1To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I now take the Freedom of thy usual Benevolence and favour of thy wife to inclose this letter in hers hopeing this way we may keep the chain of friendship bright while thee art diverting thy self with the generous conversation of our worthy friends in Europe and adding dayly new acquisitions to thy former extensive stock of knoledge by thair...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 12 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society Here is a visible Aurora Borealis; at 7 a Clock it was about two hours high, to the northward pretty bright. Soon after Day light disappeared it was much more East, where it was redder with some faint streamers, whose Points reached near 45 Degrees Elevation, which soon disappeared, and the Light descended by Degrees under the Pole, and by 10 a Clock was near...
3To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 5 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have often intended to have wrote to thee this several years but has often been tould that thee was soon to return to thy family and friends so I omitted it, but lately hearing that thee was likely to stay longer I now not onely write a letter of friendship but allso request a favour which the death of our warthy dear friend Peter Collinson hath obliged...
4To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 10 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received with great pleasure my dear friends letter of January the 9th 1769 and am much obliged to him for his kindness in takeing care of the Box for the King. I should have wrote to Michael Colinson Last fall but I did not know then his name alltho I asked several that had frequented his fathers house but towards the spring I received a very kindly...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the pleasure of takeing Mrs. Franklin by the hand in her own house as allso thy daughter and grandson a fine boy. Likewise thy sister from Boston all whome I expect at my house according to promise. I have now before me thy dear affectionate letter of July the 9th 1769. My health and familys still continueth: (God allmight be praised and...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 24 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have thy Kind letter of August the 26th before me which Comforted me as comming from my dear intimate ould friend. The pamphlet and espetially the picture of my dear Peter was very acceptable, and now I am furnished with four of our worthies Lineus, Franklin Edwards and Collinson (but I want Dr. Fothergill,) to adorn my new stove and lodging room which I...
7To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have very little to write beside a repetition of real frendship haveing received never a line from thee since I sent thee a box of seeds and a letter last fall, wherein I desired to be acquainted whether the King Continued his bounty still to me or droped it. I Cant yet hear the least tittle concerning it except that William Young stiles him self thair...
8To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 11 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have here before me thy kind letter of august 22 1772. I sowed the Rhubarb seed in two places the one in the sun the other in A shady cool place. That which was in the cool place growed the leaves was as big as the palm of my hand but not palmated perhaps it may be next year. The Tarnup seed came up well growed large and tasted well and is by some...