1To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 30 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have alredy wrote you two Leters won about four months ago [by?] Capt. Freeman, the other about a month Past by Capt. Logee, since which I received won from you which came by way of Nantucket which was Extreemly comforting to me, as I was almost Tempted to think you had forgot me, but I check those thoughts with the consideration of the Difeculties you...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, [23 October 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin , VII (Boston, 1838), 515 n. Sorrows roll upon me like the waves of the sea. I am hardly allowed time to fetch my breath. I am broken with breach upon breach, and I have now, in the first flow of my grief, been almost ready to say, “What have I more?” But God forbid, that I should indulge that thought,...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 1 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrot to you Some time ago and Informed you of the Death of my Child and of the Helth of the Rest of my Famely. I have now a Twofold Benifit to Acknolidg and thank you for The Recipt of what you mention in yr [your] Last to me by Mr. Barrett. Mr. Winthrop come and Paid me five Giuenys and yr [your] Advancing so much for me when Capt. Freeman come I am not...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 7 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot neglect writing to you by my Neibour Capt. Freeman tho it be no more to yr satisfaction than to Inform you that I am well and that my Famely are as useal. The whol Conversation of this Place turns upon Politices and Riligous Contryverses Boath managed with two much Biterness as you will See by the News Papers, If you give yr self the Troble to Read...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 25 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (torn): American Philosophical Society I have trobled my Ever Dear Brother [with] several Leters Since I have had the P[leasure of] won from Him but cannot omit Ading won more by my well Respected and much Esteemed Kinsmen whome wee all Part from with Regrett Notwithstanding we hope Ther Future Benifit and saif return will be occasion of Joy to all there Friends. Josiah says He fears...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jane (Jenny) Mecom, 9 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Heart has ever been susceptible of the warmest greatitude for your frequent Benefactions to the whole of our Family, but your last KIND , unexpected as well as undiserved, NOBLE presant in particular to me, calls for a particular acknoledgement from me. Except then dearest Sir, my most Sinceare and hearty thanks, with a promise, that your kindness Shall...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 3–21 November 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Just rec’d yours of August 18 wonder to see you complain of not recveing leters from Boston. I think what ever they omited they would not neglect that, but it is like they have been Intercepted. I wrot about a month ago to go by Mr. Hyslop but He liveing out of town and leaveing His only Daughter very sick I beleve made Him forgit to call for it but...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 5–15 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard University Library Since I wrote last, which was by Captain Calahan, I received yours of Sepr. 28. Your affectionate concern for my satisfaction excites my sincerest gratitude and warmest affections. I am pleased beyond expression to find you are not discouraged under all you and our dear Country suffer. I myself am not much discouraged but I feared I was only foolhardy,...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 14 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library God be Praised for bring you Saif back to America and soporting you throw such fatuges as I know you have sufered while the minestry have been distresing Poor New England in such a Cruil maner. Your last by Poor Quensey Advises me to keep up my Cuiridg and that foul wither does not last allways in any country. But I beleve you did not then Imagin the storm would...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 14 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Concern I knew my Ever Dear Brother would be in to know what was become of me made me take the first opertunity to write to him and twice since, but did not recve a line from you till the day befor yesterday when I recd. yrs of the 17 June and this Day I have recd. the first you wrot, it had been Return’d from Cambridg and had lane 3 weeks in Newport...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 16 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
I was distres’d at your leveing us but as affairs have turned out I have bles’d God you were absent, and we have Reason to hope you are saif arived at your Port. On hearing the Enemy were advancing to wards us we thought it nesesary to Retire to this place where we hope we are saif and are very Comfortable. I have another mercy to be thankfull for which has given grate ease to my mind, the...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 18 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have several times mentioned to you my son in law being taken and in my last that there was a master of a vesel gone to Exchange for Him. He is since got Home, and has the Prospect of a nother vesel for France, and desiers a Leter to you. I am willing to gratifie him tho I wrot but last week and have nothing more new to write which I was in hopes I...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I can not Expres to you the Joy your two Leters of Decr. 22 and febr. 28 which both came to hand at won time has given me, and the News that Accompanied them to Every friend of America. A report of yr Death, and the seeming Delays of France had made many a Hart to tremble, but thank God I hope now we may be restored to Peace on our own Ecqutable terms...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 15 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrot you concerning the Enemies being in posesion of Philadelphia. I now congratalate you on there Evacuation of it, and that they have done so Litle Damage to the Real Estates in the City, as I hear from a Transient person for I have had no Leter from your children yet to Inform me of particulars; no doute you have saffered much in movables but Since...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 4 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrot you about a month past but haveing an opertunity by a young Gentilman of this Nabourhood who is going directly to France & desiers to be Introduced so for to yr Notice if he goes to Paris, as to Advice him to a good Scool where he may Larn the Language & perfect himself in merchants acoumpts, I would not miss it hopeing some of the many leters I...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 14[-27] February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Self & children have all ways been a heavey tax upon you, but your grat & uncoman goodnes has carried you chearfully on under it, & we have all along Injoyed many of the comforts of life throw your Bounty we must otherwise have done without, it has pleasd God to diminish us fast & thereby your Expence & care of us you I doubt not Remember you had Ingaged...