  }?  Rich-l  Christophers, 
Clerk  Priili'"."  (See  Winlhrop's  letter  to  his  wife,  post,  p.  509.)  It  is  also  printed  in 
Conn.  Col.  Rcc,  vol.  vii.,  from  an  original  in  the  Connecticut  archives.  The  fifth  book 
of  Wills  was  destroyed  when  Arnold  burned  New  London  in  1781.  —  Eds. 


1727  8.]  DECREE    OF   THE   KING   IN    COUNCIL.  497 

Appeales  from  the  Plantations,  dated  the  20"^  day  of  De- 
cember last,  in  the  words  following,  viz' :  — 

In  obedience  to  an  Order  in  Council  of  the  IS""  of  May 
last,  referring  to  this  Committee  the  humble  petition  and 
appeal  of  John  Winthrop,  of  New  London  in  his  Majes- 
tys  Colony  of  Connecticut,  Esq'',  only  son  and  heir  at  law 
of  Major  General  Wait  Winthrop,  of  Boston  in  New  Eng- 
land, Esq",  his  late  father,  deceased,  (to  which  appeal  tlie 
petitioner  was  admitted  by  his  late  Majestys  Order  in 
Council  of  the  28""  of  March  last,)  their  Lordships  this  day 
took  the  said  petition  into  consideration,  which  said  peti- 
tion setts  forth  (among  other  things)  the  Charter  of  incor- 
poration granted  to  the  said  Province  by  King  Charles  the 
Second  on  the  IS""  of  April  in  the  14*  year  of  his  reign, 
by  which  the  lands  of  the  said  Colony  are  held  of  the 
Crown  as  of  the  Mannor  of  East  Greenwich  in  Kent,  in 
free  and  common  soccage,  and  the  laws  which  they  are 
empowered  to  make  are  to  be  wholesome  and  reasonable, 
and  not  contrary  to  the  law  of  England ;  and  that  the 
pet'  was  possessed  of  and  entitled  to  a  very  considerable 
real  estate  in  the  said  Province  as  heir  at  law  to  his  said 
father,  Wait  Winthrop,  and  his  uncle,  the  Hono""  Fitz- 
John  Winthrop,  both  deceased  ;  that  his  said  father.  Wait 
Winthrop,  dyed  intestate,  having  issue  only  the  pef  and 
one  daughter,  Anne,  who  was  preferred  in  marriage  in 
her  father's  life  time  to  Thomas  Lechmere,  of  Boston 
aforesaid,  merchant,  and  that  on  his  said  fathers  death 
he  became  intitled  to  all  his  real  estate  whereof  he  dyed 
seized  in  fee  as  his  heir  at  law;  and  that  on  the  21"  of 
February,  1717/8,  at  the  Court  of  Probates  held  for  the 
County  of  New  London  in  Connecticut,  letters  of  admin- 
istration were  granted  to  the  pef  of  the  goods,  chattels, 
rights,  and  credits  of  his  said  father,  and  he  entered  into 
bond  to  the  Judge  of  the  said  Court  of  Probates  in 
£3000  penalty,  with  condition  for  his  making  a  true  in- 
ventory of  all  and  singular  the  goods,  chattels,  and  credits 


498  THE  WINTHROP  PAPERS.  [1727-8. 

of  the  said  deceased,  and  exhibit  the  same  into  the  Regis- 
try of  the  said  Court  of  Probates,  and  truly  to  administer 
tlie  same  according  to  law.  But  the  pef  having  paid  and 
advanced  more  to  and  for  and  on  account  of  the  said 
Thomas  Lechmere  than  the  said  Ann  his  vpifes  share  of 
the  said  intestates  personal  estate  come  to  the  petition- 
ers hands  amounted  to,  and  the  said  Thomas  and  Ann 
Lechmere  having  possessed  most  part  of  the  said  Wait 
Winthrops  personal  estate,  and  not  having  required  the 
petition'  to  exhibit  any  inventory  or  account  of  his  ad- 
ministration, and  the  pef  having  discharged  all  his  said 
fathei''s  debts,  save  only  one  bond  for  £300,  on  which  he 
duly  discharged  all  interest,  and  would  have  paid  off  the 
principal  but  the  obligee  declined  accepting  the  same, 
the  pef  did  not  for  these  reasons  think  it  necessary  to 
exhibit  any  inventory  or  account  of  his  said  administra- 
tion ;  but  in  order  to  ruin  and  oppress  the  pef,  six  years 
after  the  said  letters  of  administration  so  granted  to  the 
pef,  viz'  in  July,  1724,  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  ap- 
plied to  the  Court  of  Probates  insisting  he  was  in  right  of 
his  wife  entitled  to  a  proportion  of  the  said  "Wait  Win- 
throps real  estate,  but  that  he  was  kept  thereout  by  the 
pef*  not  having  inventoried  and  administered  the  same, 
and  caused  the  pef  to  be  summoned  by  the  Court  of 
Probates  to  shew  cause  why  he  neglected  to  inventory 
the  intestates  estate,  and  finish  his  administration  accord- 
ing to  his  bond,  upon  which  the  pef  exhibited  an  inven- 
tory of  the  said  intestates  personal  estate  in  the  said 
Court  of  Probates,  and  the  pef  at  the  foot  thereof  in- 
sisted administrators  had  nothing  to  do  with  lands,  they 
belonging  to  the  heir  at  law,  and  that  he  was  in  possession 
thereof  as  his  right  of  inheritance  according  to  the  law  of 
England,  and  therefore  he  was  not  obliged  to  exhibit  any 
account  of  the  real  estate,  that  not  being  cognizable  by  a 
Court  of  Probates,  and  which  inventory  the  pef  prayed 
might  be  accepted  and  recorded,  but  the  Court  declared 


17J7-8.]         dl:cree  of  the  kixg  m  couxciL.  499 

they  were  satisfyed  the  same  was  not  a  true  and  perfect 
inventory  of  all  the  said  intestates  estate  within  that 
county,  and  that  the  pet"  objections  were  against  law, 
and  decreed  that  the  said  inventory  should  not  be  ad- 
mitted, and  refused  to  accept  it  as  such  an  inventory  of 
the  intestates  estate  as  ought  to  be  exhibited ;  and  the 
said  Thomas  Lechraere  in  the  same  July  put  the  petition- 
ers said  administration  bond  in  suit  against  him,  and  at 
the  same  time,  in  his  own  name  and  in  the  name  of  Abel 
Wally,  brought  another  action  against  the  pet",  as  they 
had  been  suretys  for  him  in  an  administration  bond  for 
his  duly  administering  the  intestates  estate  in  the  county 
of  Suffolk  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  alledging  such  ad- 
ministration bond  had  been  sued  and  recovered  from 
them  on  account  of  the  pet"  not  having  exhibited  an  in- 
ventory or  brought  in  his  administration  accounts  ;  and 
the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  also  at  the  same  time  brought 
four  several  writs  of  partition  in  his  own  name  and  in  the 
name  of  his  wife  Ann,  stiling  her  only  daughter  and  co- 
heir of  the  said  Wait  Winthrop,  to  recover  from  the  pef 
one  third  of  the  real  estate  in  the  said  writs  mentioned, 
insisting  the  said  Ann  was  coheir  thereto  with  the  pef,  and 
as  such  by  the  law  of  the  Province  she  was  entitled  to 
one  third  of  the  said  real  estate,  and  that  on  full  and  fair 
hearings  the  final  judgement  in  all  the  said  six  actions 
were  given  for  the  pet" ;  that  it  thus  appearing  the  pet" 
inheritance  could  not  be  split  and  tore  to  peices  by  the 
common  ordinary  means  of  justice,  as  the  law  was  then 
understood,  some  more  irresistable  way  was  to  be  found 
out  to  oppress  the  pef,  and  for  that  purpose  the  said 
Thomas  Lechmere  preferred  a  petition  to  the  General 
Assembly  in  1725,  in  the  name  of  himselfe  and  his  wife, 
setting  forth  the  said  several  judgments  given  against 
him,  and  that  they  were  never  likely  to  recover  of  the 
pef  one  third  of  the  said  real  estate,  tho  the  same  de- 
scended, as  they  alledged,  to  the  said  Ann  and  the  pef  as 


500  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1727-8. 

coheirs  of  their  father,  without  the  aid  and  relief  of  that 
Assembly,  and  that  either  by  reason  of  the  insufficiency 
of  the  diction  of  the  law  of  the  Colony  already  made,  or 
by  the  Courts  sense  or  exposition  thereof,  for  they  had 
no  remedy  by  the  common  law,  as  appeared  by  the  said 
judgements  against  them,  nor  could  have  any  remedy  by 
the  Court  of  Probates,  for  that  the  pef  refused  to  inven- 
tory the  real  estates,  and  as  the  law  of  the  Colony  had 
given  them  a  right  to  one  third  of  the  premises,  it  was 
not  consistent  with  the  honour  of  the  Colony  but  that  the 
government  would  afford  some  indisputable  method  for 
their  obtahiing  their  said  right,  and  to  that  end  they 
prayed  the  Assembly  to  sett  aside  the  said  judgements 
and  to  grant  a  new  tryal  wherein  they  might,  notwith- 
standing the  exposition  of  the  Superior  Court  upon  the 
law,  well  support  their  said  actions  of  partition,  which 
petition,  tho  of  so  very  extraordinary  nature,  the  Assem- 
bly received  and  ordered  the  pef  to  attend  to  answer  the 
same.  That  the  pef  put  in  his  answer,  insisting  there 
was  nothing  contained  in  the  said  petition  that  called  for 
the  interposition  of  the  Assembly,  or  in  which  they  ought 
or  could  give  any  relief;  notwitstanding  which  and  with- 
out any  hearing  the  Assembly  resolved  that  relief  might 
and  ought  to  be  had  in  the  Probates  in  such  like  cases  by 
a  new  grant  of  administration,  exhibiting  an  inventory  of 
the  whole  estate,  and  a  distribution  made  according  to  the 
rules  of  law  upon  the  whole.  And  at  the  same  time,  tho 
they  came  to  this  resolve,  they  dismissed  the  said  Lech- 
meres  petition. 

That  the  pet',  by  this  very  extraordinary  resolve  find- 
ing the  danger  he  was  in,  again  exhibited  to  the  Court 
of  Probates  a  full  and  true  inventory  of  his  fathers  per- 
sonal estate  come  to  his  hands  valued  and  appraised,  and 
again  insisted  in  writing  at  the  foot  thereof  that  admin- 
istrators had  nothing  to  do  with  lands,  they  belonging  to 
hiin  as  heir  at  law,  and  as  his  right  of  inheritance  accord- 


1727-8.]  DECREE    OF    THE    KIXG   IK   COUNCIL.  501 

ing  to  the  law  of  England,  and  that  no  real  estate  ought 
by  law  to  be  exhibited  not  cognizable  by  a  Court  of  Pro- 
bates ;  and  the  pef^  moved  the  Court  to  have  the  same 
accepted  as  a  full  inventory  of  all  the  intestates  estate 
within  that  Colony  proper  for  a  Court  of  Probates  by  law 
to  demand,  and  offered  his  oath  that  it  was  the  whole 
personal  estate  of  the  deceased.  But  the  Court  insisting 
on  the  pet"  taking  an  oath  that  it  was  an  inventory  of  the 
whole  of  the  intestates  real  as  well  as  personal  estate, 
which  the  pef  refused  to  comply  with,  insisting  he  ought 
not  to  inventory  any  real  estate,  whereupon  the  said 
Court  by  their  sentence  of  the  29*  of  June,  1725,  rejected 
the  said  inventory,  and  refused  to  accept  the  same,  from 
which  sentence  of  denial  the  pef  appealed  to  the  Superior 
Court.  That  after  the  said  appeal,  and  before  it  came 
on  to  be  determined,  the  said  Lechmere  commenced  a  suit 
in  the  Court  of  Probates  to  have  administration  granted 
to  him  of  the  said  intestates  estate,  and  the  pef  being 
summoned  to  shew  cause  why  administration  should  not 
be  granted  to  the  said  Lechmere,  for  cause  insisted  on  his 
said  appeal  being  depending,  and  which  cause  the  said 
Court  allowed,  from  which  allowance  the  said  Lechmere 
also  appealed  to  the  said  Superior  Court. 

That  on  the  28'"  Sept^  1725,  the  Superior  Court,  on 
hearing  the  pet"  appeal,  declared  that  they  were  of  opin- 
ion that  real  as  well  as  personal  estates  were  ordered  to 
be  inventoried  by  the  law  of  that  Colony,  and  that  all 
Courts  of  Probates  ought  to  be  guided  in  their  adminis- 
trations thereby,  notwithstanding  the  laws  of  England 
do  not  ordain  that  real  estates  should  be  inventoried ; 
and  thereupon  ordered  that  the  pef  should  not  be  ad- 
mitted to  evidence  to  the  said  inventory  by  any  other 
oath  than  that  which  was  agreeable  to  the  laws  of  the 
Province,  and  affirmed  the  judgement  of  the  Court  of  Pro- 
bates and  condenmed  the  pef  in  costs,  from  which  judge- 
ment the  pef  prayed  and  was  allowed  a  review  to  the 


502  THE  WINTHKOP  PAPERS.  [1727-8. 

next  Superior  Court.  And  the  said  Lechmeres  appeal 
coming  on  at  the  same  time,  the  Court  also  in  that  suit 
affirmed  the  judgement  of  the  Court  of  Probates,  from 
which  sentence  the  said  Lechmere  prayed  and  was  allowed 
a  review  likewise. 

That  on  hearing  the  pet"  said  appeal  on  the  review,  on 
the  22*  of  March,  1725,  6,  the  Court  affirmed  their  said 
former  judgement  and  condemned  the  pef  in  costs,  and 
on  the  said  Lechmeres  review,  which  came  on  at  the  same 
time,  the  said  Superior  Court,  forasmuch  as  the  pet"  said 
appeal  was  then  determined,  adjudged  that  the  said  let- 
ters of  administration  formerly  granted  the  pef  should  be 
vacated,  and  the  same  was  thereby  vacated,  and  that  the 
said  Thomas  Lechmere  and  Ann  his  wife  should  have 
administration  on  the  deceaseds  estate ;  and  the  said  Su- 
perior Court  thereby  granted  power  of  administration  to 
the  said  Thomas  and  Ann  Lechmere  on  the  said  intestates 
estate,  and  condemned  the  pef  in  costs  ;  from  both  which 
judgements  of  the  Superior  Court  the  pef  prayed,  but  was 
in  a  very  extraordinary  manner  denyed,  an  appeal  to  his 
late  Majesty  in  Councill,  but  which  appeal  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  upon  his  petition  to  his  late  Majesty. 

