Taunton April 12. 1784 Dear Sir,

I am requested to write to you to know if you are Engaged in the Cause of Hampton & al. vs. Wm. Dennis at our Court—hope you’l write me word so that if you are not Engaged vs. Dennis I will Send you Some money to Engage you for him. Should be glad also to know whether you have heard anything of my Execution at the Eastward as you were kind enough to write me that you’d Enquire. I Suppose you are going this week the Western Cir Tour as I am to Plymouth I was at Worcester Court the week before last, at the request of Chapman, the Barr there gave their opinion that they could not recommend him upon which he is in a Sad Situation. His affairs being all dearranged in Such a manner that I believe him to be Compleatly ruined unless they Consider him in Worcester County. I Pity him & Cou’d wish him in some measure to be Indulged upon the principal of Pity. He requested me to write you & I was by his Importunity, Constrained to promise him that I would, what he wishes is your good word at Worcester in his favour.

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I Consider myself Sir as Indebted to you for the Character you were so good as to put in the Paper, of Benja. Williams Esqr.1

And if it not too much trouble & it Should be agreeable to your Sentiment Should be glad of a Little of your Influence for the birth of Register of Probate in this County, George Leonard has Said that he’d accept of the office of Judge from wherefore I suppose he will have it. I Suppose as Mr. Fales does not make any application for it, that the Registers birth will rest between me, and Mr. Barns—I think if that is the Case that my right is fully Equal to his. Would have you however Act & do that which you think is right & proper about it—though I think it would Shagreene me to have Barns get it.

My little Boy has been about a fortnight verry ill with the Canker, but is now got almost well—hope you Mrs. Paine & good family are all well to whom please make my & Mrs. Padelfords Complts. Acceptable & believe me to be your Sincere Friend & Humbl. Servt.,

Seth Padelford

RC ; addressed: “The Honbl. Robt. Treat Paine Esqr. Attorney Genl. Boston. by Mr. Torrey”; endorsed.

1.

Benjamin Williams died at Taunton, aged sixty-three (Massachusetts Centinel, Apr. 3, 1784).