Scituate Jany. 28.1758 Sir,

I recd. yr. Favr.1 per our Rep. & excuse my mistake by the want of due Distinctions in yr. Lettr. between Attachments & originals & as I kept by me chiefly the Latter which best suit our County where no Bankrupts appear nor Commissions issue, I imagined they would Suit your affirs too, till I recollected, that the Executorship was concerned with antiquated & worn out Ship Carpenters, Boatmen & Runnaways.

But as I hinted I've not attmts. by me that I can spare you, but will endeavour to get you some seasonably enough. Rather than alter those originals you have better send 'em back by the Newbury Gent.; for they'll do you no Good unless you receive Summons's for them; & If I have any opportunity to get & send you in Season, I'll send you sufficient which wont want alteration. As to your detaining from me the late Piece of Law, entitled, Cushing upon Wood I cant think the Excuse you make to be the real one; for tho' the innuendo in yr. Letter viz. that76 you have a high opinion of it be not ill founded, yet you could not Suppose that a Deacon, an Esquire, & a Rep is a "Common Conveyance." I rather therefore apprehend the true Reason to be that when once it fell into that Infinity of Rubbish which lies in the Chamber held of an old Maid by Certain Services to her to be performed, which we may easily guess at but need not name (which Chamber may well be liked to the primitive Chaos) I say, when once it fell in, twas no easy matter to distinguish & reduce it from that State of Confusion. I am, Sir, Sinc. Friend & H: Servt.,

WM. CUSHING

RC ; endorsed.

1. Not located.

Weymouth Jan:29th. 1758. Dear Brother,

I read your last with amazement; to find so knavish a trick so sly-ly carried on. What will not necessity inspire men with? Thus far I suppose he has Escaped but I think his dishonesty deserves a punishment lest he shou'd Carry on his new scheme of paying debts. I think you say his Name is Somthing like Phinney. I remember the Name but dont know whats due nor Where he lives nor have I seen him or his money. I cou'd wish his story were true for his sake & my own, but if you hear no more from him I beleive it wou'd be best to send the Grace of God after him for if we may judge by his Conduct he Wants it.

You have given me Encouragement to hope for a visit from you. Otherwise I beleive I shall not see you soon for the Weather is so Uncertain that I cant rove very far from home. Pray send me some news if you have any for I am tied of the old Story. Love & Marriage are the Constant themes and these are ungratefull Subjects to an old Maid. Miss Sally1 has I think at last Consented to put the shackles on. She is now gone with her humble Servt. to Newtown where she is to live to see his parents. & Miss Dora's2 house is building So I suppose She goes next. Capt. Lovell3 was married last week & Josiah Waterman4 & thus they go; Miss Hannah5 & I shall be left alone to keep the Fire burning soon.

I am quite undone about going abroad for on the 16 inst. that violent77Storm blew down our Barn and killd our Mare. Alass Golden is dead; adeiu ye morning airings freindly to health. Farewell Shes Gone forever.

I intend soon to comply with the petition of your humble Servt. possibly may by this Conveyance but Cant promise.

Feb. 5th. If I keep my letter much longer it will appear like a journal but this Evening I think concludes it. I have waited a week for an opportunity to send & now Convey to the Deacon as the most certain means. Tis cold Weather ant You almost froze? What wou'd you give for my Cat to Sleep with You? I know you lye Cold. Company Comes in or shou'd add a few lines more. Adeiu. Pray Write to me. I am with due respects to all Your Maiden Sister and very freind,

EUNICE PAINE

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

1.

Sarah Dyar (1728–1803) of Weymouth married Abraham Fuller (1719/20–1794) of Newton on Apr. 13, 1758. He was later a state senator and a judge (Chamberlain, History of Weymouth, 3:211).

2.

Theodora Dyer.

3.

Capt. Solomon Lovell (1732–1801) married Lydia Holbrook (1734–1761) at Weymouth, Jan. 19, 1758. He was later a genera1 in the Revolutionary army, commanded the Penobscot expedition in 1779, participated in the Rhode Island Expedition, and later served as a state representative (ibid., 3:399).

4.

Josiah Waterman (1735–1795) married Thankful Humphrey (d. 1824) at Weymouth, Jan. 17, 1758 (ibid., 4:724).

5.

Not identified.