1To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 10 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and draft: American Philosophical Society I did not think you had been so keen a Satyrist. I have not finish’d my Course of Philosophy , nor do I desire to be at full Leisure to improve myself in Cards . I confess you have just Reason to complain of me, and my Indolence merits your severe Rebuke. Your Letter fill’d me with Confusion, and I assure you it will be a Spur to my Industry. The...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 11 June 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Whether the Invitation you give me to write to you proceeds from the Pleasure you receive or desire to bestow I shall not enquire; the first would gratify my Vanity most, but I am not less pleas’d with thinking you love to indulge me. When I say I have not Leisure for my favourite Amusements I am as much surpriz’d as you can be, and I wonder how my Time...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 5 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was so unfortunate to lose the pleasure of seeing you yesterday in Cravenstreet, but I don’t know whether I ought to say it was unfortunate, for I only bring you distress. My Mother tells me I made you unhappy by my Tears. Could you expect me to part from you without shedding some? I am griev’d to think I should cause you uneasiness, but you need not...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 11 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society It was with great pleasure I h[eard of] your safe and happy arrival at Philadelphia; and [hearti]ly congratulate you and the dear Partakers of y[our Socie]ty, but you must all forgive me if I repine [that] you are oblig’d to enjoy it at so great a d[istance] from me. My Mother receiv’d yours of [ ? ] November and another a few days ago, of a...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 30 August 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have two Letters to thank you for since I wrote to you from Bromley, which tho short gave me pleasure as they assured me of your Welfare and the continuance of your Regard for your Polly. I now have the pleasure of returning your Friend’s Musick with the desir’d supplement. Mr. Stanley begg’d I would present his best Respects to you, and tell you how...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 25 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the opportunity of writing by a Gentleman whom I wish to recommend to your Notice. His Name is Lyth, he is a Clergyman going to settle in Virginia, where he has the promise of a Living, and I hope he will meet with the Success I believe he deserves. The little I have seen of him has prejudic’d me in his favour, but I do not recommend him upon so...