11From 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...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 March 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We got here yesterday Afternoon and purpose Sailing to day, if the Wind be fair. Peter was taken ill with a Fever and Pain in his Side before I got to Newcastle; I had him blooded there, and put him into the Chair, wrapt up warm, as he could not bear the Motion of the Horse, and got him here pretty comfortably. He went immediately to bed and took some...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [24 March 1756] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society Peter is now quite well. Present my Duty to Mother, and Love to the Children, and to all Friends. I shall write more particularly per Post. This goes by a Vessel to New York. I am, Dear Debby, Your loving Husband Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / at / Philadelphia / via New-York Of the four surviving letters BF wrote his wife after reaching Virginia,...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [25 March? 1756] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society … about 5 aClock in the Afternoon, tho’ I had been hinder’d near half a Day by Peter’s Illness. The 3d Day about 2 in the Afternoon, we sail’d, after parting with Col. Washington, who overtook us there, and proceeded on his Journey by Land. We were only Sunday Night and Monday Night on the Water, for on Tuesday Morning about 10 aClock, we arrived...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 30 March 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you via New York the Day after my Arrival, acquainting you that I had a fine Journey and Passage down the Bay, being but four Days from Philadelphia to Col. Hunter’s, tho’ stopt near a Day on the Road. I have been well ever since, quite clear of the Dizziness I complain’d of, and as gay as a Bird, not beginning yet to long for home, the Worry of...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [c. 5 April 1756] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I came down here yesterday with Mr. Hunter, who, you must think, is at present pretty well, to be able to ride 35 Miles in an Afternoon. Hearing of this Vessel just sailing for New York, I write a Line to let you know I continue well. This is my Third since my Arrival here, and I hope soon to hear from you. We have almost finish’d our Business...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Duane, ed., The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin , VI (Philadelphia, 1817), 14. I wrote to you a few days since, by a special messenger, and inclosed letters, for all our wives and sweethearts; expecting to hear from you by his return, and to have the northern newspapers and English letters, per the packet; but he is just now returned without a scrap for poor...
18Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia Printer Have constituted, made and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, make and appoint, my trusty and loving Friend and Wife Deborah Franklin, to be my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my Name and Stead, and to my...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin and his son left Philadelphia on Monday, April 4, but they did not reach New York until the morning of the 8th. Then began a long period of frustrating delay until the packet on which they sailed weighed anchor off Sandy Hook on June 20. The movements of members of the Franklin family during this interval appear so confusing that a chronology may...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 29 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you yesterday per Post. This is only to acquaint you, that I am determined against going in the first Pacquet. Send me the Indian Sealskin Hussiff, with all the Things that were in it. It will be an acceptable Present to a Gimcrack great Man in London, that is my Friend. In the right hand little Drawer under my Desk, is some of the Indian Lady’s...