319 Mary Saltonstall to Wadsworth and Colman

    [N. London April 22 1725]

    Reverend Gentlemen

    The [Person?] that brought your letter has been sick, which accounts such a delay that I received it but last night; have acording to your desire inspected the clause of the will, which is only this Item: I give to Harvard Colledge one hundred pounds in bills of creditt; or money as it passes when paid and that it be paid in a year after my decease. This is all that is said of it, with one other direction. I am ashamed my poor scribles shod appear before the gentlemen of the Corporation, though none more corect than yourselves, yet I can depend on your friendship and candour. Please to give my humble servise to them, your great and undiserved complement to me, I am forced to pass over in silence. And how near soever in affection as well as relation the gentleman was who is the subject of this Corespondence, I dare do no other than joyne with you and desire to be humble before god and man that I made so poor an improvement of his conversation while I had the advantage of it, which the holy god has now bereaved me of. And I have reason to fear that it is in anger for my neglect. I intreat your Prayers that I may make a better use of his afflicting hand, under which I shall go mourning all the rest of my few dayes; and that I may be directed and preserved in my way to you which with gods leave I purpose in a short time; the sickness here is abated; I wish it maynt find its way to you; it seems to go along.

    I am Reverend Gentlemen with great

    Respects your very oblidged humble though distressed and afflicted servant

    M. Saltonstall

    To Reverend Messrs. Wadsworth and Coleman

    College Papers, 1. 71 (No. 150). This letter is from Mary, widow of Gurdon Saltonstall (A.B. 1684), Governor of Connecticut. On March 17, 1724/25 the Corporation directed Wadsworth and Colman to write to Mrs. Saltonstall, of New London, about her husband’s will; CSM Publications, xvi. 518.