Winthrop family papers

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.