Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
Inclosed you have a copy1 of my fathers2 demands against one Josiah Winslow3 of Freetown who has treated my father very ungratefully. My father found him in England, friendless and money-less, took pity upon him cloathed & equip'd him like a gentleman & procured an ensigns commission for him in the regular service, for which he drew the bill of exchange which on my fathers return from England, was presented to Mr. James Winslow4 for his acceptance & payment, but he refused to do either, and out of tenderness the bill never was offered to a notary519 public to be protested & not a farthing of it ever paid. I am informed he is lately returned home, but in what circumstances I know not, should be glad you wou'd enquire and if possible secure this money, in doing which you will greatly oblige, not only my father, but also your friend & hume. Servant,
Not located.
Gen. John Winslow (1703–1774) served in the British army in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and in 1754 was appointed major general of the Massachusetts militia by Governor Shirley. The following year he was promoted to lieutenant colonel of a regiment raised to assist Lt. Gov. Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia in removing French influence in that province. Winslow was placed in charge of removing the Acadian population to other British colonies and remained in military service until 1757 when he returned to Massachusetts (DCB, 4:774–775).
Probably the Josiah Winslow, son of Edward Winslow of Freetown, Mass., and nephew of Col. James Winslow (below).
Col. James Winslow (1712–1777) served Freetown as town treasurer, selectman, and justice of the peace. In 1771 he was appointed captain of the 2d Regiment of Militia of Bristol Co. (David P. and Frances Holton, Winslow Memorial: Family Records of Winslows and Their Descendants in America, with the English Ancestry as far as known, 2 vols. New York, 1877–1888, 1:139–140).