PROPERTY OF A MARYLAND COLLECTOR
WINTHROP, John (1588-1649), Governor. Autograph endorsement signed ("Jo: Winthrop, Govr"), as Governor of Massachusetts Bay, on verso of a petition of the inhabitants of Sudbury, n.d. [ca. 1646]. 1 page, oblong (4 x 5 7/8in.).
Details
WINTHROP, John (1588-1649), Governor. Autograph endorsement signed ("Jo: Winthrop, Govr"), as Governor of Massachusetts Bay, on verso of a petition of the inhabitants of Sudbury, n.d. [ca. 1646]. 1 page, oblong (4 x 5 7/8in.).
GOVERNOR WINTHROP APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF THREE COMMISSIONERS "TO END SMALL CAUSES" "To our honored Governor the Deputy Governour of...this General Court, the humble petition of the Inhabitants of Sudbury most humbly desire that Captayn Pelham, William Warde, & Edmond Bird may be apoynted to end small causes in Sudbury." The petition is signed by Peter Noyes, John Parmenter, William Warde, Edmond Goodman, John Maynard, William Browne and Thomas Goodenow. The verso bears the signed endorsement of Edward Rawson: "The Deputy have past this bill and desire our honoured majesty's concurrance herein." Beneath which Winthrop adds his own endorsement and signature: "The magistrate conforms hereto. Jo: Winthrop: Govr."
An interesting historical glimpse into the scrupulous care that Winthrop and the Puritans showed for maintaining a lawful and orderly character to life in Massachusetts Bay colony. As their name suggests, the commissioners to end small causes had remit over small value claims and even the minor tensions and frictions that could arise between neighbors over matters of fencing, grazing, livestock, etc. The smooth adjudication of minor tensions prevented the emergence of more bitter, divisive schisms.
GOVERNOR WINTHROP APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF THREE COMMISSIONERS "TO END SMALL CAUSES" "To our honored Governor the Deputy Governour of...this General Court, the humble petition of the Inhabitants of Sudbury most humbly desire that Captayn Pelham, William Warde, & Edmond Bird may be apoynted to end small causes in Sudbury." The petition is signed by Peter Noyes, John Parmenter, William Warde, Edmond Goodman, John Maynard, William Browne and Thomas Goodenow. The verso bears the signed endorsement of Edward Rawson: "The Deputy have past this bill and desire our honoured majesty's concurrance herein." Beneath which Winthrop adds his own endorsement and signature: "The magistrate conforms hereto. Jo: Winthrop: Govr."
An interesting historical glimpse into the scrupulous care that Winthrop and the Puritans showed for maintaining a lawful and orderly character to life in Massachusetts Bay colony. As their name suggests, the commissioners to end small causes had remit over small value claims and even the minor tensions and frictions that could arise between neighbors over matters of fencing, grazing, livestock, etc. The smooth adjudication of minor tensions prevented the emergence of more bitter, divisive schisms.