And  the  pef  finding  his  inheritance  in  this  innninent 
danger  of  being  torn  in  peices,  all  application  for  releif 
to  his  Majesty  being  denyed  him,  to  prevent  if  possible 
any  thing  being  done  in  the  premises  till  he  could  lay  his 
case  before  his  Majesty,  entered  and  fyled  his  protest  as 
heir  at  law  to  his  father  against  granting  letters  of  ad- 
ministration to  his  fathers  estate  to  any  other  person 
whatever,  the  Court  having  before  lodged  that  power 
with  the  pef,  and  also  against  any  division  of  any  real 
estate  pretended  to  belong  to  the  pet"  father,  all  such 
real  estate  being  the  pet"  undoubted  right  of  inheritance, 
who  was  seized  and  possessed  of  the  same  according  to 
the  laws  of  England,  and  which  he  was  entitled  to  under 
the  Charter  of  the  said  Province,  and  therefore  the  pef^ 


1727-8.]     DECREE  OF  THE  KING  IX  COUNCIL.        503 

protested  against  any  proceedings  of  the  said  Court  con- 
trary to  the  laws  of  England.  Notwithstanding  which  the 
Judges  of  the  said  Superior  Court  the  same  22*^  of  March 
granted  lettei's  of  administration  to  the  said  intestates 
estate  to  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  and  Ann  his  wife, 
and  took  the  usual  administration  bond  from  the  said 
Thomas  Lechmere  and  his  suretys,  which  letters  of  ad- 
ministration and  bond  extend  only  to  the  goods,  chattels, 
rights,  and  credits  of  the  deceased  which  the  pet"'  had 
before  duly  administered. 

That  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  under  colour  hereof 
inventoried  and  appraised  all  the  pet"  real  estate,  and  ex- 
hibited an  inventory  thereof  before  a  Special  Superior 
County  Court  held  for  that  purpose  on  the  29""  of  April, 
1726,  which  the  said  Court,  notwithstanding  the  said 
Lechmere  either  by  his  letters  of  administration  or  his 
administration  bond  had  nothing  to  do  with  real  estate, 
took  upon  them  contrary  to  law  to  sitt  specially  and  re- 
ceive the  said  inventory,  and  by  their  acts  of  that  date 
approved  the  same,  and  ordered  it  to  be  received,  and 
the  said  Lechmere  also  then  exhibited  to  the  Court  an 
account  of  £38.  7^  4''  for  charges  and  time  spent  in  the 
administration,  and  of  a  debt  due  to  Robert  Lattimore 
for  £318  silver  mony,  (which  was  the  bond  the  pef  had 
offered  to  discharge  as  aforesaid,  and  for  which  he  had 
duly  paid  interest,)  which  account  the  said  Court  also 
allowed  and  ordered  to  be  kept  on  fyle,  and  the  12""  May, 
1726,  the  said  Lechmere  (being  conscious  he  had  no 
power  over  any  real  estate  by  virtue  of  the  administra- 
tion) petitioned  the  Assembly,  setting  forth  that  no  per- 
sonal estate  of  the  intestate  had  come  to  his  hands,  the 
estate  come  to  his  hands  being  all  real,  and  finding  there 
was  due  from  the  said  estate  £356.  7^  i'',  being  the  two 
sums  in  his  above  acco'  mentioned,  and  no  moveables  to 
pay  the  same,  he  prayed  the  Assembly  to  enable  him  to 
pay  the  said  debts  by  ordering  him  to  sell  and  dispose  of 


504  THE   WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727-8. 

SO  much  of  the  said  lands  thereby  to  defray  the  said  debts, 
with  other  necessary  charges. 

That  the  pef  being  informed  of  this  application,  that 
the  Assembly  might  do  nothing  herein  without  the  fullest 
notice  possible,  the  pet' presented  amemorial  to  the  Gover- 
nour  and  Company  agreeing  in  substance  with  the  above 
recited  protest,  and  declaring  that  he,  being  agrieved  with 
the  aforementioned  proceedings,  should  lay  the  whole  by 
appeal  before  his  Majestj'^;  but  which  remonstrance  of 
the  pet"  the  Assembly  the  same  day  dismissed,  and  im- 
mediately afterwards,  on  the  said  Lechmeres  petition, 
granted  him  a  power  to  sell  the  said  lands,  and  ordered 
that  a  bill  should  be  brought  in  for  that  end  in  form  ; 
whereupon  the  pef  entered  and  fyled  his  protest  with 
the  said  Governour  and  Company  to  the  effect  with  that 
beforementioned,  and  further  protesting  against  their 
proceeding  to  grant  power  to  any  pretended  administra- 
tor to  sell  any  part  of  the  pet"  real  estate  under  colour 
of  debts  due  from  the  said  deceased,  as  they  would  an- 
swer the  same  before  his  Majesty  in  Councill,  which  pro- 
test the  Assembly  declared  had  in  it  a  shew  of  contempt 
to  the  Governour  and  Assembly  and  the  authority  there 
established,  and  therefore  on  the  25""  of  the  same  May 
they  ordered  the  Sheriff  to  bring  the  pef  to  the  bar  of 
the  said  Assembly  to  answer  for  the  contempt  manifested 
in  the  said  pi'otest,  and  immediately  afterwards  passed 
an  act  empowering  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  to  sell  so 
much  of  the  said  lands  as  might  be  sufficient  to  discharge 
the  said  debts  and  the  necessary  costs,  the  said  Lechmere 
taking  the  advice  of  the  Superior  Court  in  such  sale,  and 
enacting  such  deed  or  deeds  of  sale  to  be  good. 

That  the  petitioner  humbly  lays  the  whole  of  these 
proceedings  before  his  Majesty  by  which  the  many  ex- 
traordinary and  unjustifiable  steps  may  appear  that 
have  been  taken  against  him  in  order  to  disinherit  him 
of  his  inheritance,  and   to   set   up  his   sister   as   coheir 


1727-8.]  DECREE    OF   THE   KIXG    IX   COUNCIL.  505 

with  him,  and  to  make  a  division  of  his  real  estate  be- 
tween him  and  his  sister,  contrary  to  the  common  law  of 
England  and  the  royall  Charter  of  the  said  Province ;  and 
in  consideration  thereof  and  of  the  many  hardships  of  the 
petitioners  case,  the  pef  humbly  prays  his  Majesty  to 
reverse  the  said  two  sentences  of  the  Superior  Court  of 
the  22**  of  March,  1725/6,  with  costs  and  damages  to  the 
pef,  and  to  order  the  said  administration  so  illegally  and 
irregularly  granted  to  the  said  Thomas  and  Ann  Lech- 
mere  to  be  called  in,  and  also  to  sett  aside  and  discharge 
all  subsequent  proceedings  grounded  thereon,  and  that 
his  Majesty  would  repeal  the  said  act  passed  by  the  As- 
sembly empowering  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  to  sell 
and  dispose  of  the  petitioners  said  real  estate,  and  that 
his  Majesty  would  be  pleased  to  grant  him  all  such  fur- 
ther and  other  relief  as  the  circumstance  and  nature  of 
his  case  should  require. 

Their  Lordships  having  heard  all  parties  concerned  by 
their  counsell  learned  in  the  law  on  the  said  petition 
and  appeal,  and  there  being  laid  before  their  Lordships 
an  act  passed  by  the  Governor  and  Company  of  that  Col- 
ony entitled  An  Act  for  the  Settlement  of  Intestates  Es- 
tates, by  which  act  (amongst  other  things)  administrators 
of  persons  dying  intestate  are  directed  to  inventory  all 
the  estate  whatsoever  of  the  person  so  deceased,  as  well 
moveable  as  not  moveable,  and  to  deliver  the  same  upon 
oath  to  the  Court  of  Probates,  and  by  the  said  Act  (debts, 
funerals,  and  just  expenses  of  all  sorts,  and  the  dower  of 
the  wife  (if  any)  being  first  allowed)  the  said  Court  of 
Probates  is  empowered  to  distribute  all  the  remaining 
estate  of  any  such  intestate,  as  well  real  as  personal,  by 
equal  portions  to  and  amongst  the  children  and  such  as 
legally  represent  them,  except  the  eldest  son  who  is  to 
have  two  shares  or  a  double  portion  of  the  whole,  the  di- 
vision of  the  estate  to  be  made  by  three  sufficient  free- 
holders on  oath,  or  any  two  of  them,  to  be  appointed  by 


506  THE   WINXnROP    PAPERS.  [1727-S. 

the  Court  of  Probates  :  Their  Lordships  upon  due  con- 
sideration of  the  whole  matter  do  agree  humbly  to  report 
as  their  opinion  to  your  Majesty,  that  the  said  Act  for 
the  Settlement  of  Intestates  Estates  should  be  declared 
null  and  void,  being  contrary  to  the  laws  of  England,  in 
regard  it  makes  lands  of  inheritance  distributable  as  pei'- 
sonal  estates,  and  is  not  warranted  by  the  Charter  of  that 
Colony;  and  that  the  said  three  sentences  of  the  29"'  of 
June,  1725,  of  28'^  September,  1725,  and  of  the  22'»  day  of 
March,  1725/6,  rejecting  the  inventory  of  the  said  intes- 
tates estates  exhibited  by  the  pet'  and  refusing  to  accept 
the  same  because  it  did  not  contain  the  real  as  well  as 
personal  estate  of  the  said  intestate,  and  declaring  real 
as  well  as  personal  estates  ought  to  be  inventoried,  may 
be  all  reversed  and  sett  aside ;  and  that  the  petitioner  be 
permitted  to  exhibit  an  inventory  of  the  personal  estate 
only  of  the  said  intestate,  and  that  the  Court  of  Probates 
be  directed  not  to  reject  such  inventory  only  because  it 
does  not  contain  the  real  estate  of  the  said  intestate ;  and 
that  the  said  sentence  of  the  22"  of  March,  1725'6,  vacat- 
ing  the  said  letters  of  administration  granted  to  the  pet' 
and  granting  administration  to  the  said  Thomas  and  Ann 
Lechmere,  should  also  be  reversed  and  sett  aside ;  and 
that  the  said  letters  of  administration  so  granted  to  the 
said  Thomas  Lechmere  and  Ann  his  wife  should  be  called 
in  and  vacated,  and  that  the  said  inventory  of  the  said 
real  estate  exhibited  by  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  and 
Anne  his  Avife  should  be  vacated,  and  that  the  order  of 
the  29*  of  April,  1726,  approving  of  the  said  inventory 
and  ordering  the  same  to  be  recorded,  should  be  dis- 
charged and  sett  aside ;  and  that  the  originall  letters  of 
administration  granted  to  the  pef  should  be  established 
and  ordered  to  stand,  and  that  all  such  costs  as  the  pet' 
hath  paid  unto  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  by  direction 
of  the  said  sentences  may  be  forthwith  repaid  him  by 
the  said  Thomas  Lechmere,  and  that  the  suit    brought 


1727-8.]  DECKEE    OF   THE   KING   IN    COUNCIL.  507 

by  the  said  Lechmere  and  his  wife  on  which  the  said  sen- 
tence was  made  may  be  dismissed,  and  that  all  acts  and 
proceedings  done  and  had  under  the  said  sentences,  or 
any  of  them,  or  by  virtue  or  pretence  thereof,  may  be 
discharged  and  declaimed  null  and  void ;  and  also  that  the 
said  Act  of  Assembly  passed  in  May,  1726,  empowering 
the  said  Lechmere  to  sell  the  said  lands,  should  be  de- 
clared null  and  void ;  and  it  appearing  to  their  Lordships 
that  the  said  Superior  Court  by  an  order  bearing  date 
the  27"^  of  September,  1726,  and  made  pursuant  to  the 
said  Act  of  Assembly,  allowed  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere 
to  sell  of  the  said  real  estate  to  the  value  of  ninety 
pounds  current  money  there  for  his  charges,  and  three 
hundred  and  eighteen  pounds  silver  money  to  answer 
the  said  bond  debt  due  from  the  intestate,  their  Lord- 
ships are  of  opinion  that  the  said  order  of  the  Superior 
Court  should  be  declared  null  and  void,  and  also  that  the 
petitioner  should  be  immediately  restored  and  put  into 
the  full  and  quiet  possession  of  all  such  parts  of  the  said 
real  estate  as  may  have  been  taken  from  him  under  pre- 
tence of  or  by  virtue  or  colour  of  the  said  sentences, 
orders,  acts,  and  proceedings,  or  any  of  them,  and  that 
the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  do  account  for  and  pay  to  the 
said  petitioner  the  rents  and  profits  thereof  received  by 
him,  or  any  one  under  him,  for  and  during  the  time  of 
such  his  unjust  detention  thereof. 

