Although I wrote to thee last weeke by the carrier of Hadleygh, yet hauinge so fitt opportunyty I must needes write to thee againe, for I doe esteeme one litle sweet shorte lettre of thine (such as the last was) to be well worthy 2: or 3: from me. how it is with vs, these bearers can informe thee, so as I may write the lesse: they were married on Saturday last:2 and intende to staye with thee till towardes the ende of the Terme,3 for it wilbe yet 6 weekes before they can take their voyage, labour to keepe my sonne at home as much as thou canst, especially from Hadleigh. I beganne this lettre to thee yesterdaye at 2: of the clocke, thinkinge to haue been large, but was so taken vp by companye and businesse as I could gett but hither by this morninge: It greiues me that I haue not libertye to make better expression of my loue to thee, who art more deare to me then all earthly thinges, but I will endeavour that my prayers may supply the defect of my pen, which wilbe of best vse to vs both, in as much as the fauour and blessinge of our God is better then all thinges besides: my trust is in his mercye, that vpon the faith of his gratious promise, and the experience of his fatherly goodnesse, he wilbe our God to the ende, to carrye vs alonge through this course of our pilgrimage, in the peace of a good conscience, and that in the ende of our race, we shall safely ariue at the hauen of aeternall happinesse: we see how frayle and vaine all earthly good thinges are, there is no meanes to avoide the losse of them in death, nor the bitternesse which accompanieth them in the cares and troubles of this life: onely the fruition of Jesus Christ, and the hope of heauen can giue vs true comfort and rest, the Lord teach vs wisdome, to prepare for our change, and to laye vp our treasure there, where our abidinge must be for euer. I knowe thou lookest for troubles heer, and when one Affliction is ouer, to meete with another, but remember what our Sauiour tells vs, Be of good comforte I haue ouercome the world, see his goodnesse, he hath conquered our enemies before hande, and by Faith in him, we shall assuredly preuaile ouer them all: therfore (my sweet wife) rayse vp thy heart, and be not dismayed at the crosses thou meetest with in familye affaires, or otherwise, but still flye to him, who will take vp thy burden for thee, goe thou on cheerfully in obedience to his holy will, in the course he hath sett thee, peace shall come thou 85shalt rest as in thy bedd, and in the meane tyme he will not faile nor forsake thee: but my tyme is past, I must leaue thee, so I comende thee and all thine to the gratious protection and blessinge of the Lord, all our freindes heere salute thee, salute thou ours from me. farewell my good wife, I kisse and loue thee with the kindest affection and rest Thy faithful husbande

I John Duke of Colchester, desirous to performe the dutie of a Christian man to leaue myne estate in such a certaintie as that there maie be noe difference about the same after my death, doe make my will in forme following. And first I bequeath my soule to my good god, from whom I certainely expect everlastinge happines by the all sufficient sacrifice of my lord Jesus Christ. And for my bodie my will is that without pompe it be comitted to the earth. I togeather with my beloved wief, Anna Duke, haue already ioyned in the settlinge of my landes, beinge freehould, in Essex and Suffolke, vpon our three children, Mary, Elizabeth, and Judith. Anne my wief shall haue my coppihould landes and tenements in Bildeston and Nedginge in the countie of Suffolk, and in little Bromley in the countie of Essex, duringe the terme of her naturall lief, and after her decease the same shall remayne to the vse of my daughter Judith Duke, and for default of yssue to the vse of Mary Wright wief of Lawrence Wright,2 Doctor of Physicke, and Elizabeth Duke,3 my daughters, their heires and assignes for ever. To the said Anna Duke my wief my coppihould wood called Froste grove in Langham in the countie of Essex, and after her decease to Elizabeth Duke my daughter. All the lands and tenements lying in Norfolke, which I purchased of Mr. Fountaine, vnto the aforesaid Anne my wief, vpon condicion that the saide Anne be bound for the true payment vnto my three daughters Marie, Elizabeth, and Judith of all legacies. Vnto my daughter Marie one hundreth and 86fiftie pounds; and to each of my daughters, Elizabeth and Judith fortie pounds per annum vntill their severall ages of twentie yeares and one or marriage daies, and paying also vnto each, at their severall ages of twentie yeares and one, the somme of seaven hundreth pounds a peece, in full satisfaccion of the last will of John Snelling their grandfather. I giue and bequeath to my lovinge sonne Lawrence Wright all my bookes except my English books, which I giue to my wife to dispose of to her children. To my welbeloued cosens Mr. John Winthrop and William Armitage,4 to either of them three poundes to make them rings; whom I make supervisors. To the two children of Prudence Thorne my sisters daughters deceased, to either of them thirtie shillings. To Anna Humffrey five poundes. To the poore of Colchester twentie poundes. All my goodes, Jewells, and househould stuffe, to my well beloued wief, Anna Duke, for life: after her dicease to my three daughters or their posteritie, as my said wief shall dispose vnto them by her last will. I ordaine said wief sole executrix to see my children brought vpp in good nurture and the feare of the lord vntill they be married. This my will I haue written with myne owne hand and published the thirtie daie of Aprill 1629. There is due to the executors of Macillis Greenerice, fower score sterling of lawfull money of England: my will is that that somme shall be paid by myne executrix. I giue to Marie Wright my daughter all my coppihould land in Lexden neere Colchester. To Judith Duke my coppihould land in little Bently, and for want of yssue, to the right heires of me the said John Duke. And whereas my will was dated before the last of Aprill, this was thus perfected the first daie of May. Gyles Firmin,5 a witness. Probatum 27 Junij 1629, juramento Anne Duke relicte et executricis.