1From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 8 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I thank you for your kind Letter of April 11th. It grieves me that the present Situation of publick Affairs, makes it not eligible for you to come hither with your Family, because I am sure you would otherwise like this Country, and might provide better here for your Children, at the same time that I should be made more happy by your Neighbourhood and Company. I...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 12 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Figure to yourself an old Man with grey Hair appearing under a Martin Fur Cap, among the Powder’d Heads of Paris. It is this odd Figure that salutes you; with Handfuls of Blessings on you and your dear little ones. On my Arrival here, Mlle. Biheron gave me great Pleasure in the Perusal of a Letter from you to her. It acquainted me that you and yours were well in...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 26[–27] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library I wrote a few Lines to you by Dr. B. and have since seen your Letter to Jona. by which I have the great Pleasure of learning that you and yours were well on the 17th. What is become of my and your dear Dolly? Have you parted? for you mention nothing of her. I know your Friendship continues; but perhaps she is with one of her Brothers. How do they all do? I have not...
4From Benjamin Franklin to [Mary Hewson], [after 27 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I am sometimes apprehensive that my not Writing to you, may give you some Pain: but I have fear’d on the other hand that my Writing might subject you to greater Pain. Yet I cannot forbear desiring to know how you do from time to time, & wishing that you should know my Love for you & yours continues unchang’d and unchangeable. I have also great...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 10 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Your kind Letter of May 30. 79. came to my hands but a few days since, by Dr Ingenhausz, who has also brought the Milk pot. The Copper Vessel I received long ago. I hear that your Affairs are settled to your Satisfaction, on which I congratulate you with sincere Pleasure. You end your Letter with this endearing Expression of Friendship, “ I wish we...
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress My dear old Friends will think I forgot them, if they do not hear from me now & then. They may be assured that my Friendship & Affection is unalterable, and that I long much to see & embrace them once more before I die— I thank Polly for the Prints of Mr. Hewson, which I think are like.— I wish that she would lay out the 4½ Guineas...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1262 (July 1, 1920), item 31; and American Art Association, Sale Catalogue (April 22–4, 1924), item 295. I received your kind Letter of the 23d of December. I rejoice always to hear of your & your good Mother’s Welfare, tho’ I can write but Seldom, Safe Opportunities are Scarce. Looking over some old Papers I find the rough Draft of a Letter which...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Margaret Stevenson and Mary Hewson, 19 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you, my dear dear Friends, very lately, and directed my Letter to Cheem in Surrey. Mr Whitefoord tells me that you are removed to Kensington Square, and I fear that my Letter may therefore not find you. I sent it under Cover to Mr William Hodgson, Mercht in Coleman street, which I mention that in case it has not come to hand, you may there enquire for...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 13 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your very kind Letter by Mr. Whitefoord, with the Books, which I think a judicious Collection, and hope the Reading of them by my Grandson may have a good Effect, in rendring him more worthy of the Happiness you are providing for him, in the Education of your Daughter. I suppose the Letter I had sent to you before Mr Whitefoord came here the...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your pleasing Letter of the 1st of May thro’ the hands of Mr Hodgson, and one since by Mr Oswald. You cannot be more pleas’d in talking about your Children, your Methods of Instructing them, and the Progress they make, than I am in hearing it; and in finding, that instead of following the idle Amusements, which both your Fortune & the Custom of the Age...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Herbert May, Washington, D.C. (1963) I received your kind Letter by Dr Shuttleworth. It always gives me great Pleasure to hear of the Welfare of you and yours. As to my self, I continue as hearty as at my Age could be expected, and as chearful as ever you knew me, hoping ere long to see Peace and my Friends, whose continued Regard for me after so long and so thorough an Acquaintance...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you sometime since 11 Pamphlets of the same kind with the enclos’d, supposing, as I had heard them well spoken of, that you who are so laudably attentive to the Education of your Children, might possibly find in them some Hints worth your Notice. I find the Work is to go on, and I will send you what comes out for the present Year, if you desire it. I...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 27 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress The Departure of my dearest Friend, which I learn from your last Letter, greatly affects me. To meet with her once more in this Life, was one of the principal Motives of my proposing to visit England again before my Return to America. The last Year carried off my Friends...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 26 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received in its time your kind Letter of Feb. 22. I am sensible of the Prudence of your Advice, respecting my coming to England, and shall follow it.— Accept my Thanks for that, and for your kind Invitation to Cheam when I do come; but the little left of Life at my Age, will perhaps hurry me home as soon as I can be quit of my Employment here. I should indeed...