Sunday Evening 10 oClock May. 1785 Dr. Sir, I1

have this moment heard of a Person who is to sett off Tomorrow morning for Northampton, which gives me the pleasure of announcing, That yesterday Morning, you had a fine Girl born,2 and That your good Lady is extremely comfortable, and miss very well, I offer’d my Service, to carry up for Baptism, but Mrs. Paine reserves that honor for yourself. My Wife is just returned from your House, and says Mrs. Paine is charming and well, a Phrase often made use of by the good Woman on such occasions. I congratulate you, Sir, most heartily, as I know it must give you infinite pleasure and Satisfaction. In haste I am with Sentiments of Esteem

Your most obed. Servant Jos. Russell

RC ; addressed: “Honble. Robert Treat Paine, Esqr. Attorney General at Northampton”; endorsed. Brackets indicate damage to the page.

1.

Joseph Russell (1734–1795), merchant and auctioneer, lived on Milk Street near the Paine family.

2.

Lucretia Paine, the eighth and youngest child of Robert Treat Paine and Sally Cobb Paine. She died unmarried Aug. 27, 1823. RTP noted in his diary on May 13: “Rode to Boston, found a Daughter born April 30 11 oClock AM”; May 15: “my Daughter Lucretia baptized, by Mr. Clark.”