I received your kind Letter of the 25th past by our Cousin Williams, who besides informs me of your Welfare, which give me great Pleasure.

Your Grandson having finished all the Business I had to employ him in, set out for Boston a few Days before Cousin Williams arrived. I suppose he may be with you before this time.

I had begun to build two good Houses next the Street instead of three old Ones which I pulled down. But my Neighbour disputing my Bounds, I have been obliged to postpone till that Dispute is settled by Law. In the mean time the Workmen and materials being ready, I have orderd an Addition to the House I live in, it being too small for our growing Family. There are a good many Hands employ’d, and I hope to see it cover’d in before Winter. I propose to have in it a one Room for my Library and Instruments, with two good Bedchambers and two Garrets. The Library is to be even with the Floor of my old Chamber, and the Story under it will for the present be employ’d only to hold Wood, but may be made into Rooms hereafter. This Addition is on the Side next the River. I hardly know how to justify building a Library at an Age that will so soon oblige me to quit it; but we are apt to forget that we are grown old, and Building is an Amusement.

I think you will do well to instruct your Grandson in the Art of making that Soap. It may be of use to him and ’tis a pity it should be lost.

Some knowing Ones here in Matters of Weather predict a hard Winter. Permit me to have the Pleasure of helping to keep you warm. Lay in a good Stock of Firewood, and draw upon me for the Amount. Your Bill shall be paid upon Sight, by Your affectionate Brother