His  Majesty,  taking  the  same  into  his  royal  consider- 
ation, is  pleased  with  the  advice  of  his  Privy  Councill 
to  approve  of  the  said  report,  and  confirm  the  same  in 
every  particular  part  thereof,  and  pursuant  thereunto 
to  declare  that  the  aforementioned  act  entituled  An 
Act  for  the  Settlement  of  Intestates  Estates  is  null  and 
void,  and  the  same  is  hereby  accordingly  declared  to 
be  null  and  void  and  of  no  force  or  effect  whatever. 
And  his  Majesty  is  hereby  further  pleased  to  order,  that 


508  THE    WIXTHROP   PAPERS.  [1727-8. 

all   the   aforementioned   sentences  of   the  29""  of  June, 

1725,  of  the  28''"  of  Sept%  1725,  and  of  the  22^  of  March, 
1725/6,  and  every  of  them,  be  and  they  are  hereby 
reversed  and  sett  aside ;  and  that  the  pef,  John  Win- 
throp,  be  and  he  is  hereby  admitted  to  exhibit  an  in- 
ventory of  the  personal  estate  only  of  the  said  intestate, 
and  that  the  Court  of  Probates  do  not  presume  to  re- 
ject such  inventory,  because  it  does  not  contain  the 
real  estate  of  the  said  intestate.  And  his  Majesty  doth 
hereby  further  order,  that  the  aforementioned  sentence 
of  the  22'^  of  March,  1725/6,  vacating  the  said  letters 
of  administration  granted  to  the  pet'  and  granting  ad 
ministration  to  the  said  Thomas  and  Anne  Lechmere 
be  also  reversed  and  sett  aside  ;  and  that  the  said  let 
ters  of  administration  so  granted  to  the  said  Thomas 
Lechmere  and  Anne  his  wife  be  called  in  and  vacated 
and  that  the  said  inventory  of  the  said  real  estate  ex- 
hibited by  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  and  Anne  his  -wife 
be   vacated.     And   that  the  order  of  the  29*^  of  April, 

1726,  approving  of  the  said  inventory,  and  ordering  the 
same  to  be  recorded,  be  discharged  and  sett  aside ;  and 
that  the  originall  letters  of  administration  so  granted 
to  the  pet'  be  and  they  are  hereby  established  and 
ordered  to  stand.  And  that  all  such  costs  as  the  pet' 
hath  paid  unto  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  by  direction 
of  the  said  sentences,  all,  every,  or  any  of  them,  be 
forthwith  repaid  to  him  by  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere ; 
and  that  the  suit  brought  by  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere 
and  Anne  his  wife,  on  which  the  said  sentences  were 
made,  be  and  they  are  hereby  dismist ;  and  that  all  acts 
and  proceedings  done  and  had  under  the  said  sentences, 
all,  every,  or  any  of  them,  or  by  virtue  or  pretence 
thereof,  be  and  they  are  hereby  discharged  and  sett 
aside  &  declared  null  &  void.  And  His  Majesty  is  fur- 
ther pleased  to  declare,  that  y"  aforementioned  Act  of 
Assembly   passed  in  May,  1726,   empowering   the   said 


1728.]  JOHN   WINTHKOP   TO    HIS   WIFE.  509 

Thomas  Leclimere  to  sell  the  said  lands,  is  null  and 
void ;  and  also  that  the  said  order  made  by  the  said 
Superior  Court,  and  bearing  date  the  27"^  of  Sepf,  1726, 
pursuant  to  the  said  Act  of  Assembly  allowing  the  said 
Lechmere  to  sell  of  the  said  real  estate  to  the  value 
of  ninety  pounds  current  money  there  for  his  charges, 
and  three  hundred  and  eighteen  pounds  silver  money, 
is  likewise  null  and  void ;  and  the  said  Act  of  Assembly 
and  order  of  the  said  Superior  Court  are  accordingly 
hereby  declared  null  and  void,  and  of  no  force  or  effect 
whatever.  And  his  Majesty  doth  hereby  likewise  further 
order,  that  the  pet'  be  immediately  restored  and  putt 
into  the  full,  peaceable,  and  quiet  possession  of  all  such 
parts  of  the  said  real  estate  as  may  have  been  taken 
from  him,  und''  pretence  of  or  by  virtue  or  colour  of 
the  said  sentences,  orders,  acts,  and  proceedings,  or  any 
of  them ;  and  that  the  said  Thomas  Lechmere  do  account 
for  and  pay  to  the  said  petitioner  the  rents  and  profits 
thereof,  and  of  every  part  thereof,  received  by  him,  or 
any  one  under  him,  for  and  during  the  time  of  such  his 
unjust  detention  thereof.  And  the  Governor  and  Com- 
pany of  his  Majestys  Colony  of  Connecticut  for  the 
time  being,  and  all  other  officers  and  persons  whatsoever 
whom  it  may  concern,  are  to  take  notice  of  his  Majestys 
royall  pleasure  hereby  signified,  and  yeild  due  obedience 
to  every  particular  part  thereof,  as  they  will  answer  the 
contrary  at  their  perill. 

Edward  Southwell. 


JOHN  AVINTHROP  TO  HIS  WIFE. 

London,  New  Years  Day,  172|  [March  25,  1728]. 

My  dearest  Heart,  —  Notwithstanding  the  many  in- 
tollerable  abuses,  lyes,  &  slanders  that  have  been  every 
way  contriv'd  to  hurt  me,  yet  yo'  injured  husband  is  yet 


510  THE   WINTHEOP   PAPERS.  [1728. 

alive  &  safe.  Blessed  be  God  for  it,  who  has  kept  me  & 
preserved  me  from  the  innumerable  evills  that  w''  have 
distrest  me.  Thro  the  favo''  of  Heaven,  the  envy,  spight, 
&  malice  of  my  enemyes  has  not  prevailed  against  me ; 
but  God  has  given  me  favo''  in  the  sight  of  the  King,  and 
his  Maj'^  has  been  gratiously  pleased  to  decide  the  con- 
troversy in  my  favo"",  after  two  days  long  hearings  before 
the  Lords  of  the  Councell.  The  Attorney  Generall  &  the 
Sollicitor  Generall  pleaded  for  me ;  after  w"**  I  humbly 
beg'd  leave  w""  great  submission  to  speake  a  few  words  in 
my  owne  behalfe,  w"^  I  have  inclosed,  w""  the  other  papers 
und""  the  seal  of  the  Councell  Office,  for  yo'  perusall  and 
the  perusall  of  some  few  friends.  But  lett  none  take  a 
coppy  of  w'  is  not  und"'  the  seal.  You  must  immediately 
see  them  recorded  in  the  publick  entry's  of  the  Probate 
Court  and  the  Superio''  Court,  and  the  Secretary  must  re- 
corde  them  in  the  Records  of  the  Generall  Assembly.  It 
is  the  King's  positive  command,  and  you  are  not  to  pay 
for  the  entr}'. 

There  was  present  at  the  hearing  of  my  case  :  the  Lord 
President  of  the  Councell,  y*  Duke  of  Devonshire,  my 
Lord  Trevor,  Lord  Privy  Seal,  the  two  Lord  Chief  Jus- 
tices, the  Lord  Chancelor,  S''  Robert  Walpole,  Lord  Treas- 
urer, the  Master  of  the  Rolls,  my  Lord  Hay,  my  Lord 
Finlater,  Chancelor  of  Scotland,  Archbishop  of  York, 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  my  Lord  Bishop  of  London, 
and  a  full  Councell  Board  ;  and  a  very  numerous  audi- 
tory of  knights  &  gentlemen,  who  w""  one  voice  cryed, 
Shame  on  the  New  England  Collony's !  And  I  thank  my 
God,  who  has  kept  my  vertue  and  showed  my  innocence 
to  the  world.  And  as  I  was  so  openly  insulted,  &  brought 
to  the  barr  of  the  Connecticott  Court,  I  am  at  length  so 
honourably  and  publickly  acquitted  before  the  higliest 
Court  of  the  kingdom !  And  tho  you  were  disregarded 
&  obliged  to  dine  alone  on  the  Connecticott  Thanksgiv- 
ing Day,  yet  now  rejoyce  openly.     And  tho  M'  Agent  D. 


1728.]  JOHN   WINTHROP   TO    HIS   WIFE.  511 

(who  is  reckned  crazy  &  in  a  strange  distemperd  way) 
has  given  himselfe  such  aires  as  to  write  that  I  was  so  ob- 
scure, &  not  knowne  in  England,  and  that  my  ancestors 
was  forgotten,  yet  I  must  tell  you  y'  he  never  appear'd 
himselfe ;  but  the  Lords  said,  W  a  strange,  madd  sort  of 
people  are  these,  that  are  indeavoring  to  hurt  a  family 
that  founded  them  !  After  w"*"  I  had  the  bono''  to  kiss  his 
Maj'^™  hand,  being  introduc't  by  the  Right  Honourable 
the  Lord  in  waiting.* 


*  This  letter  is  uniinished  and  unsigned,  as  if  the  writer's  exultant  feelings  had  been 
too  much  for  him.  It  was,  however,  a  dear-bought  victory,  the  fees  of  so  many  lawyers, 
and  the  incidental  expenses  of  protracted  litigation,  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  having 
been,  for  that  period,  enormous.  Aside  from  the  gratification  of  triumphing  against  such 
odds,  it  is  questionable  whether  it  would  not  have  been  cheaper  to  have  compromised  with 
Lechmere  at  the  outset. 

A  succeeding  volume  will  contain  selections  from  the  correspondence  of  John  Winthrop, 
F.  R.  S.,  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  together  with  a  number  of  papers  relating  to  the 
complaints  against  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  which  he  continued  to  urge  long  after 
the  Lechmere  suit  had  been  decided  in  his  favor.  It  is  a  curious  circum.«tance  that  in  the 
similar  case  of  Phillips  vs.  Savage,  arising  under  the  Massachusetts  Act  for  the  Distribu- 
tion of  the  Estates  of  Intestates,  and  decided  just  ten  years  after  the  decree  in  the  case  of 
Winthrop  vs.  Lechmere,  the  appeal  was  dismissed  (see  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Proceedings,  vol.  v. 
pp.  64-80,  165-171  ;  vol.  xiii.  pp.  100-10;J).  There  was,  however,  a  difference  in  the  two 
cases  ;  for,  in  accordance  with  the  Massachusetts  Province  Charter,  the  Massachusetts  Act 
had  been  approved  by  the  King  in  Council,  while  the  Connecticut  Charter  did  not  require 
such  approval  of  the  legislative  acts  of  that  Province,  and  the  Connecticut  Act  relating  to 
the  estates  of  intestates  had  therefore  never  received  the  royal  assent.  At  the  session  of  the 
General  Assembly  in  October,  1728,  Connecticut  made  provision  for  the  restoration  to 
Winthrop  of  the  lands  of  which  he  had  been  dispossessed  (see  Conn.  Col.  Rec,  vol.  vii. 
p.  217).  But  the  decree  was  none  the  less  obnoxious  to  the  public  sentiment,  and  an  order 
had  already  been  passed  for  an  application  to  the  King  "  that  the  said  law  may  be  continued 
in  its  full  force,  and  that  intestate  estates  may  be  accordingly  divided  "  (ibid.,  pp.  191, 192). 
Finally  the  matter  was  set  at  rest  and  the  law  re-established  by  virtue  of  a  decree  iu  July, 
1745,  in  the  case  of  Clark  vs.  Tousey  (ibid.,  vol.  ix.  pp.  587-593).  —  Eds. 


APPENDIX. 


COMMISSION  TO  WAIT  WINTHROP  AS  AGENT.* 

By  the  Hon"'''  the  Council  and  Representatives  of  His  Ma'^' 
Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England,  in 
General  Court  assembled. 

To  all  unto  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  Greeting. 

Know  yee  that  wee,  reposing  special  trust  and  confidence  in 
the  loyalty,  fidelity,  &  prudence  of  our  worthy  friend  Wait  Win- 
throp,  Esq"",  one  of  the  Council  of  his  Ma'^"  Pi'ovince  abovcs'*, 
have  constituted  &  appointed,  and  do  by  these  presents  consti- 
tute, appoint,  and  authorize  the  s"*  Wait  Winthrop  to  be  our 
Agent  for  us,  and  in  our  name  and  behalfe  from  time  to  time  to 
attend  his  Ma'^,  as  there  may  be  occasion,  concerning  all  matters 
and  things  that  relate  to  the  affairs  of  this  Province  or  the  gov- 
ernment thereof,  and  to  move  and  solicit,  as  he  may  have  oppor- 
tunity, what  shall  be  conducing  to  the  good  and  welfare  of  his 
Ma''"  subjects  within  the  same,  according  to  such  instructions  as 
arc  hei'ewith  delivered  him,  or  shall  be  given  him  from  time  to 
time  by  the  Great  and  General  Court  or  Assembly  of  this  his 
jjj^tys  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  afores*. 

*  By  the  courtesy  of  our  associate,  Mr.  A.  C.  Goodell,  Jr.,  we  have  received  a  copy  of 
a  commission  (in  Mass.  Archives,  vol.  xx.  p.  fi.3)  to  Wait  Winthrop  as  Agent  for  Massa- 
chusetts in  England.  From  this  document  it  would  appear  that  the  conditions  in  Win- 
throp's  letter  to  the  General  Court  (ante,  pp.  94,  95)  were  deemed  reasonable,  and  a 
commission  was  accordingly  drawn  up  and  sipied  by  the  Council  ;  but  for  some  unex- 
plained reason  it  does  not  seem  to  have  been  delivered  to  him.  There  was  some  question 
about  the  sum  which  might  be  actually  needed  for  the  expenses  of  the  agency  (see  p.  98), 
but  this  difficulty  seems  not  to  have  been  serious.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  the  real 
difficulty  was  the  appointment  of  Dudley  as  Governor  (see  p.  99),  which  might  very  well 
cause  the  General  Court  to  hesitate  about  sending  to  England  an  Agent  who  was  not  in 
political  accord  with  him.  So  far  as  the  Winthrop  Papers  and  the  State  Archives  show,  no 
further  action  was  taken  in  the  matter.  —  Ed.s. 


514  APPENDIX. 

In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  the  publick  seal  of  the 
gd  Province  to  be  hereunto  affixed. 

Dated  at  Boston  y°  day  of  August,  in  the  thirteenth  year 

of  the  reign  of  our  soveraign  Lord  William  the  Third,  by  the 
grace  of  God  of  England,  Scotland,  France,  &  Ireland  King, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.,  Annoq.  Domini  1701. 

By  the  Council. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Aug^  8*\  1701.  Read  and 
pass'd. 

Sent  up  for  concurrence 

Nehemuh  Jewett,  Speaker. 

In  Council,  9°  Aug*,  1701.    Read,  past,  and  consent*  to. 

Ja:  Russell. 
Elisha  Cooke. 
John  Hathorne. 
Elisha  Hutchinson. 
Sam  Sewall. 
Jonathan  Corwin. 
John  Walley. 
John  Foster. 
Peter  Sergeant. 
Joseph  Lynde. 
John  Walley.* 
Penn  Townsend. 
E"  Hutchinson. 
Benj*  Browne. 
John  Higginson. 

*  Walley  signed  twice.  —  Eds. 


FAC-SIMILES 

OP 

SIGNATURES    TO    LETTERS    CONTAINED    IN 
THIS   VOLUME. 


lac=stmtlcs  of  Stsnatures.                    i. 

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INDEX. 


The  names  of  persons  from  whom  letters, 
volmne  are  printed  in  small  capitals. 


or  parts  of  letters,  are  to  be  found  in  this 


A. 

Adams,  Eliab,  117. 

Adams,  Rev.  Eliphalet.  Notice  of, 
344  n.  Letters  to  John  Wintlirop, 
thanking  hira  for  a  present,  344 ;  on 
the  death  of  Wait  VVinthrop,  37.3. 
Letter  from  John  Winthrop  to,  406. 
Mentioned,  188-190,  261,  380. 

Addington,  Isaac.  Letters  to  Wait 
VVinthrop,  about  the  arrest  of  Josepli 
Sheklen  and  Jonathan  Remington  by 
the  Connecticut  authorities,  126 ;  about 
French  and  Indian  hostilities,  131. 
Letter  from  Wait  Winthrop  to,  127. 
Mentioned,  65,  118,  147,  149. 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  209. 

Alden,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  247. 

Alewive  Brook,  240,  279,  318  n. 

