Much honoured and deare Sir,
But that I thinke it needlesse (God havinge more than ordinarye fitted
you for such trials) my letter might tell you with what griefe of spirit
I received the news of that sad affliction which is lately happened to
your worship, by means of that unfaithful wretch; I hope God will find a
shoulder to helpe you beare so great a burthen. But the little time
there is allotted me to write I must spend in requesting your worships
counsel and favour. My father in law Ward, since his sonne came over, is
varey desirous that wee might sett down together, and so that he might
leave us together if God should remove him from hence. Because that it
cannot be accomplished in this town, is verey desirous to get mee to
remove with him to a new plantation. After much perswasion used,
consideringe my want of accommodation here (the ground the town having
given mee lying 5 miles from mee or more) and that the gaines of physick
will not finde mee with bread, but, besides, apprehendinge that it might
bee a way to free him from some temptations, and make him more cheereful
and serviceable to the country or church, have yeelded to him. Herein,
as I desire your counsel, so I humbly request your favour, that you
would be pleased to give us the libertye of choosinge a plantation; wee
thinke it will be at Pentuckett, or Quichichchek, by Shawshin: So soon
as the season will give us leave to goe, wee shall informe your worship
which we desire: And if that, by the court of election, we cannot gather
a company to beegine it, wee will let it fall. Wee desire you would not
graunt any of them to any before wee have seene them. If your worship
have heard any relation of the places, wee should remaine thankful to
you, if you would bee pleased to counsel us to any of them. Further, I
would entreate for advise in this: The towne gave mee the ground (100
acres) upon this condition, that I should stay in the towne 3 yeeres,
or else I could not sell it: Now my father supposes it being my first
heritage (my father having none in the land) that it is more than they
canne doe to hinder mee thus, when as others have no business, but range
from place to place, on purpose to live upon the countrey. I would
entreate your counsel whither or noe I canne sell it. Further: I am
strongly sett upon to studye divinitie, my studyes else must be lost:
for physick is but a meene helpe. In these cases I humbly referre to
your worship, as my father, for your counsel, and so in much haste, with
my best services presented to your worship, wishinge you a strong
support in your affliction, and a good and comfortable issue, I rest
Your worships in what he canne to his power,
Ipswich, 26. 10^{th} 1639. GYLES FYRMIN.
Wee humbly entreate your secrecye in our desires.
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