Taunton may 11 1775 Dear Husband,

I Receved your Letter dat. 1 may1 and was Glad to hear of your Safe arrivel So far and of your better helth. Our Children are well I am not very well but keep about. Our family is much Larger then when you Left home. Mr. Greenleafs whole family are come and Miss Eunice So I have my house full and hands too but I hope I Shall have wisdom and Strength Given me to goe through my task. I have taken all your things out of the office and put them in a Chamber and Mr. Greenleaf improves that and our Chambers are all full at present but I hope that in time they will get their goods out of Boston So that they might Live by themselfs. I told them when they might improve part of the house and Such as we had they Should be welcome to for they have nothing hear at present but one bed. They Live with me at present. I hope what I have done in this affair will be agreable to you. Doct. McKinstrey and family are gone to Boston and our Committee have taken his Shop and goods under their care but Doct. Cobb will give you account of their procedings. I have not been able to get any Rum or Sugar as yet but I hope I Shall Soon. Their vesels are expected every day. I hope by the next Letter you able to Give an account when you Shall be at home for I Long to hear. Dont Stay all Summer for I Shall die if you doe. Brother Jonathan had a Son Born Since you Left home.2 Hoping your welfare I am your Loving wife,

Sally Paine

RC ; addressed: “For Robert Treat Paine Esqr. In Philadelphia”; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

2.

Sally’s brother Jonathan Cobb (c. 1739–1801) followed their father as an iron manufacturer and in 1778 inherited the iron works and attached property. He married his step-mother’s niece, Hannah Beal, in 1774. Their infant son died in October 1775, aged 5 months ( NEHGR 91[1937]:372).