Boston January 8th, 1759 Sr.,

By Capt. Jones & Mr. Ferguson I understand that you meet with difficulty in taking care of my house & that you are almost discourged of the Undertaking. I pray you Sr. as you have began a good work to hold out a little longer. It was my design to have visited you last fall but indisposition of Body & the blustering Season coming on before I could leave127my Business I was obliged to omitt it, but Sr. if nothing happens more than I know off I purpose to come down in the Spring. They tell me the place wants repair, but Nothing can be done this Winter. As for the present Tenants I shall take it as a great favour if you will make them pay you as they go along or I fear they will never be able to do it. I will not be tedious in my consultations but leave it to yr. good Judgmt. & add how sensible I am of the favours already recd. & of those which it lays in yr. power to confer upon me. With My hearty Respects I subscribe yr.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. John Burbidge at Halifax."

Boston Janur. 8. 1759 Madam,

I recd. yours by Mr. Ferguson, & rejoice in any degree of welfare you enjoy. I am sorry I was obliged to disappoint you last Fall abt. coming down, but indisposition & a blustering fall hindered me. I hope you'll exert yr. self to take what care you can of my Interest till I can come, which I hope will be in the Spring, tho I can badly spare the time. So wishing you well through this cold Winter I suscribe,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mrs. Elisabeth Freeman at Halifax."

Lancaster Jany. the 14 1759 Sr.,

I this moment recd. your Letter1 and have got a man to go tomorrow and acquaint Page but believe he cant be at Boston before Wednesday and I should be glad you would have it put off till Wednesday. If it is possible get it Settled this week for it will be very expensive living in Boston. If it is any thing should happen that the Refee. cannot attend it you may get the witnesses Sworn so that Page nor the Witnesses may not go again.2

Do pay your Compts. to Mrs. Prince and get my Papers so that I may128have them this Week for I want them very much. They are all tied up together and are nothing but Deeds so that there can be no difficulty in finding them. I am Srr. yr. hble. Servt.

ABEL WILLARD

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine, in Boston"; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

2.

The case of Jonathan Page v. Richard Reed was filed for the September 1758 term of the Superior Court at Worcester County but was referred to William Brattle, Maj. Joseph Jackson, and Maj. Edward Hartwell for a judgment. No final report was registered with the court. Benjamin Prat was the attorney for Page which would explain Willard's and Paine's interest in the case (Minute Book, Superior Court of Judicature, Worcester Co.).