once more to England, to answer to the complaints of Gorton and others against the colony. While he was in England, his pious and benevolent mind was bent to an object which has since been pursued by christians of various denominations, "the propaga tion of the gospel among the Indians." This corporation, under the name of " the London society," was continued till the American revolution.

In 1655, Mr. Winslow was appointed one of the three commissioners to superintend the operations of the fleet sent to the West Indies. Admiral Penn and gen. Venables made an attack on St. Domingo, but were defeated. They took Jamaica; but in their passage from one island to the other, Mr. Winslow fell a sacrifice to the diseases of the climate. His body was committed to the deep, with the honours of war, 42 guns being fired, May 8, 1655. Morton. Prince. Belknap.

WINSLOW JOSIAH, son of that illustrious man, Edward Winslow, had all his father's great and good qualities. He was the first governour who was born in New England. Having been a magistrate several years, he succeeded Mr. Prince in the government, 1673, and was annually chosen, till 1680. He had what may be called a liberal education for this country, and discovered much good sense in his management of publick affairs. As a. military officer he possessed skill, address and bravery. In 1656, when Alexander, the eldest son of Massasoit, was suspected of plotting against the English with the Narragansetts, Mr. Winslow, with several armed men, took him by surprise, which put an end to his machination; but his breast swelled with rage, and his passion brought on a fever, which was fatal. In 1675, Philip, the youngest son, stirred up all the natives against the English. Mr. Winslow wrote to the governour of Massachusetts, "that he could not learn that Philip pretended any wrong done to him by the English, but suspected that he should be made to

answer for the murder of John Sausaman," a chris tian Indian. whom the Indians of Mount Hope hated on this very account. Sensible of the prowess of gov. Winslow, the enemy tried every way to cut him off; but he was not to be moved with their threats. In the month of December he commanded the forces that attacked the Indians in their strong holds, and slew 1100 of them. This gave him a high reputation among his countrymen, and made the savages dread him. Gov. Winslow died at Marshfield, Dec. 18, 1680, in the 52d year of his age.

WINSLOW ISAAC, son of gov. Winslow, was president of the provincial council, and the chief military officer in the colony. He died, 1738.

WINSLOW JOHN, major general, was also a distinguished character in the colony; nor was his celebrity confined to New England. He commanded a company in the regiment, that was sent to Cuba in 1740. He had a commission in the line of the British troops, and rose to the rank of major general. He was the chief in command in several expeditions to Kennebeck. He was brave as a soldier, and an excellent military officer. His son, Dr. Isaac Winslow, is now living in Marshfield up. on the family estate. The general died, 1774, aged 71. Morton Hutchinson. Belknap.

WINTHROP JOHN, governour of Massachusetts, was the son of Adam Winthrop, esq. of Groton, in Suffolk. He was born June 12, 1587. When he was 18 years old he had such a knowledge of jurisprudence, as to be appointed a justice of the peace. The family estate was large; but he converted it into different property, that he might come over to America. So pious a man would prefer an uncultivated country where he could enjoy his relig. ion to ease and affluence amidst those who were

of a persecuting spirit. In 1630 he brought over the charter, and arrived at Salem, June 12. He was chosen governour several years suc

eessively; but for the sake of a rotine among the magistrates, Mr. Dudley was put into his place, and Ludlow, a west countryman of fine abilities and great intrigue, was chosen deputy. The next year Mr. Ludlow tried for the chief place, but was disap-.. pointed of both. He therefore went to Connecticut, as related in the sketch of his life. In 1636, Mr. W. being deputy governour, had need of all his wisdom and integrity to prevent the consequences of sir H. Vane's rash proceedings, and to calm the religious commotions, which made confusion in the metropolis. He met with other troubles, which af fected his ingenuous mind, because his intentions were pure, and his aim was to serve the people. To be injured by those we love, and exert ourselves to serve, is a severe trial of the heart; but he bore even these trials with meekness, and benevolent wishes to the country. He was conscious of rectitude; and whenever the people had time for consideration, they found him to be a most faithful magistrate, and wise and prudent man, who always sought their interest to the sacrifice of his own. When he left England he possessed a very catholic spirit. He was more of a puritan in New England from his acquaintance with Dudley, Endicot and others, who thought toleration a crime, and that no kind of religious sentiments should be suffered to prevail, except what they had imbibed: before his death, he expressed a wish that more moderation had been used towards persons accounted hereticks. He suffered great losses of a pecuniary nature by the bad management of his steward; such depredations were made on his property as excited the compassion of the people, who exerted themselves to assist him by publick and private contributions. This great and good man also met with domestick affliction in a more tender part, in the breaches that were made upon his fam-. ily. Ill health of body affected his mind, and he died, 26th of March, 1649, in the 63d year of his age.

