Lunenburg &c Jan. 31?, 1749/50 Gulielmus Downe Roberto Treat Paine Magistro Salutem plusimam dicit Bon jour Domine, 1

After critical observing your Letter dated 30th Jany. 17492 and noting well the Contents, have accipe for answer. Capt. Hubbard3 and Madam go, Mr. Wyman4 and Madam, Honble. George Kimball5 102 & Madam, and the Revd. your hum. Servt. and Madam. I have not obtain'd a Horse for your self Sr. by reason of not knowing yesterday, but it will be most acceptable to the Company if you will clap on with us & partake the Cheer. Ergo you may draw the Consequence.6

WM. DOWNE The Bearer

RC ; addressed: “For Mr. Robt. Treat Paine”; endorsed: "Wm. Downe junr. January 1749.”

1.

William Downe gives many greetings to his master Robert Treat Paine. Good morning, lord.

2.

Not located.

3.

Jonathan Hubbard (1718/9–1759) was a "surveyor, well educated and useful citizen." He was one of the original grantees of Rindge, N.H., in 1749, and of Charlestown, N.H., about 1757. He married Abigail Jennison in 1739 (Edward Warren Day, One Thousand Years of Hubbard History [New York, 1895], 224–225).

4.

Ezekiel Wyman.

5.

George Kimball (1723/4–1790) served Lunenburg in a variety of capacities including school committeeman, selectman, town clerk and state representative. He was also a captain in the Revolution and a representative to the Provincial Congress in 1774. He married Sarah Mulliken in 1748 (Leonard Alison Morrison and Stephen Paschal Sharpies, History of the Kimball Family in America, 2 vols. [Boston, 1897], 1:152).

6.

RTP notes in his diary for Jan. 31, 1749/50: 1 went to Mr. Samll. Hunts' in Compe. with Mr. Downe & Wife' Ezekiel Wyman & Wife; and Capt. Jno. Hubbard; PM we went to Mr. Amos Kimball's &c returning thro' the Woods my Horse foundered in the Snow and Horalogium perdidi inter Nives Abbisimos &c. [lost my watch in very deep snows]"

Lunenburg Feb. 16. 1750 1749/50 Dear Sister Eunice,

These few lines leave me the Enjoyer of a good measure of Health as I hope they'll find you. I have never had any Oppertunity of writing to you before now, therefore you must excuse the nott hearing directly from me; but you have no Excuse for if you would but write a letter & leave it att Mr. Palmers it might easily be conveyed along; however I hope you'll embrace this Opportunity. Pray lett me know all news of wt. sort soever how Fathers affairs are circumstanced &c. Here's a honest pretty woman in town that tells me she'll undertake to provide me with worsted Stockings at 50/ a pair. Will it do, enquire & let me know. My Breaches begin to want mending Again. What shall I do. I live here almost out of the World; & next week I'm going to an other part of103the Town wch. I never see. Well, The Planetts those bright shining Orbs are rowlled from place to place why then should I repine. If they would but Rowl me a little nearer Boston I should nott care; If you knew how agreable yr. Letters were to me I'm sure you would let me have more of them. My regards &c. to all inquirers.

I must Conclude wishing you Constancy of Mind to bear up thro' every thing you meett with whether Prosperous or Adverse. Remember that Trouble springs not out of the Dust, Nor is salvation to be look'd for from the Hills or multitude of Mountains, but he who has created us and preserved us hereto only can save us; may we be found in him &c. is the hearty wish of yr. Freind & Brother,

R: T: PAINE

RC ; addressed: "For Mrs. Eunice Paine act Bostone QDC"; note by RTP: "sent February 18th. & return'd sent again March 6 & may it now Tarry. &c. disapointed resent March 12th"; endorsed.