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1,886 feet pine boards, taken by the army, for which pay is promised.
A pew in our meeting-house, not leased.
Thirty-two dozen of tile, sold for £ 3. 4s.
Of the estate belonging to
Sir William Pepperell, viz.: a pew in our meeting-house, No. 16, not leased.
Of the estate belonging to one Clewly, in
Halifax, left in the hands of
Ichabod Jones, of
Boston, his trustee: two pieces of land leased to
Paul Wyman, one year, for £ 10.
Joshua Symonds, Committee of Safety, &c.
Samuel Kidder, Committee of Safety, &c.
Stephen Hall, Jun., Committee of Safety, &c.
Ebenezer Hall, Committee of Safety, &c.
Medford, Aug. 26, 1776.
Dr. Simon Tufts, that skilful physician and polished gentleman, was persuaded to accept the agency of
Colonel Royal's affairs during an absence which was meant to be short.
The breaking out of hostilities so near to him as
Lexington was too much for the colonel's courage ; and, through very fear, he started for he knew not where.
He arrived safely in
Halifax, and there wrote his friend,
Dr. Tufts, May, 1775, urging him to become his agent in taking care of his property.
This the doctor declined, but afterwards accepted.
From
Halifax,
Colonel Royal wrote to
Dr. Tufts, under date of March 12, 1776, concerning certain sales of slaves.
His directions were as follows:--
Please to sell the following negroes: Stephen and George; they each cost £ 60, sterling; and I would take £ 50, or even £ 15, apiece for them.
Hagar cost £ 35, sterling; but I will take £ 30 for her. I gave for Mira £ 35, but will take £ 25. If Mr. Benjamin Hall will give the $100 for her which he offered, he may have her, it being a good place.
As to Betsey, and her daughter Nancy, the former may tarry, or take her freedom, as she may choose; and Nancy you may put out to some good family by the year.
Colonel Royal was then on the eve of departure for
England; and he thus writes to his friend in
Medford:--
I shall leave North America with great reluctance; but my health and business require it; and I hope, through the goodness of God, if my life is spared, to be able to return again soon.
In August, 1777,
Dr. Tufts had a letter from him, dated
Kensington, England.
Colonel Cary, who had married a lady from New York, occupied
Colonel Royal's house in
