Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
To the former favors you have done me be pleased to add one more, which is to deliver the inclosed or send it to Mrs. Fales,1when the Squire is absent; otherwise the Intention of it, viz, to get the money paid which hast been so long due, may be defeated. I do not desire that you should let her know you are accquainted with the Contents, or even who wrote it. I had rather the Letter should lay a month in your hands, or not be delivered at all, than that the Gentleman should be accquainted with281it. If Mrs. Fales shall please after the receipt of it, to show it him I must submitt. I am, Sir, yr. obliged Friend & humble Servt.
Elizabeth Fales, the daughter of Rev. James Gardner, was the widow of Nathaniel Thomas when she married Timothy Fates in 1748 as his second wife. When she died in 1767, Mrs. Fates was remembered as a "Lady much esteemed and beloved by her numerous Acquaintance, to whom she had endear'd herself by her many Virtues and Accomplishments; and while her Health permitted, rendered herslef very serviceable by her repeated Kindnesses" (Boston News-Letter, Sept. 3, 1767).