1From 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...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Son Josiah is determined to go to London and I Belive Will Sail in about a month. I wish he might be accomidated at Good Mrs. Stevensons if agreeable if this Cant be please to direct the unfortinate Stranger to Some Other Good place. I Shall Send his Brother to take Care off him, it may apper to you Very extrodnary for us to Consent to Such a Step but...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 16 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I Clos’d my letter I Received your Verry agreeable favour adviceing of the good fortune of Our Cousin Nancey in her Maraige too Capt. Clark. We Wish them all Happiness We are much Pleased With the Connection. Our Young folks are aquanted With his Late Uncles Famley that Lives at Salem. I Will take Particular Care to have a thrrough Repaire to the...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 19 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind favour of the 7 and 9 Novr by Which We are [ torn ] happy to find our Sons and Brother Safe arival and of the kind Reception thay have from you and Good Mrs. Stevensons kind offer of Service to Whom our Respects. By the next post I Shall Send to Mr. Pease for the Bond you mention and Shall Recover the money as Soon as Possible then...
5From 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...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 12 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Cap. Lloyd was to Sail yesterday; I inclos’d a Bill for £100 and put it in the Bag a few oures afterward I Received another Bill for one thousand Gilders £90 Sterling Which I now inclose to you. Please to Credit me for the Net Proceeds. Mr. Foxcroft and Lady Came to town the night before last Well. I am your Dutyfull Nephew and much Oblig’d Humble Servant...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 5 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now enclose you the first per Exchange for one Hundred Pounds Sterling Drawn by Thos. Symmes on Messrs. Gardoqué & Sons merchants in Bilboa, payable in London, I Remitted you two hundred and Ninty Pounds before this in the Whole £390 to Reimburse the money you Were So Good to advance my Sons. I Shall allways Retain a greatfull Sence of your Generosity and...
8From 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...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 19 September 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favour of the 10th of June I duly received note the Contents. When I wrote you of receiving the Money of Hall in august I thought I might depend upon it as I not only had his Promise, but a mighty good Character of him from some Gentlemen Who Were aquainted With him. I have Since inquir’d into the Circomstances of the Bondsman Edward Thurston Junior....
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 October 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Boston, October 3, 1771. Wrote a few days ago to enclose the third set of bills for 1,754 guilders. > See Williams to BF above, Sept. 19.
11To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 13 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Inclos’d Letter from Mr. Thurston Will give Some Idea of the Situation of your money if Hall finely fails. Mr. Thurston Circumstances I am told are good tho it dose not appear Probable that the money will be Soon paid. I am anxious for my Son Josiah Whose helpless Situation will we fear Render him too Troblesom to you and your Friends; as he is verry...
12From 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....
13From 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...
14From 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...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 15 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you Decr. 27 by Capt: Jenkins, and Inform’d you of a proposal made by Hall or rather Halls Friends, Who have advanced the Hundred pounds Sterling, and I have Received it, on this Condition, to Wait for the Remander Six and twelvemonths, to be paid in two equal payments from the above Date. I Wish I had your Orders in regard to the Disposition of the...
16From 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...
17From 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...
18From 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...
19From 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...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 17 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Duly received your favour by Capt. Hatch, Covering Invoice for my much Esteem’d Aunt Mecom, whose Goods Came Safe to hand, I Bilive She in futer Will Supply herself with every sort of Good from our Desprate Merchants on better Terms then Can be Imported from England. I am favour’d with yours Feby. 7th July 7. and in Regard to my two Last Tickits one of...
21From 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...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 19 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Hearing that you was arrv’d in America and I being much Concrned for our belov’d Son, this is to desire you to Give us Some account of his Situation and Curcomstances. Poor fellow I feare he is now undon as a Merchant. We relying on the faith of General Gage packed up all his Goods in Order to remove them out of Boston, but was forbid by him out of whose Mouth...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 1 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreeable to your desire I now inclose your Acct. Drawn in the best manor I now Cane tho’ not So partecular as I Could wish as Some of my Old books and papers were Consumed Last may in my werehouses but I belive it is nearly right. I received an acct. of yours from England drawn by Jonathan in which was Some omitions the £50. paid your niece on her marage...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 29 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Doubtless you will be pleas’d to hear that notwithstanding the Calamities of human life in general and the State of War this Country is in by Which we among a number of Innosent ones have Suffer’d great Loss and Damage yet we are all well in good Spirits and Choose rather still to Suffer than Submit to lawless Power. My Son John being in the prime of Life...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Jewish Historical Society, New York City I was glad to understand by yours of March 29. that you and your Family continued in good Health and Spirits. You and your Country are engag’d in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your Son John remains at Nantes. His Brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my Last I advised of the Enemies taken Possession of Ticonderoge and then mention’d that the Country were allarmed and would exert themselves and prehaps do Wonders. Wonders are don (God be prased) General Burgoyne and his Whol Armey Prisoners of War he and his Whol Armey to be Transported to England to tell the dolefull Tale. The Bearer Mr. Jonathan L....
