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Letters of the Rev. Peter Fontaine


of Westover, Virginia.


Virginia, Nov. 4th, 1749.

Dear Brother Moses:—Yours and brother John's letters dated March last, with Mr. Torin's, by way of London, through the care of Mr. Carey, merchant there, came safe to our hands some time in September last. It is putting brother Torin to trouble and some charge, sending the letters about, which may have a more quick passage by directing them in a cover to us to the care of Messrs. Joseph Farrell, senior and junior, merchants, in Bristol, who will further them to me by all opportunities, provided they are directed to Peter Fontaine, minister of Westover Parish, James River, Va., which you may do for the future.

I observe you have but an indifferent state of health, no more than myself. When we are turned of fifty, we must expect indispositions will creep upon such weak constitutions as ours. The rheumatism upon you, and the gout upon me, distempers near of kin and very sharp, which, as you well observe, we must bear with Christian patience and resignation. We are, nevertheless, allowed to struggle against these attacks by all lawful means, such as temperance in meats and drinks,