1To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 28 June 1774 (Adams Papers)
We yesterday received your Letter directed to us, with those for Braintree, immediately on the Receipt of it, I went to Mr Cranch’s to seek a Conveyance for them but no Opportunity offered there or at the Markets. After my return to the Office, I thought it probable that we might send them from Edes and Gill’s Shop. Accordingly I run in, I very luckily met with Mr Allens Servant who promised...
2To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 25 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter was this Day delivered to me in the office. Your obliging thanks for my duty gives me singular Pleasure. Mr. Hill return’d to Boston last Saturday. I very early in my Letter give you this Information because I hope it will afford you a share of consolation and happiness in proportion equal to your grief and concern you have had for his elopement. It seems his Father, as I presumed...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams: Account, October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society For several years Jonathan Williams, Senior, husband of Franklin’s niece, the former Grace Harris (C.5.3), had represented Franklin in business matters at Boston and had acted for him in looking after their less fortunate relatives in that area. Franklin in turn seems to have performed various financial services for Williams in Philadelphia or during his...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, 17 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Charles Russel the Bearer hereof applies to me for a few Lines to Make him known to you. He is Son of the Honourable James Russel Esquire of Charlestown. Comes home to perfect His practice as a Physican, in one of the Hospotals, and being a Gentleman of good Character here I Beg Leave to recommend Him to your Civilities as a Stranger in the City of...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, 19 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received yours per Mr. S. Barrett —your kind Condolance of my late Misfortune by Fire and Good Opinion of my Industry and ability to recover the same Gives me Pleasure; I am verry Sensible its Wise not to be Concern’d about What I Cant Help more. Especially for What I niver may want, and I am Satify’d I Shall niver Want to buy an Old House to Repair...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr. [August? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete and mutilated): American Philosophical Society [ Beginning mutilated ] advice, because I [ torn ] I think afterward indeed I am [ torn ] fearing that he is Spending his [ torn ] nought his Situation puts me in [mind of a quotation?] I have somewere seen [ illegible ] the God if the [ torn ] to hold attendance and Dependence be [ torn ]. Agreeable to your Orders Some [ torn
7From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 25 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. George S. Maywood, Garden City, N.Y. (1955) I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival and the Promotion of my Son. I am in hopes I shall be able to see Boston the next Spring, and to have the Pleasure of finding you and my other Friends well. I congratulate you on your having such a Number of Sons. You remember the Blessing on him that has his Quiver full of them. My...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I am concern’d that I have not for a long time heard any thing of Sister Douse. Pray inform me how she is. Brothers John, Peter and my self, agreed to contribute towards a small Pension for her Support; I should be glad to know whether it is regularly paid. Inclos’d is a Receipt for 30 Reams of Paper. I wrote to you per Morton and refer to that. My Love to...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you last Week per Capt. Dole 92 Reams of Demi Printing Paper, best, in two Cases, and 98 Ream of brown; which I hope will come safe to hand, and to a good Market. The Printing Paper to be sold at 15 s . and the Brown at 6 s . this Currency, the lowest. My Love to your Wife and Children. I am Your loving Uncle [ Crossed out: ] P.S. I shall order...
10From Benjamin Franklin to [Jonathan Williams], 26 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Inclos’d is a Receipt for some things of mine sent to your Care. I am thus far on my Journey to Boston, and hope now to have soon the Pleasure of seeing you. My Love to your Wife and Children. Tell my Cousin to have his Harpsichord in good Order, for I love Music and shall be pleas’d to hear him. My Daughter too, that comes with me, plays a little, and will be...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 4 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before I went abroad this last Summer, I left Orders with my Banker to purchase two Tickets for you, and send you the Numbers. Since my Return I understand the Orders were executed. I hope you receiv’d the Banker’s Letter; if not, this will inform you that the Numbers are 33m799 and 33m800. with which I wish you the best Success. I think I mention’d in a...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 21 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Richard B. Duane, Locust, N.J. (1955) I have received yours of the 12th Inst. As to the Mistake I mention’d, I find on Revisal that it was not in your Account but in my Eyes, which mistook one Figure for another. I wrote to you from Burlington that I should pay your Order in favour of Robinson as soon as I return’d to Town, which I accordingly did. The Sum £47 15 s. 4 d. I should be glad...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.], A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 80–1. You may remember, that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant’s right to some land here, by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 7 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chicago Historical Society I send you per Capt. Morton 20 Reams whited Brown Paper, and 10 of blue. Please to acquaint Mr. Langdon of it; I think that is the Gentleman’s Name who wrote to me for some of both Sorts, but I have mislaid his Letter. He wanted it for Packing Sperma-Ceti Candles. The Price of the brown you know; the blue is 1¼ Dollar per Ream. Credit my Account with the Money...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 24 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have taken the Liberty to trouble you with a Box put this Day on board the Sloop William Capt. Ephraim Jones, directed for you. In it is a Portmantle and Mail Pillon belonging to Mr. Bernard, your Governor’s Son, which please to send to the Governor’s as soon as it gets to hand: Also a Parcel for Sister Mecom; and some Books on Inoculation, which I should...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 28 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Photostat: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I receiv’d yours acquainting me that the Chair is shipt. It is not yet come to hand, but the Armonica is arrived safe, not a Glass hurt. I am much obliged by your Care of my little Affairs. The House, when repair’d, I would have you let to as good a Tenant and for as good a Rent as you can well get: and let me have the Account of Repairs, that it...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 24 May 1764 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin; Now for the First Time Published (Boston, 1833), p. 93. The bearer is the Reverend Mr. Rothenbuler, minister of a new Calvinist German Church, lately erected in this city. The congregation is but poor at present, being many of them new comers, and, (like other builders) deceived in...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 3 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Case of the Armonica came home to Night, and the Spindle with all the rest of the Work seems well done. But on farther Consideration, I think it not worth while to take one of them to London to be fitted with Glasses as we intended. It will be better to send you one compleat from thence, made under my Direction, which I will take care shall be good. The...