1To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [on or after 20 March 1775?]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): Yale University Library This fragment is now bound, in a volume of Franklin’s correspondence with Shipley, as a postscript to the Bishop’s holograph copy of his letter below at the end of June, 1775. But the paper is larger than that of the copy; it has been folded, as the copy has not; and it is addressed and has the remnants of a seal. The conclusion is inescapable that it...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [before 28 October 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was forcd by business & interruption & a desire not to lose the opportunity of answering your Letter by the return of your Grandson, whom I fear I am destind not to see, to omit telling You what You wishd to hear of my dear Daughter Lady Jones: Before She left England She livd in the very best Society upon the very best footing. The most considerable...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [on or before 13 October 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A few days ago I was surprisd & delighted by a kind Letter from You transmitted to me by your Grandson now in London, & flatterd myself I should soon have seen him & been able by the Kindness I wishd to show him, to express some part of the Reverence & Affection I have allways felt for You. Mrs Shipley & her Daughters were overjoy’d with the expectation of...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 24 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I feel ashamd & distressd when I think how long I have left your most obliging & valuable Letter unanswerd. Indeed great part of the time I have been under the deep affliction of parting with our eldest & most deserving Daughter to the distance of Bengal. I do not mean to depretiate the rest; but She had more of that domestick kindness & attention which You...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having been just informd by your valuable Countryman Mr. Laurens that He had an opportunity of conveying a Letter to You I could not refuse myself the pleasure of telling You that the unalterable friendship & affection all my Family feel for You has of late been very much quickend by the Hopes of seeing You again & very shortly. Indeed We look upon You as...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society What excuse can I make for delaying to answer so kind so wise so delightful a Letter as I recievd from my ever honour’d Friend two Months ago? I spent the Summer at my Diocese, where I heard but little & could find no channel of correspondence. The Consequences of Ld Rockinghams Death I doubt not, were sooner & more circumstantially known to You than to me:...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 9 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania It is with the utmost pleasure I feel an Hour is at last arrivd, when I can write without impropriety to my dear & respectable Friend. You will be so just to me as to believe that my silence was not owing to neglect or indifference. Great caution was necessary to be observd by one of my rank & profession, who was acting in open opposition to an...
8To Benjamin Franklin from [Jonathan Shipley, 1771–75]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Jermyn Street, Wednesday morning, in the third person. Invites Franklin to dinner next Monday. > BF ’s friendship with the Shipleys appears to have begun in 1771, and we are therefore printing the invitation under the earliest likely date.
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [June 1775] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete autograph copy: Yale University Library I would give much more than I can afford for one hours friendly Conversation with You. Writing is a tedious dilatory Business and tis impossible to enter into those Details which go to the Essence and Marrow of the Subject and enable us to judge with clearness and confidence. Since my last the face of things is grown not only alarming but...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 25 January [1772–75?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Jermyn Street, January 25, [1772–75? ], in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. Invites Franklin to dinner tomorrow.> BF ’s acquaintance with the Bishop of St. Asaph and his family began, as far as we know, in the summer of 1771; we are therefore assigning this invitation to what seems to be the earliest likely date.
11To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 12 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I think as You do that the highest Pitch of human Honour is the approbation of a free and virtuous People. I have had much more of it than falls to my share but that pleasure is temperd as it ought to be with a proper sense of my own Unworthiness. But I can only be consider’d by them as a distant unconnected Well wisher. Your Name will justly be reverd by...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 9 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho I gave my Daughter Georgiana full powers to return You our best thanks for the kind Visit You intend us, I cannot help assuring You myself that We shall be most extreamly happy to see You and hope You will come as soon and stay as long as your Affairs will permit. Your Countrymen in N. America have done me too much honour for the little merit of meaning...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [1772?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <Monday evening, [1772? ], a note in the third person and in the Bishop’s hand. He and his family will call upon him with Lord and Lady Spencer tomorrow evening between seven and eight.> Our guess about the year is based on the slender clue of squirrels. DF had sent some as pets; they arrived in January, and by August were great favorites in the Shipley...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan and Anna Mordaunt Shipley, [before 9 February 1772]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Before February 9, in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. He and his wife invite Franklin to dinner next Sunday, February 9.> Feb. 9 fell on a Sunday during BF ’s second mission only in 1766 and 1772, and as far as we know he was not acquainted with the Shipleys until 1771.
15To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 10 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Taking it for granted, that You are at last returnd from your Travels and settled in Craven Street, I can not help reminding You in the name of Mrs. Shipley and my Girls, as well as my own, of the Hopes You flatter’d us with; that You would spend your Christmas at Twyford. I can promise You the same Ease and Liberty, the same hearty Welcome, and every thing...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 13 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent You my Letters to the Primate and Mr. Jackson, which I will beg the favour of You to get conveyd to them even if You should not have an opportunity of calling upon them. Mrs. Shipley and her Daughters join with me in much more than Compliments, and in most sincerely regretting the Loss of You. We join too in wishing that after your Return it may...