Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
Had I known you were wishing to hear from me, a Letter should have been dispatched by the first Oppo.; without such knowledge, you will admit a Fear of breaking in upon your important Avocations as a sufficient Apology for my Silence.
Your very obliging Favour of the 9th May1 was handed me two Days ago, & this additional Testimony of your friendly Remembrance, you will permit me to say was as refreshing as cold Water to a thirsty Soul!
The Small Pox in Boston has hitherto prevented my Removal there, being apprehensive of Danger to a dear little Girl wth. wch. Heaven has lately blessed us.2 The major Part of my Goods are left in the State & Place where in wch. I stored them; when they will be opened I cannot now determine.
Mr. Howard I fear is in a very disagreeable Situation. I cannot learn any particulars respecting him.
How fervently I join in your Aspirations for “the friendly Sociability of peaceable Life,” is beyond my Capacity to express. Shall we ever again enjoy more happy Moments of domestick Intercourse we have formerly known? Shall we ever again meet in the friendly Circle, where I found blended, Pleasure & Improvement. In the Multitude of such Thoughts within me, I wish I could tell you the Comforts of Heaven delighted my Soul; we certainly need Support beyond the Reach of Reason of Philosophy. (if you will allow the duplicate Phrase). But tho it is Sunday I would not have you imagine I am going to preach, or if I had any thing thought of it, that I should arrogantly begin wth. addressing you.
I hope you got a Letter from me last Summer. You say nothing of it, but I think it was so conveyed that it must have reached you.
I am charged to present the affectionate Regards of my dear Lady as you kindly stile her & earnestly hoping I may live in your Esteem & affection. I am yr. Obliged Sincere Friend
your Effects are all safe I believe the Maps I am sure are.
Not located.
This was the only surviving child of Samuel Eliot and his first wife, Elizabeth Barrell. In 1806, Frances Eliot (1776–1820) married Joseph Bray, an Englishman who settled in Boston (
NEHGR
81[1927]:6).
I have receivd yours of may 11th. & 141 & am Glad to hear you think of home. I hope youll See home before Long. It will be a Joyfull Sight to me. The List of parsons that you Sent Came in good time though I hant wanted for Brother has assisted me. I have received 816 of one Coll. of Swansey & gave up his note for he was moving up Country that I did before I received your Last Letter. I hope I have not done a miss. You wanted to know if we had Courts. I thought the docter wrote you about it. We had a kind of a Court in march. They Set at Mr. Crockers. Their was a Crew gather’d about the Court house with their Sticks & Clubs & declared they Should not Set. The Court went out but the Sticks & Clubs flew so that they return:d to Mr. Crockers & did their business. I was affraid their would have been murder done the white wighs flew merryly. Tis thought that June Court will be a Journed. Mr. Paddleford is returnd to Taunton & does business in Leonard office.
I wrote you the 8th. May which I hope you have receivd before this time. Our family are well at present. Charles is a fine boy. I have Some thoughts of Sending him to philada. that you might see what a fine boy he is. Taunton are determin’d that world Should know they Sombody this year & have Chose Coll. Leonard & majr. Godfrey to Represent them in Generall Court & norton has Choes the market woman husband2 for theirs a Sweet figure they cut. We have had one of our dreadfull trainings to day & my head is almost drum’d of So I bid you a good night. I am your every mindfull & affectinate,
your Effects are all safe I believe the Maps I am sure are.
Not located.
Noah Woodward (1737–1835) represented the town of Norton in the session of the House of Representatives that began on May 29. He was re-elected the following year (Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 52, pt. 1:5; 53, pt .1:4).