Boston Jany. 24th. 1757 Sr.,

I recd. yrs. per Capt. Jones & the things you sent by him. I am very glad to hear of yr. health & prospect of Business I hope it may do well. I assure you I think of you with much Tenderness, tho' I always write in such an hurry as not to express it. I expect the Time draws on wn. you will become a Natural Father, may it be safe to yr. helpmeet & joyfull to you both. As for affairs here, 'tis impossible to write 'em. Ld. Louden1 is in Town, what's to be done I know not. My Father grows weaker & more childish, Aunt Hunt is as crazy as ever but I believe comfortable, Eunice suffers much affliction in the Body, thanks to good Providence I'm hearty & hum grum, Sister Greenleaf expects next Month. If the Devil don't Sow discord Among the Sons of Men, my Labour will be losting. I meet with difficulty abt. the Note of Coll. Hills,2 he promises fair, but Unluckily before I was aware has confined himself. Write me wt. must be done with it. You say Knox has Ordered payment by his Wife. I han't seen her, because if she would pay me I have not the Note to deliver up; but the Note is endors'd & therefore if you see fit you may sue it. As for Leigh's Note, I am at a Loss wt. to do about it. Some people do best by moderation. I have heard that he is in good Business, & if so, you may mind him of it & urge paymt. but for the present I would do Nothing else. I have enquired again concerning Benja. Allen,3 & find him so poor that it matters no great whether he be honest, tho' they say he is. His pay is 20/ pr. month, & he has a family to support. Since I began to write I have been to Mrs. Knox's, & she says she has had no Orders abt. the Note, nor has she any thing to pay it with if she had. You inform me you have sold some of the things, you did not send the Leather, Nor the Basons as I wrote, by which I conclude they will sell best there. As you have leisure, pray enquire wt. the Case of Draws7 will fetch there. I think of Nothing else at present, pray write me all that occurs to yr. mind. Pray send money. Yrs.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. James Freeman Halifax by Capt. Jenkins."

1.

John Campbell, 4th earl of Loudoun (1705–1782), the major-general who commanded all forces in British North America from Jan. 1756 until his recall in Dec. 1757 (DNB).

2.

Capt. John Hill (d. 1777) was a Boston distiller and merchant (Thwing Index). See James Freeman to RTP, Halifax, Oct. 12, 1756.

3.

Not identified.

Germantown Jan: 27. 1757 Dear Brother,

Sister is in a very low state. She had recover'd so far as to get about house and her Docr. pronounc't her well and last Fryday was taken with the Billious cholick Tuffts1 calls it attended with Nervous Symtoms. She's kept her bed ever since but is much easier. I saw Docr. he says her danger is over but her weakness renders her state bad. I am in great concern I dont like his administration nor his discourse about her & I fear she han't Sufficient Care having no nurse nor the family Steady help. I cant go to her nor afford her any asistance. She told Mr. Greenleaf yesterday that she wanted some more wine & some Sago. I shall send a bottle by Pray who will bring it to you. I wish I Could be perswaded to remove her place of abode as soon as she is able so that she may have her own Docr. and under some better care. If their was help to be hir'd I wo'd not be Safe for all Weymouth is infected with the itch by the Soildgers return & I fear we are involv'd in the same Calamity. This so affronts Catto that he threatnens to leave us to morrow but I hope he'll Consider better for himself & us. As to your Shirts by a small? mistake I have never had any answer from Sister about peices & if she has any I believe they are this side so cant be had till she is better. The Shirts cannot be done till Some be procur'd so shall not Send them. I shou'd be glad to see you if it Suits. Father Continues as usual. I am very poorly at present. Your Friend & Sister,

ABIGAIL GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine Boston Inquire at Mr. How the Tinman2 near the Mill-bridge"; endorsed.

1.

Dr. Cotton Tufts.

2.

Joseph How (1713–1779), tinplate worker in Boston. He was the father of John Howe (1754–1835), the printer and loyalist (Daniel Wait Howe, Howe Genealogies [Boston, 1929], 19–20).