BostonAugt. 27 1756 Sr.,

I watchfully expected you to Town this Term, but to my Sorrow am disappointed. Be that as it will I hope you have not been destitute of happiness of some sort or Another. Of my Self I can only say I have Attended Court till I am almost beat out with Courting & can truly Say 'tis the hardest work I ever did in my life. Even so dispiriting, that nothing but the hopes of having Judgmt. to take the Body can any ways support me through it. But how dismal must it be when one has been long Attending & practicing the various Arts of Courting to have the Court Adjourned without day. I hope Neither of us will be so Unfortunate as to have Our Happiness (that greatest of all Causes) lay at the Mercy of An Arbitrary Judge.

I expect this Letter will find you preparing for a very joyous Solemnity. I wish Some unknown Misterious Power might transport me among you at that time, but it cant be. Present my Sincere regards & Well wishings to the New-Married Couple.1 May the Cords be Silken & the Bonds be Love! May all the Joys wch. the fancy of Poets have been Able to paint & all the Sweets wch. the most happy in that state have ever experienced be their Unalloyd Potion.

Mean while my freind you & I, like two Pillars of Celibacy, Stand it out to Show the World what all might be. (that heroic!). Brace up yr. Soul, for I feel my Self this very moment tottering. I am just now half a Convert to Matrimony, like an Infidel I rather Wish there were no Joys than disbelieve them. Tis Nought but resolution can support me, & so I'm sure theres no Sweets, no Joys, 'tis all a cheat, a sham, a bite on the public. But alas George, while I rave, & fret & call in my invincible Argument of Obstinacy, Resolution & Madness to support me my very Blood throbs thro' my Veins & gives me the Lye.

I happen to write on this Subject at a very unlucky Moment. My Respects to your whole Family, not forgetting the Bishop,2 who is our well approved Patron in the Single State. Tho Absent from you I shall really partake with you the next week, & make my Self quite happy by fancying you are all so. I add no more, but assure you that notwithstanding some small foibles Which oft overtake the most resolute Man I stand true to my Cause & am —

Dft ; addressed "To George Leonard jr. Esqr."; endorsed: "To GL on his Sister's Marriage 1756."

1.

Leonard's sister Rachel (1727–1805) married David Barnes (1732–1811) on Aug. 5, 1756. Barnes later became the sixth minister of the Second Parish of Scituate (now the First Parish of Norwell), Mass. (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 13:189–194).

2.

This was probably Joseph Palmer (1729–1791), the second minister of the First Parish of Norton, Mass., who married Sarah, daughter of William Eames of Hopkinton, on Mar. 10,1757 (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 12:197–199).

Sept.? 1756 Sir,

These by Capt. Homer. Advise that my Family are well. I Expect Capt. Knox in every day. Send me word whether I shall Sue him or let him go oute again or Come to Boston as may bee. Withoute paying The Note. If I am to Sue him, send me a Power from your Sister, for The Note is indors'd to her. Pray let me hear how you all do my Uncle in particular. Pray Send the Inclosed to my Father.

The Nature and Constancey of my business do not permitt me to write news, therefore I onely Say, The Fleet are Saild home with all the French prisoners, there is 3 man of war left, 3 more hourely expected, with a Number of Troops, tho: after all we Shall be but able to Defend our Selfes against the French. my regards to all my Freinds. Your Friend & Servt.

J: FREEMAN

RC ; addressed: "To Mr Robert Treat Paine In Boston to the Care of Mr. John William, mercht. In Boston"; endorsed: "James Freeman 1756." Various sums in RTP's hand are written on the endflap of the address sheet.

Germantown Sep: 13. 1756 Dear Brother,

Being in want obliges me to apply to you. Father is I think upon the whole better & Docr. Tuffts gives great incouragment that he Can be of Service to him. He proposes to enter upon a Course of Mercurial pills of a gentle Sort. This I thought best to acquaint you with.360I am a little fearfull of this at his age but Submit to Superior judgment. He also advises to Several things Steep't in wine. This I pray you to send. Let it be good. Excepting Madaria tis not material what sort. I Suppose his Case will supply him. A flesh brush is also advis'd to. This you must procure. I believe it to be very nescessary. Mr. Hardcastle1 has them. The price was twelve shils. This I design by Mrs. Hogen but Capt. Spears boat goes to Boston this night. He may be found at the South end by enquireing at Mr. Coffins2 on a Dutch mans that removes from here into Mr. Johonots3 house at the end of his garden. I should be glad to have sent by him father's Chest of Cloths. Tis necessary I shou'd Change these he has on and the weather at present Calls for it. He is in great want of Drelingcourt upon Death4 but I am not very anxious to see it foreseeing my task. I believe you had best send the Chest of Linnin. I am provided for a bed Stead so want none Sent. Sister is poorly took a vomit this day. Father wants to see you very much is uneasy to know what news of affairs. Pray write all that is material for our Comfort. Wishing you good repose I rest your Friend & Sister,

ABIGAIL GREENLEAF

PS Pray write Mr. Isaac Winslow word that unless he sends me some Rum very soon to discharge his debts I shall be sued, if threatnings are prosecuted. Have you seen Steel & got the money? Recd. the Flour, &c. per Pray & your care has much obliged Yr. brother In Law.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine att Boston"; endorsed: "Joseph Greenleaf 1757 [1756]." The postscript is in Joseph Greenleaf's hand.

1.

Roger Hardcastle, a Boston shopkeeper (Thwing Index).

2.

One of the numerous Coffin family of Boston, perhaps William (d. 1774), a retailer (Thwing Index).

3.

A member of the Johonnot family, Boston distillers (NEHGR 6[1852]: 357–366, 7[1853]: 141–144).

4.

Charles Drelincourt, The Christian's Defence Against the Fears of Death, 4th ed., rev. (London, 1701).