The Clopton Chronicles
A Project of the Clopton Family Genealogical Society
BRIEF COMMUNION
Regarding
Thomasine Clopton & Her Husband
John Winthrop
By
Suellen Clopton Blanton,[1]
[email protected]
A Wise, Modest
& Loving Woman
What can be a better worke
And more honorable and worthy
A Christian, than to helpe raise
And supporte a particular church,
And to joyne his forces with such
A company of faithful people
As by a timely assistance
May growe stronge and prosper[2]
Four hundred years ago, in
St. Bartholomew’s Church,[3]
Cloptons and Winthrops worshipped together. They married there, and within the church their children
were baptized, and in its churchyard and Chancel, Cloptons and Winthrops
together, lie buried. The church
is a small building set amongst ancient tombstones all askew, the inscriptions
mostly erased by the winds of time.
It is a rather modest affair.
It does not share the majesty of the Clopton’s ancestral church, Holy
Trinity,[4]
nor is it filled with glorious brasses and magnificent tombs. Even its lovely stained glass is fairly
new as these things are counted.[5] One comes upon it in the little Parish
of Groton,[6]
overlooking the lovely valley of the River Box, quite off the beaten tourist
path.
St.
Bartholomew’s Church
But
if the visitor sits in a pew and permits the quiet dignity of the place to
settle comfortably about the shoulders, the silence becomes a balm. And if one is very lucky, the voices of
the ancients whisper in the ear.
The registry[7] tells the
tales of joy and sorrow, birth and death.
With stark simplicity one reads:
1615. John Winthrop, Esqre.,
and Thomasinge Clopton were married the 6th day of Decr. [8]
1616. Mistres Thomasin Winthrope the 2nd
wife of John Winthrop, Esq., was buried the 11th day of December.
To
modern day Americans, the name John Winthrop has special meaning, but in 1615.
he was merely the twenty eight year old son of Adam Winthrop[9]
and his wife, Anne Browne.[10] His father was a respected man within
the community but from the more humble ranks of ‘parish gentry.’[11] This did not deter Adam from scaling the
higher ranks of the gentry to achieve parity with his neighbors and
friends. He did this by
negotiating judicious marriages for his children, and the most important
perhaps, was the second marriage of John, to Thomasine, the daughter of William
Clopton, Lord of the Manor of Castlings Hall and his wife, Margery Waldegrave.[12]
Castling’s Hall where Thomasine Clopton was born and the site of her
marriage to John Winthrop. This
romantic setting overlooks Castling’s Heath. The Winthrop family were frequent guests. Thomasine’s father and John Winthrop’s
father were good friends. There
are numerous references to William Clopton in Adam Winthrop’s diary.
The
future Governor of Massachusetts had married Mary Forth[13]
when he was seventeen. When she died
in 1615, John was left with three sons and a daughter. They ranged in age from John Junior,
the future Governor of Connecticut, who was nine, to three year old Mary.[14]
For
Winthrop, his marriage to Thomasine meant more than providing a stepmother for his
children – the union signified that he was now allied to one of the influential
local families. Over the next few
years, the Winthrops would marry Gurdons, Cranes and other major local
families, not merely consolidating their gentry position, but significantly
enhancing it.
It
is no accident that within a few months of his marriage to Thomasine, he was appointed to the Commission of the Peace[15]
for Suffolk. While married to
Thomasine he lived the life of a country squire at Groton Place.[16]
In
the late 1590’s, Robert Reyce wrote The
Breviary of Suffolk.[17] He did not intend it for publication
but for private circulation amongst his gentry friends. Indeed, it was neither printed nor
published until 400 years later.
The book gives us a fascinating insight into how a local bigwig viewed
the claims of Suffolk gentry to their status and rank. The Cloptons are well to the forefront
of this work, for Reyce was connected by marriage to them and could thus claim
a kinship.[18]
There
is no mention of the Winthrop family I the Breviary,
even though Reyce was a firm friend of John Winthrop, with whom he
corresponded regularly, particularly after the migration to New England. Reyce was absorbed by heraldry and the
histories of those Suffolk families dating back to the time of the Norman
invasion. As Churchwarden and Lord
of the Manor of Preston St. Mary, Reyce decorated the interior of his church
with the Coats of Arms of his gentry neighbors in West Suffolk. Prominent among those shields is that
of the Cloptons. One will look in
vain[19]
for the arms of the Winthrops. The
Winthrop family, at least by Reyce’s standards, were not worthy of
mention. The Winthrops had, after
all, purchased their arms from the
Crown!
