Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
You may remember I mention'd to you the affair of getting Roburt Shilston's1 wages due for Service in the Battoes, home to the time he dy'd; I therefore write you this to inform you farther that he had with him a very good Musquet of his own, which I apprehend belongs to me as Administrator. I don't know the exact time when he dy'd, but can inform my self of it, I suppose, from Persons who are come from the125Service, if you think it needfull. I suppose he was on Duty about 4 Months before he dy'd. I have enclos'd a Paper which Roburt & Elijah had from their Officer Captn. Geo: Wilmot at the time of their Enlistment, which he gave them as a security that their going in the Battoes should stand in the same stead, as if they had gone as Soldiers (which, by the Way, was not in his Power, and was only made use of, I suppose, to tempt them to enlist under him). This Paper, tho of no use for the purpose mention'd, will however shew the time of their Enlistment, for which purpose I send it to you. Roburt told me before he went that Mr. Apthorp2 would pay the Battoe-men, but whether he was to have done it or not, I can't tell, but must leave it to you to enquire. If you must have any formal Power from me for getting the mention'd wags &c. please to draw such a one and send it to me and I'll execute it. I am, dear Sir, your ever affectionate Friend & Servt.
The enlistment document in the hand of George Willmot is enclosed, dated Apr. 15, 1758. It was signed by Roburt Shilston and Elijah Hayden (RTP Papers).
Robert Shelston (Shilston) had previously served on the Eastern frontier as a private in Capt. Samuel Goodwin's company in 1755. His estate was administered by Cranch in Suffolk County Probate Court in 1758 (file 11830). Elijah Hayden of Braintree had previously served as a private in the 1754 Fort Halifax expedition and the Crown Point expedition and subsequently settled in Boston (Massachusetts Soldiers in the French and Indian Wars , 1744–1755, ed. Robert E. MacKay [Boston, 1978]; Massachusetts Officers and Soldiers in the French and Indian Wars, 1755–1756, ed. K. David Goss and David Zarowin [Boston, 1985], 173, 92; John Adams Vinton, The Vinton Memorial [Boston, 1858], 328).
Charles Apthorp (1698–1758) was paymaster and commissary in the British service (Thwing Index).
Just received yours by Mr. Wriford. Your blunder in not naming the Person I lived with has cost me a dollar, & at last Mr. Greenleaf being down from Abington took him home; My last & only Drawers are now upon Duty. You know tis not safe for a ship to be on a Stormy Coast with only one suit of sails for fear of a Gale of Wind. I found the inclosed at my office & convey it by this first opportunity. Pshaw, abt. my Drawers, if you have nothing to make 'em off send me word how126Much Anything it will take. Cotton & linen I choose, or how much fustian; if you have any peices fit to make wristbands for my shirts send it. The Dee'll take tayloring. I wish 'twas the fashion to go Naked. You must prepare against Spring to keep Shop. I think of nothing else. Yrs. in the bonds of Celibacy