Boston April 17th. 1770 Sir,

Mr. John Adam of Taunton who is indebted to me in the Sum of £70.14.1 Lawfull money,1 was this Day with me; and as he says he is unable to pay me 'till such time as he shall dispose of one of his Vessells; he purposes to give me Security in the mean Time by mortgaging double the Value at least in real Estate, and we have agreed that you should get it done in my behalf and to your acceptance. I therefore here inclose a note of hand for him to sign payable to me as adminr. on Estate of my Brother B. Gray decd., with which I desire you would wait upon him and see whether he is ready to sign it and also to mortgage as security double the Value at least in good salable real Estate free of Incumbrance, and if so I pray you would draw the necessary Instruments to be executed upon my sending to you his note of hand I am possessed of (which shall be done on the first notice from you) you will then see the Deed properly recorded, and forwarded to me. I think he should pay the costs of drafting and according, and for your extra Trouble you shall be sattisfied by Yr. Hum. Servt.

THOMAS GRAY

PS. Pray favor me with a Line per first opportunity.

RC ; endorsed.

1.

A copy of the promissory note from Adam to Gray, dated Apr. 27, 1770, is in the RTP Papers. Gray was acting as administrator to the estate of his brother Benjamin Gray (1726–1762), also a Boston merchant (Suffolk Probate, file 13066).

Dartmouth May 7th 1770 Sr.,

Mr. David Briggs Complainant, vs. one Ben Able, Alias Quons Indian for taking and riding an horse, in possession of sd. David: tho' Beloning to Mr. John Wady; applyed to me to know what Attorney he shou'd fee to assist him, in the Prosecution of his Complaint.1 I Recommended him to you; and In Cossequence, he desired me to write to you, not to take up on the other Side, and to assure you, that you Shall have an honourable fee at Next Court; which I will give my Word you may Depend upon. Mr. Wady who carries on the Case, is a man of fortune &467Charecter, and his promises may be Depended on. I am Good Sr. Your very Humble Servt.

DANL. HATHWAY

RC ; addressed: "To Robert T. Paine Esqr. at Taunton"; endorsed.

1.

This case was not brought before the Bristol County Court of Common Pleas and does not appear among RTP's accounts.