John Winthrop
At
age 32, Thomasine was unmarried, and the third daughter of six girls and four
boys, all of whom were baptized at St. Bartholomew’s. She was four years older than her bridegroom. Thomasine’s elder sister, Bridgett, had
already married John Sampson of Kersey who was of the Puritan persuasion and
who joined with John Winthrop in private gatherings for worship and later in
the migration to New England. This
spiritual kinship was re-enforced when a marriage was negotiated between John
and Thomasine.
Like the Cloptons of Groton, he was a Puritan and
ardently religious. He undertook
the mission of remaking the evil world as he saw it, arguing that “the life
which is most exercised with tryalls and temptations is the sweetest, and will
prove the safeste.” It was not
until the late 1620s, several years after Thomasine’s death, that the Cloptons
and Winthrops, trapped by Charles I’s belligerent anti-Puritan policy developed
interest in overseas colonization.
At least one Clopton accompanied Winthrop on his maiden voyage in the
spring of 1630. It has long been
believed Walter Clopton, Thomasine’s brother, was the Clopton who came to New
England with his relation, Governor Winthrop, in 1630 and returned home soon
after.
In 1609 John Winthrop held his first Court at
Groton Hall. Three farm cottages
were joined to form what is now a large private residence. The enchanting home is next to the
church. On November 22, 1627,
Margaret Winthrop wrote to her husband:
“I did dyne at Grotton hall yesterday thay are in helth and remember
thear loue wee did wish you theare but that would not bringe you and I coulde
not be mery without thee.”
God Have Mercy
For her carriage toward me, it was both
Aimiable and observant as I am not able to express.
It has only this one inconvenience –
that it made me delight too much in her to enjoy her long.
The East Window in St. Bartholomew’s Church was erected in 1875 to the
memory of John Winthrop by his American descendants. This window replaced a much older one featuring the Clopton
shield of arms. Arrangements were
made by the Parker family to transfer the Clopton arms to their home, Melford
Hall, Long Melford where it may be seen today.
The marriage was to be brief. A year and a day after the wedding she
gave birth to a daughter, who lived only two days. Death was an accepted part of life. Men lived to an average of around
fifty, with about one fifth surviving to their sixties. Women, as a result of
the perils of childbearing, could only expect to live to an average of thirty. Possibly up to fifty per cent of
children did not reach the age of twenty.[20]
Because
of a better diet, the children of the wealthy families had a greater chance of
survival than those of the peasant woman, but death following the birth of a
child killed queens and commoners alike at about the same rate.[21]
Whether they were women of the castles and manors or the back streets and
humble cottages, each risked her life each time she gave birth. There was no
understanding of the importance of even the most basic hygiene. Infection was a constant threat.[22] Many women were killed by the brutal,
although unintentional, efforts of midwives and physicians to assist in
difficult deliveries. At the age of about thirty four, and probably her first
pregnancy, Thomasine had the deck stacked against her.
On
December 6, 1616, John Winthrop began an arresting account[23]
of his beloved wife’s futile struggle with death. A “stained and moth-eaten manuscript” has survived, making
us witnesses to retching days of pain and anguish.[24]
Dec: 6 1616. God will have
mercie on whom he will have mercie, and when and how seemes best to his wisdome
and will. And his mercie is free,
meere mercie, without any helpe of our owne worthe or will; so as for all good
actions, we adde nothinge either to the deed or the doer; but, as a man
shootinge a birde through a hedge or a hole in a wall, the hedge dothe no more
but cover the author, though the birde may think the blowe came from the hedge,
so surely the Lord hathe shewed me (in prayer and medication whereunto he
himselfe onely drewe and inabled me, sending the affliction and sanctifieinge
it to that ende) that there was never any holye mediation, prayer, or action
that I had a hand in, that
received any worthe or furtherance from me or anythinge that was mine. And until I sawe this and acknowledged
it, I could never have true comfort in God or sound peace in mine owne
conscience, in any the best that I could performe. But when sometymes I fell into a holye prayer, mediation
etc, as thinking myselfe somebodye in the performance of suche a duty in a such
a manner, etc: suche a thought
would presently be to my comfort and peace as colde water caste upon a flame;
whereby I might see that God by suche checkes would teache me to goe wholly out
of myselfe, and learne to depende upon him alone; which he himselfe of his
meere favour give me grace to doe constantly. For it is not possible that any good thinge should come from
me as of myselfe, since the verye least conceit that ascribes any thinge to
myne owne worthe or abilitie in the best dutye, not only takes awaye all meritt
from it, but makes it lothesome and sinfulle in Gods sight.
