Taunton Sepr. 16th. 1774 Dear Brother,

Amidst the caresses of a Uniting people, the formalities of a Publick station, the Amussments of so pleasing a tour; I make no doubt but a testimony of your Private welfare will be a cordial to your reliv’d mind. Nothing Particular has turn’d up to acquaint you with in the way of Bussiness but what the prints will inform you of; when you hear that Sepr. Court was anihilated, you’ll know tis imatiriel how many writs were fill’d &c. It may give you pleasure to know that your County behave’d very well, no rioting, no Licentiousness. A manly resolution appear’d thro’ the whole whether founded on Wisdom I dont dertimine. Various are the opinions of the Learned. Some say that Court shod. have been open’d and the Causes refer’d twou’d have saved some hundred Sterling to the County—but tis done otherwise with Dr. C—s1 approbation. I hope you will be home before Octr. Court. Tis sad living for a Number of Ignorant women who wish Every thing to be conducted right. You’ll know by the papers what Changes we have Sufferd. here, but no tumult thro’ favr., neither were we distinguisht by the flag which the people woud. have set on the house. I have a thousand fears for my country, & ten thousand hopes which we hope your August Assembly will settle on a good foundation. Never was time more tedious than your absence. We Endeavour to rejoyce in our remaining Priviledges, they are many in Comparison with our Ambitious neighbours. We Can injoy our home thro’ favr. & injoy tollerable health that invaluable Blessing I hope you are favrd. with. Tis three weeks since I heard from home so can not give you an account of their welfare. Mrs. Paine reserves her Part for the last which I hope will render the whole agreeable to you. I have no facts that I can aver the truth of, but, that I am with the greatest Sincerity your truly affectionate & Expecting Sister,

Eunice Paine

RC on recto of Sally Cobb Paine to RTP, Sept. 16, 1774 (see below); addressed: “For Robt: Treat Paine Esqr. In Philadelphia”; endorsed: “Eunice Paine & Sally Paine Septr. 1774.”

1.

David Cobb.

Taunton Sept. 16 1774 Dear husband,

Having Spent five of the Longest weeks that ever I Spent in my Life I Set me Down to wrte hoping the time Dont Seem So Long to you as it has to me. If it had I fear you would not have done your Duty which I hope you will due that which will Give Satesfaction to the world for the people put great Confidence in you and are Longing to See you Come home which I hope will be Soon for they wont to know what news we have had Great Changes sence you Left home but no tumult through favour neither ware we distinguish by the flag which the people would have Set on the house. Mr. Leonard filled fifteen writes for the Sept. Court but we had not a Court.

I Long to know how you got throug your Journey the hot weather but I hope your are in high Spirits and Good health. I hope you will Come home before octr. Court having this moment received a Letter from you Dated 22 of August1 which inform me of your arival at new york which I was very Glad to hear but I hope the next new to hear you are Set out for home. Our family are well at present & in Good Spirits but we Should enjoy our Selves much Better if your ware here. Having nothing new to write only the Death of Mr. Crocker.2 I am in Great haste your Loving wife,

Sally Paine

Miss Nabby3 Gives her Duty to you.

RC on verso of Eunice Paine to RTP, Sept. 16, 1774 (see above); endorsed: “Eunice Paine & Sally Paine Septr. 1774.”

1.

Not located.

2.

Rev. Josiah Crocker (1719–1774), husband of Hannah Cobb, who was Sally Paine’s older sister.

3.

Abigail Greenleaf (1753–1788), RTP’s eldest niece, was a frequent visitor to Taunton. In 1779 she became the third wife of Rev. Ezra Weld, who was pastor of the First Congregational Church, Braintree, from 1762 until his death in 1816.