31From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 9 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not heard from you since your Goods arriv’d. I hope they got safe to hand, and that they please. I write this Line just to let you know I am well, Thanks to God, and to cover a Paper of mine printed here, which I send because you desired I would send you what I published from time to time, and I am willing to oblige you; but often they are things out...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 2 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I received your kind Letter of Nov. 8. for which I thank you. It rejoices me to hear that you and your Children continue well. I thank God that I too enjoy a greater Share of Health, Strength and Activity than is common with People of my Years, being now Threescore and one. You mention my Opinion of this being a good sort of World, in which you differ from...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 11 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of the 1st Instant. It was on that Day I had the great Happiness of finding my Family well at my own House after so long an Absence. I am well except a little Touch of the Gout, which my Friends say is no Disease. Cousin Benja. has been to see me as you supposed, and yesterday he return’d homewards. My Love to Brother Mecom and...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 3 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Hearing just now of this Opportunity, I write a Line to acquaint you that I am well and hearty, Thanks to God, as I hope you are. It seems likely now that I shall stay here another Winter; you will therefore be kind in continuing to write to me. My Love to Jenney, &c. I am ever, Your affectionate Brother For reasons explained in the preceding document. Jane...
35From 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,...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 25 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for your obliging Letter of the 12th. Instant. My Wife says she will write to you largely by next Post, being at present short of Time. As to the Promotion and Marriage you mention, I shall now only say that the Lady is of so amiable a Character, that the latter gives me more Pleasure than the former, tho’ I have no doubt but that he will make...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 19 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote a few Lines to you yesterday, but omitted to answer yours relating to Sister Douse: As having their own Way , is one of the greatest Comforts of Life, to old People, I think their Friends should endeavour to accommodate them in that, as well as in any thing else. When they have long liv’d in a House, it becomes natural to them, they are almost as...
38From 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...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 7 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We stopt one Day at Mrs. Green’s, and We got to Newport the Saturday Evening after we left you, staid there till Tuesday Afternoon, got to Dr. Babcock’s on Wednesday, staid there till Friday then went to New London, where we staid among our Friends till Tuesday, then set out for Newhaven, where we arriv’d on Thursday Morning, set out from thence on Friday...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 5 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I suppose some of your kind Letters to me have miscarried, as I have received but one since my Arrival in France. I hope nevertheless that you continue well, and that you are still with my Children, especially as it is supposed that the Howes are gone to Boston, where you must have been again disturb’d if you had return’d thither. I enjoy here an exceeding...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 1 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of June 28. with great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of your Welfare. I thank you for your good Wishes that I may be a means of restoring Harmony between the two Countries. It would make me very happy to see it, whoever was the Instrument. I had us’d all the smooth Words I could muster, and I grew tir’d of Meekness when I saw it...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 16 October 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here last Night with two other Delegates of the Congress. I suppose we may stay here about a Week. In order to take you home with me, I purpose quitting their Company, purchasing a Carriage and Horses, and calling for you at good Mrs. Greene’s. But let me hear from you in the mean time, and acquaint me with any thing you would have me do or get...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 28 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received here your Letter of extravagant Thanks, which put me in mind of the Story of the Member of Parliament, who began one of his Speeches with saying, he thank’d God he was born and bred a Presbyterian; on which another took leave to observe, that the Gentleman must needs be of a most grateful Disposition, since he was thankful for such very small...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 12 July 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), pp. 43–4. I am still here, waiting the arrival of Lord Loudoun. I received yours of the 5th instant, and shall forward the letter to Benny. I would not have you grieve about the affair; perhaps all is for the best. When I get home, I shall send you...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 10 July 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library We all condole with you most sincerely on the Death of your Daughter. She always appear’d to me of a sweet and amiable Temper, and to have many other good Qualities that must make the Loss of her more grievous for Brother and you to bear. Our only Comfort under such Afflictions is, that God knows what is best for us, and can bring Good out of what appears Evil....
46From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received your kind Letter of April 29. and am happy that the little Supplies I sent you, have contributed to make your Life more comfortable. I shall by this Opportunity order some more Money into the Hands of Cousin Williams, to be dispos’d of in assisting you as you may have Occasion. Your Project of taking a House for us to spend the Remainder of our...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 48. I am glad to hear your son is got well home. I like your conclusion not to take a house for him till summer, and if he stays till his new letters arrive, perhaps it would not be amiss; for a good deal depends on the first appearance a man...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 22 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Jan. 4. which gave me the Satisfaction of knowing that you were well, and comfortably situated among your Friends. You mention other Letters you have written, but they are not come to hand. Dont however be discouraged from writing as often as you can; for I am uneasy when long without hearing from you; and the Chance is greater...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is long since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you, but am glad to hear by Cousin Williams that you were well the Beginning of this Year, and about to settle in the House at Boston, which you may consider as your own, and I hope you will be happy in it.— I continue, Thanks to God, in very good Health, being at present only troubled with the Stone,...
50From 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...
51From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 14 July 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Jany. 31. You are very good in not resenting some Part of my Letter of September 16. which I confess was a little rude; but you fatfolks can’t bear Malice. Our Cousin Fisher and her Husband are both dead since I saw them. She surviv’d him but a few Days. What she had in her Disposal was but little; and it was divided into 7...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 52–3. I received your kind letter of the 9th instant, in which you acquainted me with some of your late troubles. These are troublesome times to us all; but perhaps you have had more than you should. I am glad to hear that Peter is at a place where...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The London Magazine, new series, III (1825), 479. Our Cousin, Mr. Williams, left London in June last, on his return to Boston. He carried some goods for you. I hope he arrived safe, though I have no Letter from him. I have since sent him a bill of exchange for your account on Dr. Cooper, and signified my desire that the whole might be put to interest to produce a little annual...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 2 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last Night I received with great Pleasure your kind Letter of July 14. with the most agreable Additions from Mr. and Mrs. Green. God bless those two good ones! The Congress has adjourned this Morning to the 5th of September. I have now upon my Hands the Settling a new General Post Office, and a Treaty to be held with the Indians on the Ohio, besides smaller...
55From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you some time since, having heard from one of the Delegates that you were at Warwick, and I supposed it must be with that good Family, so I directed my Letter to you there; I hope you receiv’d it. I have since received your kind Letter of May 14. with one from dear Mrs. Green. I sympathise most sincerely with you and the People of my native Town...
56From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 27 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Jan. 30. Mrs. Stevenson has executed your Order, and sends the Things in a Bandbox directed to you, in the Care of Mr. Jefferies your Neighbour. A new-fashion’d something that was not ready when the Box was pack’d up, is inclos’d in her Letter. I am now grown too old to be ambitious of such a Station as that which you say has...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 24 July 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is not in my Power to dispense with an Act of Parliament. To attempt it would hazard my Place. The Privilege of Franking my own Letters is indulg’d to me by the Act; but I have been given to understand that ’tis a Trust, which tis expected I will not violate by covering the Letters of others. Mr. Flag must therefore pay for the Letters you send him; and...
58From 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...
59From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 30 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will receive this by the Hand of your Son Benjamin, on whose safe Return from the West Indies I sincerely congratulate you. He has settled Accounts with me, and paid the Ballance honourably. He has also clear’d the old Printing House to himself, and sent it to Boston, where he purposes to set up his Business together with Bookselling, which, considering...
60From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 13 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter by Mrs. Wright, and shall do her all the Service in my Power. I think I wrote to you by Cousin Josiah, who sailed in Acworth last Week, and I hope will get safe home to his Friends. I continue well, and purpose returning this Summer, God willing, and then may hope next Year for the Pleasure of seeing you, as 1773 is my Period for...