Boston January 5th. 1758 Mr. Barker1 Sr.,

I have at the North Furnace in Bridgwater, a parcel of Short Guns & Cohorns,2 which have never been trimed, & as I understand you do business of that Sort, I should be glad if you would take An Opportunity & look at them & see how many of them are worth doing any thing to. If I think it will quit cost I will get you to dress them, & therefore should be glad as soon as you have passed a Judgment that you would let me know, how many are worth dressing, & what you will take them away & do them for, & prove them likewise (if you ever undertake it). I pray you to let me hear as soon as you can, or I may possibly loose the Sale of them. From yrs. &c.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. Caleb Barker at Hannover. By Nathl. Clap Esqr."

1.

Caleb Barker (1685–1772) was a founder connected with the furnace or forge in Hanover. A71 Quaker, he moved to Maine in 1761 (Jedediah Dwelley and John F. Simmons, History of the Town of Hanover, Massachusetts [Hanover, 1910], 20).

2.

A small mortar for throwing grenades (OED).

norton January 5 1758 or old Stil december 25 1757 Sir;

receved your letter Last Lords day night which was datted in Boston December 19 1757 & as i understand you wanted to know when that bond or deed was given to the general court in Boston. In August 1746 by mr Samuel Hunt of Weymouth & the two bonds men was Lieut. Josiah Hunt of Weymouth & Mr Benjamen Hunt of Braintree. As i was told: the coppy that i see was in mr Samuel Niles in Braintree minister niless son. I was at his house in September 15 1756 as i remember & heard it read it was giving for his wife Experience & i desire you to inquir after it nor without ordr from the general court i have no right at mr wesels?.1 I hope these line wont be lost Lost or burnt with my love to you & your sisters i remain your aunt Experience crying mother Representing Eve

RC ; addressed: "To Mr Robert Treet Paine In Boston to be left at mr Brackets."

1.

"A Petition of Samuel Hunt of Weymouth, praying Liberty to sell with his other Estate, a parcel of Land made over to his Wife, without which the Estate will not sell for it's real Value," was presented to the House of Representatives, June 12, 1746. The petition was granted on June 24 on the condition that he provide sufficient security and that £75 of the proceeds be secured for his wife (Journals of the House of Representatives, 23:45, 72). A copy of the bond, dated Feb. 21, 1746, is in the Robert Treat Paine Papers.

Boston January 13 1758 Sr.,

After Respects to you & yr. Spouse, I must beg yr. further assistance with regard to the Shot which lays in yr. Store. I purpose to sell it Speedily, & I should be glad if you would get some body to cull it over & throw out all that are not tollerably good & then agree with Somebody as cheap as you can to bring it to Boston. I do suppose some of the Cask may do again, & those that will do will serve well to keep the Shot Sorted, which I should choose if it could be done, but if there be not Casks enough to hold all the good Shot, I am informed 'tis needless to be at the72expense for more because they comonly bring Shot loose in a Cart. If the Carter would take his pay at Mr. How who keeps a large shop I should be glad. You will please to make An express bargain with him abt. that & also as to the Price, & direct him to bring them to Mr. How the Tin Man; near the Mill bridge, & write me letter containing the Invoice & bargain for carting, which I will pay. I can't make the least guess whether there will be a load or more but if you can contrive so as to send along the Small parcell of Iron Ware I should be glad. I am loath to trouble you so much, but when the affair is finished I will Satisfye you for yr. assistance &c. I have wrote to Mr. Barker abt. the Guns & I suppose he will be with you soon. Yrs.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Shepard Fisk at Bridgwater."