In
this tyme of my sorrowe for may wifes weaknesse, I founde it a speciall meanes
for the humblinge and cleeringe of my hearte and conscience, even to meditate
upon the Commandments and to examine my life past by them, and then concludinge
with prayer, I founde my hearte more humbled and Gods free mercie in Christ
more open to me then at any tyme before to my remembrance.
On
Saturdaye beinge the last of November 1616, Thomasine, my deare and lovinge
wife, was delivered of a daughter, which died the mundaye followinge in the
morninge. She tooke the deathe of
it with that patience, that made us all to merveile, especially those that sawe
howe carefull she was for the life of it in hir travaile. That daye soone after the deathe of the
childe, she was taken with a fever which shaked hir very muche, and sett hir
into a great fitt of coughinge, which by teusday morninge was well alayed, yet
she continued aguish and sweatinge, with much hoarsenes, and hir mouthe grew
verye soare, and muche troubled with blood falling from hir head into hir
mouthe and throate.
On Wensdaye morninge those which were about hir, and
hirselfe also beganne to feare that which followed, whereupon we sent for my
Cosin Duke;[25] which when
she understood she tould me that she hoped when he came he would deale plainly
with me, and not feed me with vaine hopes; whereupon I breakinge for the into
teares, she was moved at it, and desired me to be contended, for you breake
mine heart (said she) with your grievings. I answered that I could do no lesse when I feared to be
stripped of suche a blessinge: She
replied, God never bestowes any blessinge so great on his children but still he
hathe a greater in store, and that I should not be troubled at it, for I might
see how God had dealt with Mr. Rogers before me in the life case. And allwayes when she perceived me to
mourne for hir, she would intreat and persuade me to be contended, tellinge me
that she did love me well, and if God would lett hir live with me, she would
endeavour to shewe it more, etc; She also desired me oft that so longe as she
lived I would not cease prayinge for her, neither would be absent from hir, but
when I had necessary occasions.
On
thursdaye at noone my Cosin Duke came to hir, and tooke notice of hir dangerous
estate, yet expectinge a farther issue that night he departed, sayeing that
before Saterdaye we should see a great change. After his departure she asked me what he said of hir, which
when I tould hir, she was no whitt moved at it, but was as comfortably resolved
whither to live or die.
On
thursdaye in the night she was taken with deathe,[26]
and about midnight or somewhat after called for me, and for the rest of hir
friends. When I came to hir she
seemed to be fully assured that hir tyme was come, and to be gladde of it, and
desired me to praye which I did, and she tooke comforte therein, and desired
that we would sende for Mr. Sands,[27]
which we did. In the meane tyme,
she desired that the bell might ringe for hir,[28]
and diverse of the neighbours came into hir, which when she perceived she
desired me that they might come to hir one by one, and so she would speake to
them all, which she did, as they came, quietly and comfortably. When the bell beganne to ringe, some
said it was the 4 aclock bell, but she conceivinge that they sought to conceale
it from hir, that it did ringe for hir, she said it needed not, for it did not
troble hir. Then came in Mr.
Nicolson[29] whom she
desired to praye, which he did.
When
Mr. Sands was come she reached him hir hande, beinge gladd of his comminge (for
she had asked often for him). He
spake to her of diverse comfortable points, whereunto she answered so wisely
and comfortably, as he and Mr. Nicolson did bothe mervaile to heare hir, Mr.
Sands sayinge to me that he did not looke for so sounde judgement in hir: He said he had taken hir allwayes for a
harmelesse younge woman, and well affected, but did not thinke she had been so
well grounded. Mr. Nicolson seeing
hir humblenesse of minde and great comfort in God, said that her life had been
so innocent and harmlesse as the Devill could finde nothing to laye to her
charge. Then she desired Mr. Sands
to praye but not praye for life for hir; he answered that he would praye for
grace. After prayer she desired me that I would not let Mr. Sands goe awaye,
but when he shewed hir the occasion he had, she was content upon promise that
he would come againe. This was about
5 of the clocke on fridaye morninge.
Fridaye
morninge about 6 of the clocke my Cosen Duke came to us againe, and when he had
seene how things fell out that night, he tould us that was the dismall night,
wherein she had received hir deathes wounde, yet she might languish a daye or
2, yet after he had felt hir pulse, he said that if the next night were a good
night with hir, there was some hope lefte.
