1Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin and Richard Bache, 17 February 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society <February 17, 1772. Franklin empowers Deborah Franklin and Richard Bache to request and receive payment of all debts due him in America, except those owed him by William Franklin, and to take all legal actions and whatever other lawful steps may be necessary for collecting from the debtors or their executors or administrators. Sealed, stamped, and delivered...
2Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Bargain and Sale, 9 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society This document and the two which immediately follow record the first transactions in the drawn-out process by which Franklin put together the various parcels of land on the south side of Market Street (also called High Street) between Third and Fourth Streets which became the site of his home. The plot involved here, corresponding to the later No. 318 Market...
3Abiah Franklin to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin, 14 October 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did not rite to you last post but it was becase I was taken with the Stomak ake so bad all day that I coold not set up to rite on any acount. My Cozen Kesiah Coffin was hear last week and she was Sorroy that the werkes and letter was not yet printed. She bid me tell you that She Shoold be glad [to know] how soone you coold do them for She wants to have a...
4Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Release, 10 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society; also copy: Office of Recorder of Deeds, Philadelphia This Indenture made the Tenth day of April in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Four between Sarah Read of the City of Philadelphia...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 31 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , II . I wrote a line to you yesterday, and having this opportunity, write another, just to let you know that we all continue well, and much the better from the refreshments you have sent us: in short we do very well, for though there are a great number of things, besides what we have, that used to seem necessary to comfortable living, yet we have...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I had no Line from you per last Packet. But I had the Satisfaction of hearing you were well by Mr. Beache’s Letter. I wrote to you per Capt. All, and sent you some little Things. I continue well, and am ever, Your affectionate Husband Bache’s letter was that of Jan. 4 above, and BF ’s by Capt. All was, we assume, that of Feb. 14.
7From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 9 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours and Sally’s kind Letters of Sept. 22. and Brother Read’s. Also one from our good Neighbour Thomson, and one from Brother Peter; one from Mr. Hall and one from Mr. Parker: All which I pray you to acknowledge for me, with Thanks, as I find I can not have time to write to them by this Packet. I honour much the Spirit and Courage you show’d,...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 12 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Calling here just now, I find a Bag not taken away, and as my Letters are gone or going, part by the Ships now at Portsmouth and part per Packet to be dispatch’d on Saturday, I write this Line to let you know we are well, and that you may not be uneasy at not having one Letter by this Ship. Now I think on’t; there was a Trunk sent last year by the...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote to you and [to] my Friends per Capt. Hammet. [My] Letters are in a little Box directed for you. There are also in the Box two Books to be delivered to Mr. Coleman. Hearing that another Vessel is [to] sail about the Same time, I write [this] by her, just to let you know [that we] are well, and have wrote fully as above. My Love to all. I am,...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 28 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have staid too long in London this Summer, and now sensibly feel the Want of my usual Journey to preserve my Health. Therefore I this Morning am to set for a Trip to Paris. Sir John Pringle, the Queen’s Physician, goes with me. He has Leave for Six Weeks only, her Majesty being again pregnant. I shall write to you from thence. I receiv’d yours by Sir John...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from WTF, Memoirs , I , 133 n. The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received: were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint; but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a lighthouse ....
12From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of March 2. and am glad to hear that the Ship from Ireland is got safe into Antigua. I hope you will now get the little Token I sent you from thence. I have not receiv’d the Letter you mention to have given the young Scotsman, nor that from Mr. Craige. I am sorry for the Disorder that has fallen on our Friend Kinnersley, but hope...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Cornell University Library It feels very strange to me to have Ships and Packets come in, and no Letters from you. But I do not complain of it, because I know the reason is, my having written to you that I was coming home. That you may not have the same disagreable Sensation, I write this Line, tho’ I have written largely by the late Ships, and therefore have little left to say. I have...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 10 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letters of March 12 and April 24. I think you are the most punctual of all my Correspondents; and it is often a particular Satisfaction to me to hear from you, when I have no Letter from any one else. I did per Capt. Falconer answer Sally’s Letter about her Son’s being inoculated; and told her Sir John Pringle’s Opinion as to the...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 15 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I sent you per Capt. All the last Voyage some Netting Lace of our poor Cousin’s Making in Buckinghamshire: You have not mention’d how you liked it; but I now send the Remainder. The Silk Committee were so good as to make me a Present of 4 pound of Raw Silk. I have had it work’d up with some Addition of the same Silk...