Boston Feb. 28 17467 Dear Brother,

I Send these Lines, as a Small token of my love to you. I Long to hear how you are in health, but more to See you which I hope to be Gratified in next week if the weather permits. I shou'd have visit'd you Last tuesday if the Roades had not been so bad. Mrs. Thacther1 and I took a ride out but we durst not venture so far.

Mother Sends her Love to you and Says She Longs to See you. She had just pleas'd her Self with the thoughts of Sending for you very Soon when Father Strick a bargin and Sold his horse, which is a disapointment to us upon your account.

My Father (this week) had a Letter from Mr. John Paine of Eastham desireing to take Josiah Paine Son to Major Wm.—— to prentice and he has Answer'd it Consenting to take him upon tryal for a month or two.2 I desire to know how you think it will Suit.

This Morning Mr. James Pemberton3 departed this Life after an illness of about a week.

Dear Brother be Carefull of your health and if you are not well be Sure to Let us know it. I Remain you Loving Sister,

ABIGAIL PAINE

Father's sloop the Weymoth is Come in and will Sail for N Carolina in a few days.

Pray Give my Service to all Enquiring friends.

RC ; addressed: “To Mr. Robert Treat Paine att Cambridg"; endorsed.

1.

Possibly Sarah Kent who married Oxenbridge Thacher, Jr., of Boston, in 1741 ( Sibley's Harvard Graduates , 10:322).

2.

John Paine (1690–1771), son of Deacon John and Bennet (Freeman) Paine of Eastham, and a first cousin to RTP's father; Josiah Paine (b. 1732), his nephew, was the son of William and Sarah (Bacon) Paine of the same place ( Paine Family Records , 2:56, 163).

3.

James Pemberton (1682–1747), a prominent merchant of Boston ( Sibley's Harvard Graduates , 9:187).