John Winthrop

     John was born on Sunday, 20 January 1546 in London, County Middlesex, England. He inherited the larger portion of his father's estate in Suffolk including the Manor of Groton, which was his chief residence until 1594, when he along with several friends and relatives invested in lands in Ireland. Specifically, he invested in a plantation in co. Cork, and eventually acquired a considerable estate in the neighborhood of Aghadowne, co. Cork. At the same time, John was divesting himself of his properties in Suffolk, much of it passing to his brother, Adam. The arms which were confirmed to his father went to him in 1592. He sold the Manor of Groton in 1621. John made his will on 20 March 1613 at Aghadowne, County Cork, Ireland. In the name of God. Amen . . . Winthroppe of Aghadowne in the Countye of Cork, gent, being in perfect helthe in body and good memory ... be to God therefore doe make and ordayne this my laste Will and Testament in manner and forme ....
ffirst I bequeathe my Soul to Almightye God .¹hopeing verelye to be saved by the deathe and passion of his Sonne Jesus Ghriste and my bodye to be buryed at the disposition of my Executrix. Then I give towards the reliefe of the poore people of the pish of Aghadowne aforesd the some of sixe pounds sterlinge to be distributed by the discretion of the aforesaid Executrix Item I bequeath unto Adam Winthroppe of the Michells, the some of tenn pounds sterling. Item I give to Elizabeth Winthroppe my daughter 220 pounds sterling & to my dau Anne Winthroppe one hundred and fower score pounds sterling for their better preferment to be paid unto them and either of them at the daic of their marriage provided that they and eyther of them marye by the conseynt and to the lyking of their mother otherwyse my meaning is that they or shee that shall marrye without the consent of their mother shall have no parte of the foresaid Somes as my gyfte, but do leave them to their fortunes and their mothers favor in that kinde. Item I give to Elisabeth my nowe Wyfe daughter of Thomas Powlden deceased all my houses goods and chattells whatsoever, my Ligasays and funerall expenses to be paid by her and allowed and I doe finally make constitute ordayne and appoint my wife Elizabeth daughter to Thos. Powlden deceased my sole and absolute Executrix of this my laste Will and Testament and doe hereby revoke and disallow all other Wills and Testaments heretofore made or ordayned and doe hereby declare them to be absolutely voyde frustrate and of noe effecte. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hande and Seale dated this eight and twentyeth day of March 1613. My meaning is that the tenn pounds I have bestowed on Adam Winthroppe and the sixe pounds which I have bestowed on the poor shall be paid within three months next after my decease.