Fridaye
morninge she beganne somewhat to cheere, and so continued all that daye, and
had a very good night that night followinge, and beganne hirselfe to entertaine
some thought of life, and so did most of us that were about hir. But on Saterday morninge she beganne to
complaine of could, and a little after awakinge out of a slumber, she prayed me
to sett my heart at rest, for now (said she) I am but a dead woman, for this
hand (meaninge hir left hande) is dead allreadye,[30]
and when we would have persuaded hir that it was but mumme with beinge under
hir, she still constantly affirmed that it was dead, and that she had no
feelinge in it, and desired me to pull off hir gloves that she might see it,
which I did; then when they would have wrapped some clothes about it, she
disliked it, tellinge them that it was in vaine, and why should they cover a
dead hande: when I prayed hir to
suffer it, she answered that if I would have it so she would, and so I pulled
on hir gloves, and they pinned clothes about hir hands, when they had doone she said O what a wretche was
I for layinge my legg out of the bedd that night, for when I should pull it in
againe it was as if it had come throughe the coverlaye, (yet it seemed to be
but hir imagination or dreame for the women could not perceive it).
The
feaver grewe very stronge upon hir,[31]
so as when all the tyme of hir sicknesse before she was wont to saye she
thanked God she felt no paine, now she beganne to complaine of hir breste, and
troubles in hir head, and after she had slumbered a while and was awaked, she
beganne to be tempted, and when I came to hir she seemed to be affrighted, used
some speeches of Satans assultinge hir, and complained of the losse of hir
first love,[32] etc: then we prayed with hir, as she
desired, after prayer she disliked that we prayed for life for hir, since we
might see it was not Gods will that she should live.
Her
feaver increased very violently upon hir, which the Devill made advantage of to
moleste hir comforte, but she declaringe unto us with what temptations the
devill did assult hir, bent hirselfe against them, prayinge with great
vehemence for Gods helpe, and that he would not take away his lovinge kindnesse
from hir, defying Satan, and spitting at him, so as we might see by hir setting
of hir teethe, and fixinge her eyes, shaking hir head and whole bodye, that she
had a very greatt conflicte with the adversarye.
After she a little paused, and that they went about
to cover hir hands which laye open with her former strivinge, she beganne to
lifte up hir selfe, desiringe that she might have hir hands and all at libertie
to glorifie God, and prayed earnestly that she might glorifie God, althoughe it
were in hell. Then she beganne
very earnestly to call upon all that were about hir, exhortinge them to serve
God, etc: (And whereas all the
tyme of hir sicknesse before she would not endure the light but would be
carefull to have the curtaine towards
the windowe sett open, and so to hir ende was much grieved when she had not
either the daye light or candlelight, but the fire light she could not endure
to looke upon, saying that it was of too many colours like the raynebowe.)
Then
she called for hir sisters, and first for hir sister Mary,[33]
and when she came she said, sister Mary, thou hast many good things in thee, so
as I have cause to hope well of thee, and that we shall meet in heaven, etc.
Then
she called for hir sister Margerye,[34]
whom she exhorted to serve God, and take heede of pride, and to have care in
hir matchinge that she looked not at riches and worldly respects, but at the
feare of God, for that would bringe hir comfort at hir deathe although she
should meet with many afflictions.
To
hir Eliz:[35] she said,
serve God, take heed of lyeinge. I
doe not knowe that you doe use it, but I wish you to bewarre.
Hir
sister Sampson[36] she
exhorted to serve God, and to bringe up hir children well, not in pride and
vanitye, but in the feare of God.
To
hir mothe[37]r she said
that she was the first childe that she should burye, but prayed hir that she
would not be discomforted at it; when hir mother answered that she had no cause
t be discomforted for hir, for she should goe to a better place, and she should
go to hir father, she replied that she should goe to a better father than hir
earthly father.
Then
came my father and mother,[38]
whom she thanked for all their kindnesse and love towards hir.
Then
she called for my children and blessed them severally, and would needs have
Mary brought that she might kisse hir, which she did.
Then
she called for my sister Luce,[39]
and exhorted hir to take heed of pride and to serve God.
Then
she called for hir servants: to
Robert she said, you have many good thinges in you, I have nothinge to accuse
you of, be faithfull and diligent in your service.
To
Anne Pold [Podd][40] she said
that she was a stubborne wenche, etc: and exhorted hir to be obedient to my
mother.
To
Eliz: Crouff she said, take heed
of pride and I shall nowe release you, but take heed what service you goe into.
To
Anne Addams she said, thou hast been in badd servinge longe in an Alehouse
etc: thou makest no conscience of
the Sabaothe; when I would have had thee gone to Church thou wouldst not, etc:
Then
came Mercye Smith to hir, to whom she said thou art a good woman, bringe up
they children well, you poore folks commonly spoyle your children, in
sufferinge (them) to breake Gods Sabaothes, etc:
To
an other she said you have many children, bring them up well, not in lyeing,
etc:
To
an other she said God forgive your sinnes whatsoever they be.
