1From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I received your kind Letters of July 29, and August 8. It was a great satisfaction to me to learn that my Dear Sister, was relieved from that continual Distress She had so long labour’d under.— I know not whether my Proposal with regard to Mr. Collais employing himself in making Crown Soap, is Likely to be exceuted by him to Advantage: Perhaps he may not have...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Jewish Historical Society, New York City I was glad to understand by yours of March 29. that you and your Family continued in good Health and Spirits. You and your Country are engag’d in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your Son John remains at Nantes. His Brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 24 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The New-York Mirror , April 13, 1839 The bearer, Mr. Holker, is a gentleman of great worth and excellent character, and a particular friend of mine, who, if he sees encouraging prospects, may possibly make some commercial prospects in America; in which case you may be assured that his engagements will be executed with good faith, and the exactest punctuality. I recommend him...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 16 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wrote you that I Could not obtain a new addition of the Common prayer Book. I have Since found one. I take this oppertunity to send it by the Bearrer mr. [ blank ]. Your friends Wh. are many have expectations of Seing you here some time in the summer & I belive you will find them as harry & prehaps more so then ever. London is so much like home that I...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is a Son of our friend mr Russell. I take the Liberty to recommend him to your Civilities in doing Which you will Oblige yr Dutyfull Nephew Addressed: His Excellency Benja Franklin Eqr / Passey / Paris— / pr favour of Mr. Russel This is probably the same Mr. Russell who later served as a clerk in JW ’s countinghouse in Nantes: JW to BF ,...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty to Inform you that after a passage of twenty days I have ariv’d hear in Nantes hope the pleasure of Seing you Soon, I Left all our friends Well in America. I most hartly Congratelate you On the good News of Peace thanks to God. Belive me ever your most Dutyfull Nephew & Hble Servant Notation: Jona. Williams Jany. 26. 1782. He had been...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your small Letter in answer to mine. Thank you for the good news of our allyance with France. Hope the other Powers of Europ will follow their example that we may get rid of the Tirant and Tireney of Britian. The menover of Lord North in his Late speach and the mock Act of Parlement together with the Commissioners is all of a Peace and will I...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your recommendation of Mr: Holker as Well as his own worth Intitles him to all the Civilities & Assistance in my power in full Faith & Confidence in you I have undertook to Indorse his Bills to a Large amt: they are public Bills & Doubtless Will be honourd I have 2 ½ per Ct. for doing the Business but 10 per Ct. would be no Indusment without your Letter by...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 19 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Hearing that you was arrv’d in America and I being much Concrned for our belov’d Son, this is to desire you to Give us Some account of his Situation and Curcomstances. Poor fellow I feare he is now undon as a Merchant. We relying on the faith of General Gage packed up all his Goods in Order to remove them out of Boston, but was forbid by him out of whose Mouth...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 11 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favour of the 7 June 81 was handed me a few days ago. I understand the Gentleman Mr: Beyerle you recommended Landed at Rhod Island & went to the southward had he Come to Boston your Letter would have intitled him to every Assistance in my power & Given me pleasure. Aunt Mecom paid us a Visit in the Spring & was so fourtunate as to receive your...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a plesent Journey with a very agreeable Compainion (Mr Martin) I ariv’d Safe to this great City have taken lodgings in the Strand at John Reads No 394 Opposite Cecil street. If you or Mr Wm. Should have any Commands I Should be glad to Receive & Execute them. I have seen Messrs Vaughan Hodgson & Mr Laurence have Recd great Civilities from those Gentm....
12To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this opportunity to Send you a small Box of Crown Soap that I Recd from your Sister Who has been here On a Visit, is now return’d in good helth & Spirits, & I belive more happy now then I ever new her. I repeated to her that I Stood ready to advance her any money she stood in need of agreeable to your Orders her greatfull hart was effected. She told...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my Last I advised of the Enemies taken Possession of Ticonderoge and then mention’d that the Country were allarmed and would exert themselves and prehaps do Wonders. Wonders are don (God be prased) General Burgoyne and his Whol Armey Prisoners of War he and his Whol Armey to be Transported to England to tell the dolefull Tale. The Bearer Mr. Jonathan L....
