Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Sir John Clotworthy to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Clotworthy, John Winthrop, John, Jr.

1635-04

I will not touch vppon what I writt in my last to you only for the chattle which you soe much want, and wee can soe conueniently spare, I meane our best sorts of sheepe; I dare not continue my former aduice, of sending for any this summer, because ther can nott bee such store sent, as is needfull, and I feare after thers notice taken of any thatt goe from these partes ther will bee restraint after. soe as many as you can prouide shipping for, against the spring, I will soe prepare this next winter, that I hope few or none shall miscary; and those that goe must away together, that before the state cann send to inhibite, wee may haue dispacht a competent number, iff nott all that wee prouide; ass I writt before soe now againe I thinke itt will bee requisite 196to send a man who hath had experience in transporting and is somewhatt skilld in sheepe all healpes will bee little enowgh; iff the Lord please to furnish that blest land with this commodity from this wicked land; I shall almost thinke itt was the chiefe end for which itt was made; I wonder that I heare noe worde from you sythense your departure; my last will geiue you notice what particulers I most desire to heare off; good Sir bee not over-sparing in your relations; I thinke itt will nott be nedfull for mee to write now to Sir Richard Saltingstall presuming that you will impart this to him, and that I shall heare from either off you the resolution off you both; lett me heare whatt is donn with Mr. Winslow, and whither the byshop we heard off and gouernour hold for your nott ass yett polluted land.2 With such trash, God bee your dyrection.

John Clotworthy Ca. April, 1635

Endorsed by John Winthrop, Jr.: Sir John Clotworthy to be read by a casement.

W. 4. 76, 5 Collections , I. 208–209. This letter, like Clotworthy’s letter of March 6, 1634/35 (pages 191–192, above), was written so as to be read through a “casement.”

See Journal, I. 130, 152; Bradford, History of Plymouth, 11. 199; Hutchinson, History of Massachusetts-Bay, 1. 47–48; The Autobiography and Correspondence of Sir Simonds D’Ewes, Bart. (London, 1845), 11. 118; also printed in D.J.W. , entries for July 9, 1634 and June 1635 .

John Spenser to John Winthrop1

Spenser, John Wintrhop, John

1635-04

To his Honorable Friend mr. winthrop att Boston thes deliver

Sir,

Understanding that it is yowr pleasure to let out yowr dayrie till yowr Sonns retorne I desire to hire two of them and shal be content to imbrace yowr termes, and shal resigne them when mr. winthrop requires it: and wheras I am accidentally disappointed of the vse of my Steeres, I entreat yow that yow would giue mr. Clark alowance to let me worke gentlie yowr Steeres which ar at Ipswch wil otherwise grow wild for want of manageing, wherwith and the rest of my Cattle and Seruants I shal be ready to drawe yowr Sonns Hey and wood together this Summer: or els if He retorne late I shal be willing to winter some of his Cattle if I may know before hand that I may get provision for them And so with my respect to yow and mrs. winthrop with thanks for yowr great and no way deserued kindnes I rest yowrs to my Power

Jo: Spenser Ca. April, 1635 1.

W. 1. 107. John Spenser settled in Ipswich in 1634, became a freeman of the colony on September 3 of that year, and subsequently moved to Newbury. His name appears frequently in the records of the General Court as representative both for Ipswich and for Newbury. He returned to England in 1638, having lost favor in Massachusetts because of his siding with John Wheelwright in the controversy of the preceding year. Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, IV. 147.

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