Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
Yours1relating to Mr: Johonnots Affairs I received & for him Inform you that he would have his Suit against Mr. Cobb entred. The other against Hellon2 there is some doubt about. He has been informed that some others attached in Hellons hands prior to him & for as much or321more than Hellon Owes to Mr. Wheelwright & that it is most probable that Hellon is not able to pay what he Owes Wheelwright. These matters as you are on the Spot can better be enquired into by you than anyone here therefore if you will be kind eno' to take that trouble on yourself Mr. Johonnot will be obliged to you. If you find either of sd. Informations so well grounded as to make the prosecution agst. Hellon very precarious & that there are no reasonable hopes of Mr. Johonnots being bettered by the same but on the contrary be subjected to Costs you will then drop it. If on Enquiry you find the Case otherwise you will then pursue. This matter must be entirely left to your discretion. I am with respect yr. hume. Servant,
Not located.
Ratcliff Hellon, a Taunton merchant, had occasional legal dealings with RTP from at least Apr. 1, 1761, when Helton assigned his power of attorney to RTP. RTP, John Adam, and George Williams, all of Taunton, were appointed trustees of Hellon's indebted estate, July 10, 1766 (Mass., Province Laws, 4:797). Hellon was listed in the 1771 tax valuation list at Taunton with two rateable polls but no other estate (Pruitt, Massachusetts Tax Valuation List of 1771, 616).