About Item:

After Paul’s letter to Rachel from Watertown, MA in 1775, Rachel wrote this letter in response. They were planning together how to get Rachel and the children out of Boston safely to reunite with Paul in Watertown. To do this, they needed to get a special “pass” from the local authorities who were not too happy with those families who were rebelling against the king, so there was real concern about whether or not Rachel would be successful in her attempts. Notice her displeasure at the idea of leaving his son Paul Jr. behind – he was only 15 at the time!

Read full transcription here

Read modernized transcription here

Glossary Terms:

• Capt Irvn—member of the British military
• Confer—to transfer or give
• Alterd—altered, or changed
• Ingage’d—agreed, or committed to

Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society