1From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1754 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Send 50 Reams largest Demi to Mr. Daniel, Printer at Jamaica. Send 30 Reams Do to Peter Timothy. Send the Ream of thick blue Paper to Parker. Send half the brown Paper in the House to Parker[?], ’tother half to Brother John in Boston; No, send it all to Boston. [ In margin ]: Nota, bene. Don’t forget to enter it. This note cannot be dated precisely; sometime...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We got well over here last Night about 8 aClock. I believe I shall not return the same Road with the Company, but go round by Winchester, and so to Carlisle, in order to settle the Posts, which the Assembly agreed to Support for a Year between the Camp and Philadelphia. My Love to all. I have receiv’d sundry Pacquets of Newspapers here from England, which I...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours of the 24th with Pleasure [since it?] acquainted me of your and the Family’s Welfare. [I] am glad to hear that the Companies are forming in Town and chusing their Officers, and hope the Example will be followed throughout the Country. We all continue well, but much harrass’d with Business; after many Difficulties and Disappointments we...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library A happy New Year to you, and all Friends. We arrived here, all well, about two Hours ago. Capt. Coultas tells me he purposes to start early in the Morning, so as to be at Philadelphia to morrow Evening. I have only time to write this Line, just to acknowledge the Receipt of your agreable Letters, Sally’s, Dr. Bond’s, Mr. Hughes’s, &c. and to promise particular...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 15 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We move this Day for Gnadenhutten. If you have not Cash sufficient, call upon Mr. Moore, the Treasurer, with that Order of the Assembly, and desire him to pay you £100 of it. If he has not Cash in hand Mr. Norris, (to whom my Respects) will advance it for him. We shall have with us, about 130 Men, and shall endeavour to act cautiously, so as to give the...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 25 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 8–9. This day week we arrived here, I wrote to you the same day, and once since. We all continue well, thanks be to God. We have been hindered with bad weather, yet our fort is in a good defensible condition, and we have every day, more convenient living. Two more are to be built, one on each side of this, at about fifteen miles distance. I hope...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 30 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 10. Every other day, since we have been here, it has rained more or less, to our no small hindrance. It rained yesterday, and now again to day, which prevented our marching: so I will sit down half an hour to confer a little with you. All the things you sent me, from time to time, are safely come to hand, and our living grows every day more...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 31 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , II . I wrote a line to you yesterday, and having this opportunity, write another, just to let you know that we all continue well, and much the better from the refreshments you have sent us: in short we do very well, for though there are a great number of things, besides what we have, that used to seem necessary to comfortable living, yet we have...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 March 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We got here yesterday Afternoon and purpose Sailing to day, if the Wind be fair. Peter was taken ill with a Fever and Pain in his Side before I got to Newcastle; I had him blooded there, and put him into the Chair, wrapt up warm, as he could not bear the Motion of the Horse, and got him here pretty comfortably. He went immediately to bed and took some...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [24 March 1756] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society Peter is now quite well. Present my Duty to Mother, and Love to the Children, and to all Friends. I shall write more particularly per Post. This goes by a Vessel to New York. I am, Dear Debby, Your loving Husband Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / at / Philadelphia / via New-York Of the four surviving letters BF wrote his wife after reaching Virginia,...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [25 March? 1756] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society … about 5 aClock in the Afternoon, tho’ I had been hinder’d near half a Day by Peter’s Illness. The 3d Day about 2 in the Afternoon, we sail’d, after parting with Col. Washington, who overtook us there, and proceeded on his Journey by Land. We were only Sunday Night and Monday Night on the Water, for on Tuesday Morning about 10 aClock, we arrived...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 30 March 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you via New York the Day after my Arrival, acquainting you that I had a fine Journey and Passage down the Bay, being but four Days from Philadelphia to Col. Hunter’s, tho’ stopt near a Day on the Road. I have been well ever since, quite clear of the Dizziness I complain’d of, and as gay as a Bird, not beginning yet to long for home, the Worry of...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [c. 5 April 1756] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I came down here yesterday with Mr. Hunter, who, you must think, is at present pretty well, to be able to ride 35 Miles in an Afternoon. Hearing of this Vessel just sailing for New York, I write a Line to let you know I continue well. This is my Third since my Arrival here, and I hope soon to hear from you. We have almost finish’d our Business...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Duane, ed., The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin , VI (Philadelphia, 1817), 14. I wrote to you a few days since, by a special messenger, and inclosed letters, for all our wives and sweethearts; expecting to hear from you by his return, and to have the northern newspapers and English letters, per the packet; but he is just now returned without a scrap for poor...
15Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia Printer Have constituted, made and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, make and appoint, my trusty and loving Friend and Wife Deborah Franklin, to be my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my Name and Stead, and to my...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin and his son left Philadelphia on Monday, April 4, but they did not reach New York until the morning of the 8th. Then began a long period of frustrating delay until the packet on which they sailed weighed anchor off Sandy Hook on June 20. The movements of members of the Franklin family during this interval appear so confusing that a chronology may...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 29 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you yesterday per Post. This is only to acquaint you, that I am determined against going in the first Pacquet. Send me the Indian Sealskin Hussiff, with all the Things that were in it. It will be an acceptable Present to a Gimcrack great Man in London, that is my Friend. In the right hand little Drawer under my Desk, is some of the Indian Lady’s...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Parker being doubtful this Morning, whether the Rain would permit his setting out to day, I had prepared no Letter to send per Sally when he took a sudden Resolution to go. Mr. Colden could not spare his Daughter, as she helps him in the Post Office, he having no Clerk. I inclose only the 4th. Bills, which you are to put up safe with my Writings; the...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 June 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just received yours of the 29th [past. I have made] fresh Enquiry about the Clothes and [Sugar but have yet to] hear a Syllable of them. The brass [Engine at length] came by itself, and was deliver’d to the [ ? ] House, with the three small Parts belonging [to it] by a tall Man whom she does not know; but no Clothes, Sugar, or anything else. There...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from WTF, Memoirs , I , 133 n. The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received: were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint; but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a lighthouse ....
21From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We arrived here well last Night, only a little fatigued with the last Day’s Journey, being 70 Miles. I write only this Line, not knowing of any Opportunity to send it; but Mr. Collinson will enquire for one, as he is going out. If he finds one, I shall write more largely. I have just seen Mr. Strahan, who is well with his Family. Billy is with me here at...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 22 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society; parts reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 20–4. During my Illness which continued near Eight Weeks, I wrote you several little Letters, as I was able; the last was by the Pacquet which sailed from Falmouth [above a week since: in that I informed you that my intermitting fever which had continued to harrass me, by frequent relapses, was gone off,...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [January 1758] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragments): American Philosophical Society good Order. I receiv’d also his Letter relating to the Aurora Borealis, it was seen here at the same time, and I shall endeavour to procure him a particular Account of it. It was an unlucky Mistake, that of putting your Letter under Cover to Mr. Colden, as it occasion’d a Week’s Delay in your receiving it. I do not find you have receiv’d a Letter...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 28–9. I wrote a very long letter to you lately, two whole sheets full, containing answers to all yours received during my sickness. I have since received your kind favours of November 13 and November 16th. It has given me great concern that you should be so disappointed in having no letters by captain Luthwycke; you know by this time how it...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 29–30. Mr. Lorimer, a friend who is going over to General Abercromby, to assist him as a secretary, called on me just now, to acquaint me that he is on the point of setting out. I seize a minute or two just to let you know we are well, that is, I am well, compared to what I have been during a great part of the time since my arrival, and I hope...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 19 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I have wrote you several long Letters lately; the last was by Mr. Relphe, and at the same time I wrote to my dear Sally. Last Night I receiv’d yours of the 1st and 6th of January, which gave me the great Pleasure of hearing that you and my little Family were well. I hope you continue so, and that I shall have the Happiness to find you so. The...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 10 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was down at Cambridge with Billy when Snead sail’d, so did not write again by him as I intended. His sailing so soon was unexpected to me. I am somewhat out of the Way of Vessels, and Mr. Partridge by Mistake wrote me Snead was not to sail that Week; so being very kindly entertain’d there in the Colleges, we did not hurry so soon home as we might have...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 September 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted in part from Duane, Works , VI , 36–9; in part from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , VIII (1884), 403–6; remainder missing. In mine of June 10th, by the Mercury, captain Robinson, I mentioned our having been at Cambridge. We staid there a week, being entertained with great kindness by the principal people, and shown all the curiosities of the place;...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 September 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you a long Letter of 3 Sheets per Duncan, and sent also in a large Pacquet directed to you, a great Number of Letters for my Friends. By Bolitho I shall send you some Stuff for Chair Bottoms, and an Iron Oven if I can get it on board. Seal the enclos’d before you forward it. I have this Day got a most violent Cold, but hope it will wear off...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [c. 7 April 1759] (Franklin Papers)
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] By the same I shall write to dear Precious, Cousin Debby, and some other Friends. I have now only to let you know what I have sent in these Ships. There are two or 3 Boxes; Mr. Neate shipt them, but I know not on board which Ship, as he has not sent me the Bills of Lading. They were shipt on board [the] Cornelia Capt. Smith...