27From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 24 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The New-York Mirror , April 13, 1839 The bearer, Mr. Holker, is a gentleman of great worth and excellent character, and a particular friend of mine, who, if he sees encouraging prospects, may possibly make some commercial prospects in America; in which case you may be assured that his engagements will be executed with good faith, and the exactest punctuality. I recommend him...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your small Letter in answer to mine. Thank you for the good news of our allyance with France. Hope the other Powers of Europ will follow their example that we may get rid of the Tirant and Tireney of Britian. The menover of Lord North in his Late speach and the mock Act of Parlement together with the Commissioners is all of a Peace and will I...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 4 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr. Henry Bromfield a Young Gentleman of this Town gose to France on Business as a Merchant and as he will be a Stranger in Paris your Civilities to him as such Will Much Oblige your Dutifull Nephew Addressed: Doctr Benjamin Franklin / Paris / Per Mr Bromfield Notation: Williams Jonathan Oct. 4. 1778. Boston Henry Bromfield, Jr. (1751–1837) was...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 2 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your recommendation of mr. Holker as Well as His own Worth, intitiles him to every Civility & assistence in my power, in full faith & Confidence in your recommendation I have Undertook to Indorse his Bills to a Large amt. They are Public Bills & doubtless will be honourd I have 2½ per Cent for the Business but 10 per Cent would be no Indusement Without your...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your recommendation of Mr: Holker as Well as his own worth Intitles him to all the Civilities & Assistance in my power in full Faith & Confidence in you I have undertook to Indorse his Bills to a Large amt: they are public Bills & Doubtless Will be honourd I have 2 ½ per Ct. for doing the Business but 10 per Ct. would be no Indusment without your Letter by...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 24 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed to you by Mr Saml Bradford a Werthy young Gentleman (Son of my Friend John Bradford Esqr our Continental Agent) one of his Vews in going to France is to Perfect himSelf in the Language—Your Civilities to him as a Stranger will much Oblige Your Dutyfull Nephew & Hble Servt Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / at Passy /...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr.: Two Letters, 29 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Collas hand me a few days ago your favour in which you propose a Schem of business partly for the benifit of your worth Sister & her once unhapy Son who is now no more he died about 13 months ago— On receiving your Letter I wrote aunt & Inclos’d your Letter & Desird her thoughts appon it, I Shall allway be happy to advance any monies that...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 8 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honour’d with your favours of novr. 27 by Capt Collas, & of Apl. 22. 1779 in boath your pleas’d to place a Confidence in me, that I will answer your Intentions in Supplying your Worthy Sister if nead in this you do me Great honours as well as aford me one of the Greatest pleasures, in Life. I wish for every Opportunity to Express my Greatitude for the...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer mr. Jeremiah Allen a neighbour & a most worthy acquaintance of ours, comes to France Partley on Business & on pleasure, I take the Liberty to Recommend him warmly to your Civilities Which will ad to the many Obligations allready Confer’d on Your Dutyfull Nephew & Hble Servant Notation: Jona. Williams. Boston Oct 14. 1779 A merchant hoping to...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I received your kind Letters of July 29, and August 8. It was a great satisfaction to me to learn that my Dear Sister, was relieved from that continual Distress She had so long labour’d under.— I know not whether my Proposal with regard to Mr. Collais employing himself in making Crown Soap, is Likely to be exceuted by him to Advantage: Perhaps he may not have...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Col: John Tyler a Friend & Neighbour of mine Comes to France partly on Business & partly On Pleasure your Civilities to him as a stranger in France will Oblige your Dutifull Nephew & Hble Servant NB Col. Tyler has aquited himself with Honour in the American Service Addressed: His Excellency Benja. Franklin Esqr / at Passy in / France / per Col:...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this opportunity to Send you a small Box of Crown Soap that I Recd from your Sister Who has been here On a Visit, is now return’d in good helth & Spirits, & I belive more happy now then I ever new her. I repeated to her that I Stood ready to advance her any money she stood in need of agreeable to your Orders her greatfull hart was effected. She told...