To Benjamin Franklin from [Grey] Cooper, [1762?]
From [Grey] Cooper5
AL: American Philosophical Society
Saturday [1762?]6
Mr. Cooper presents his Compliments to Mr. Franclin and begs he will give Mr. Cooper leave to bring Lady Abdy and Miss Baldwyn7 to hear the glasses on Monday or Thursday Evening next (which is most convenient to Mr. Franclin) about seven oClock. The Ladies have heard Mr. Franclin perform once before which has only given them a greater desire to hear him again.
Addressed: To Mr. Franclin at the bottom of / Craven Street.
5. Though the writer’s first name does not appear, he was probably BF’s good friend Grey Cooper (c. 1726–1801), barrister of the Middle Temple, 1751; M.P., 1765–84, 1786–90; secretary to the Treasury, 1765–82; lord of the Treasury, 1783. In 1775 he assumed a baronetcy as heir to the eldest brother of his great-grandfather; while he was usually thereafter called Sir Grey Cooper, his claim was never confirmed. DNB; Namier and Brooke, House of Commons, II, 250–1.
6. Tentatively assigned to 1762, the year in which the first dated reference to BF’s armonica appears in this edition.
7. Probably Catherine Abdy (d. 1790), wife of Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy, baronet (1720?–1775), barrister of Lincoln’s Inn, 1744; bencher, 1758; K.C., 1765; M.P., 1763–75. Namier and Brooke, House of Commons, II, I. Miss Baldwyn has not been identified.