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.

Bridgwater Feby. 1st. 1758. Sr.,

Mr. Robinson (the Bearer hereof) is coming to you expecting to receive some Money in Town due to him on a Note of Hand, in Order to Discharge the Note you have against him, but if that fails he tells me he shall not be able to do it, this therefore is to Request you to forbear him a while longer & give him oppertunity to Look out for the Recovery of what is owing to him, which he promises to be as Speedy in as possible as he has been poorly this Winter 'till lately if you can do it without damage, it will be a Favour to him.

I received yours of Jany. 18th. 1758 (if it came from you which I suppose it did by the Contents of it, for I Recd. it without any Subscription) & am ready to assist in the assorting of the Shot if Messrs. Haward1 & Orr2 78will but give me previous notice of their coming, not inclining to do it without the help of others, & will send them to you when ready if I can procure a Team. Mr. Barker has not been here yet & it is now a difficult Season to examine the Guns, as they are many of them full of Ice & Snow. With proper Respect to you & all Friends I am Sr. yr. hume. Servt.

SHEPARD FISK

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

1.

Probably Capt. Robert Haward (1699–1779) or Daniel Haward, who were among the original proprietors of North Bridgewater furnace in 1738, five years before it was sold to Thomas Paine.

2.

Hugh Orr (1715–1798), a skilled edged-tool maker of Bridgewater who was later a state representative from that town and, during the Revolution, superintendent of the State Furnaces there. See Hugh Orr to RTP, Nov. 14, 1776.