He left a journal of events from the settlement of

the colony to his death. An island in the harbour of Boston bears his name, and is still in the possession of one of his descendants. His picture is preserved in the council chamber. Several of his posterity have exhibited the image of their illustrious ancestor, and his family have been more eminent for their talents, learning and honours than any other in New England.*

WINTHROP JOHN, governour of Connecticut, eldest son of the first governour of Massachusetts, was born in England, 1605, was educated at the university of Cambridge, and travelled over the greatest part of Europe. In 1633, he came over to this country, and was chosen a magistrate of the colony of Massachusetts. The spot which he preferred for a dwelling, was Agawam, where he went with 12 men, to begin a plantation. They called it Ipswich. There his first son was born. He went back to England; but in the same year came over to America with a commission from lord Say and Seal, lord Brook and others, to be governour of their plantation, at Connecticut. A fort was built at the mouth of the river, and the spot called Saybrook, in compliment to the noble lords who owned the land. In 1651 he was chosen a magistrate of this people, and then deputy governour, and afterwards governour. In 1662 he was agent at the court of Charles II. and obtained a charter for the colony of Connecticut. An account of this agency is celebrated in poetick strains, by one of his successors, Roger Wolcott, esq.f He was annually chosen chief magistrate to the time of his death. the spring of 1676, upon a visit to Boston, he was taken sick, and expired April 5th, and was buried in the same tomb with his father. He was one of the greatest philosophers of the age; and his name is among the founders of the royal society of Lon

In

A very interesting and particular part of Belknap's American Biography, is the life of gov. Winthrop.

↑ Historical collections, vol. iv.

don. The great Mr. Boyle, bishop Wilkins, with several other learned men, had proposed to leave England, and establish a society for promoting natural knowledge in the new colony of which Mr. Winthrop, their intimate friend and associate, was appointed governour. Such men were too valuable to lose from Great Britain, and Charles II. having taken them under his protection, the society was there established, and obtained the title of the royal society of London. It was soon considered as the most learned society in Europe. Mr. Winthrop sent over many specimens of the productions of this country, with his remarks upon them, "and, by an order of the royal society, he was in a particular manner invited to take upon himself the charge of being the chief correspondent in the West, as sir Philiberto Vernatti was in the East Indies." "His name," says the same writer, who was secretary to this society in 1741,"had he put it to his writings, would have been as universally known, as the Boyles', the Wilkins', and Oldenburghs', and been handed down to us with similar applause." Dedication of the 40th volume of philosophical transactions, &c.

WINTHROP FITZ JOHN, son of John Winthrop, esq. first governour of Connecticut, was born at Ipswich, 1638. He was a magistrate of the colony, and major general. In 1693 he was appointed agent of the colony to present a petition to king William to secure their charter rights; and when he returned, at the election, May, 1698, he was chosen governour. He resembled his father in fine accomplish. ments, had an excellent moral character, was famous for his philosophical knowledge, and was elected a fellow of the royal society: he was also famous for his skill in politicks. This he manifested when he was at the court of Great Britain: his conduct there was so pleasing to the people of Connecticut, that they not only voted him thanks for his successful agency, but, as a further testimony of their esteem, presented him with 500 pounds for the services rendered.