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).

Boston Feby. 2d. 1757 Sr.,1

After my Regards to you & your Lady, I should be much obliged to you if you would copy out the Partition Deed of Paine & Braughton of Lands in Windham.2 You'll find it recorded Lib:ff Fol 386:387 pray let it be exact, for I have occasion for it, & send it to Boston by some safe hand to be left at Cowell's.

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. Grey at Windham pr. favr. Colo. Dyar."

1.

Samuel Gray (1721–1787) served as town clerk of Windham, Conn., from 1755. He had previously been clerk of the county court (Lamed, History of Windham Co., Conn., 1:555; NEHGR 70[1917]: 185).

2.

The Paine family lands at Windham, Conn., were a patrimony of Eunice (Treat) Paine and were sold off in various transactions over many years. See Roger Huntington to RTP, Oct. 11, 1784.

Monday P.M. 1757 Feby. 7th. Our Eunice,

I have communicated yr. Proceedings to Dr. Sprague. He thinks the Steels will not do for you nor dry purges, but says you must take Æthiops1 with Tartar in lenitive Electuary in large doses which will keep yr. Body in good Order. He says that roasted apples will not hurt yr. Milk, especially if you mix it first. Sister has got a Papoose.2 Mrs. Newell3 can't take you unless you'll lay with a Charcoal = Man. That may possibly save you the expence of Æthiops....4 Sprague says you'll do well. Yrs. &c.&c.&c.&c.&c.&c.&c.&c.&c.

R.T.P.

RC ; addressed: "To Miss Eunice Paine at Weymouth These"; endorsed.

1.

"Æthiops Mineral, a medicine, so-called from its dark color, prepared from quicksilver and sulphur, ground together in a marble mortar to a black powder" (OED). Steels refers to iron used medicinally (OED).

9 2.

Abigail Paine Greenleaf's daughter Mary, born on Feb. 5, 1757.

3.

Not identified.

4.

Thus in MS.