Author Description

The following journal was written by John Winthrop, Esq., first governor of Massachusetts. When the design of settling a colony in New England was undertaken, Mr. Winthrop was chosen, with general consent, to conduct the enterprise. He arrived at Salem, with the Massachusetts charter, June 12, 1630. He was many years governor of that infant colony, and conducted himself with such address and unshaken rectitude, as to render his character universally respectable among his contemporaries, and his memory dear to posterity. He died March 26, 1649. Mr. Winthrop kept a journal of every important occurrence, from his first embarking for America, in 1630, to the year 1644. - Editor's preface.