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Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 4

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From Fisher Ames

5 April 1786

From Seth Padelford

29 May 1786
363
From Sally Cobb Paine
Paine, Sally Cobb RTP
Boston may 6 1786 My Dear,

being disappointed of Sending my Letter to Worcester1 I Set down to write again hoping it will come Safe to you before you Return. I have not had a line nor heard a word from you Since you left home for why I Cant account I hope you have not been Sick. I want exceedingly to hear from you if you Should not return this next week I hope you will write by the post that Brings this Letter that we may know of your welfare & when you Shall return.

Our Garden Looks Better this year then ever it did we have had a cold northeast Storm which I hope dont reach you. Our family are well Little folks wants papa to come home. Lucretia is to be wean’d this weak poor Child. Wishing your Safe return I rest your ever mindfull.

S. Paine

Mr. Blanchard2 of Taunton is dead died Last week.

RC ; addressed: “To The Honble: Robert T. Paine Esqr. at Northampton”; endorsed; note on address sheet in RTP’s hand:

new Ink of Cake Ink

Old Ink of Powder

New Ink of Cake Ink.

1.

According to his diary, RTP left home Apr. 17 to attend the Supreme Judicial Court, first in Worcester until the 29th; then at Northampton, where there was a murder trial against Daniel Norton, who was found guilty of manslaughter; then on to Hatfield on May 9 to attend a convention to consider dividing the county, finally returning home on May 14. Franklin County was not established until 1811 and Hampden County was separated in 1812.

2.

Joshua Blanchard, formerly an eminent stationer in Boston, died in Taunton, Apr. 28, 1786, in his sixty-ninth year (Independent Chronicle, May 4, 1786).