Boston Feby. 16th. 1782 Sr.,

I have spent divers times in considering the Case of Bowdoin vs. Walker;1 I have searched the General Court Records but do not find any thing very operative about it more than the Grant; but no Survey, Plan, taking possession or the like. I now sit down to write about the lines to be run by the surveyor on the Plan.

I think it will be best to begin at the large heap of Stones at the head of the Cove in Swanzy Line, and from thence run W by N. 4 miles; I suppose this line has been a long time settled by Perambulation, if so let him run up it and note the variation of the Course, & make the usual allowance for old measure, let him run up the full length of four miles, and from the End of that full four miles, let him run N by E (making allowance for variation of Compass) a length of line Sufficient to strike the line of the old Township’s first Grant which is described in Bradford’s Confirmation Deed to run four miles from two marked Trees near three mile River W by N: this line must also be run four miles good: if we can’t find the two marked Trees, then run from the Rock or any other place of which Evidence can be given; And I think it will also be necessary to run the length of Line and take the point of Compass from the Rock &c. to the mouth of the three mile River. It will also be necessary to have laid down all the Lotts which Mr. Abijah Walker owns, and then the lines which the Plt. says is the line he Contends for and by this will appear what Land they sue for, and then you will be able to examine your Evidence of Antient possession on that Spot, if any other lines appear necessary, to you, you will take care to have them marked.

You have mentioned to me that the Land Eastward of the bridge by Holloway, was granted to the South Purchase men, by some other Grants pray ascertain that matter and let the proper Evidence of it be obtained.

I herewith Send the Papers you delivered me: William Bradfords Deed is so torn, there had better be a new copy. I retain an Extract from that Deed, & a list of Papers in Evidence: don’t fail to get the Survey made.

I am your most hble. Servt. R T Paine

RC (Robert Treat Paine II Papers, MHS); addressed: “George Godfrey Esqr. at Taunton”; endorsed in several hands: “Letter from R. T. Paine Boston 1782”; “Rob’t Treat Paine born in Boston March 1714. In 1759 settled in Taunton having studied law & been in Europe ’73 & 74 in Legislature ’74 to ’75 in Continental Congress and signed declaration of Independence. 1780 to 90 he was attorney Genl. of Mass. Then Judge of Supreme Court. Resigned 1804 for deafness & ill health”; “Property of Edgar H. Reed”; “June 20 1893 Assigned to Alice M. Elliott this day George A Duchame assigner”; “March 14. 1899. Assigned to Robert Treat Paine by Alice M. Elliott.” A draft of this letter appears in the RTP Papers.

1.

RTP noted in his minutes of trials and law cases that the case of James Bowdoin, Esq., v. Abijah Walker was continued at the Bristol Court of Common Pleas, Mar. 1782. In citations for the June court, RTP noted a verdict for the plaintiff and that the defendant appealed, but gives no further details. Abijah Walker (1722–1806) resided in Dighton, Mass.