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Winthrop Family Papers

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Acknowledgment of Samuel Wilbur

16 May 1639

Abraham Shurt to Robert Knight

17 June 1639
Abraham Kuffler to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Kuffler, Abraham Winthrop, John, Jr.

1639-06-12

 Kind Sir,

Your 2 letters since your departure I haue Reciued and had Answred them long since but for my longe Sicknes occatisioned by the torn of a wall which brocke both my legg and Arme. Your vnckle Wintrope whome I mett the last weeke told of your helth and well-fare which I much joye to hear hee tould me that hee would convay a letter to you and hauing so fitt ane opertunitie I could not but present my servis to you and giue you thanckes for your paynes in writing. I know you are desirous to heare of my prosseeding in Alchimie all my proseeding therin is lost by reason of my longe sicknes so that I am now beeginning agayne as for my other invention seeing all Christendome in Armes and all kings and princes tacken that waye I was forst to leaffe off all curious inventissions I now onelly follow dieing of scarrlett in which I haue so much to doe that I can follow nothing elles except a generall pesse2 were made whereby princes might tacke delight in Atorn I should bee glade to heare of your proseedings till when and for ever I rest Your Servant

Abraham Kuffler London the 12th of June 1639 1.

W. 4. 95; 5 Collections , I. 270–271. Abraham Kuffler (Keffler) was born in Cologne on October 4, 1598, the son of Jakob Kuffler, a merchant, who was councillor of the Elector of Brandenburg and his resident in Cologne. After graduating from Padua and taking a doctor's degree, Kuffler established himself in London. There he married the daughter of Cornelis Drebbel, Dutch physicist, who was then living in London and with whom he worked on the invention of a submarine. After the death of Charles I, he removed to Holland where he established a scarlet-dyeing business and where he also tried to sell a torpedo invented by Drebbel. He died in London on December 8, 1657. Niew Nederlandsch Biografisch Woordenboek, II. 739.

 2.

Marginal note in the handwriting of John Winthrop, Jr.: “peace nere made.”