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is a Son of our friend mr Russell. I take the Liberty to recommend him to your Civilities in doing Which you will Oblige yr Dutyfull Nephew Addressed: His Excellency Benja Franklin Eqr / Passey / Paris— / pr favour of Mr. Russel This is probably the same Mr. Russell who later served as a clerk in JW ’s countinghouse in Nantes: JW to BF ,...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 11 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favour of the 7 June 81 was handed me a few days ago. I understand the Gentleman Mr: Beyerle you recommended Landed at Rhod Island & went to the southward had he Come to Boston your Letter would have intitled him to every Assistance in my power & Given me pleasure. Aunt Mecom paid us a Visit in the Spring & was so fourtunate as to receive your...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty to Inform you that after a passage of twenty days I have ariv’d hear in Nantes hope the pleasure of Seing you Soon, I Left all our friends Well in America. I most hartly Congratelate you On the good News of Peace thanks to God. Belive me ever your most Dutyfull Nephew & Hble Servant Notation: Jona. Williams Jany. 26. 1782. He had been...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 31 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer is the Honble. President Wheelock (in Company with his Brother) he is on a Benevolint Design & has the Best Recommendations, he wishes to Lay the Plan & his Credentials before you, for your Opinion or Advice. I take the Liberty to Recommend the above Gentm. to your Civilities as strangers in your City, which will ad to the many Obligations all...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a plesent Journey with a very agreeable Compainion (Mr Martin) I ariv’d Safe to this great City have taken lodgings in the Strand at John Reads No 394 Opposite Cecil street. If you or Mr Wm. Should have any Commands I Should be glad to Receive & Execute them. I have seen Messrs Vaughan Hodgson & Mr Laurence have Recd great Civilities from those Gentm....
44To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 16 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wrote you that I Could not obtain a new addition of the Common prayer Book. I have Since found one. I take this oppertunity to send it by the Bearrer mr. [ blank ]. Your friends Wh. are many have expectations of Seing you here some time in the summer & I belive you will find them as harry & prehaps more so then ever. London is so much like home that I...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favr. of apl. 23 Came to hand two day ago, note the Contents. I should have lik’d a passage with you; however the season is good & I have Concluded to Return hom to my own Country, Which I esteem to be the best that I ever Saw, I Shall sail in a few days for Boston, in the first ship that will be Cleard for that port, Wh. makes the Trade as Regular as...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 20 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honour’d with your favour of Sept 13th. Inclosing a Bill Drawn in my favr on Doctr. Cooper for 2722 Livres 16 s. 8 d. being the Amount of What you have paid for the Education & other expences of his Grand Son, you advice to apply to the Father if in Boston, I hear he is, but he is Shut up & good for nothing, Doctr. Cooper was Sick When I recd your...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 29 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wrote you a few days ago adviceing that Doctr. Coopers being Sick provented my presenting your Bill, he is now dead, he die’d this Day about 12 oClock, I shall endever to git your Bill answerd, I think the famley will pay it as the Doctr. has left a good Estate for one of the Cloth we think the death of this Ameable man is not only a Loss to his famley &...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you Will excuse me, for the Liberty I take in adviceing you, of the Town of Franklin, & how it Came to be thus Named, a part of the people of Wrentham Wh. Town was too Large, a parish of 40 years Standing prefer’d a petition to the General Court 1778 at the Very time, that we or they, heard that you was Assassinated, in Commeration [commemoration] of...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 20 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Biblioteca Labronica The Bearer, Mr Biederman, is recommended to me by Persons of Distinction, as a Gentleman of Worth & very respectable Character, charged with the Concerns and Interest of many principal Manufacturers and Merchants in Saxony, between which Country and ours I should be glad to see a commercial Intercourse opened and established, as it might be advantageous to both. I...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 16 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Jonas Hartwell of Lincoln in this State merchant Capt. & owner of the Brig Remittance being at St. Sabastin a port in Spain for Some reason was taken & put into Goal & from thence transported into the internal part of the Country & it Seemes his friends Cant find him they hear that he is in the Inquisition as the Officers of that Department have taken...