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 23 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I would not omit writing you by an opertunity which I expect espeshal care will be taken to Deliver, I have complied with a Request made me by Mr Casey whose son I wrot by last fall, in favour of a Mr Elkanah Wattson, Conl. Wattson’s son of Plimoth. I have given him to understand I will Inform you what he says of the young Gentileman (which is that he...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 27 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have after a long year recved yr kind leter of nov 26—1778 wherin you like yr self do all for me that the most Affectionat Brother can be desiered or Expected to do, & tho I feel my self full of gratitude for yr Generousity, the conclution of yr leter Affectes me more; where you say you wish we may spend our last days togather. O my Dear Brother if this...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now before me yrs of Nov 26 1778 Brought me by my unfortunate son Collas & won of Apr 22 79. The first I ansuered some time ago but as you may not recve it I now Renew my thanks for it & the Benifits there bestowed & confermed in the other, mr Williams writs me He is redy to comply with your Desier, but as mr. Collas does not See any other way to...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 27 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have red yrs of Octr. 25 & rejoyce you continue in helth & have so many Comforts about you the Agreable situation of yr Dwelling, Beautifull Gardens, & yr choice of the best of company. I often form to my self an Idea of; & wish you could Injoy them hear with the same Benifit to yr Native country. You are happy in that you can never want friends go where...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 24 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have many Lonely Hours to bewail the Distance betwen us which makes it So difficult to hear from Each other, it is now Seven months since I recved a line from you & that was very short, Just Informing me of yr Helth & that you had recd. a small Parsel of soap; it was Dated march 5th. but that you would write more largly by the Aliance which would sail in...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 3 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will forgive the Incorectnes of my Leter when I tell you I most comonly write on very short Notice of an opertunity as it happens now, General Greene’s Wife being hear offers to send it by a saif conveyance, & I gladly Embrace it, as I am Aprehencive but few of those I writ git saif to your hand; the last I wrot went from Provedence in a New Vesel owned...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 13 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Saw an article in our last paper under the London head, that Dr Franklin had Paid of [off] all his tradsmans Bills & was Prepareing to Leave Parris to Embark on Board won of the Ships at Brest for America, but as I have heard no such thing any other way I think it may be Rather what they wish, & what I should hartyly wish if it is consistant with your...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 23 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now hear on a Visit to my Daughter who lives in this Town, and have Accidentally mett a young Gentleman who is to Sail for France in a few Days. I know it will be agreable to you to hear I am well & my Daughter in much beter Helth than Usiual, but her Husband after makeing won Successfull Voige is again in the hands of the Enemy at Halifax. She Desiers...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 29 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I See you do not forgit me tho I have So Long mourned the want of a line from your own hand to convince me of it. March—79 being the date of the Last I have recd. from you, but I have Just now recved a large Package from cousen Jonathan Williams by your order of considerable Valeu but have not yet time to know Exactly, they are things much saught for by our...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 17 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrot to you in october or Novr. Last from Boston to thank you for the grat present I then recd. throw the hands of young cousen Jonathan Williams, with wich I had no Leter from my Dear Brother nor have I recved any of a Later Date than two years ago Last march, since my Return home my time & atention has been fill’d with sickness & Deaths in the Famely in...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrot you a few Days ago, & at Governer Greenes Request Inclosed a memorandom concerning a Prisoner I also Informed you of the Irreparable Lose I have mett with in the Death of my Dear Grand Daughter Greene with whome I had Lived in as Perfect composeure & Tranquility as Human-Nature will admit of, she was affectionate & Respectfull to me, an affectionate...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 6 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I hear Freequently of the Arival of Vesals From France to all Parts of America but not won Scrape of a Pen has your Sister Recived from you two-years & half Past. Thank God I hear of you by others that you are in Health and spirits, Sill Labouring in the way of Duty for our poor Country; and that is a comfort to me, but I can’t help wishing, tho I have...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 26 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrot to you two months ago From Warwick, which cousen Williams has yet to carry, Afterwards I concluded to come Hither & spend the Winter as most agreable by being more Retiered, & Less Exposed to Doers opening on me which in cold wether Increeces my cough & is very Tedious to me, but on my Arival at Boston I had the maloncholy acount of a Distressing...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 29 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have at Length recved a Leter from you in your own Hand writing, after a Total Silance of three years, in which Time Part of an old Song would Some times Intrude it Self in to my mind, Does He love & yet forsake me for can he forgit me will he Niglegt me. This was but momentary at other times I concluded it was un Reasonable to Expect it & that you might...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 4 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I often Recolect the Advice you wonce Gave won of my Sons to do the right thing with Spirit & not to Spend time in makeing Excuses for not Doing it & I ought to have profited by it, but I have So long Delayed writing to you that I am hardly capeble of makeing any Excuse at all, & now have no time to Atempt it. I have Removed From Cambridge with my...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 16 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is my Duty as well as Inclination to Inform you much oftner than I have done of my Situation and Afairs, I acknolidg I have Suffered very Trifling circumstances to cause me to Neglect it for the Time; you are the only Person in the world I wish to know all my Transactions an the motives to them as such a Friend as my Dear Brother would Subject me to the...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 21 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I propose to Send this by the Marquis La Fayette. He is Much Hon’d and Caress’d among us. I wish I was Capeble of filling it with a Subject worthy your Atention, but I can only write what throw your Affection for me will be Pleasing, I am now Pritily Settled have had two Rooms New Papered an Painted, have Procur’d Some conveniances for my own Chamber (for...