To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 April 1779
From Jonathan Williams, Jr.
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Nantes April 4. 1779
Dear & hond Sir.—
This will be presented you by Mr Wilkinson the ingenious Director, and indeed the projector, of a very fine Foundery on this River.—7
I am under particular obligations to this Gentleman for his Civility to me and many americans I have conducted to see his Works, the last was Mr Adams, who was much pleased at the Simplicity & Ingenuity of his Machinery.
I beg leave to reccommend him to you & shall esteem every Civility you may show him an obligation confered on me. The Wife of our respected Friend Dr Priestly is Sister to Mr Wilkinson.8
I am most dutifully & respectfully Your affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams
Addressed: The Honourable / Doctor Franklin. / Passy
Notation: Jona Williams ap. 4. 1779—
7. William Wilkinson (XXIII, 480n) from 1777 to 1780 managed the state ironworks and cannon-foundry on the island of Indret, near Nantes. Charles Singer et al., eds., A History of Technology (5 vols., Oxford, 1955–58), IV, 101–2.
8. For Mary Priestley, “a woman of sound culture and good sense,” see the DNB under Joseph Priestley.