A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Winthrop Family Papers

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

John Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Winthrop, John Winthrop, John, Jr.

1625-02-22
To my beloved sonne John Winthrop. DD.
My beloved sonne,

I beseeche our heavenly father to blesse thee. I received your lettre, and am gladd of your healthe, but should yet be more gladd, if I could heare that you were resolued vpon any good Course for the imployment of your life and talentes. I desire but that your iudgment may be once rightly informed and then lett God dispose of you as he please. I perceive you are not yet admitted,2 and I am now offered a place in the temple with mr. Gurdons sonne,3 where you may have a Chamber freely for the most parte of the yeare, but I referre this and the rest to suche good advise as your frendes there shall give you. God give you an heart to be guided aright in all your wayes. I shall thinke longe to heare somewhat of your settlednesse. your grandmother and mother salute and blesse you they with the rest of our family and your new brother Nath,4 are in reasonable healthe (I prayse God) so havinge many lettres to write, 319I will ende for this tyme and comendinge you againe and againe to our heavenly father, I rest your lovinge father most studious of your wellfare

J. W. Feb: 22. 1624–25

Remember me most kindly to your good Aunt Fones.

 1.

W. 1. 13; L. and L. , I. 204.

 2.

John Winthrop, Jr., was admitted to the Inner Temple in November, 1624. Students Admitted to the Inner Temple, 1547–1660 (London, 1877), 241: “John Winthrop, Groton, Suffolk. Eldest son of John Winthrop.” His father seems to have in mind the question of his admission to lodgings or chambers in the Inner Temple.

 3.

Robert Gurdon, second son of Brampton Gurdon. Muskett, 287; Calendar of the Inner Temple Records, II. 155.

 4.

“He was baptized February 20, 1624; and died young.” L. and L. , I. 204, note.
Will of Elizabeth Munning, 1624–25 1
Munning, Elizabeth

1625-03-08

Elizabeth Munninge2 of Brettenham in the countie of Suffolk, widow of Humfrey Mvnninge,3 clarke, Minister of the said parishe, 8 March 1624–25. To Elizabeth my daughter, wife of George Salter. To Richard, Theophilus, and William Mvninge4 my sonnes, to either of them fyve pounds a piece. To Anne Mvninge my daughter £10. To Ellen Mvninge, Humfrey Mvninge, Abigale Mvninge, Katheren Mvninge, and to Leonard Mvninge my children, to either of them £18 when they shall attaine the age of twenty one yeares or marry, whichever first shall happen. William Chaplyn of Hitcham and Henrie Munninge5 my brother in law whom I appoint executors to sell all my lands and tenements in Brettenham and Bildston6 according to the last will of my welbeloved husband: the overplus to be divided equally amongst all my children. Probat. 17 October 1631.

 1.

Sudbury Archdeaconry, Liber Colman, fo. 68 b; Muskett, 105.

 2.

Elizabeth, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Norwood) Winthrop, baptized April 24, 1569, and died in 1631. Muskett, 25.

 3.

Son of Humphrey Munning, of Semer, and Ellen (Ungle) Munning. He was M.A. from Magdalene College, 1585, rector of Great Thornham, 1596–97, and of Brettenham, 1597–1624. He died in 1624. Muskett, 107; Venn, A. C. , III. 227.

 4.

M.A. from Emmanuel, 1624, rector of Preston, co. Suffolk, 1644–61, and of Chedburgh, co. Suffolk, 1661. He died in 1669. Venn, A. C. , III. 227.

 5.

Baptized at Semer, 1565, and probably of Bury St. Edmunds. Muskett, 107.

 6.

Bildestone is a parish in the hundred of Cosford.
Henry Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Winthrop, Henry Winthrop, John, Jr.

1625-03-14
To his very Lovinge brother Mr. John Winthrop at the signe of the Cocke nere the Exchange in Cornhill London.
Most intier and Louinge Brother

after my most harti commendations remembred vnto yowe and allso my thanckes which is all that I can render vnto yowe for all the loue and cindnese which yowe haue showed allwaies vnto mee and nowe not able to macke yow amandes for it I am not but with rendringe the licke loue vnto yow as like as I am able of which loue I confesse I haue geuen grate occation vnto yow to thincke it is 320in dispayer in not keepinge that promise which I made vnto yow affore yowente from hence which promise was that yow should here of me by pen especially of which promyse I know yow are not vnmindfull of and now confesinge my faulte in not performinge it and promise of amendment with assured hope of your marcie in forgevenge me good brother I pray for them at white Frieres and remember my cervise to Mr. White and Mis. White and my mystrise and so commend me to the reste of the howse that askes for me and telle my mystrise that her coult is ded he was as illegible any thinge and I pray commend me to my vncle Fones and my ante and to my cossenes and so to my vncle Downinge and my ante and I pray aske my ante and vncle whether they will send for there nage or no becase and if they will not I doe purpose to haue him to ride on this summer myselfe and I pray let me here of yow as sone as yow can and thus with my commendations to your selfe hopinge that yow are in good helthe as I praise god wee all are I reste Your louinge Brother

Henry Winthropp From Groton this 14 of Marche1624–25 1.

W. Au. 24.