Alexander,  Lieut.  James,  duel  with  Lieut. 
Douglas,  256. 

Alford,  Cot.  Remain,  187,  190. 

Allen,  James,  148. 

Allen,  Gov.  Samuel,  41. 

Allyn,  Johs.  Notice  of,  5  n.  Letters  to 
Wait  Winthrop,  urging  him  to  settle 
in  Connecticut  after  his  father's 
death,  5 ;  relative  to  the  redemption 
of  William  Harris,  8 ;  describes  the 
poverty  of  the  people  of  Connecticut, 
19. 

Allyn,  Matthew,  461. 

Allyn, ,  323,  338. 

Anderson,  Rev.  James,  382,  383. 

Andrew,  Rev.  Samuel,  185,  186. 

Andros,  Sir  Edmund,  9,  47  ;  his  visit  to 
Say  brook  in  July,  1676,  4. 

Anne,  Queen,  moose-deer  intended  to  be 
sent  to  her,  263. 

Apley, ,  ferryman,  262. 

Appleton,  Samuel,  230. 

Artillery  Election,  64. 

Ashby,  Anthony,  86, 
141,  14.5,  149,  183,: 
262,  253,  329. 

AsHURST,  Sir  Henry.  Notice  of,  37  n. 
Letters  to  Wait  Winthrop,  offering 
his  services,  37 ;  requesting  hira  to  aid 
Mr.  Jackson  and  Lord  Bellomont,  39 ; 
giving  his  opinion  of  Joseph  Dudley, 


t,  106,  126,  136, 
3,  230,  234,  235, 


40 ;  on  the  appointment  of  Nathaniel 
Byfield  as  Judge  of  Admiralty,  42; 
on  the  same  subject,  43 ;  sends  a  com- 
mission appointing  Wait  Winthrop  to 
that  office,  ib.,  45 ;  in  regard  to  his 
compensation  as  agent,  46;  on  the 
same  subject,  50;  in  regard  to  Mr. 
Byfield's  threats  and  the  proposed 
impeachment  of  Lord  Bellomont,  60  ; 
in  regard  to  his  services  as  agent  of 
Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  80; 
giving  an  account  of  his  doings,  84; 
on  his  opposition  to  Dudley,  88;  on 
the  appointment  of  Dudley  as  Gov- 
ernor of  New  England  and  New  Hamp- 
shire, 89 ;  writes  that  he  is  endeavor- 
ing to  procure  the  appointment  of 
Winthrop  as  Lieutenant  Governor, 
100 ;  complains  of  ill  usage,  109 ; 
desires  payment  from  Connecticut  for 
his  services,  113;  about  Nicholas 
Hallam's  complaints,  118;  in  regard 
to  his  compensation,  131 ;  enclosing 
letters  and  papers,  133 ;  desires  docu- 
ments to  be  sent  to  him  in  answer  to 
the  complaints  against  Connecticut, 
1,35 ;  writes  that  Dudley  is  the  cause 
of  all  Winthrop's  troubles,  136;  his 
labors  in  behalf  of  Connecticut,  138; 
his  opposition  to  Dudley,  151 ;  his  dis- 
like of  Dudley,  152;  still  hopes  to 
secure  Wait  Winthrop's  appointment 
as  Lieutenant  Governor,  and  expresses 
his  grief  at  the  death  of  Fitz-John 
Winthrop,  173;  has  had  Cotton 
Mather's  sermon  on  the  death  of 
FitzJohn  Winthrop  reprinted,  213; 
complains  of  misrepresentations  made 
about  his  course  in  England,  219 ;  and 
on  personal  matters,  225.  His  me 
morial  to  be  heard  in  opposition  to 
the  appointment  of  Dudley  as  Gov- 
ernor, 92.  Letter  to  the  Governor  and 
Council  of  Connecticut,  giving  an 
account  of  his  acts  as  agent,  191. 
Letters  to  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  i  n  answer 
to  letters  from  him,  194  ;  urges  Con- 
necticut to  stand  by  the  Charter,  198; 
is  surprised  that  his  bills  are  not  paid, 
213;  on  the  same  subject,  222.    Letter 


518 


to  Nathan  Gold  presenting  his  affec- 
tionate service,  &c.,  197.  Letters  to 
Increase  Mather,  communicating  the 
current  news,  199 ;  describing  his  de- 
votion to  New  England,  215;  sending 
sermons  and  pamphlets  and  complain- 
ing of  misrepresentations,  216.  Letters 
to,  from  Wait  Winthrop,  46,  71,  82, 
110,  120,  128,  137,  179;  from  Gurdon 
Saltonstall,  204,  207.  To  be  paid  for 
his  services,  56.  Mentioned,  63,  282, 
493.  His  good  services  to  Connecti- 
cut, 71,  138,  139.  Recommends  the 
appointment  of  Wait  Winthrop  as 
General  of  the  expedition  against 
Canada,  in  1709,  199.     Death  of,  255. 

Ashurst,  Ladii,  death  of,  180. 

Ashurst,  Sir  Henry  (the  younger),  306, 
308. 

Ashurst,  Sir  William,  declined  to  be 
agent  of  Massachusetts,  227.  Men- 
tioned, 231,  283. 

Atherton,  Major  Humphrey,  160. 

Atwater,  Joshua,  311  h. 

Atwell, ,  '.^54. 

Atwood,  William.  Notice  of,  84  n.  Ap- 
pointed .ludge  of  Admiralty,  84,  101. 
Letter  from  Wait  Winthrop  to,  97. 
Mentioned,  102. 

Auchmuty,  Mr. ,  378. 

Avery,  Capt.  James,  271,  292. 

Avery,  Samuel,  99. 


Ball,  Capt. ,  burial  of,  53. 

Barker,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Hugh  Peter,  desires  to  recover 
his  estate  in  New  England,  114.  Men- 
tioned, 122,  123. 

Barton,  Lieut.-CoL,  246,  247. 

Bass, ,  86. 

Baxter,  Rev.  Richard,  196. 

Bebe,  Samuel,  235,  279. 

Belcher,  Andrew,  67-69,  85,  124,  188, 
269. 

Belcher,  Jonathan,  311. 

Belcher,  Mr. ,  6 

Belknap,  Joseph,  136. 

Belknap, ,  a  joiner,  189. 

Bellamy,  Samuel,  343  n. 

Bellingham,  Gov.  Richard,  litigation 
growing  out  of  his  will,  147,  148. 

Bellingham,  Samuel,  147  n.,  148. 

Bbllomont,  Richard,  Eakl  op.  Men- 
tioned, 39,  40,  41,  68,  69,  71,  83.  84, 
404.  Notice  of,  73  n.  Letter  to  Wait 
Winthrop  soliciting  his  influence  in 
favor  of  Duncan  Campbell,  73.  His 
connection  with  Capt.  Kidd,  60. 

Bellomont,  Lndi).  187. 

Benbow,  Admiral  John,  68,  64,  82. 

Bt-niiet, ,  234, 


Bes 


no. 


Bill,  Jonathan,   IK7. 
Billerica,  Ma.-s ,  400, 


Black  Lead  Mine.     See  Tantiusque. 

Blacke  (Blake),  Gov.  Joseph,  73. 

Blathwavt,  William,  39,  84,  86,  218. 

Bolingbroke,  Lord,  309,  314. 

Booth, ,  495. 

Borland,  John,  99,  101,  142. 

Boston,  fires  in,  118,  248,  249. 

BouLT,  John.  Letter  to  Wait  Win- 
tlirop,  giving  an  account  of  his  voyage 
to  England,   172.      Mentioned,    187, 

Bowdoin,  James,  358,  361,  400  n.,  409  n. 

Boydell,  John,  404. 

Boy  1st  on,  Edward,  159. 

Bradford,  Major  William,  his  public 
services,  44. 

Bram,  Thomas,  301. 

Brattle,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  death  of,  310. 

Brattle,  Thomas,  death  of,  266. 

Brattle,  Rev.  William,  156, 157,  336,  337. 

Brattle,  Mr. ,  148. 

Brenton,  Jahleel,  41,  62,  63,  64,  65,  159, 
361  n. 

Bridge,  Rev.  Thomas,  187,  189,  313. 

Brief  in  appeal  of  John  Wintlirop, 
F.R.S.,  to  the  Privy  Council,  440. 

Brill, ,  235. 

Brimfield,  Mass.,  390  «.,  430. 

Brinley,  Francis.  Notice  of,  20  n. 
Letter  to  Wait  Winthrop,  giving  an 
account  of  the  condition  of  Rhode 
Island,  20.     Mentioned,  63,  106. 

Brinsdell, ,  102. 

Brion,  Peter,  471. 

Bromfield,  Edward,  180, 182. 

Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  883. 

Brown,  Jeremiah,  471. 

Brown,  Major  William,  88. 

Brown, ,  318,  319  345. 

Browne,  Mrs.  Benjamin,  birth  of  a 
daughter,  54. 

Browne,  Mrs.  Samuel,  birth  of  a  son,  189. 

Browne,  Hon.  William,  10  n.  Death 
of,  16. 

Browne,  William,  Jr.,  189. 

Brunson,  John,  death  of,  9. 

Buckingham,  Rev.  Thomas,  186. 

Bulkley,  Rev.  Gershom,  277. 

Boi.KLEY,  Rev.  John.  Letter  to  John 
Winthrop  desiring  to  see  him,  302. 

Bull,  Jireh,  3. 

Bullivant,  Benjamin,  48. 

Burgess,  Col.  Elisaeus,  307. 

Burnet,  Gov.  William,  402. 

Burr,  Judge  Peter,  alleged  unfairness  of, 
425. 

Burroughs,  Francis,  130,  182. 

Butler,  Peter,  378. 

Butler,  Mrs. ,  108. 

Byfield,  Nathaniel,  his  opposition  to  Sir 
Henry  Ashurst,  39,  40.  Appointed 
Judge  of  Admiralty,  42.  Ashurst 
tries  to  effect  his  removal,  43.  iMcn- 
tlnned,  50,  60,  90,  91,  110,  169.  Joseph 
Dudley  tries  to  secure  his  appoint- 
ment as  Lieutenant  Governor,  109. 


519 


Cable, ,  118. 

Camlet,  price  of,  135. 

Campbell,  Duncan,  recommended  by 
Lord  Belloinont  as  Sheriff  of  Suffolk, 
73.     iMentioned,  104,  105,  159. 

Campbell,  Jolin,  proprietor  of  Boston 
News  Letter,  185,  188,  190,  225,  232, 
240,  209,  310,  378. 

Canada,  expedition  against,  186,  199, 
206,  208-212,  246-248. 

Carbuncle,  agreement  about  a  great,  339. 

Carver, ,  234,  239,  241. 

Cawly,  Capt.  Thomas,  142. 

Chambers, ,  124. 

Chambers,  Capt. ,  377. 

Chandler,  John,  295,  313.  Letter  to 
John  Winthrop  from,  429. 

Chapman,  Jeremiah,  471. 

Chauncy,  Charles  (merchant  in  London). 
Letter  from  Robert  Chauncy  to,  434. 

Chadncy,  Dr.  Robert.  Notice  of, 
434  n.  Letter  to  Charles  Chauncy 
(of  London)  introducing  John  Win- 
throp, F.R.S.,  4.34. 

Chauncy,  Mrs.  Sarah,  254,  311. 

Chauncy,  Rev.  Israel,  434  n. 

Chester,  Stephen.  Letters  to  Wait 
Winthrop,   7;    to   William    Leet,   ib. 

Christophers, ,  70,  93. 

Christophers,  Christopher,  456,  458,  483. 

Christophers,  Peter,  191. 

Christophers,  Richard,  162, 191, 445, 449. 

Church,  Col.  Thomas,  his  military  oper- 
ations in  the  eastern  country,  131. 

Clark,  John,  230. 

Clark,  Dr.  John,  300. 

Clark,  Jonas,  66. 

Clark,  Thomas,  387,  414  n. 

Clarke,  Thomas,  249. 

Clarke,  Walter,  his  factious  course  in 
Rliode  Island,  20. 

Clarkson,  Mr. ,  225. 

Cockcrill,  Thomas,  194,  204. 

Coe,  Mr. ,  190. 

Coit,  Joseph,  197. 

Coit,  Solomon,  471. 

Cole, ,  339  n. 

Cole,  Mr. ,  105. 

CoUwell,  Capt. ,  87,  187. 

Commissions  to  Wait  Winthrop  as 
Major-General,  26 ;  as  a  Justice  of  the 
Superior  Court,  29  ;  as  Chief  Justice, 
95,  3IJ3  ;  as  Agent  to  England,  513. 

Connecticut,  Colony  of,  in  danger  of  los- 
ing her  charter,  132,  314  ;  controversy 
about  the  line  between  Connecticut 
and  Massachusetts,  207. 

boNNECTicnT,  General  Court  op, 
letter  to  Wait  Winthrop,  about  nego- 
tiations with  the  Indians  and  the 
movements  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  3. 

Connecticut,  Governor  and  Council  of, 
letters  to,  from  Sir  Henry  Ashurst, 
191 ;  from  the  Commissioners  for  In- 
dian Affairs,  275. 


Cook,  Elisha,  42,  58,  88,  91, 175. 

Cornbury,  Edward  Hyde,  Lord,  105, 144, 
153,  185, 

Corvvin,  Hannah,  55. 

Corwin,  John.  8,  123. 

Corwin,  .l/cs.  John  (Margaret  Winthrop), 
153,  161-163,  223,  244,  250,  253. 

Cotton.  Rev.  John,  35. 

Counterfeit  money,  270. 

Courset, ,  323. 

Courtland, ,  73. 

Courts  of  Justice  in  Massachusetts, 
Method  of  Procedure  in  the,  74-80. 

Craufield,  Gov.  Edward,  150. 

Cranston,  Gov.  Samuel,  211,  241. 

Crayten, ,  91. 

Crow,  Capt.  Josias,  65,  68. 

Culpepper,  Thomas,  Lord,  friendly  to 
Connecticut,  10. 

Currency,  silver,  value  of,  in  New  Eng- 
land, 165,  201,  2-59. 

Cutler,  Dr.  John,  294. 

Cutts,  John,  Lord,  90,  91. 


D. 


Daille',  Rev.  Pierre,  143;  marriage  of, 
290. 

Danforth,  Rev.  John,  395. 

Danforth,  Jonathan,  396. 

Daniell,  Mr. ,  10. 

Darby,  Capt. ,  15. 

Davenport, ,  250. 

Davie,  Lady.  161. 

Davis,  Mrs.  Sarah,  112. 

Deane,  Sarah,  her  marriage,  10. 

