1From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 19 June 1731 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 3–5. Yours of May 26, I received with the melancholy news of the death of sister Deavenport, a loss, without doubt, regretted by all that knew her, for she was a good woman. Her friends ought, however, to be comforted that they have enjoyed her so long and that she has passed through the world happily, having never had any extraordinary...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 28 July 1743 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I took your Admonition very kindly, and was far from being offended at you for it. If I say any thing about it to you, ’tis only to rectify some wrong Opinions you seem to have entertain’d of me, and that I do only because they give you some Uneasiness, which I am unwilling to be the Occasion of. You express yourself as if you thought I was against...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, [1744–45] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 10. If you still continue your inclination to send Benny, you may do it by the first vessel to New York. Write a line by him, directed to Mr. James Parker, Printer, on Hunter’s Key, New York. I am confident he will be kindly used there, and I...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, [June 1748?] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 10–15. I received your letter, with one for Benny, and one for Mr. Parker, and also two of Benny’s letters of complaint, which, as you observe, do not amount to much. I should have had a very bad opinion of him, if he had written to you those...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 19–20. I received yours the 11th instant, with one enclosed for cousin Benny; but he, I suppose, is in Boston with you before this time, as he left New York fifteen days since with a fair wind for Rhode Island. I do not know how long his master...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 24 October 1751 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 21. My son waits upon you with this, whom I heartily recommend to your motherly care and advice. He is indeed a sober and discreet lad of his years, but he is young and unacquainted with the ways of your place. My compliments to my new niece,...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 21 May 1752 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 22–3. I received yours with the affecting news of our dear good mother’s death. I thank you for your long continued care of her in her old age and sickness. Our distance made it impracticable for us to attend her, but you have supplied all. She...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 14 September 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Benny sail’d from hence this Day two Weeks, and left our Capes the Sunday following. They are seldom above 3 Weeks on the Voyage to Antigua. That Island is reckoned one of the healthiest in the West Indies. My late Partner there enjoy’d perfect Health for four Years, till he grew careless and got to sitting up late in Taverns, which I have caution’d Benny...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 30 November 1752 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 27. I congratulate you on the news of Benny’s arrival, for whom I had been some time in pain. That you may know the whole state of his mind and his affairs, and by that means be better able to advise him, I send you all the letters I have received...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 12 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 38. I condole with you on the loss of our dear brother. As our number grows less, let us love one another proportionably more. I am just returned from my military expedition, and now my time is taken up in the Assembly. Providence seems to...