1From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress My Sister, to whom I have not now time to write, acquainted me in her last Letter, that there was some Expectation her Daughter would soon be married with her Consent. If that should take Place, my Request is, that you would lay out the Sum of fifty Pounds, lawful Money, in Bedding or such other Furniture as my Sister shall think proper, to be given...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I wrote to you on the 9th. of March. I have not since heard from Boston. This is just to let you know I am well, and to cover a Newspaper containing one of my Scribblings, which please to give to my Sister with my Love: I have not now time to write to her. Love to Cousin Grace and your Children. I am ever, Your affectionate Uncle Undoubtedly the essay...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin ... (Boston, 1833), p. 142. I have received yours of July 8th and 12th, with the bills, which are carried to your credit. I hope your son Jonathan may be with you by this time. Josiah is well, and sticks close to his business. I have not time to add more, being this minute...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 5 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I suppose Jonathan has told you that the Lottery is drawn, and your two new Tickets had the same Success as the former, viz. One £20 Prize, and one Blank. Would you go on any farther? Josiah is very happy in being under the Tuition of Mr. Stanley, who very kindly undertook him at my Request tho’ he had left off Teaching. Josiah goes constantly too to...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 11 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received yours of July 4. with the Bill enclosed of £200 for your Brother, which I deliver’d to him accordingly. Calling in here at the N England Coffeehouse, and finding this Ship just upon sailing, I would not miss the Opportunity of giving you this Information, tho’ I cannot now write to my other Friends. It grieves me to hear that poor Josiah is in so bad a...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 9 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your Favour of Dec. 27. with the Cask of Sowns and Tongues, which came very opportunely at the Beginning of Lent, and are very agreable to me. Mr. Stanley and your Brother have the others. Accept my best Thanks. I received also the Bill of Exchange for £27 for which have credited your Account. And shall soon send you a State of the whole...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 4 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I have just time to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of April 15. with the £50 Bill, (Ross and Mills) part of the Money you receiv’d for me of Hall. I have purchased the Things for my Sister directed in her Invoice, and they go by this Ship. I shall do you every Service in my Power relating to the Commission Business, &c. Tell Jonathan I received his...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Pierpont Morgan Library; ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress In looking over your Letters I find in that of Nov. 12, mention of a Prize of £20 which you have drawn. It never came into my Hands, and I cannot find that Smith, Wright and Gray know any thing of it. If I knew the No. of the Ticket, I could enquire farther. I am much obliged by your Care in Hall’s Affair and glad you...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 28 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Indiana University Library Cousin Jonathan show’d me last night the Letters he had just receiv’d from you and his Mother. The Firmness they express, under your present Difficulties, gave me great Pleasure. The Unanimity and Resolution of the Colonies, astonishes their Enemies here, being totally unexpected. By its Continuance, you will undoubtedly carry all your Points: by giving way you...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last, which I think was by Jonathan, I have receiv’d yours of July 8, and 12. Aug. 5, Sept. 19. and Oct. 3. My not answering sooner was owing to my Absence in Ireland and Scotland on a Tour of between 3 and 4 Months, by which my Health was much benefited: And since my Return this is the first Ship to Boston that I have heard of. In yours of July 8....
11From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 6 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favour of Jan. 8 came duly to hand, but I have been so much engag’d during the Sitting of Parliament, that I could not correspond regularly with all my Friends, and have of course trespass’d most with those on whose Good Nature and Indulgence I could most rely. I am however asham’d of being so long silent. It is but the other Day that I enquired after...