[Pamphlets. American history]

166
P. S. The Letter referred to is the first \M.r Prentiss
wrote after his arrival at ye W. Indies and as his arriv'd
at Newburyport, it may not be sent. Cap.t Freeman had
took out the Letter for Mlrs Ruthy.
(Endorsed) M.r Simon Tufts Letter May 1775.
(Directed) To Mr. Oliver Wendell at Newburyport.
Mr. Wendell was concerned with Nathaniel Appleton,
and also with Henry Prentiss, inl mercantile business.
They were fortunate in securing the services of a fiiend
cand neighbor of Mr. Wendell, James Lovell, of Boston,
to take care of their property, which was now in great
danger of injury and depredation. There are a number
of letters from these correspondelts relating to their
business affaiirs and the protection and removal of goods,
furniture, etc., extracts fiom which are here given.
Nathaniel Appleton was at the time living in Salem
with his brother John. They were sons of Rev. Dr.
Appleton of Cambridge, already imentioned. Nathaniel
was a member of the first Committee of Correspondence
and a zealous patriot during the Revolutionary struggle.
He was a distinguished opponent of the slave trade.1'
John Appleton was a successful merchant in Salem. In
his store the celebrated Count Rumford (Benjamin Thompson) was an apprentice from 1766 to 1769.12
Henry Prentiss was the son of Rev. Joshua Prentiss of
Holliston, who married for his second wvife Margaret, the
daughter of Rev. Dr. Appleton, and the sister of the
above named Nathaniel. He was a cal)tain in the Revolutionary Army, and had been before a sea captain.l3
James Lovell was for some years master of the South
Grammar School in Boston. HIis residence lduring the
1 See Appleton Memorial, p. 31.
12 See Ellis' Life of Count Rumford, p. 16.
-13 See The Prentiss Family, p. 110.