Decree  of  the  Kin;;  in  Council  on  the  Ap- 
peal of  John  Winthrop,  F.R.S.,  496. 

Deerfield,  Indian  attack  on,  12.5,  129. 

Dellius,  Rev.  Godfrey,  90  n. 

Dennnon, ,  69. 

Dennis, ,  189. 

DePeyster, ,  73. 

Dering,  Henry,  funeral  charges  on  the 
death  of  Wait  Winthrop,  358,  360. 

Deverell,  Dr. ,  4.35  n. 

Digby,  Sir  Kenelm,  334,  384  n. 

Diggs,  Sir  Dudley,  217,  220. 

Di.xwell,  John,  24.5. 

Doel, ,  of  Newbury,  death  of,  135. 

Dongan,  Col.  Thomas,  252. 

Dosset,  ,  shoemaker,   265,   269,   272, 

273. 

Douglas,  Lieut.  James,  duel  with  Lieu- 
tenant Alexander.  256. 

Douglas,  Ricliard,  439  n.,  472. 

Down,  Mr. ,  251. 

Du  Bois,  Rev.  George,  185. 

DcDLE  Y,  Joseph.  Letters  to  Wait  Win- 
throp, desiring  him  to  send  a  favora- 
ble character  of  Dudley  to  England, 
163 ;  about  Fitz-John  Winthrop's  in- 
tentions as  to  the  disposal  of  his  estate, 
167;  urging  him  to  settle  his  affairs  and 
make  a  will,  267.  Letter  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  of  Massacimsetts,  urging 


520 


provision  for  the  payment  of  the  sol- 
diers, 166.  Letters  to  Gurdon  Salton- 
stall  about  the  estate  of  Fitz-John 
Winthrop,  169,  257.  Letters  to  John 
Winthrop,  informing  him  of  the  expe- 
dition against  Canada,  247  ;  advising 
him  to  urge  his  father  to  clear  off  in- 
cumbrances on  his  estate,  283 ;  ad- 
vising him  to  be  at  peace  with  his 
neiglibors,  285.  Letter  to  Mrs.  John 
Winthrop  on  the  death  of  a  child,  340. 
Letters  to,  from  Wait  Winthrop,  243 ; 
from  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  258.  Men- 
tioned, 37,  47,  48,  88,  90,  93,  99-101, 
109-111,  132,  133,  135,  136,  139,  151- 
153,  173-176,  184-186,  211,  232,  270, 
287,  394,  395.  Compared  with  Hanian, 
41,  153.  Is  intriguing  to  be  appointed 
Governor  of  Massachusetts,  84.  Is 
appointed;  89.  His  connection  with 
the  trial  and  condemnation  of  Leisler 
and  Milbourne,  89,  92.  Affidavit  re- 
specting Fitz-John  Winthrop's  inten- 
tions as  to  the  disposal  of  his  estate, 
468. 

Dudley,  Lucy,  death  of,  285. 

Dddlet,  Paul.  Letters  of  advice  to 
Mrs.  John  Winthrop,  284,  293,  407, 
417.  Letter  of  legal  advice  to  Wait 
Winthrop,  286.  Letter  to  John  Win- 
throp respecting  the  settlement  of 
Governor  Dudley's  estate,  399.  Let- 
ter from  John  Winthrop  to,  394. 
Mentioned,  133,  289,  400,  411,  419, 
423, 424. 

Dudley,  William.  Notice  of,  391  n. 
Letter  to  Mrs.  John  Winthrop,  391. 

Duel  on  Boston  Common,  25(V 

Dunimer,  Mrs.  Ann,  death  of,  311. 

DuMMEK,  Jeremiah,  Jr.  Notice  of, 
228  n.  Mentioned,  388,  510.  Letter 
to  Wait  Winthrop  about  the  Duke  of 
Hamilton's  claim  to  lands  in  New  Eng- 
land, 228.  Letter  to  Jolm  Winthrop, 
relative  to  his  complaint  against  the 
Colony  of  Connecticut,  439. 

Dummer,  William,  327,  439  n. 

Dummer,  Mrs.  William,  405. 

Dunbar, ,  237. 

Dyer, ,  146. 

Dyer,  Giles,  187. 


F.asterbroolcs, ,  134. 

Edwards,  John,  funeral  charges  on  the 
death  of  Wait  Winthrop,  358. 

Edwards,  Richard.  Notice  of,  290  n. 
Letter  to  John  Winthrop  about  the 
complaints  of  the  Pequots,  292.  Let- 
ter to,  from  Wait  Winthrop,  290. 
Mentioned,  271,  273. 

Edwards,  Mrs.  Kichard,  292. 

Edwards, ,  250. 

Eeles,  Samuel,  401. 

Elbridge,J/r. ,  435  n. 


Eldridge, ,  147, 149. 

Elford,  Capl.  Robert,  263,  264. 
Eliot,  John,  111. 
Elizabeth  Islands,  245,  409  n. 
EUiston,  John,  66,  224. 
Ely,  Capt.  William,  177. 

Ely, ,  279. 

Emerson, /Jec.  John.  Notice  of,  200  n.   Is 

friendly  to  Dudley,  200,  219. 
Endicott,   Mrs.    Zerubbabel   (Elizabeth 

Winthrop),  70,  250,  334. 
Epps,  Daniel,  56,  66,  87,  103,  159,  165, 

171,  201,  290. 

Eustace, ,  102. 

Eyre,  Bethia,  154,  246. 

Eyre,  John,  extract  from  his  will,  154. 

Eyre,  Mrs.  Katharine,  afterward  wife  of 

Wait  Winthrop,  marriage  settlement 

of,  154-160.   Mentioned,  444.   See  also 

Mrs.  Wait  Winthrop. 


Fellows,  John,  144. 

Fisher's  Island,  mortgaged  for  the  sake 

of  Connecticut,  7.     Mentioned,  98,  99, 

258-260,  351  «.,  353,  368,  417,  431, 

438  n.,  470. 
Fitch,  James,  his  alleged  demagoguism, 

38,  51.     Mentioned,  87,  93,  111,  112, 

141,  313,  344  n. 
Fleetwood,  Rl.  Rev.  WiUiam,  D.D.,  261. 

Floyd,  Col. ,  380. 

Fosdike, ,  a  smith,  378. 

Foster, ,  53,  55,  67. 

Foster,  Col. ,  116. 

FoxCROFT,  Francis.    Notice  of,  384  n. 

Letter  to  John  Winthrop  on  personal 

matters,  384. 

Foy,  Capt. ,  13. 

Francis,  Abraham,  funeral  charges  on 

the  death  of  Wait  Winthrop,  367. 
Frayse,  Paul,  471. 

French,  Dr. ,  435  n. 

Fullam,  Capt.  Francis,  293,  301,  302, 

310,  315,  318,  328,  329,  334,  341,  377 

Letter  to  Wait  Winthrop,  respecting 

Thomas  Lechmere's  claims,  416. 

Fuller, ,  313. 

French  and  Indians,  incursions  by,  208. 
French,    hostilities    by  the,   120,    121 ; 

Church's  expedition  against  the,  131. 


Gallup,  John,  186,  3.39  n.,  340,  351. 

Garret, ,  saddler  (in  London),  67. 

Gaud,  John,  funeral  charges  on  the  death 
of  Wait  Winthrop,  357. 

Gedney,  Bartholomew.  Notice  of,  11  n. 
Letter  to,  from  Hichard  Wharton, 
about  mining  operations  in  New  Eng- 
land, 11. 

Gibb, ,  372. 

Gilbert,  Mrs.  Mary,  67,  113. 


521 


Gillum,  Carter,  59. 

Glcnoross, ,  185. 

floriolphin,  Sidney,  Lard,  215,  218. 

Goodall,  Mr. ,  6. 

Gnit, ,  276,  311. 

Gold,  Nathan,  338,  349  n.    Letters  to, 

from  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  197;  from 

Wait  Wintlirop,  3i7. 
Gookin,    Samuel,    Sheriff    of    Suffolk 

County,  74. 
Gott,  Charles,  123. 
Gould,  Messrs.  Nathaniel  and  John,  114. 

Green.  Mr. ,  70,  93. 

Gresham  College,  332. 
Groton,  Conn.,  273, 275,  432. 
GuUock,  Capt.  John,  58. 
Gutteridge  (Goodrich),  Robert,  108. 
Gwinn,  Mrs. ,  250. 


H. 

Haberfield,  William,  53,  54. 

Hallam,  Nicholas,  his  claims,  112,  119, 
129,  130,  132,  182. 

Hale,  Sir  Mathevv,  151. 

Haman,  a  nickname  for  Joseph  Dudley, 
153  n. 

Hambleton, ,  352. 

Hamblin, ,  93,  311. 

Hamilton,  Col.  Andrew,  73,  387. 

Hamilton,  Duke  of,  claims  of,  228. 

Harness,  John,  378. 

Harris,  William,  efforts  for  his  redemp- 
tion from  the  Algerines,  8. 

Harris,  Mr. ,  18,  71,  215. 

Harvard  College,  17,  85,  90,  196,  199, 
346  «.,  385. 

Harwood,  Mr. ,  7. 

Hathorne,  Col.  John,  230. 

Hatton,  Major ,396. 

Havens.  George  (tenant  on  Fisher's 
Island),  141,  14?!,  147,  149,  269,  272, 
28U,  302,  404,  470. 

Havens,  Mrs.  Marv,  144,  470. 

Haverhill,  Mass.,  208. 

Hawley,  Joseph,  127. 

Haynes,  Mrs.  Hezekiah,  wishes  to  obtain 
pavment  of  money  due  in  New  Eng- 
land, 115.     Mentioned,  123. 

Haynes.  Judie  John.  277,  280. 

Hemstead,  Joshua,  280,  323,  353,  469. 

Hern, ,  293  n. 

HiGGiNSON,  Kev.  John.  Notice  of,  21  n. 
Letters  to  Wait  Winthrop,  urging  him 
to  join  the  Old  South  church,  21 ;  on 
the  death  of  Richard  Wharton,  25. 

Higginson,  John,  13. 

Higginson,  Nathaniel,  24  n.,  187. 

Hill,  Gen.  John,  232. 

HiUhouse,  Rev. ,  462  n. 

Hinckley,   Gov.   Thojias.     Notice  of, 
44  n.     Letter  to  Wait   Winthrop   in 
behalf  of  Major  William   Bradford, 
44. 
Bispaniola,  French  governor  of,  230. 

Hirst,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  231,  322. 


Hirst,  Grove,  death  of,  3.52. 

Hobby,  Sir  Charles,  138,  139,  163,  175, 
179,  187,  189,  199,  214,  215,  218,  220, 
250. 

Hobby,  LadH,  145  ;  burial  of,  334  n. 

Holland, ,  196. 

Holmes,  Oliver  Wendell,  M.D.,  on  the 
composition  of  rubila,  6  n. 

Holmes  and  Carr,  case  of,  413. 

Hooker,  John,  461. 

Hooker,  Dr.  Thomas,  111,  344  n. 

Hooker,  Mr. ,  6. 

Hooppar,  Mr.,  32. 

Horsey, ,  195. 

Horton, ,  116,  161. 

Hough,  Mrs.  Atherton  (Mercy  Win- 
throp), death  of,  117. 

Hougl),  Friscilla,  378. 

Hude,  Sir,  supposed  nickname  for  Ed- 
ward Palmes,  144,  145,  149,  271. 

Hunnewell,  Capt.  Richard,  killed  by  the 
Indians,  122. 

Himter,  Gov.  Robert,  199,  263,  264.  Let- 
ter to,  from  Cotton  Mather,  375.  His 
library,  382  n. 

Hutchinson,  Edward,  230. 

Hutchinson,  Elisha.  Notioeof,  12  «.  His 
relations  with  Richard  Wharton,  12, 
13,  17,  18.  Mentioned,  63,  64,  65,  67, 
150,  151,  230,  265. 


Indians,  fears  of,  72,  322.  Attacks  of,  on 
the  eastern  settlements,  120.  Attack  on 
Deerfield,  125,  129.  Pcquots  and  Mo- 
hegans  commended  to  the  favor  of 
Connecticut,  274,  275. 

Ingoldsby,  Col.  Richard,  209. 

Ingram, ,  280. 

Irish  immigration,  387  n. 

Irish  serva'^nts  in  1717,  353  n. 

Ives,  John,  71. 


Jackson,  Benjamin,  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners to  inspect  naval  stores,  39,  88. 

Jefforys,  Capl. ,  72. 

Jeffries,  David,  388. 

Jeffries,  Mr. ,  186.  311. 

Jews,  calling  of  the,  23. 

Johnson,  Mr. ,  13,  15. 

Jones,  Charles,  Jr.,  32. 

Jones, ,  348. 

Jordan, ,  a  carrier,  269,  346. 

Juno,  a  servani,  245. 


Kidd,  Capl.  Robert,  disposal  of  his  trea- 
sure, 58.  His  connection  with  Lord 
Bellomont,  60. 

Kiddle,  Capt. ,  201. 

Kinch  (negro  servant  of  Wait  Win- 
throp), 32,  33. 


522 


Lane,  H.,  402. 

Lanthorn  Hill,  318  n.,  351,  369,  432. 

Larnell,  Benjamiu,  296. 

Latham,  William,  117,  118, 125,  233,253. 

Lathrop,  ,  236,  238,  241. 

Latimore,  Robert,  352,  469,  503. 

Law,  Jonatlian.  Letter  to,  from  Samuel 
Sewall,  291.    Mentioned,  292. 

Lawson,  John,  142. 

Lawyers  in  Boston  in  1714,  293. 

Leads, ,  280. 

Leatherhead,  Capt. ,  388. 

Lebanon,  old  cynick  of,  332. 

Lechniere,  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Lechmere,  387,  392. 

Lechmere,  Anthony,  390. 

Lechmere,  Mrs.  Ldcy.  Notice  of, 
316  n.  Letter  to  Wait  Winthrop  re- 
specting her  son's  affairs,  316.  Men- 
tioned, 331. 

Lechmere,  Nicholas,  Lord,  213  n.,  220, 
222,  22tj,  311,  401  «.,  496. 

Lechmere,  Nicholas  Winthrop,  300  n. 

Lechmere,  Richard.  Notice  of,  388  n. 
Letter  of,  to  Tliomas  Lechniere,  about 
his  pecuniary  affairs,  388. 