To
goodwife Cole[41] she said,
you are a good woman, I thanke you for all your paines towards me, God reward
you.
To
Hen: Pease she said, be diligent
and faithfull in your worke, or els when death come, it wilbe layd before you;
I pray God send your wife good deliverance, she may doe well, though I die,
bringe up my goddaughter well, lett hir not want correction.
To
hir keeper she said, be not discouraged, although I die, thou hast kept many
that have doone well, thou hast but one child, bringe it up well.
Hir
payne increased verye muche in her brest, which swelled so as they were forced
to cutt the tyeings of hir waystcote to give hir ease: whilst she laye in this estate she
ceased not (albeit she was verye hoarse, and spake with great paine) one while
to exhorte, another while to praye.
Hir usual prayer was Come Lord Jesus; When Lord Jesus, etc: hir
exhortation was to stirre up all that sawe hir, to prepare for death, tellinge
them that they did not knowe how sharpe and bitter the pangs of deathe were,
with many like speeches.
In
this tyme she prayed for the Churche, etc; and for the ministerye, that God
would blesse good ministers, and convert such ill ones as did belonge to him,
and weed out the rest. After this
we might perceive that God had given her victorye, by the comfort which she had
in the meditation of hir happinesse, in the favour of God in Christ Jesus. Towards afternoone hir great paynes
remitted, and she laye very still, and said she sawe hir tyme was not yet come,
she should live 24 howres longer; then when any asked hir how she did, she
would answer pretily well, but in hir former fitt, to that questions she would
answeare that she was goeinge the way of all flesh. Then she prayed me to reade by hir, when I asked hir where,
she answeared, In some of the holye gospells, so I beganne in John the 14, and
read on to the ende of the 17th Chapter. And when I pawsed, at the ende of any sweet sentence, she
would saye this is comfortable: If
I stayed at the ende of any Chapter for hir to take rest, she would call
earnestly to read on, _ then she desired to take a little rest.
She
often prayed God to forgive the sinnes of hir youth, etc: and desired me ofte
to praye for hir, that God would strengthen hir with his holye spirit. After, she desired me againe to reade
to hir the 8th to the Romans, and the 11th to the
Hebrews, whereby she received great comfort, still callinge to reade on, than I
read the 116 psalm this is a sweet psalm (said she) then I read the 84 psal:
the 32, 36, 37, and other places.
In
the eveninge Mr. Sands came againe, and prayed, and soon after she tooke him by
the hand and tould him she would bidd him farewell, for she knew it was a busie
night with him. After, we went to prayer, and when we had doone, “O what a
wretche am I (said she) to lose the ende of this prayer, for I was asleepe.”
After
we had continued in readinge etc, untill late in the night, she asked who
should watche with hir, and when we tould hir, she was satisfied, and disposed
hirselfe to rest.
In
the night she prayed one of the women that watched with hir to read unto
hir: whilst I was gone to bedde,
she asked often for me, and about 2 of the clocke in the morninge I came to
hir. Now it was the Sabaothe day,
and she had now and then a brunt of temptation, bewaylinge that she could not
then be assured of hir salvation, as she had been. She said that the devill went about to persuade hir to cast
of hir subiection to hir husbande, etc:
That
Sabao the noone, when most of the companie were gone downe to dinner, when I
discoursed unto hir of the sweet love of Christ unto hir, and of the glorye
that she was goeinge unto, and what an holye everlastinge Sabaothe she should
keepe, and how she should suppe with Christ in Paradise that night, etc: she
shewed by hir speeches and gestures that great ioye and steadfast assurance
that she had of those things. When
I tould hir that hir Redeemer lived, and that she should see him with those
poore dimme eyes, which should be bright and glorified, she answered
cheerfully, she should. When I
tould hir that she should leave the societie of friends which were full of infirmities,
and should have communion with Abram, Isaacke, and Jacob, all the prophets and
apostles and saints of God, and those holye martirs (whose stories when I asked
hir if she remembred she answered yea) she would lifte up hir hands and eyes,
and say, yea she should. Suche
comforte had she against deathe that she stedfastly professed that if life were
sett before hir she would not take it.
When
I tould hir that the daye before was 12 monthes she was maried to me, and now
this day she should be maried to Christ Jesus, who would embrace her with
another manner of love than I could, “O husband (said she, and sapke as if she
were offended, for I perceived she did mistake me) I must not love thee as I
love Christ.
