Boston March 18. 1749 Dear Brother,

I Send a few lines to beg your forgiveness of my Neglect in not writing before and omiting what you desir'd in this short Epistile. I hope you'll allow me to plead my hurry of business together with Some indisposition wc. has attended me this week past and accept a short token of my hearty dessires for your health and prosperity in the coming year & through out your life. As this month is the Season whein all Nature revives and is the begining of the Spring that gives new life to all vegitables it wou'd afford me (had I time & a Capacity equal to it) a most agreable theme for my adress to you just begining a New Year in the Blowm of youth. May you find the Same revival & the Same Growth, may you flourish like the Plain tree and your Autum be 1 with the refreshing fruit of the vine.

With this you'll Receive a line from Uncle Willard2 for the book wc. he has got of me. I design to Send these by Cousin John3—and a shirt. I hope to see you shortly and till then Remain your Loving Sisster,

ABIGAIL PAINE

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

1.

One word missing where seal was removed.

2.

Josiah Willard (1681–1756), younger brother of RTP's grandmother, was a 1698 graduate of Harvard and served as the province secretary from 1717. He lived near the Paines at the corner of what is today Tremont and School streets, opposite King’s Chapel and attended Old South Church (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 4:425–432). Letter not located.

3.

John Willard.