Boston. Novmbr. 29. 1749 Dear Brother,

I always thought six weeks a long time to spend without Seeing you, but I never knew an absence Seem so long as this has done. I want to aquaint you with a thousand things that has happened but fear that having so many Crouding upon my memory I shall omit the most important affairs; but to begin my history. I Came to my own house last Monday was Sevenight where I was oblig'd to take up my abode by reason of a Strom that was So bad I Could not return that night and the next day tho't it better to Send for my things than to return to them, and So in short Settleled at house keeping with nurse to attend us and now have my things pretty well around me. I find it a very agreable place as to every part of living. Use has made the walk into town Seem shortn'd. I happen'd to be at fathers when Cap't Willard1 Came in with your Letter wc. was very pleasing to me Especialy to be inform'd that you were well in health and So well pleas'd with your Scituation. Father is hasting away from us he thought to Sail this day but the weather is So Cold that there work on board is much hendered but he will go in two days at most for his things are all on board & Cato's who is to attend him and is So overjoy'd that he goes about in Extacies; his black Skin will hardly Contain him. Father is So fatigue'd with Labour and Care that I wish the time was Come for him to Leave us hoping the Seas will Serve his health and that he will be perserv'd from all dangers and return'd to us in Safty.

Doctr. Sewall & Mr. Checkley2 both refuse to take Sisster which obliges us to take her to our house; I hope tw'ill be for the best but I fear the Consequences will be bad. I wish you were here for Some reasons that I han't time to write. I have Company Come in and therefore must Conclude Sooner than I intended to have done. Mr. Greenleaf Send his Love to you and I belive will write himself, pray accept the same from your Loving Sisster,

ABIGAIL GREENLEAF 84

Novm. 30, father's affairs (I hear) are So backward that I believe tw'ill be Some time before he'ell go.

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

1.

Jonathan Willard (ca. 1695–ca. 1757), a first cousin of RTP's grandmother. He had settled in Lunenburg, was active in town affairs, and was known as Capt. Willard Joseph Willard, Willard Genealogy, edited by Charles Henry Pope [Boston, 1915], 35).

2.

Samuel Checkley (1696–1769), first minister of the New South Church of Boston, from 1719 (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 6:74–78).