Lechmere,  Thomas.  Notice  of,  213  n., 
367  n.,  390  n.  Mentioned,  224-226, 
242,  269,  311,  316,  317,  327,  328,  342, 
369,  386,  405,  411.415-419,  and  passim. 
Letters  to  Wait  Winthrop,  giving  the 
current  news,  243;  describing  failure 
of  expedition  against  Canada,  246, 
247;  describing  a  great  fire  in  Boston, 
248,  249 ;  current  news,  2.50  ;  on  the 
birth  of  a  son,  262 ;  account  of  his  voy- 
age to  England,  306;  describing  state 
of  public  affairs  in  England,  307. 
Letters  to  John  Winthrop,  describing 
duel  in  Boston,  256 ;  current  news, 
375,  408;  Irish  immigrants.  386; 
town-meeting  in  Boston  in  1719,  ;388; 
Boston  harbor  frozen,  391  ;  trouble  at 
New  North  Cluirch,  393;  deer  for 
Noddle's  Island,  School-house  on  Bos- 
ton Common,  400;  mentions  his  re 
turn  from  Kngland  with  a  Govern- 
ment appointment,  402;  about  Long 
Island,  (7). ;  claim  to  land  in  Bhode 
Island,  404;  claims  against  Wait  Win- 
throp's  estate,  4U8,  409.  His  pecuniary 
embarrassments,  367,  388,  390,  400. 
His  willingness  to  compromise  his  suit, 
417.  His  appeal  to  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil of  Massachusetts,  436.  Letter  to, 
from  Richard  I>echmcre,  388. 

Lechmere,  ,\/is.  Thomas  (Ann  Win- 
throp), 18i;,  Br,l  n.,  369,  370,  300  h., 
400  H.,  409  )!.,  429  n.,  486,  446,  and 
passim. 

Leclimere,  Thomas,  Jr.,  844  n.,  345. 

Lechmere,  William,  390. 

Legg,  .!/«. ,  346. 

Leech, ,  16. 

Leeds,  Uuh  of,  314. 


Leet,  Depiity-Gov.  Wijliam,  copy  of  a 
letter  to,  from  Stephen  Chester,  about 
the  estate  of  John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  7. 

Leisler,  Jacob,  Joseph  Dudley's  connec- 
tion with  his  trial  and  condemnation, 
89,  92. 

Leverett,  John.  Notice  of,  83  n.  Men- 
tioned. 83,  188,  188,  190,  202,  269. 
Signs  a  petition  to  Connecticut  relat- 
ing to  the  Narragansett  lands,  151. 
Letter  to  Wait  Winthrop  about  the 
encroachments  of  Rhode  Island,  168. 

Lines,  Mr. ,  225. 

Liveen,  John,  161,  177,  181,  182,  197. 

Livingston,  John,  98,  142,  161,  183,  184, 
190,  202,  223-225,  229,  230,  238,  253, 
258  n.,  259,  267,  272,  278,  283,  288, 
319. 

Lodowick,  Col.  Charles,  73. 

Long  Island,  86,  346,  379,  382,  397. 

Lovelace,  Lord,  179,  181,  185,  192,  194, 
209.    Death  of,  189,  190. 

Lovelace,  Ladi/,  204. 

Lowder,  William,  230. 

Loyd,  Rebecca,  256. 

Loyd,  Mr. ,  189. 

Luscom,  Robert,  53,  54. 

Lyde,  Edward,  marriage  of,  50. 

Lynde,  Judge  Benjamin,  422. 

Lynde,  Mr. ,  377. 

Lynn  Spring,  312  n. 

Lyon,  ,  241. 

M. 

Macharty, ,  86,  87. 

Mackartney, ,  187. 

Mackintosh,  Mr. ,  225. 

Mamoho,  Indian  sachem,  4. 

ftlan,  William,  19. 

Mann, ,  249. 

Markham,  Mr. ,  439. 

Marlborough,  Dnle  of,  214. 

Marriage  Settlement  of  Wait  Winthrop 
and  Katharine  Kyre,  154-160. 

Martendel,  Edward',  32. 

Martha's  Vineyard,  purchase  of,  245. 

Martin  (Martyn),  Capt.  Edward,  death 
of,  378. 

Mashanshowit,  65. 

Mason,  Arthur,  342  n. 

Mason,  Stephen,  17,  90,  130. 

Mason, ,  53,  55,  57. 

Mason,  Mr. ,  105. 

Massachusetts,  General  Court  of.  Letters 
to,  from  Wait  Winthrop,  94,  294,  297  ; 
from  Joseph  Dudley,  166. 

Massachusetts,  method  of  proceedings 
in  the  Courts  of,  74-80. 

Massapeag,  161. 

Mather.  Rev.  Cotton,  D.D.  Letters  to, 
from  John  Winthrop,  831,  423.  Jlis 
sermon  on  the  death  of  Fitz-John 
Winthrop,  191,  197,  217.  His  sermon 
on  the  death  of  Wait  Winthop,  356  n. 
Lcller  to  I!.]l>,rt  IIunti?r,  introducing 
John  Wiiuliiup,  eulogizing  George  II- 


523 


and  describing  the  state  of  religion  in 
France,  375.  Mentioned,  35,  187,  217, 
226,  2(J5,  276,  277,  390  «.,  428. 

Matlier,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  276. 

Mather,  Rbv.  Increase,  D.D.  Letters 
to,  from  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  199,  215, 
216.  Letter  to  John  Winthrop,  about 
rubila,  380.  Letter  from  John  Win- 
throp to,  381.  Mentioned,  17,  18,  90, 
91,  183,  163,  175,  187,  217,  220,  231, 
428.  His  "  Deplorable  State  of  New 
England,"  215,  217,  222. 

Mather,  Mrs.  Maria,  death  of,  288. 

Mather,  Hev.  Samuel,  200,  216. 

Mattliews,  Capt.  Thomas,  244. 

Mayliew,  Rev.  Experience,  274. 

Meade,  Dr. ,  435  n. 

Medical  prescriptions,  3.36  n. 

Menzies,  Jiidr/e  John,  322. 

Merritt, ',  258,  259. 

Meteors,  323. 

Mico,  John,  159,  245,  306,  307,  309,  316, 
331,  393. 

Middleton,  Charles,  56. 

Milbourne,  .Jacob,  92. 

MiLNEu,  Capt.  Nathaniel.  Letters  to 
Wait  Winthrop,  giving  an  account  of 
his  voyage  to  England,  31 ;  reporting 
the  result  of  his  law-suit,  32. 

Minett, ,  101. 

Mingo  (an  Indian,  Wait  Winthrop's 
body-servant),  86,  234,  237,  241,  245, 
252,  354. 

Minzee, ,  100,  102. 

Montreal,  prisoners  in,  295. 

Moody,  r;oi..,  211. 

Moody,  Hev.  Joshua,  35. 

Moose-deer,  intended  as  a  present  to 
Queen  Anne,  263. 

Morris,  Cnpt. ,  73. 

Mortgage  lands,  21. 

Mulfor.l,  Samuel,  131,  133,  311. 

Mulford,  Capt. ,  327. 

Mumford  (Munford),  Thomas,  327,  470. 

Musgrave,  Philip  (old  Muzzy),  404. 

Mygat,  Deacon  Joseph,  deatli  of,  9. 


N. 

Nahanticic,  149. 

Narrngansett  Indians,  their  refusal  to 
deliver  hostages,  4. 

Narragansett  lands,  litigation  about,  14, 
104,  150,  156,  168.  190. 

Naushon  Island,  306  n.,  369. 

Navigation  Act,  Sir  Henry  Ashurst  re- 
commends that  Massachusetts  sliould 
p;ijs  an  act  against  breaking  it,  40. 

Nawayonck,  275,  292. 

Neal,  liir.  Daniel,  his  "  History  of  New 
England,"  characterized,  o'J9  n. 

Nelson, ,  56,  187. 

Nesbitt,  Dr. ,  435  n. 

Netops,  122. 

New  England,  patent  for  working  the 
mines  in,  11. 


New  London,  Conn.,  3.  Grant  of  mill- 
privileges,  286. 

New  London,  County  Court  of.  Letter 
to,  from  John  Winthrop,  324. 

New   York,   Sunday  in,   381 ;   markets. 

New  York,  in  1718,  383. 

Newman,  Elizabeth,  225,  280,  302,  351. 

Newman,  Henry,  428  n. 

Newman,  John,  377. 

Newman,  Mrs. ,  6. 

Newman,  Samuel,  25. 
Newton,  Thomas,  293,  310-312. 

Newton, ,  58. 

Nichol,  Col. ,213. 

Nicliolson,  Col.  Francis,  73, 186-188,  208, 
209,  211,  218,  221,  232,  246,  253,  204  «. 

Nicoll, ,  372. 

Niles,  Reo.  Samuel,  231. 
Norden,  Nathaniel,  2.30. 
Norton,  Ret:  John,  death  of,  .329. 
Nowell,  Rev.  Samuel,  death  of,  17. 
Noyce  (Noyes),  Dr.  Oliver,  300,  301,  811, 

Noyes,  Rev.  James,  105  n.,  107,  108,  183, 

231,  351  «. 
Noyes,  Cul.  Thomas,  2.30. 
Noyes, ,  153,  205,  213. 


O. 

Oliver,  James,  256. 

Ollif,  .John,  173. 

Ollif,  Robert,  death  of,  172. 

Ormond,  James  Butler,  Duke  of,  314. 

Otis,  Col. ,  .346. 

Owaneco,  on  /m/ian  sachem,  139. 

Oxenbridge,  Rev.  John,  35. 

Oxford,  Robert  Harley,  Earl  of,  309,  314. 


P. 


Paddon. ,  2.30. 

Paige,  Col. .  378. 

Palmer, ,  249. 

Palmes,  Major  Edward,  6,  51,  102,  112, 

136,  144,  149,  181,  182,  271,  492,  493. 
Parker, ,  352. 

Parson,  .Tosephri56,  157. 

Parter,  Thomas,  a  nickname  assumed  by 
Thom.as  Lech  mere,  388  n. 

Partridge,  William,  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners to  inspect  military  stores,  .39, 
89.     Mentioned,  90,  109,  151,  218,  220. 

Patience,  a  servant,  245. 

Patrick,  Col. ,  124, 127. 

Pelton, ,  323,  333. 

Pembeuton,  Rev.  Ebewkzer,  248,  .336, 
337.  Letter  to  John  Wintlirop,  giving 
him  the  news  from  Europe,  260. 

Penn,  Gov.  William,  73,  91, 

Peter,  Rev.  Hugh,  his  estate  in  New  Eng- 
land, 114.  Sums  advanced  to  him  by 
John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  122  n. 


524 


Peterborough,  Charles  Mordavmt,  Earl 
of,  314. 

Phillips,  Adolph,  190,  252. 

Phillips,  Rev.  George.  Notice  of, 
371  n.  Letter  to  John  Winthrop, 
F.R.S.,  about  land  at  Southold,  Conn., 
371.    Mentioned,  383. 

Phillips,  Col.  John,  89,  142. 

Pickering,  Capi. ,  240. 

Picket, ,  243,  327,  352. 

Pierpont,  Ebenezer,  395. 

PiERPONT,  Rev.  James,  186,  273,  351  n. 
Letters  to  John  Winthrop,  to  congratu- 
late him  on  his  arrival  in  Connecticut, 
254  ;  on  mortality  in  Boston  and  news 
of  the  day,  277. 

Pigwakit,  fort  at,  not  to  be  destroyed, 
124. 

Pini, ,  312. 

Pirates  on  the  coast  of  Massachusetts, 
343,  345. 

Piseataqua,  144,  204,  207,  269. 

Pitkin,  Joseph,  429  n. 

Pitkin,  William,  271,  272,  280. 

Pitts,  Capt.  ,  150,  240. 

Placentia,  2.32,  241,  240,  247,  273. 

Plainfield,  title  to  lands  at,  99.  Men- 
tioned, 144,  176,  179,  313. 

Plum,  Deacon  John,  6,  234,  264  n.,  270. 

Pole,  John,  his  burial,  252. 

Pollard,  Mrs.  Ann,  422. 

Port  Royal,  89,  131,  152, 198,  227. 

Poyson  (Poisson), ,  143. 

Pratt,  Peter,  curious  extract  of  letter 
from,  to  Francis  FuUam,  341  n. 

Prescot,  Mrs. ,  186. 

Prentice,  Capt.  John,  184,  263. 

Prentis,  Stephen,  279. 

Prescot, ,  186. 

Prince,  Mr. ,  58. 

Privy  Council,  members  present  at  hear- 
ing of  Winthrop  v.  Leohmere,  510. 

Proctor,  Edward,  230. 

Prophet  Elijah,  French  prize-ship,  231. 

Provost,  CW.  David,  185. 

Pynchon,  J/ty'or  John,  13. 


Quakers,  complaints  of,  against  the  Col- 
ony of  Connecticut,  134.  Their  com- 
plaints against  Massachusetts,  228. 

Quary,  Col.  Robert,  192,  194,  195,  199. 

Quinabaug,  65,  87,  179, 299,  313,  339. 

Quincy,  Col.  John,  323. 


R. 

Rachel,  a  servant.  352. 

Randall, (Edmund  Randolph?), his 

opinion  of  tlie  value  of  Sir  Henry 
Ashurst's  services,  84.    Mentioned,  90. 

Randolph,  Edmund.  9. 

Raworth,  Robert,  .32. 

Raymond,  Mrs. ,  134,  258,  259. 

Eeade,  Edmund,  321. 


Read,  John.  Notice  of,  396.  Mentioned, 
405,406,411,412,418,427.  Letters  to 
John  Winthrop,  F.R.S.,  respecting  the 
Colony  grant  of  land  to  the  wife  of 
the  first  Governor  Winthrop,  396;  re- 
specting Lechmere's  claims,  413,  418. 

Readb,  Samuel.  Letters  to  Wait  Win- 
throp about  remittances  to  England, 
103;  about  the  pecuniary  affairs  of 
Mrs.  Barker  and  Mrs.  Haynes,  114 ; 
about  family  matters,  170.  Letters 
to,  from  Wait  Winthrop,  56,  122,  164, 
201,  255,  281.  Mentioned,  66,  72,  87, 
221,  228. 

Redknap,  Col. ,185. 

Reed,  Mr. ,  183. 

Reeve,  Robert,  death  of,  9. 

Remington,  Jonathan,  293. 

Rhode  Island,  disturbed  condition  of,  20. 
Disputes  with  Connecticut,  61,  71 ;  ag- 
gressions of,  150,  168.  In  danger  of 
losing  her  charter,  314. 

Richards,  John,  439  n.,  472. 

Richards,  Mrs.  John  (Ann  Winthrop), 
70,  100,  106,  117,  124,  125. 

Richards, ,  90,  112. 

Righton,  Francis,  funeral  charges  on  the 
death  of  Wait  Winthrop,  368. 

