Skip to main content

Winthrop family papers

 Collection
Call Number: GEN MSS 274

Scope and Contents

The Winthrop Family Papers are organized in two series: I. Correspondence and II. Other Papers. The papers span the dates 1635-1720, with the bulk of the material dating from between 1670 and 1710.

Series I, Correspondence , is arranged in three subseries: Incoming Letters, Outgoing Letters, and Third Party Letters. Letters within each subseries are arranged alphabetically by recipient and then by correspondent.

The letters to Fitz-John Winthrop contain information on his particpation in the government of Sir Edmund Andros and his subsequent negotiations in London for the restoration of the colony's charter; Connecticut's border disputes with the colonies of Rhode Island and New York; and Indian conflicts and alliances. Letters to John Winthrop (1588-1649) include two from Roger Williams concerning disputes among Narragansett sachems and fights against the "Dutch Indians;" a June, 1636 letter from Jonathan Brewster discussing the war plans of the Pequots and their distrust of the English; a request for assistance from Lion Gardiner; and letters asking for medical advice and inquiring about conditions of settlement in Connecticut. The correspondence of John Winthrop (1681-1747) contains a request for a description of moose from Cotton Mather and a letter from Thomas Buckingham concerning the founding of the Collegiate School, which is also the subject of a third-party letter from Buckingham to James Fitch.

Series II, Other Papers , is arranged alphabetically by author and includes a "Note of payments disbursed to my son, for the affair of Connecticut" and a travel pass for the Niantic sachem Ninigret, both in the hand of John Winthrop (1588-1649). A contract by John Winthrop (1681-1747) authorizes his agents to purchase a Carbuncle stone from the Indians, if one can be located.

Dates

  • 1635-1727

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Winthrop Family Papers are the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Robert C. Winthrop, 1897-1898.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.winthrop

Abstract

Contains letters from various people, including colonial officials and legislators, to Fitz-John Winthrop, John Winthrop (1588-1649), John Winthrop (1606-1676), and John Winthrop (1681-1747); one letter from Fitz-John Winthrop to Joseph Dudley; and various other documents, including Abraham Pierson's elegy on Theophilus Eaton, and a brief diary by John Winthrop (1606-1676).

Processing Information

This finding aid was produced from a previously existing card set in the Manuscripts Catalog, or from another inventory. All pertinent bibliographical information has been retained.

Title
Guide to the Winthrop Family Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
by Beinecke Staff
Date
June 1997
Description rules
Beinecke Manuscript Unit Archival Processing Manual
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository

Contact:
P. O. Box 208330
New Haven CT 06520-8330 US
(203) 432-2977

Location

121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours

Access Information

The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.