1646, The Massachusetts Bay Colonel: A Rare Document Signed by Governor John Winthrop, Leader of the Great Puritan Migration to Massachusetts and Its First Governor
The document is also signed by Edward Rawson, Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Robert Keayne, Speaker of the Colony’s House; it thus encompasses all the main leadership of the colony
Autographs of Winthrop are true rarities, as in fact is anything from America of this early date
He consents to placement of a woman who was “distracted or crazy brained”
Puritans were a group of Protestants who were opposed to what they saw as the corruption and abuses of the Church...
Autographs of Winthrop are true rarities, as in fact is anything from America of this early date
He consents to placement of a woman who was “distracted or crazy brained”
Puritans were a group of Protestants who were opposed to what they saw as the corruption and abuses of the Church of England, and wanted to purify it. Initially they tried to work to reform the Church from within, but the Church grew more politicized and hostile to Puritan ideas, particularly after the coronation of King Charles I in 1626 and the attendant increase in influence of his favorite, churchman William Laud. Laud, who ultimately became the Archbishop of Canterbury, persecuted the Puritans and it soon became clear that there was little or nothing they could do to reform the Church of England from within. After painful struggles, many decided that the only real choice was to move away from England to a place where they could worship God freely and raise their children in an environment consistent with their faith. The Massachusetts Bay Company was formed in 1629 to send settlers to New England to obtain furs and other goods and ship them back to England, and the King (perhaps due to an oversight) gave the Company a charter which allowed it to effectively establish an autonomous government with its own laws and operate without direct supervision by the King’s authorities in London. Most of the company’s members were Puritans, and the venture became the vehicle for a mass immigration of Puritans to America.
A prominent Puritan named John Winthrop was selected as governor (a position he held almost continuously from the time he planted the colony until his death), and the first settlers sailed with him for Massachusetts in 1630. He was instrumental in establishing a new form of government which included elections (some of which he lost); he believed that one day the nations of the world would copy this innovation. He had the vision that this new colony would be an example and inspiration to all (“We shall be a city set on a hill”), making him the first American leader to see America as a society with a mission. Winthrop was undoubtedly the foremost political leader in America during the 17th century.
Edward Rawson came to Massachusetts in 1637. On April 19, 1638, at the age of 23, he was chosen to be Public Notary and Register for Newbury, and was annually reelected until 1647. Many other public trusts and responsible duties were laid upon him by the people. As early as the year 1638, he was one of the deputies to represent the town at the General Court, as the colonial assembly was called, and was reelected for nearly all the successive years to May 22, 1650, at which time he was chosen Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which office he continued to hold for thirty-six years, until 1686. After the governor, his was the highest position in the Commonwealth.
Robert Keayne and his family arrived in Boston from London in 1635 on the ship Defence. He became a prominent public figure in 17th-century Massachusetts, co-founding the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and serving as a town selectman and representative to the General Court. In 1646 he became Speaker of the House of the General Court.
William Parke immigrated to Massachusetts on the ship Lyon in February 1631. He was admitted as member #6 to the church at Roxbury where later he would become a deacon of the church. He was made a freeman at Roxbury on May 18, 1631 and was very active in the affairs of the town. He served as the deputy from Roxbury to the General Court frequently from 1644 to 1680.
Alexander Becke was in Massachusetts by 1633, as it was recorded then that he was a Freeman of the Commonwealth. The book “Pioneers of Massachusetts” indicates that in 1633 he was awarded 20 shillings from Joyce Bradwicke, for “promising him marriage” and then”refusing to perform the same.” Becke also twice was named as the person in whose care women were placed. This is one of those instances.
Autograph document signed by Winthrop, Rawson and Keayne, Boston, 22 March 1646. “Whereas we say: Robert Keayne & William Parke are & were directed by the Honorable General Court for the placing out of one Sarah Thorne who at present is distracted or crazy brained, know ye that we by the authority aforesaid have placed her unto Alexander Beck of Boston with him to live & he to find her meat drink & cloathing. Upon consideration thereof he is to have five pounds per anno payd him quarterly by the treasurer that is to say 25 [shillings] and 6 [pence] every quarter. And by agreement with the said Alexander Beck she is to continue with him during the court’s pleasure & no longer. Witness our hand the 21 day of May 1646.” It is signed by Robert Keaynes. Beneath that it states: “Ye deputy attests of this act of ye Committee desiring…majesty consent hereto”, and that is in the hand of and signed by Edward Rawson. Belong that John Winthrop writes and signed, “The magistrate’s consent with ye Brethren the Deputy herein. Jo. Winthrop Gov.” Thus, this document is essentially signed by all the main leadership of the colony. Ex Goodspeed’s.
Autographs of Winthrop are true rarities, as in fact is anything from America of this early date. A search of public sale records going back 40 years shows only one other example over the past quarter century. We ourselves obtained one in 1988, and it’s the last we have had until now.
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