Groton (Parish:) March: 3d. 1749/50 Dear Sr.

Last evening I receivd yrs. of the 26: past1 which servd. almost instead of a visit & cheerd my Desponding spirits with regard to you, for I had Just returnd from Lecture (old Town) where I had not only the unpleasing sensation of Disappointment expecting much to meet you there & enjoy wt. The Scarcity of Horses & hay has long depriv'd me of, but also the unhappiness to hear that you had pushed of the Boat to Boston and wt. farther augmented my sympathetick concern was that you made such miserable stearage as it seem'd almost impractable by you to avoid both Charibbis & Sylla: expecting that yr. Oars would fail you. Pray be more carefull & choice of them. However when I receivd. yrs. it gave me the satisfaction to hear that you was very snug: & I take this opportunity to congratulate your safe return.

You tell me that Mr. Freeman is gone to Chebucto I wish him all prosperity but am afraid of the contagious fever I hear prevails there. I have sent you two Letters which I hope have arivd. before now. In the first of which I have answerd yrs. of the 9 of Feber.2 However if you shall never see that, please to excuse my leting you know by this that yours of the 9. was nothing to the purpose for you intirely missd. the sense & Design of my Letter. This matter I shall make more plain to you when I see.

Next Tuesday I shall know how long I have here viz in Groton to Tarry. I am very thankfull for your Letters but should be more so if you would be so good as to visit me for I can't you unless I could illegible word at seal either Horse or hay or change the Disposition of my good Neighbours. My good Friend let me know if you have heard any News concerning our Classmates especially Dodge who I hear has had a Call at Upton (one of the dark Ends of our Globe). I have many things more to say had I time but shall defer them προς τον προσωπον λεγαι3 & Conclude Leting you know that your Friend is semper idem4 & yr. humble servant.

SAMLL. HAVEN

N.B. I wish you a good meal of your minced Fowl & should be glad to do with you.

if you can read the above I shan't Dispair of yr. reading any thing for no mortall can write much worse.

RC ; addressed: “To Mr. Robert-Treat Paine Schoolmaster in Lunenburg and living at Mr. John Buss's These"; endorsed.

109 1.

Not located.

2.

Not located.

3.

Pros ton prosopon legai. To tell you face to face.

4.

Always the same.

Boston March the 8th, 1749/50 Dear Sir,

This comes to congratulate you, on your having receiv'd advices from your Father. I heartily rejoice with you on that account, and hope providence will make all these late changes, turn to his advantage and that of his Family, at last. I suppose that Mr. Greenleaf has writ you an acct. of his having recd. another letter from your Father, this Weeke, in which your Father says "that he had as good as Sold his Vessel and Cargo, in North = Carolina, and that he intended to be here about Aprill next".

We are all, thro' the goodness of God, recover'd from the indisposition that we were under, when you left us. I should have been very glad to have heard from you since you left us, but have been disappointed in that pleasure. I hope you will write to me when you have an opertunity. We have just receiv'd the News of Mr. Freman's safe arrival at Hallifax, tho we have not recd. any letter from him yet. I have nothing of importance further, to write at present, but that your friends in Town are all well, as far as I can learn. I shall now conclude with my best wishes for your prosperity, that every real blessing may descend upon you, which will be a great increase to the happyness of Your faithfull Friend & humbl. Servt.,

R: CRANCH

N B. Our Family desire to be remember'd to you.

RC ; addressed: “For Mr. Robert-Treat-Paine School = Master at Lunenburg"; endorsed.