Letter from William Waynflet in Southwold to Joseph Williamson, 11 September 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 29/171 f49.
Joseph Williamson (1633-1701) was the Under-Secretary of State 1660-74 and Keeper of the State Papers which he reorganised from 1661-1701. He also started the ‘Oxford Gazette’ at the time of the Great Plague in 1665, which later became established as the ‘London Gazette’.
- Why has William Waynflet written this letter?
- What is his plan to help relieve the suffering of the poor due to the fire?
- What is the value of the letter as a source for finding out about the Great Fire of London?
Transcript
11th September William Waynflet to Williamson
Sir
Knowing by experience when this town was burnt in surprise last was seven years ago, the great want that many poor people were in for want of food, if I may beg your pardon, I will remind you that cheese in this county is now at a very low price and I give then not but if some letters were written to some knights and Gentlemen in those parts of the country that much would be freely given and brought to this town. I hope enough of that and other provisions to load a small vessel with might be sent to London to be distributed among the poor for them present wherefore, if you think it fit to enclose such letters to me I will present them and spur on the business, what I can I am willing to spend many days about it without any reward or recompense. I pray let it not be known that I mean such a thing for shame not speak of what I write to any man one nor other. I will here under write the names of I pray let it not be known as that mover therein, for I have not spoke of what to write to any man. However, I will now under write the names of some men that I think may be forward think not a miss of him that is sir.
Southwold September 11 1666
Your humble servant
William Waynflet
Humble servant
Sir John Rous
Sir Rovert Brook
Sir Robert Kemp
Sir John Knevit
Richard Coke
John Bedingfield
What others you please
Simplified transcript
11th September William Waynflet to Joseph Williamson
Sir
Knowing from experience when Southwold was burnt seven years ago, many poor people needed food. I please beg your pardon, but I remind you, that cheese in this country is now cheap and I wondered if some letters could be written to some knights and gentlemen of this country known to this town. I suggest that other foods could be loaded on a small vessel with might be sent to London to be distributed among the poor. If you think it useful to send these letters I will give you a list of their names. Please don’t let them know I am behind this as I have not spoken to them.
Southwold 11 September 1666.
William Waynflet
Humble servant
Sir John Rous
Sir Rovert Brook
Sir Robert Kemp
Sir John Knevit
Richard Coke
John Bedingfield