Roberton, ,  232. 

Roberts,  Nicholas,  296. 

Robin,  Indian  sachem,  4. 

Robin,  a  servant,  330,  838. 

Robinson,  Robert,  338,  405-407,  413, 
418,  427.  Letter  to  Wait  Winthrop, 
urging  a  compromise  of  Thomas  Lech- 
mere's claims,  411. 

Roch,  Thomas,  279. 

Rogers, ,  262. 

Rogers,  Mr. ,  106. 

Rogers,  Samuel,  338. 

Rogers,  liev.  John,  269. 

Roulstone, ,  2-39,  243. 

Rouse,  Capt.  William,  142. 

Rubila,  how  compounded,  6  n.  Men- 
tioned, 16,  106,  121,  323,  336,  380,  381. 

Ruggles,  John,  156. 

Ruggles,  Mrs.  Martha,  155,  160. 

Russell,  Hon.  James,  188,  189. 

Russell,  Rev.  Noadiah,  277. 

Russell,  LaHii  Rachel,  191,  215,  221. 

Russell,  William,  Lord,  151. 


Sacheverell,  Rev.  Henry,  D.D.,  215,  219, 
220. 

Saffin,  John,  63. 

Salmon, ,  302. 

Salter,  Thomas,  230. 

Saltonstali,,  Gov.  Guedon  Letters 
to  Wait  Winthrop  respecting  the  pa- 
pers of  Fitz-John  Winthrop.  100,  W> ; 
a'  to  tlio  matters  of  litigation  in  which 
Wait  Winthrop  was  interested,  175; 
on  the  same  subject,  177,  107  ■  about 
the  settlement  with  John  Livingston, 
229.    Letters  to  Sir  Henry  Ashurst  on 


525 


matters  connected  with  his  agency, 
204,  207.  Letter  to  Joseph  Dudley  on 
the  differences  between  Wait  Win- 
throp  and  his  tenants,  258.  Letters 
to,  from  Joseph  Dudley,  169,  257; 
from  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  194, 198,  213  ; 
from  Wait  Winthrop,  202,  288;  from 
Samuel  Sewall,  274.  Mentioned,  63, 
105/1.,  107,  108,  112,  113,  183,  215,227, 
257,  263,  264,  347,  351,  402  n.,  408. 

Sartain,  John,  435. 

Savage,  Capt.  Ephraim,  248. 

Savage,  Capt.  Habijah,  230. 

Savage,  Thomas,  143,  144. 

Scatacook  Indians,  140. 

Scrimpshire, ,  219,  222. 

Sergeant,  Peter,  82,  88,  91,  100, 109,  133, 
137,  145,  189,  227. 

Sergeant,  Mr. ,  175. 

Sewall,  Mrs.  Hannah,  391,  399. 

Sewall,  Rev.  Joseph,  297,  336.  His  ser- 
mon on  the  death  of  Wait  Winthrop, 
356  n. 

Sewall,  Samcel.  Letters  to  Wait 
Winthrop,  giving  the  current  news, 
134 ;  about  Governor  Bellingham's 
will  and  the  chancering  of  an  adminis- 
tration bond,  147  ;  about  the  annual 
election  and  the  news  of  the  day,  230  ; 
informing  liim  of  the  purchase  of  Mar- 
tha's Vineyard  and  the  Elizabeth 
Islands,  245  ;  as  to  the  case  of  Zebulon 
Thorp  and  justice  to  the  Eastern  In- 
dians, 322.  Is  willing  to  lend  money 
to  Connecticut,  59,  61,  62.  His  trib- 
utes to  Wait  Winthrop,  267  n.,  353  n. 
His  account  of  Wait  Winthrop's 
burial,  356  n.  Letters  to  John  Win- 
throp about  his  children,  403;  respect- 
ing his  father's  estate,  411;  on  personal 
matters,  422.  Letter  to,  from  John 
Winthrop,  420.  Mentioned,  115,  137, 
174,  205,  213,  227,  265,  269,  272,  352, 
407,  412,  422,  426. 

Shackmaple,  Jolm,  225,  403,  408. 

Shauntup,  on  Indian,  339  ;;. 

Sheffield,  Joseph,  agent  of  Rhode  Island, 
02. 

Shrimpton,  Samuel,  400  n. 

Shute,  Gov.  Samdel.  Notice  of,  .386  n. 
Arrives  at  Nantasket,  328.  Mentioned, 
307  n.,  327,  354,  400  n.  Letter  to  John 
Winthrop,  giving  his  opinion  of  Rhode 
Island,  380.  His  account  of  Joseph 
Dudley's  last  illness,  394  n. 

Smalage, ,  68. 

Smith, (of  Plainfleld),  280. 

Smith,  Francis,  339. 

Smith,  Col.  Henry.  Notice  of,  379  n. 
Letter  to  John  Winthrop  concerning 
his  estate  on  Long  Island,  379.  Let- 
ter from  John  Winthrop  to,  409. 
Mentioned,  346  n.,  382,  383. 

Smith,  John,  .340. 

Smith,  Major  Richard,  20. 

Smith,  Richard,  372,  373,  380. 

Smith,  Simon,  71. 


Smith,   William.     Notice    of,  414  n. 

Letter  to  John  Winthrop  respecting 

Thomas  Lechmere's  claims,  414. 
Somers,  John,  Lord,  215. 
Southack,  Capt.  Cyprian,  142,  240. 
Southwell,  Edward,  496  n.,  509. 
Sparhawk,  Rev.  John,  273. 
Special  Courts  in  Connecticut,  324-326, 

449,  450,  453,  454,  462. 

Spencer, ,  gunsmith,  death  of,  189. 

Stair,  Earl  of,  376,  402. 
Stancliffe,  James,  321. 
Stanley,  Sir  John,  90. 

Stanley, ,  93. 

Stanton,  John,  238. 

St.  Antonia,  a  nickname,  117. 

State   Church,  Judge   Sewall  fears  iis 

establishment,  148. 
Stoddard,  David,  245. 
Stoddard,  Simeon,  189. 
Stoddard,    Simon,   his    litigation    with 

James  Fitch,  51,  52.    Mentioned,  69 

65,  68,  69. 
Stone,  Jolm,  419,  420,  427  n. 

Stone, ,  .321. 

Stonlngton,  Wait  Winthrop's  estate  at, 

Stoughton,  Limt.-Gov.  William,  10,  13, 
15,  42,  50,  67,  87,  91,  92. 

Stow,  Capt. ,  36. 

Stow  family  in  England,  36. 

Stow,  Rev.  Samuel.  Notice  of,  22  n. 
Letters  to  Walt  Winthrop,  on  the  call- 
ing of  the  Jews,  22,  27  ;  on  the  sins 
of  the  people,  and  giving  an  account 
of  his  family,  33.  His  interest  in  the 
calling  of  the  Jews,  23,  28.  His  trea- 
tise sent  to  England,  24  n.  His  annals 
of  New  England,  35. 

Strafford,  Earl  of,  314. 

Sunderland,  Charles  Spencer,  Earl  of, 
215,  217,  222 

Swift, ,  landlady,  402. 


Taller  (Taylor),  Col.  William,  232,  248, 
249,  313. 

Talbot,  Charles  (Lord  Talbot),  440. 

Talcott,  Gov.  Joseph,  427. 

Tantiusques  or  Black  Lead  Mine,  67, 
294, 295, 297, 298,312,  328, 352,  377, 432. 

Tayler, ,  145,  181,  319. 

Taylor,  Isaac.  Letter  from  John  Win- 
throp to,  respecting  a  settlement  on 
Long  Island,  397. 

Temple,  Capt.  Robert,  his  colonial  enter- 
prises, 387. 

Tliacher,  Rev.  Peter,  393  n. 

Thatclier,  J/r. ,  244. 

Theobalds,  Capt.  John,  185,  414  n.,  415. 

Thomas, ,  15,  82. 

Thompson, ,  90. 

Thorp,  Zebulon,  .323. 

Tilley,  James,  471. 

Townsend,  Mrs.  Hannah,  burial  of,  53. 


526 


Townsend,  Penn,  269. 

Trusdale,  ^fr. ,  318  n. 

Tuckerman,  — ,  118. 
Turfrey,  Edward,  death  of,  118. 
Turner, -,  293  n. 


u. 


Updike, 


.182,: 


),  377, 378, 


UsHEK,  Hezekiah.  Notice  of,  314  n. 
Letter  to  John  Winthrop,  giving  tiie 
news  from  Europe,  314.  Mentioned, 
119,  413. 


Valentine,  Samuel,  293  n. 

Vane,  Sir  Henry,  the  younger,  297. 

Vaudreuil,  Pliilippe  de  Kigaut,  Marquis 

de,  295. 
Vaughan,  Major  George,  119,  187. 
Veazy  (Vesey),  Rev.  William,  185. 
Velvet  engine,  53. 
Vetch,  Ca,jt.  Samuel,  99,  105,  136,  142, 

18(5-189,  208,  209,  211,  232,  250,  257- 

259,  296. 

W. 

Wadsworth,  James,  461. 
Wainwright,  Major  Francis,  289. 
Waldo,  Jonathan,  funeral  charges  on 

the  death  of  Wait  Winthrop,  861. 

Waldron, ,  53. 

Walker,   Admiral,  Sir   Hovenden,  246, 

248. 

Walker, ,  170,  187,  249. 

Walley,  Al.iel,  2-30,  281,  445,  450. 

Walley,  Bethia.  329. 

Walley,  Hannah,  2-54. 

Walley,  Major  John,  43,  230,  245,  ?52, 

254. 

Walley, ,  187. 

Wallis,  William,  114. 

Walter,  Rev.  Nehcniiah,  2.30. 

Walton,  Hev.  John     Notice  of,  .395  n. 

Letter  to  John  Winthrop,  concerning 

)iis  funeral  elegy  on  Governor  Dudley, 


Walworth,  William,  86,  87,  99,  329,  330, 

334,  353,  .380. 
Wanton,  Major  John,  his  capture  of  a 

French  privateer,  140. 
Wanton,  Gov.  Joseph,  310  n. 

Ward, ,  10. 

Ward, (of  Newtown),  318. 

Warwick,  R.  /.,  150. 

Watcrhouse, ,  90,  279. 

Webb,  Rev.  John,  393  n. 

Webster,  Lieut.  Robert,  burial  of,  6. 

Weeks,    John,    (tenant     at    Naushon 

Island,)  .<!10,  .311,  327,  369. 
Wendell,  Jacob,  155,  327,  3R3.     Letter 

from  John  Winthrop  to,  393. 
West,  Secretary  John,  9. 
Westerly,  H.  L,  160. 


Wetherell,  Capt.  Daniel,  113,  162,  177, 
178. 

Wethersfield,  Conn.,  128. 

Whales,  large  number  killed  in  Cape 
Cod  Bay,  55. 

Wharton,  Ann,  87,  93. 

Wharton,  Mrs.  Richard  (Martha  Win- 
throp), death  of  her  husband,  25. 

Wharton,  Martha  (Mrs.  Butler),  377. 

AViiARTON,  Richard.  Mentioned,  8,  56. 
Notice  of,  9  n.  Letters  to  Wait  Win- 
throp, mentioning  his  arrival  in  Lon- 
don, 9  ;  describes  the  progress  of  his 
affairs,  the  new  mining  company,  and 
the  state  of  public  affairs,  14-18. 
Letter  to  Bartholomew  Gedney,  giving 
an  account  of  his  efforts  to  obtain  a 
patent  for  the  mines  in  New  England, 
11.     His  death,  25  n. 

Wharton,  William,  SO.  187,  218. 

Wharton,  Lord,  218,  220. 

Whiston,  Rej>.  William,  277. 

White,  Mr. ,  6. 

Whitfield,  Mr. ,  56. 

Wliiting,  Capt. ,  64. 

Whiting,  Joseph,  death  of,  351  n. 

Whiting,  Major  William,  38,  128,  208. 

Wickford,  R.  I.,  origin  of  the  name, 

Willard,  Rev.  Samuel,  22,  23,  29,  403. 

Willes,  Sir  John,  494  «. 

Williams,  James,  funeral  charges  on  the 
death  of  Wait  Winthrop,  357. 

Williams,  Rev.  John.  Taken  captive 
at  Deerfield,  125.  Extract  from  liis 
letter  to  Samuel  SewaU,  295.  Men- 
tioned, 296. 

Williams,  Nathaniel.  Notice  of, 
268  n.  Letter  to  Wait  Wintlirop  about 
the  illness  of  Mrs.  Winthrop,  268. 

Williams,  Rev.  William.  Letters  to 
John  Winthrop,  about  tlie  journey  of 
Wait  Winthrop  to  New  York,  and'the 
differences  between  him  and  John 
Livingston,  182,  184.     Mentioned,  188. 

Williams,  Roger,  321  n. 

Willis,  Mr. ,  288. 

Willis,  Samuel.  Notice  of,  37  n. 
Letters  to  Wait  Winthrop,  complain- 
ing of  the  acts  of  James  Fitch,  37,  61, 
112.     Mentioned,  115,  123. 

Wilson, ,  352. 

Wilson,  Ebenezer.  186. 

Winslow,  Capt.  Edward,  2.30. 

Winthrop,  Bon.  Adam,  death  of,  70. 

Winthrop,  Chief  ,/usticc  Adam,  visits 
England,  49,  168,  169.  Mentioned, 
342,  347,  409. 

Winthrop,  Basil,  403,  4.32. 

Winthrop,  Deane,  deaths  of  his  chil- 
dren, 117.     Death  of,  126. 

Winthrop,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John 
Winthrop,  F.R.S.,  her  death  and 
burial,  299,  300. 

Winthrop,  Mr.i.  Elizabeth  (wife  of  John 
Winthrop,  Jr.),  329.  Her  grave  in 
Hartford,  321. 


527 


Winthrop,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (wife  of  Fitz- 
John  Winthrop),  162, 180, 1K3,229,  338. 

Winthrop,  Fitz-Johu.  Letters  to,  from 
Wait  Winthrop,  62,  54,  67,  59,  61,  62, 
64,  65, 66,  68,  69,  70,  72,  81,  85,  86,  92, 
98,  99,  101,  104,  107,  115,  IIB,  117, 
121,  124,  125,  135,  139,  140,  142,  143, 
144,  145,  146,  148,  150,  152, 153.  Men- 
tioned, 3  «.,  8,  16,  19,  34,  109, 119,  126, 
164,  169,  176,  183,  191,  196,  197,  284, 
351  n.,  434  n.,  441,  492.  His  intentions 
as  to  the  disposal  of  his  estate,  167-169, 
442,  468-470. 

