Abinton Nov. Wedn. 15 1759 Brother,

This morning Mr. Greenleaf Set out for N. York. Here I am very lonely if you have an Opertunity I wish you wou'd let Sister know that I Shou'd be very Glad of her Company and her horse's for I am left destitute of one for Mr. Greenleaf has Sold his horse & Chair for a fine Nag & by it made an addition to his venture so that he has Carried a pretty sum. Since this has happen'd I Can't be willing the Chaise Shou'd go of at So low a price as has been offer'd for we must have Some Carriage & Shall not get another at so low a rate. Therefore by his Consent I desire it may rest till his return, and if Sister Comes to me I Shall Send for it home by the first Good Opertunity. Can't you bring it when you come this way? If you dont object to its Coming, I Cant but Expect Some benefits by his journey and am loth to give up anything so nessesary to our Comfort as well as profit till I See without receiveing its near its value until the last pinch. I have no humour & I think pride has no Share in this resolution but till your brother returns I am a prisoner even with a horse. Your advice upon this will be acceptable to your Oblidg'd Friend & Sister

ABIGAIL GREENLEAF

PS in margin – Nov 20 Doct. Jones1 & Leiut. Pratt2 have wrote to Mr. Flucker3 requesting a favour4 to the town recommending Mr. Greenleaf but they desire you wou'd be Secret not Chusing it Shou'd known. If you have any influence now Seems to be the time to Exercise it. I hear Sister has had a fall from her horse so don't E and is much hurt so dont Expect to see her but find I Can do without a horse, I want your Company at thanksgiving tis very lonely when the Shop is not to be tended. I know not how to Convey this perhaps it may have another adition Farwel

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine att Boston"; endorsed.

1.

Dr. David Jones (1715/6–1783).

2.

Lt. Nathaniel Pratt (1702–1779).

3.

Thomas Flucker (1719–1783), Boston merchant, served on the Council, 1761–1783; was commissioned treasurer of the Province, Nov. 12, 1770; and was appointed a mandamus councillor on Aug. 9, 1774. His daughter Lucy married Henry Knox, later one of the Washington's generals, against family wishes in 1777. A staunch loyalist, Flucker left Boston with his family at the evacuation for Halifax and later sailed to England. He died there on Feb. 16, 1783 (James H. Stark, The Loyalists of Massachusetts [Boston, 1910], 402–404).

156 4.

Greenleaf was apparently seeking a government commission of some sort. He was unsuccessful in the venture.