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is just to acknowledge the Receipt of your kind Letter of Nov. 25. which came to hand last Night, per Capt. Sparks. I had before received those per Capt. Falconer, by whom I shall write fully to you and all my Friends that correspond with me. I am, Thanks to God, as well as ever. My Love to our Children and the Kingbird, as you call him. In haste, I...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Falkener has just been here to bring me your Letters. I rejoice to hear that you and Sally are well. My dear Love to her. I will write to you and all my Friends per next Packet. Some Things go for you in a Case to Mr. Foxcroft from his Brother. I send you 4 Handkerchiefs, as a little Present, which please to accept. I bought a Piece and keep half of...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received yours per Capt. All. This is just to let you know I am well, as all our other Friends here are: I have been so hindred to day, that I can only add my Love to our Children, and that I am ever, Dear Debby, Your affectionate Husband The letter was DF ’s of April 28, now lost, which BF mentioned in writing her on July 15. Capt. All in the Richard Penn...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania While I am writing, the letters by the March packet are come to hand with yours of the 9th and 12th. Amidst all the sickness and misfortunes to our friends what reason have you and I to bless God, that we at these years enjoy with our children so great a Share of health and so much happiness in other respects. Let us be thankful for what is past...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 4 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now before me your Favours of April 13, 15, 17, 23, May 14, 18, 20. not so many Letters as Dates, some of them having two or three. As to the Cause concerning the Lot, I have never been in the least uneasy about it, desiring only that Justice might be done, which I do not doubt. I hope Robinson was not long missing after your Letters, as I really...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We arrived here well last Night, only a little fatigued with the last Day’s Journey, being 70 Miles. I write only this Line, not knowing of any Opportunity to send it; but Mr. Collinson will enquire for one, as he is going out. If he finds one, I shall write more largely. I have just seen Mr. Strahan, who is well with his Family. Billy is with me here at...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society By Capt. Sparks Mrs. Stevenson sent you a large square Case, containing the Things mentioned in the inclos’d Invoice; it was marked Stores for Mrs. Franklin Philadelphia , and carried on board by our Porter, who says he deliver’d it to the Mate, but he brought back no Receipt. The Mate told him he liv’d not far from you, and knew us both. I hope there has...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We left Woodbridge on Tuesday Morning and went to Eliz. Town, where I found our Children return’d from the Falls and very well: The Corporation were to have a Dinner that day at the Point for their Entertainment, and prevail’d on us to stay. There was all the principal People and a great many Ladies: after Dinner we set out and got here before dark. We...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this minute receiv’d Letters by the Packet of October, from Billy and some other Friends, but not a Line from you. I suppose therefore you have written by some other Vessel: I long to hear of your and Sally’s Welfare from your own Hands. I purpose writing to you fully to-morrow; but as I may be interrupted, I would not miss this Post, in hope it may...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter per Capt. Story, of Nov. 19, and a subsequent one per Capt. Falkner without date. I have received also the Indian and Buckwheat Meal that they brought from you, with the Apples, Cranberries and Nuts, for all which I thank you. They all prove good, and the Apples were particularly welcome to me and my Friends, as there happens to...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 20 April 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Munson-William-Proctor Institute This will be delivered to you by Miss Farquarson and Miss Smith, the one bred a Miliner, the other a Mantuamaker, who, by the Advice and Consent of their Friends, go to Philadelphia, with an Intention of following their respective Businesses there. They are Persons of good Character, and very well recommended to me; therefore I recommend them warmly to...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 20 February 1774: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Text reprinted and paraphrase based on Mme. Henri Saffroy sales catalogue no. 19, February, 1959. I have written fully to you and several friends by Capt. All; but as I know you like to have a letter by every ship, I add this line by Capt. Falconer. … <Continues in good health and spirits, God be praised, and hopes to arrive at home next May. Sends affectionate regards and love to the children.>
28From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours of the 24th with Pleasure [since it?] acquainted me of your and the Family’s Welfare. [I] am glad to hear that the Companies are forming in Town and chusing their Officers, and hope the Example will be followed throughout the Country. We all continue well, but much harrass’d with Business; after many Difficulties and Disappointments we...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote largely to you to go per Robinson, but Mr. Evans by whom I sent the Packet, was left behind: he will however deliver it to you with this. I sent you several Things in Robinson, of which that Letter will give you an Account. I am well, and as ever, Your affectionate Husband P S. In Mr. Evans’s Care I now send you a very handsome Pair of Tongs, and...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 September 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I received yours of July 5. and rejoice with you on the safe Delivery of our dear Daughter, and on our having another Grandson. I like Ben’s Kindness and Generosity to his Brother, with his Silver Spoon; and am glad he has got so well over the Measles. ’Tis a precious little Fellow! How much I long to see him! I am...