Winthrop,  Goo.  John,  jr.  Death  of,  6. 
Mentioned,  7,  294,  337,  440,  441,  492. 

Winthrop,  John,  F.R.S.  Letters  to 
his  father,  giving  tlie  news  of  the  day, 
186 ;  of  tlie  same  character,  188 ;  relat- 
ing to  the  expedition  against  Canada, 
232;  respecting  his  journey  to  Con- 
necticut, 240.  Letter  to  the  County 
Court  of  New  London,  complaining  of 
the  illegality  of  Special  Courts,  324. 
Letters  to  Cotton  Mather,  relating  a 
curious  story  about  one  Pelton,  331 ; 
about  Boston  and  New  England. 384  n. ; 
about  books,  399  n. ;  describing  at 
length  Ills  litigation  with  Thomas 
Lechmere,  423.  Letter  to ,  com- 
plaining of  the  injustice  done  to  him 
in  Connecticut,  319.  Letter  to  In- 
crease .Mather,  aliout  rubila,  381. 
Letter  to  Mrs.  Katharine  Winthrop 
about  his  visit  to  New  York,  382. 
Letter  to  Jacob  Wendell  about 
Tiiomas  Lechmere 's  debts,  393.  Letter 
to  Paul  Dudley  on  the  death  of  Gov- 
ernor Dudley,  394.  Letter  to  Isaac 
Taylor  about  settling  on  Long  Island, 
397.  Letters  to  his  wife  about  his 
litigation  with  Thomas  Lechmere, 
405;  informing  her  of  the  result  ot  liis 
appeal  to  the  King  in  Council,  509. 
Letter  to  Eliphalet  Adams  about  the 
litigation  with  Thomas  Lechmere,  406. 
Letter  to  Henry  Smitli  about  his  lands 
on  Long  Island,  409.  Letter  to  Sam- 
uel Sewall  about  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Katharine  Winthrop,  420  Will  of, 
420.  Brief  in  his  appeal  to  the  Privy 
Council,  440.  Decree  of  the  King  in 
Council,  496.  Letters  to,  from  William 
Williams,  182,  184  ;  from  his  father, 
190,  223,  224,  233-  236,  238,  242,  261, 
253,  268,  270,  271,  276,  278,  287,  289, 
299,  301,  310,  312,  315,  318,  321,  32.3, 
327,  328,  330,  334,  33-5,  337,  341,  34.3, 
345,  346,  351,  352,  from  Joseph  Dudley, 
247,  283, 285 ;  from  Thomas  Lechmere, 
250,  256,  376,  386,  391,401,403,408; 
from  James  Pierpont,  254 ;  from  Eben- 
ezer  Pemberton,  260 ;  from  Katharine 
Winthrop,  266 ;  from  Samuel  Sewall, 
273,  295,  402,  410,  422 ;  from  Richard 
Edwards,  292 ;  from  John  Bulkley ,  302 ; 
from  Hezekiah  Usher,  314 ;  from 
Eliphalet   Adams,    344,    373;    from 


George  Phillips,  371 ;  from  Henry 
Smith,  379;  from  Increase  Mather, 
380;  from  Francis  Foxcroft,  384; 
from  Samuel  Shute,  386;  from  John 
Walton,  395;  from  John  Read,  396, 
413,  419;  from  Paul  Dudley,  399; 
from  Robert  Robinson,  411  ;  from 
William  Smith,  414;  from  Francis 
Fullara,  416 ;  from  John  Chandler, 
429 ;  fronj  Jeremiah  Dummer,  439. 
His  fondness  for  texts  of  Scripture, 
315  n.  His  peculiar  character  and 
relations  to  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  -350  n. 
His  fondness  for  versifying,  300  n., 
384  n.  His  orders  for  books,  346  n., 
351  n.  His  appearance  before  the 
Connecticut  Assembly,  429  n.  His 
portrait,  439  ii.  Mentioned,  66,  68,  99, 
116,  117,  146,  148,  164,  167,  169,  174, 
177,  256,  284  n.,  300  n.,  350  n.,  353  n., 
368-370,  371  n.,  375,  434,  and  passim. 

Winthrop,  Mrs.  John  (Anne  Dudley). 
Letters  to,  from  Paul  Dudley,  284, 
293 ;  from  Joseph  Dudley,  340 ;  from 
William  Dudley,  391 ;  from  John  Win- 
throp, 405.  Letters  to  Paul  Dudley, 
about  her  husband's  affairs,  400  n.; 
about  the  litigation  with  Thomas  Lech- 
mere, 418.  Her  letters  to  her  hus- 
band in  England,  439  n.  Mentioned, 
152  «.,  164,  174,  300,  356,  399. 

Wintlirop,  John  (first-born  son  of  John 
Winthrop,  F.R.S),  death  of,  337,  340, 
350.     Mentioned,  317,  328,  3-30.  335. 

Winthrop,  .John,  Professor  in  Harvard 
College,  47  n. 

Winthrop,  Jolm  Still,  402,  432. 

Winthrop,  Jose',  death  of,  117. 

Winthrop,  Mrs.  Margaret,  grant  of  land 
to,  396. 

Winthrop,  Mary  (daughter  of  .John  Win- 
throp, F.R.S.,  and  wife  of  Gov.  Wan- 
ton), 310,  313,  328,  .33.5,  3.52. 

Winthrop,  Samuel,  of  Antigua,  396. 

Winthrop,  Wait.  Letters  to  Sir  Henry 
Ashurst,  describing  the  condition  of 
affairs  in  Massaclmsetts,  46;  recom- 
mending the  Colony  of  Connecticut 
to  his  good  offices,  71 ;  describing  the 
political  intrigues  in  Massachusetts, 
82 ;  denying  that  he  had  favored  a 
petition  for  the  old  charter,  110;  on 
the  French  and  Indian  attacks,  120 ; 
on  the  same  subject,  128 ;  describing 
the  difficulty  of  sending  any  one  to' 
England  to  represent  the  Colonies, 
137 ;  on  the  death  of  Lady  Ashurst 
and  the  party  intrigues  in  Massachu- 
setts, 179.  Letters  to  Fitz-John  Win- 
throp, communicating  the  current 
news,  62 ;  mentioning  the  whale  fishery 
in  Cape  Cod  Bay,  54 ;  about  Kidd's 
treasure,  57  ;  about  borrowing  money 
for  Connecticut,  59;  on  the  same 
subject,  61 ;  giving  the  current  news, 
62  ;  about  Ow  disputes  between  Con- 
necticut and  Rhode  Island,  64 ;  on  the 


528 


same  subject,  65 ;  urging  that  Con- 
necticut should  send  more  money  to 
England,  CB ;  on  the  same  subject,  69  ; 
mentioning  the  death  of  Adam  Win- 
throp,  70;  communicating  the  news 
of  the  day,  72 ;  giving  more  news,  81 ; 
about  borrowing  money,  85 ;  asking 
his  brotlier's  advice  about  going  to 
England  as  agent  of  Massachusetts, 
86;  on  the  same  subject,  92;  about 
the  Plainfield  matter,  98 ;  describing 
the  parsimony  of  Massachusetts,  99; 
on  personal  matters,  101 ;  giving  the 
news  of  the  day,  104 ;  on  the  sickness 
of  his  brother,  107;  communicating 
European  news,  115;  mentions  deaths 
in  the  family,  116;  mentions  a  fire  in 
Boston,  117 ;  communicating  news 
items,  121 ;  mentioning  the  attack  on 
Deerfield,  124  ;  mentioning  the  death 
of  Deane  Winthrop,  125 ;  on  personal 
matters,  135;  sending  the  copy  of  a 
letter  respecting  Sir  Henry  Ashurst, 
139 ;  giving  the  news  of  the  day  and 
advice  about  matters  at  Fisher's 
Island,  140 ;  describes  the  excitement 
about  the  Indian  traders,  142;  about 
personal  matters,  143,  144 ;  about  the 
payments  to  Sir  H.  Ashurst,  145;  on 
personal  matters,  146 ;  on  family 
matters,  148  ;  relative  to  the  state  of 
affairs  in  the  Narragansett  Country, 
150;  as  to  a  conversation  with  Joseph 
Dudley  about  the  proposed  marriage 
of  John  Winthrop  and  Ann  Dudley, 
152;  urging  him  to  come  to  Boston, 
153.  Letters  to  Samuel  Reade, 
respecting  his  affairs  at  Salem,  65; 
about  the  claims  of  Mrs.  Barker  and 
Mrs.  Haynes,  122;  about  remittances 
to  England,  164;  mentioning  his 
acceptance  of  a  bill  of  exchange,  201 ; 
has  heard  of  the  death  of  Sir  Henry 
Ashurst,  255;  describing  at  length  his 
relations  to  Sir  H.  Ashurst,  281.  Let- 
ter to  William  Atwood  about  Court 

of  Admiralty,  97.     Letter  to  

about  the  illness  of  liis  brother,  105. 
Letter  to  Isaac  Addington  about  the 
arrest  of  Shelden  and  Kemington,  127. 
Letters  to  John  Winthrop,  F.R.S., 
mentioning  the  current  news,  190; 
about  family  matters,  223;  giving 
various  items  of  news,  224 ;  about  his 
visit  to  New  London,  283,  2.'54,  236, 
236,  2.38;  giving  further  directions 
about  his  visit  to  New  London,  242 ; 
communicating  the  current  news,  and 
giving  directions  about  the  manage- 
ment of  his  affairs  in  Connecticut, 
251;  informing  him  of  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Corwin,  253:  about  family  matters, 
268;  about  counterfeit  money,  270; 
about  the  title  to  land  granted  in  1G43, 
271 ;  giving  items  of  news,  276  ;  giving 
directions  about  his  affairs  in  Connect- 
icut, 278;    communicating    items   of 


news,  287 ;  mentioning  the  marriage 
of  Mr.  Daillc,  289 ;  on  the  death  of  a 
granddaughter,  299;  about  indented 
servants,  301 ;  mentioning  the  death  of 
Mrs.  Brattle,  310 ;  communicating  the 
current  news,  ib. ;  about  the  survey  of 
his  land,  312  ;  on  the  birth  of  a  grand- 
son, 316;  about  the  troubles  with  his 
tenants,  318;  about  the  gravestone 
for  his  mother,  321 ;  about  meteors, 
323;  giving  directions  about  his  affairs 
in  Connecticut,  327  ;  about  the  troubles 
with  his  tenants,  829;  about  family 
matters,  3.30 ;  mentioning  the  death  of 
Mrs.  Endicott,  334;  giving  medical 
directions,  335;  on  the  death  of  a 
grandson,  .337 ;  giving  various  items 
of  news,  342;  on  the  loss  of  a  pirate 
ship,  348,  345 ;  m.entions  his  anxiety 
to  go  to  New  London,  346  ;  on  family 
matters,  351,  352.  Letters  to  Gurdon 
Saltonstall,  about  his  differences  with 
John  Livingston,  202  ;  complaining  of 
injustice  done  to  him  in  Connecticut, 
288.  Letter  to  Joseph  Dudley  about 
French  privateers,  243.  Letter  to 
Richard  Edwards,  desiring  his  help  at 
the  New  London  Court,  290.  Letter 
to  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
about  his  appointment  as  agent  to 
England,  94;  about  the  land  around 
Black  Lead  Hill,  294,  297.  Letter 
to  Nathan  Gold,  complaining  of 
injustice  done  to  him  in  Connecticut, 

347.     Letter  to  on  the  same 

subject,  349.  The  people  of  Hart- 
ford desire  him  to  reside  in  that 
town,  6.  Appointed  Judge  of  the 
Admiralty,  43,  45.  Efforts  to  obtain 
an  agreement  between  him  and 
John  Livingston,  183, 184.  Illness  of, 
346.  Death  of,  353  n.  Memorandum 
of  persons  invited  to  attend  the 
funeral,  354.  Funeral  charges,  357. 
Inventory  of  his  property  in  Massa- 
chusetts, 365.  Will  (not  executed), 
307.  His  intentions  as  to  the  disposal 
of  his  property,  443, 468-470.  Letters 
to,  from  the  General  Court  of  Con- 
necticut, 3;  John  Allyn,  6,  8,  19; 
Stephen  Chester,  7;  Richard  Whar- 
ton, 9,14.  15,  17;  Francis  Brinlev,20; 
John  Higginson,  21,  25.  27 ;  Sannicl 
Stow,  22,  27,  33;  Nathaniel  Milner, 
31,  32;  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  37,  S9,  40, 
42,  43,  45,  46,  50,  60,  80,  84,  88,  89, 
100,  109,  113,  118,  131,  133,  134,  136, 
138,  151,  152,  173,  213,  219,  225;  Sam- 
uel Willis,  37,51,  111;  Thomas  Hinck- 
ley, 44;  Lord  Bellomont,  73;  Samuel 
Reade,  102,  114,  170;  Isaac  Adding- 
ton, 126, 131 ;  Samuel  Sewall,  134, 147, 
2;50,  246,  822;  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  160, 

162,  175, 177,  197,  229;  Joseph  Dudley, 

163,  167,  247,  267  ;  John  Leverett.  168 ; 
John  Boult.172 ;  his  son  John,  186,  188, 
232,  240;  Jeremiah  Dummer,  jr.,  228; 


529 


Thomas  Lechmere,  243,  246-249,  262, 
806,  307  ;  James  Pierpont,  254  ;  Katha- 
rine Winthrop,  264-266;  Nathaniel 
Williams,  268;  Paul  Dudley,  286; 
Lucy  Lechmere,  316. 

Winthrop,  Mks.  Wait  (Katharine 
Brattle).  Letters  to  Wait  Winthrop, 
264,  265.  Letter  to  Jolm  Winthrop, 
F.  R.  S.,  266.  Letter  from  John  Win- 
throp to,  382.  Illness  of,  268,  269. 
Death  of,  420,  421.  Mentioned,  244, 
378,  380,  381,  405,  444,  490. 

Winthrop  Tomb,  300  n. 

Wolcott,  J/r.  Josie,  5. 

WoUcutt,  J/r. ,  411. 


Woodbridge,  Thomas,  112. 
Woodbridee,  Rev.  Timothy,  395. 
Wood  Creek,  209,  210,  232. 
Woodward,  Dr.  John,  332,  382  n. 
Woodward,  Dr.  Robert,  marries  Sarah 

Deane,  10. 
Woodward,  Samuel,  313. 


Yale  College,  351. 

Yeomans,  John,  269,  318,  320,  329.  348, 

400  n. 
Yorke,  PhEip  {Earl  of  Hardwick),  440  n.