Boston Jan:18:1749 1748/9 Dear Brother,

I Received yours a Monday by Mr. Oliver.1 I am Glad to find that you havnt quit forgot us, you see the pains I take to Send to you. I hope so good an Example will Excite you to be more Careful in improveing Every opertunity of Sending to inform me of your wellfare.

We talk of vissiting every day and I hope so much Contrivance will produce some Convenient way for our Conveyance in a short time. Cousin Freeman went to Bridgwater yesterday morning to return tomorrow. Father has heard from Capt. Beaufort.2 He was blown off of this Coast to Statia3 about a month ago and waits to Come home well.

I have no Linnin to Send you at present but desire to have your dirty and shall Send you Clean before the Sabbath if the weather dont hinder.

I hope thesse will find you in good health as they Leave us. We unite in Wishing health and prosperity to you. In haste I Subcribe my Self you Effectionate Sisster,

ABIGAIL PAINE

Pray Excuse the writing for I cant Leave the fire and so use my Lap insted of a table.

RC ; addressed: “To Mr. Robert Treat Paine att Cambridge"; endorsed.

1.

Probably Andrew Oliver (1706–1774), father of RTP's classmate of the same name. See Abigail Paine to RTP, Mar. 4, 1749.

2.

Not otherwise identified. Presumably the captain of a merchant vessel belonging to Thomas Paine.

3.

Saint Eustatius, a West Indian island.