April 9th 1775 Taunton Sunday, Eve. 9 o’Clock Dear Sir,

I have just time to inform you that their has been a mustering this Evening with an Intention, as I suppose, to go down to take Coll. Gilbert & carry him over to the Colony; I expect their will be broken heads & bloody noses, as the people are determin’d at all hazards to be no longer insulted by such a Villain. We gave our opinion at Comittees not 40 to injure Coll. G—t by any means—but they are determin’d to risk the consequence. Write when ever you have an oppertunity. Your Friend

David Cobb

RC ; addressed: “To Robt. Treat Paine Esqr. at Concord”; endorsed.

Taunton april. 9 1775 Dear Husband,

I have Sent your Breeches to Braintree to be Colour:d. I am in hopes they will be done for you to Bring home. You must Call upon Allen Crocker for them and pay him for the Colouring. If your Cloaths Should be wove befor your return I Shall Send it to Liscumb to be Colour:d pea Green unless I hear from you. I am in Great want of that Cambrick if you have an opportunity due Send it up. I want to know when you expect to come home. I hope I Shall See you with your head on your Shoulders once more but my Stout heart begins to quiver for fear of blood Shed. I hear their is a great number going to See Col G—to night with a Desine to carry him to providence but what the event of this will be I do not know. Our family are well at present. Give my Love to your Sisters. I am in haste your Loving wife,

Sally Paine

RC ; endorsed.

Boston April 10th. 1775 Dear brother,

We have recd. your truely fraternal letter by Mr. Cranch & thank you for your kind offers in this time of general distress.

I cannot determine in my own mind what will be best to do at present. It may be that we shall be glad of such a remote place as Taunton to retire to. At present I believe it will more advisable not to go so far.41

Can any business be done in Taunton in the printing or book binding way? If so I could do something to support my family & be less burdensom, but it will take up a great deal of room.

If your Sister & the children were out of town I should have less anxiety & consequently be more likely to conduct my affairs to the best advantage.

You suppose my plans are indigested. Tis true they are so; I should therefore be glad of your advice for my inventive facultys seem to have left me.

If I can get a horse I will endeavour to see you before you go to congress, but as this is uncertain must desire you to procure us a retreat in case we should be obliged to remove. I wish you better health a good Journey & wisdom equal to your important trust. I cannot but believe that the righteous governor of the universe will so over-rule the present commotions, as that we may have reason to say It is good that we have been thus afflicted 1 & restore us to our former happy state. I am Sr. yr. affectionate friend & brother,

J: Greenleaf

P.S. Since I wrote the above I am induced to believe that Taunton must be the retreat, J.G. Way’s & means to remove seems to be the dificulty.

RC ; addressed: “For Robert Treat Paine Esqr. Att Taunton”; on same sheet as Abigail Paine Greenleaf to RTP, same date, see below; endorsed.

1.

Adapted from Psalm 119:71.