My Dear, Taunton Novbr. 17 1776

Mr Steavenson Set out for philada. in the morning. By him I Send this. I wrote you by Mr. Holloway & Sence by the docter which I hope you have rec’d. This is the fourth time I have wrote Since I have recd. a Line from you. What the reason is I dont know but I desine to write to you untill I think you are tired of rec:g of my Letters & then I think it my duty to Leave of. Could you Look in upon us & See with what Joy your Letters are rec:d Surely you would afford me the pleasure of hearing from you much oftener for thats the next to Seeing of you but to be denied both is cruel. Docter Cobb has bought the house that was McKinstrey & is to move when he returns from Boston which will be in three weeks by which time I hope youll be at home. Our family are well & Charles grows finely Since he was weand. He is a Sweet boy. Bob & Sally & Tommy goe to Scool & Learns very well for our Scools. Sally works very well for one of her age. She is a fine girl. We had parson toby1 to day. He kept us their till almost night & so cold that my head aks So I cant hardly See. So I wish you a good night. All friends desired to be rememberd to you. Due write Soon I mean come Soon your ever mindfull & affectionate

Sally Paine

RC ; addressed: “To The Honble. Robert Treat Paine Esqr. A Member of Congress at Philadelphia favd. by Mr. Hy. Stevenson”; endorsed.

322 1.

Samuel Tobey (1715–1781), a 1733 Harvard graduate, became the first minister of Berkley, Mass., in 1737 and served that congregation until his death ( Sibley’s Harvard Graduates , 9:342–345).