Hir
hearing still continued, and hir understandinge very perfecte, hir sight was
dimmed, yet she knewe every bodye to the laste. If I went from hir she would call for me againe, and once
asked me if I were angry with hir that I would not staye with hir.
While
I spake to hir of any thinge that was comfortable, as the promises of the Gospell,
and the happie estate she was entringe into, she would lye still and fixe her
eyes stedfastly upon me, and if I ceased awhile (when hir speeche was gone) she
would turn her head towards me, and stirre hir hands as well as she could, till
I spake, and then would be still againe.
About
5 of the clocke, Mr. Nicolson came to hir and prayed with hir, and about the
ende of his prayer, she fetched 2 or 3 sighes, and fell asleepe in the Lorde.
The
Wensdaye followinge beinge the 11 of Dec. she was buried in Groton chancell by
my other wife, and hir childe was taken up, and laid with hir.[42]
Stained glass memorial window dedicated to Mary Forth, the first wife
of John Winthrop, on the left, and to Thomasine Clopton, on the right. Above them are the arms of Winthrop
impaling Forth and Winthrop impaling Clopton. The arms above this window appear to be much older than the
memorial window.
“Wise, modest, loving patient truth and the love of God did --- at her heart In memory of Thomasine
Clopton second wife of Governor John Winthrop Died Dec 18th 1616 and
Buried in this Chancel”
Thomasine Clopton received
a tender epitaph from the future Governor of Massachusetts:[43]
She was a woman
wise, modest, loving, and patient of injuries: but her innocence and harmless
life was of the most observation.
She was truly religious and industrious therein, plain hearted, free
from guile and very humble minded: never addicted to any outward thing,
constant in her love of good Christians, reverent and careful in her attendance
upon Gods ordinances both public and private. Her moving and tender regard for my children were such as
might become a natural mother. For
her carriage toward me, it was both aimiable and observant as I am not able to
express. It had only this one
inconvenience - that it made me delight too much in her to enjoy her long.
[Just as Clopton descendants and friends have
contributed towards the preservation of, and renovations at, Holy Trinity
Church, Long Melford, and St. Peter’s Church, New Kent County, Virginia, the
family wishes to assist the small congregation of St. Bartholomew’s. Contributions may be sent to “The
Winthrop Family in America Fund for Groton Church,” New York Community Trust, 2
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016.
– SCB]
1. Adam3 Winthrop, Esq.,
Lord of the Manor of Groton
(Adam2, Adam1)1 was born August
10, 1548 in London, St. Peter's Parish, in a house on Gracechurch Street2,
and died March 28, 1623 in Groton Manor, and buried at St. Bartholomew's Church3. He married (1) Alice Still, of
Grantham, County Lincolnshire4 December 16, 15745,
daughter of William Still, of Grantham, County Lincolnshire. She died 1577 in England in childbirth,
and buried at Hadleigh, County Suffolk6. He married (2) Anne Browne, of
Edwardston, County Suffolk7 February 20, 1578/798,
daughter of Henry Browne and Agnes.
She died Abt. 1629 in Groton Manor, and buried at St. Bartholomew's
Church in the tomb of her husband.
Adam Wintrhop divided his
time while growing up between London and Groton. When his father died, he was fourteen, and the Manor
descended to his older brother, John.
Adam was a citizen and clothworker of London. Inscribed armiger by Edward, VI, in 1548, he was named
master of the Clothworkers' Company in 1551.
When John migrated to
Ireland in 1594, Adam established himself permanently at Groton, and in time
became Lord of the Manor.
Fortunately, he kept
records, in which he made methodical notes. Preserved in the British Museum (Harleian Manuscripts, No.
1598). The first volume of
"The Winthrop Papers," is of particular interest to the Clopton
Family. It is in this volume the
daily activities, which often included mention of the Cloptons, is recorded as
well as the arresting account of Thomasine Clopton's death.
When John migrated to
Ireland in 1594, Adam established himself permanently at Groton, and in time
became Lord of the Manor.
Fortunately, he kept
records, in which he made methodical notes. Preserved in the British Museum (Harleian Manuscripts, No.
1598), the first volume of "The Winthrop Papers," is of particular
interest to the Clopton Family. It
is in this volume the daily activities, which often included mention of the Cloptons,
is recorded as well as the arresting account of Thomasine Clopton's death.
The
tomb of Adam Winthrop, Esq., and his wife, Anne, is just outside the Chancel
door of St. Bartholomew’s Church.
The original inscription on the top was in Latin, and is now illegible,
however, records furnish the following translation:
HEAVEN
THE COUNTRY: CHRIST THE WAY
Here
lies the body of Adam Winthrop, Esq.,
Son of
Adam Winthrop, Esq.,
Who
were patrons of this Church,
And
Lords of the Manor of Groton.
