Winslow Family (American Loyalists)

Album of correspondence and other manuscripts relating to the Winslow family of Massachusetts, approximately 30 letters and other documents, totaling about 100 pages, various sizes, various places, including Boston, New York, Newport, and Halifax, 1719-1789; some browning, tears, and chips. Tipped to the leaves of an early twentieth-century limp black morocco album (10 1/4 x 8 7/8 in.; 260 x 227 mm), some manuscripts of necessity folded to fit.

Album of correspondence and other manuscripts relating to the Winslow family of Massachusetts, approximately 30 letters and other documents, totaling about 100 pages, various sizes, various places, including Boston, New York, Newport, and Halifax, 1719-1789; some browning, tears, and chips. Tipped to the leaves of an early twentieth-century limp black morocco album (10 1/4 x 8 7/8 in.; 260 x 227 mm), some manuscripts of necessity folded to fit.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A Loyalist family in Revolutionary America. The earliest batch of papers in this family archive comprise letters that Edward Winslow sent to his son Joshua, a merchant in Barbados, including an official copy of the former's will, dispersing his considerable estate. But by far the most significant and illuminating letters are those —about seventeen in all—from the Revolutionary period. These letters include correspondence to Isaac Winslow from Thomas Hutchinson, the royal governor of Massachusetts, 16 February 1776, hailing the arrival of Admiral Howe. "[Y]ou will soon have a gentleman with you, Lord Howe, to take the command of the Navy, who seems to have the universal voice of all ranks of People in his favour. May the extraordinary armament now making, Produce eventually peace and quiet to the most deluded infatuated People that ever yet existed from the beginning of time." Ten months later, 31 December 1776, Isaac had removed from Boston to New York and Hutchinson regretted that he could not assist his displaced friend any further: "It has not been in my power to do more in your affairs. ... The last time I saw Lord George upon the subject, he told me General Howe would relieve all the Gentlemen who had quitted Boston with him. Now you are at New York I think you may avail your self of that authority." Also present is a letter from William Pepperrell, 26 February 1778, advising Isaac Winslow  (by now at Halifax) on how to seek compensation for his losses and expressing far-too-optomistic wishes for peace.

Even more telling, however, are the letters exchanged between Isaac, his siblings, and other family members during this trying time. Simon Winslow had fled to Newport, which according to his letter to Isaac of 5 October 1777 was somewhat more accommodating to Loyalists than was Halifax. But Newport had been somewhat less friendly two years before, as Simon's letter to Joshua Winslow, 16 December 1775, reveals. "We had a most terrible affair happened Here a night or two ago. Col. Cole for being a high Tory, had his House entered in the Evening by two Villains with Black Faces armed with Cutlasses & Bludgeons, after asking Mrs. Cole for her Husband who was not at Home but they swore he was & they would have him. The began Demolishing & Cutting to pieces his Furniture Windows Pictures and in short everything they could & tho' a Number of People without Doors, no body interfered, from thence they proceeded to the Custom-House and Demolished the Windows ...."

The American Civil War is frequently portrayed as a conflict that sent rifts through neighborhoods and even families. But this correspondence is a poignant reminder that the colonial desire was not as unified as is popularly remembered. The Winslow family remained loyal to George III—and paid dearly for it. The Winslows were able to rebuild and reestablish themselves in New England, but not all Loyalists were so fortunate. It is estimated that some 200,000 Tories were killed, exiled, or fled the United States during the Revolution.