14To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Col: John Tyler a Friend & Neighbour of mine Comes to France partly on Business & partly On Pleasure your Civilities to him as a stranger in France will Oblige your Dutifull Nephew & Hble Servant NB Col. Tyler has aquited himself with Honour in the American Service Addressed: His Excellency Benja. Franklin Esqr / at Passy in / France / per Col:...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 31 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer is the Honble. President Wheelock (in Company with his Brother) he is on a Benevolint Design & has the Best Recommendations, he wishes to Lay the Plan & his Credentials before you, for your Opinion or Advice. I take the Liberty to Recommend the above Gentm. to your Civilities as strangers in your City, which will ad to the many Obligations all...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 8 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honour’d with your favours of novr. 27 by Capt Collas, & of Apl. 22. 1779 in boath your pleas’d to place a Confidence in me, that I will answer your Intentions in Supplying your Worthy Sister if nead in this you do me Great honours as well as aford me one of the Greatest pleasures, in Life. I wish for every Opportunity to Express my Greatitude for the...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr.: Two Letters, 29 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Collas hand me a few days ago your favour in which you propose a Schem of business partly for the benifit of your worth Sister & her once unhapy Son who is now no more he died about 13 months ago— On receiving your Letter I wrote aunt & Inclos’d your Letter & Desird her thoughts appon it, I Shall allway be happy to advance any monies that...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 1 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreeable to your desire I now inclose your Acct. Drawn in the best manor I now Cane tho’ not So partecular as I Could wish as Some of my Old books and papers were Consumed Last may in my werehouses but I belive it is nearly right. I received an acct. of yours from England drawn by Jonathan in which was Some omitions the £50. paid your niece on her marage...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 4 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr. Henry Bromfield a Young Gentleman of this Town gose to France on Business as a Merchant and as he will be a Stranger in Paris your Civilities to him as such Will Much Oblige your Dutifull Nephew Addressed: Doctr Benjamin Franklin / Paris / Per Mr Bromfield Notation: Williams Jonathan Oct. 4. 1778. Boston Henry Bromfield, Jr. (1751–1837) was...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 24 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed to you by Mr Saml Bradford a Werthy young Gentleman (Son of my Friend John Bradford Esqr our Continental Agent) one of his Vews in going to France is to Perfect himSelf in the Language—Your Civilities to him as a Stranger will much Oblige Your Dutyfull Nephew & Hble Servt Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / at Passy /...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer mr. Jeremiah Allen a neighbour & a most worthy acquaintance of ours, comes to France Partley on Business & on pleasure, I take the Liberty to Recommend him warmly to your Civilities Which will ad to the many Obligations allready Confer’d on Your Dutyfull Nephew & Hble Servant Notation: Jona. Williams. Boston Oct 14. 1779 A merchant hoping to...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favr. of apl. 23 Came to hand two day ago, note the Contents. I should have lik’d a passage with you; however the season is good & I have Concluded to Return hom to my own Country, Which I esteem to be the best that I ever Saw, I Shall sail in a few days for Boston, in the first ship that will be Cleard for that port, Wh. makes the Trade as Regular as...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 29 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Doubtless you will be pleas’d to hear that notwithstanding the Calamities of human life in general and the State of War this Country is in by Which we among a number of Innosent ones have Suffer’d great Loss and Damage yet we are all well in good Spirits and Choose rather still to Suffer than Submit to lawless Power. My Son John being in the prime of Life...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 2 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your recommendation of mr. Holker as Well as His own Worth, intitiles him to every Civility & assistence in my power, in full faith & Confidence in your recommendation I have Undertook to Indorse his Bills to a Large amt. They are Public Bills & doubtless will be honourd I have 2½ per Cent for the Business but 10 per Cent would be no Indusement Without your...