The
side now displays an inscription added at a much later date which reads: “The above-named Adam, the son, married
Anna, the daughter of Henry Browne, of Edwardstone, by whom he had one son and
four daughters. He departed this
life in the year of our Lord 1623, and of his own age 75. But Anna, his wife, died in 1629. She is also buried here with him. Blessed are the peacemakers for they
shall be called the sons of God.”
Children of Adam Winthrop
and Anne Browne are:
2 i. Anne4 Winthrop, I,
of Groton Manor County Suffolk9, born January 5, 1580/81;
died January 20, 1580/81.
3 ii. Anne Winthrop, II of Groton
Manor County Suffolk9, born January 16, 1585/86; died May 16,
161910. She
married Thomas Fones, Apothecary of London11 February 25,
1604/05; died April 15, 1629.
Thomas
Fones, of Dedford in Bromsgrove, County Worcester, was at the time of his
marriage to Anne Winthrop, Apothecary in London at the sign of the Three Fawns
in the Old Bailey. John Burgess,
the father of his first wife, had, according to the "Winthrop Papers,
"been silenced as a preacher and going to Leyden took the degree of doctor
of physic. Returning to England,
after an absence of six or seven years, he was forbidden to practise physic in
London on the ground that he had been in holy orders, and removed to Isleworth
where he enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He was rector of Sutton Coldfield, County Warwick, 1617-35,
and accompanied, as chaplain, Sir Horace Vere in the war of the Palatinate in
1620. William AMes, the Puritan
divine, was a son-in-law."
4 iii. John Winthrop, Governor of
Massachusetts12, born January 12, 1587/88 in Edwardston,
County Suffolk, England and baptized January 16, 1587 at St. Bartholomew's
Church, Groton13; died March 26, 1649 in Boston,
Massachusetts and buried at King's Chapel Burial Ground14,15. He married (1) Mary Forth, of Great
Stambridge, County Essex April 16, 1605 in Great Stambridge, County Essex by
Mr. Ezekiel Culverwell16; born January 1, 1582/83; died June
26, 1615 in Groton, County Suffolk, England and buried St. Bartholomew's
Church, probably in the Chancel with her mother, Groton17. He married (2) Thomasine Clopton, of
Castlings Manor, Groton18 December 6, 1615 in Castlings
Manor, Groton, County Suffolk19; born Abt. February 5,
1581/82 in Castlings Manor and baptized February 5, 1582 at St. Bartholomew's
Church, Groton, County Suffolk20; died December 11, 1616 in
Winthrop Manor, England and buried St. Bartholomew's Church, in the Chancel,
Groton, County Suffolk, December 11, 161621. He married (3) Margaret Tyndal22
April 29, 1618 in Great Maplestead, County Essex23; born Abt.
1591; died June 14, 1647 in Boston, Massachusetts and buried, probably, at
King's Chapel Burial Ground24. He married (4) Martha Rainsborough25 Aft.
December 20, 164726; died October 24, 1660 in Boston. Following John Winthrop's death, she
married John Coggan, March 10, 165127.
5 iv. Jane Winthrop, of Groton
Manor, County Suffolk28, born June 14, 1592. She married Thomas Gostlin, Clothier of
Groton, Suffolk29 1612.
6 v. Lucy Winthrop, of Groton30,
born January 9, 1600/0131; died 1679 in England. She married Emmanuel Downing April 10,
162232; born 1585; died Abt. 1660 in Scotland32.
He was a lawyer of the
Inner Temple, London, and later a resident in New England. Their son was the
"celebrated" Sir George Downing, who was of the first class of
graduates of Harvard College in 1642.
He is well known for his diplomatic services under both Cromwell and
Charles II. The famous Downing
Street in London is named after him.
Downing College, Cambridge, owes its foundation to this family. Lucy came to New England in 1638 and
settled at Salem. Both she and her
husband returned to Scotland where he held an office under Cromwell and died
there. She returned to England and
lived to a very advanced age. Her
letters dated from 1628 to 1674, may be viewed at the Massachusetts Historical
Society.
Endnotes
1. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 5.
2. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 5, Also, in his diary, he notes: "Beinge fryday I Adam Winthrop was borne. 1548. 55. yeres since."
3. In a letter to his son, John, Jr., dated April 20, 1623, John Winthrop refers to
his father's death: "I have
writen to your vncle of the change that it hathe pleased the Lord to make in
our familye."
4. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 7.
5. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 7, Also, Dictionary of National Biography, Volume XXI, p. 697,
notes she was the sister of Bishop John Still. Also, in his diary, Adam Winthrop notes: "I was maryed to Alice my first
wife. 1574."
6. Winthrop Papers, Volume I, 1498-1628, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), p. 154, Adam Winthrop notes in his
diary: "Alice my wife died in
Childbed. 1577."
7. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 7.
8. Dictionary of National Biography, Volume XXI, p. 697,
Her father was a clothier. Also,
in his diary, Adam Winthrop notes: "I was maryed to Anne my 2 wife. 1579."
9. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 9.
10. Winthrop Papers, Volume I, 1498-1628, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), p. 259.
11. Winthrop Papers, Volume I, 1498-1628, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), p. 37, 88, The Fones or Fownes
pedigree is given in the "Visitation of the County of Cornwall, 1620"
(H.S., Pub., IX), 289, and in Muskett, 86-87.
12. Winthrop Papers, Volume I, 1498-1628, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), For a full pedigree of the
Winthrop and connected families see J. J. Muskett, "Suffolk Manorial
Families, volume I (Exeter, 1894-1900).
13. Groton Parish Register Commencing
1562, (Courtesy of Martin
Wood, LL.B, MA), "1587. John
Winthrop, the sonne of Adam Winthropp and Anna his wife, was baptized the 16th
of January."
14. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 9.
15. Bridgmand, Memorials of the Dead in
Boston, His tombstone has not survived, although many first hand accounts
of his burial did. His memorial
stone may be found at King's Chapel.
16. "Great Migration Newsletter,"
Vol. 4, No. 1, January-March 1993, Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman) Hutchinson:
p. 1, Also, in his diary, Adam notes:
"The xxviijth day my soonne was sollemly contracted to Mary Foorth
by Mr. Culverwell minister of greate Stambridge in Essex cum consentu
parentum." and "The
xvjth of Aprill he was maryed to her at Stambridge in Essex by Mr.
Culverwell."
17. Dictionary of National Biography,
Volume XXI, p. 698.
18. Visitation of Suffolk, 1613.
19. Groton Parish Register Commencing
1562, (Courtesy of Martin
Wood, LL.B, MA), "1615. John
Winthrop, Esqre., and Thomasinge Clopton were married the 6th day of
Decr."Their marriage settlement, dated September 1, 1615, is printed
in Muskett, "Suffolk Manorial
Families," p. 22-23.
20. Groton Parish Register Commencing
1562, (Courtesy of Martin
Wood, LL.B, MA), "1582.
Thomasinge Clopton, the daughter of Mr. Willm. Clopton, gent., and of
Mistress Margery his wife, was baptized the 18th day of February."
21. Groton Parish Register Commencing
1562, (Courtesy of Martin
Wood, LL.B, MA), "1616.
Mistres Thomasin Winthrope the 2nd wife of John Winthrop, Esq., was
buried the 11th day of December."
22. "Great Migration Newsletter,"
Vol. 4, No. 1, January-March 1993, Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman) Hutchinson:
p. 2.
23. Anderson, The Great Migration
Begins, Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, (Courtesy of Linda B. MacIver, Reference Librarian, Social
Sciences Department, Boston Public Library), p. 2039.
24. Weis, The Magna Charta Sureties, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), p. 10.
25. "Great Migration Newsletter,"
Vol. 4, No. 1, January-March 1993, Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman) Hutchinson:
p. 8.
26. "Great Migration Newsletter,"
Vol. 4, No. 1, January-March 1993, Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman) Hutchinson:
p. 8, Notes the date of marriage is often given as December 4, the contract
bweteen John Winthrop and "Martha Coytemore, the relict of Thom: Coytemore,"
dated December 20, 1647, was put into the record (Mass. Bay Court Records
2:234-35).
27. Anderson, The Great Migration
Begins, Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, (Courtesy of Linda B. MacIver, Reference Librarian, Social
Sciences Department, Boston Public Library), p. 2040.
28. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 9.
29. Winthrop Papers, Volume I, 1498-1628, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), p. 38.
30. Mayo, The Winthrop Family in America, (Courtesy of Joyce L. (Wilman)
Hutchinson), p. 9.
31. Winthrop Papers, Volume I, 1498-1628, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), p. 72, Entry in Adam Winthrop's
diary reads: "The ixth Day my
wife was Deliuered of her fowrth daughter, Lucilla, and my brother
sickened."
32. Winthrop Papers, Volume I, 1498-1628, (Copy located Clopton Family Archives,
courtesy of Suellen (Clopton) DeLoach Blanton), p. 404.
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