Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-06-02-0137

From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 January 1756

To Deborah Franklin

ALS: Yale University Library

Reading, Jan. 1. 1756.
5 in the Evening

My dear Child

A happy New Year to you, and all Friends.

We arrived here, all well, about two Hours ago.8 Capt. Coultas9 tells me he purposes to start early in the Morning, so as to be at Philadelphia to morrow Evening. I have only time to write this Line, just to acknowledge the Receipt of your agreable Letters, Sally’s, Dr. Bond’s, Mr. Hughes’s, &c. and to promise particular Answers per next Opportunity.1 Present my affectionate Regards to those Gentlemen. I am glad you have sent me a Gown to sleep in, having lost my other Convenience.2 My Duty to Mother, who I hope is better; and my Love to the rest of the Family. I am, Your loving Husband

B Franklin

Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / at / Philadelphia / per favour of / Capt. Coultas.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

8See above, p. 315.

9James Coultas (see above, IV, 180 n), a captain in the Association Regiment of 1748; sheriff of Philadelphia Co., 1755–58; commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Philadelphia Co. Regiment, April 1756. 2 Pa. Arch., II, 446. He was later a judge of the common pleas and orphan’s courts.

1The letters of Deborah and Sally Franklin, Dr. Thomas Bond, and John Hughes have not been found.

2In the winter of 1758, when he had become “much more tender” than he used to be, BF described his sleeping costume as “a short Callico Bedgown with close Sleeves, and Flannel close-footed Trowsers.” BF to Deborah Franklin, Feb. 19, 1758.

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