Boston Mar. 27th. 1776 Dear Sr.,

I have a moment spared me by the bearer (Mr. Lucas) to write a line from the place of my nativity which has been so long in the possession of the British barbarians, who in a very precipitate manner left the town last Sabbath day morning. Many of the inhabitants have been plundered of their whole effects. Poor brother Leverett1 has been a large Sufferer. I have lost nothing.

Your family were well when I left Taunton, which was last monday week. My family are in middling circumstances as to health & all your friends there.

Whether I shall remove into town, soon, or not, I cannot determine. I think it will not be prudent, (before The enemies ships are gone out of the 184harbor) to have my family here. My apprentices are all in the army & I know not what I shall do to set the office going. No help is to be had. Tommy wont like to work alone.

We are by order of the Council & house making inquisition for addressers, associators, & the aiders & abettors of The enemies of our country.

To morrow the Thursday lecture will be opened. Gen. Washington & some other officers will grace the audience with their presence. Dr. Eliot2 is to preach. A dinner will be prepared for the Genl. &c. & a number of the house & council will attend the entertainment.

I should be glad to fill this sheet but am not allow’d time only to add that I am, dear Sr. Sr. yr. hume. Servt.

Jos. Greenleaf

RC ; addressed: “To The hone. Robt. Treat Paine Esq. In Philadelphia. fav’d by Mr. Lucas”; endorsed.

1.

John Leverett (1726/7–1777), a Boston merchant and colonel of a Boston regiment during the Revolution, was married to Greenleaf ’s sister Mary. He died in Middletown, Conn., the following year.

2.

General Washington invited the Rev. Andrew Eliot (1718–1778), minister of the New North Church, to offer the Thursday Lecture as an official thanksgiving sermon to commemorate the evacuation of Boston by the British army. The official party processed from the state house to the Old Brick Church for a sermon based upon activities in Boston under siege. They then proceeded to the Bunch of Grapes Tavern for an elegant meal, provided at public expense ( Sibley’s Harvard Graduates , 10:155; New-England Chronicle, Apr. 4, 1776).