Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
I can write to you with greater pleasure then when I wrote last. Then the family were all sick every thing embarasyet health seem returning. Your other self is as well as usual. Sallys disorder settled in her back she is feeble and Tommy has some compla
The weather is cold the spring not so forward as the last. Seth has been imploy’d some days in gardening most of the small seeds are sown. Till this last ten day we have known but little else but nursing for six weeks back we have really had a severe tryal. I hope our thankfulness will rise in proportion to the afflictions felt.
Mr. Greenleaf has been in Boston ever since the day after it was evacuated by our enemy. He is one of seven, apointed by the court to examine the associators, an ungreatful task it takes him much time I hear I wish t’was over. He finds his types safe but the cases all burnt by Mrs. Rankin who was left by Coll: Leverett in the house to take care 200of our effects. Many other losses I hear of that renders going to housekeeping difficult and requires time to repair. Add to this Mrs. Rankin delays removing so that I can’t say when I shall leave your house but hope to be in Boston, without my girls, before the year is compleated. I shall send Eunice to Mr. Cranches next week, where she will be easier got into town when tis proper, but I fear tis a poor place for youth. I hear the soildiers are very disordily severe punishmets are to be inflicted. It grieves me to hear it but tis no wonder since many of them are the scum of the people. Taunton will soon be reduc’d to its old inhabitants. Mr. Blanchards family are gone and Mr. J. Russel Mrs. Downe and Mrs. Chevers goes to morrow. Mr. Andrewss went last week. Mr. Colwel is remov’d into the Doctrs. house, and when Mr. Nat: Green is gone out of Leonards house, which he had a part of, Mr. Perkins is to remove into it. Capt. Avery from Boston is in the part that Colwel had. He is going to sea and leave his family here a pretty woman they say with two small children. Here is several familys from Newport that I suppose will tarry.
I don’t hear that their is to be any school here this summer. I am sorry that your children can’t have that advantage. They have gain’d very fast this winter but I fear will soon lose it, as learning is so great a task especially to Bob he can’t be perswaded to take any pleasure in it, and so many temptations on the green where he delights to spend most of his time. I was in hopes you wou’d have visit’d home before I had left it that you might have seen how great the alteration.
May 3. We now have an opertunity to send to Providence so must finish in haste with so bad a pen I can hardly write intelligible but must make some addition.
I began to remove, have sent some furniture down and last tuesday Eunice went to Braintree to tarry at Mr. Cranchs till I get to Boston. Doctr. Cobb carried her. He is gone to Boston with hopes of getting in surgion to the regiment raising for that station. He seems determin’d to remove his family after July is over when he expects an addition to his children. Their is a fine opening now, as so many phisicians have by their late conduct render’d the resolves obnoxious to their countrey. Many here are very uneasy at his leaving them but all their remonstrances cannot alter his purpose. He is I believe determin’d.
The children are mending fast but the cold rane weather keeps them back. Naby & Polly send their duty will write soon. Sister Eunice is, I 201hear, very sick at Coll: Palmers with a rash near a kin to the fever that afflicted our family.
I know not where I shall date my next letter from, but be it where it will & let my curcumstance be what they will I shall every pray for your prosperity and the welfare of your family. At present I am your Effectionate sister &c.,
I wrote you fully on the 22 Instant per post. Am surprized you scold so much about my not being more particular, when you are so very deficient your self. You do not write me a word about Congress, what you are doing or what you are about to do. Pray be a little more communicative. I am sure I have sett you a good example.
I am glad to hear you are bending your whole attention to Cannon and that you have contracted to have those designed for the Ships here cast at Philadelphia for I have no prospect of procuring them here seasonably; Mr. Hobart I hear has got his Air Furnace finished but cannot learn whether he has yet cast any Cannon. He has engaged to cast a number for this Province & for the Ships, but goes on very Slowly. I have wrote him repeatedly upon the Subject. My heart is engaged in this matter, for I consider Cannon as a very valuable article & shall do all in my power to encourage their being cast in this Province.
I hope the Ships will soon be launched and as soon as they are equipped for sea I shall have finished the Business assigned me. However I am heartily disposed still to serve the Continent & promote the glorious Cause we are engaged in and stand ready at all times to obey such orders as the Congress may give me; doubtless an Agent for these Ships will be wanted in this Province. As this will be in my way of Business & what I am somewhat acquainted with, when such an appointment comes on, Should be oblidged to you for your Interest or that I may be improved in any other way wherein you may think I can be serviciable.
202I am with respect yr. sincere Friend & humble Sert.