The Pilgrim Fathers' planted the seeds of the Plymouth Colony, amid the December snows, in 1620. Eight years afterward other emigrants, with John Kndicott at their head, as governor, founded the colony of the Massachusetts Bay, at Salem. In 1629, John Winthrop. a wealthy Puritan, resolved to convert his large estate into money, and link his fortunes with this new colony. Ho was chosen to succeed Endicott, as governor, before he left England, and soon after his arrival in June, 1630, he choso the peninsula of Shawmut, on which the city of Boston now stands, for a residence, because pure water gushed from its hills. There he founded the future metropolis of New England.

John Winthrop was born in Groton, Suffolk county, England, on the 12th of June, 1587, and was educated for the profession of the law. Theological studies possessed greater charms for him, and the peculiar seriousness of his mind led him to Puritanism,8 as ho found it at the beginning of King Charles' reign. Because of his many admirable qualities, he was chosen governor under the charter granted in 1621), and was therefore really the first governor of Massachusetts, notwithstanding tho earlier services of Endicott, aa head of the actual settlers.

Winthrop held his first court, composed of deputy-governor Dudley and members of the Council, on tho 23d of August, 1630, under a largo tree at Charles- town ; and tho lirst topic brought under consideration was a suitable provision for (he support of the gospel. Mr. Winthrop was a man of great benevolence. It was his practice to send his servants among the people at meal-time, on trifling errands, with instructions to report the condition of their tables. When informed of any who appeared to want, he always sent a supply from his own abundance. He was also merciful as a magistrate, for ho considered it expedient to temper the severity of law with more lenity in an infant colony than in a settled state. Because of his lenity toward offenders, he was charged, in 1636, of dealing "too remissly in point of justice." The ministers decided that "the safety of tlio gospel" required more rigor; and. contrary to the motions of his own liberal heart, he was obliged to yield. So zealous were the chief men of the colony in favor of rigorous discipline, that deputy Dudley, a bigot of tho strictest stamp, was chosen governor, in placo of Winthrop, in 1634; but the latter was re-elected in 1637, and held the office of chief magistrate most of the time, until his death.

Governor Winthrop came to America a wealthy man, but died quite poor. His benevolent heart kept his hand continually open, and lie dispensed comforts to the needy, without stint. He regarded all men as equally dear in the eyes of their Maker, yet his early education blinded him to the dignity of true democracy. He regarded it with much disfavor; and when the people of Connecticut asked his advice concerning the organization of a government, he replied, "The best part of a community is always tho least, and of that least part the wiser aro still less." He had little faith in "the people." Worn out with toils and afflictions, this faithful and upright magistrate entered upon his final rest 011 tho 26th of March, 1649, at the age of sixty-one years.