From Benjamin Franklin to Conrad Weiser, Jonas Seely, and James Read, 30 December 1755
To Conrad Weiser, Jonas Seely,9 and James Read
ALS: Grand Lodge F. and A.M. of Pennsylvania
Easton, Dec. 30. 1755.
Gentlemen
We are just on the Point of setting out for Bethlehem, in our Way to Reading, where we propose to be (God willing) on Thursday Evening.1 The Commissioners are all well, and thank you for the Concern you express for their Welfare.2 We hope to have the Pleasure of finding you well. No News this Way, except that Aaron Depui’s Barn3 was burnt last Week, the Indians still keeping near those Parts. In haste, I am Gentlemen Your humble Servant
B Franklin
To Weiser, Seely and Read Esqrs
Addressed: To / Conrad Weiser / Jonas Seely / James Read / Esquires / Reading
9. Jonas Seely (c. 1710–1800), prominent Berks County justice, treasurer, and landowner, shared leadership of defensive measures there with Weiser and Read. George W. Schultz, “The Three Seely Brothers in Berks County,” Hist. Rev. of Berks County, V (1940), 82–4.
1. See above, p. 308. They arrived in Reading early Thursday afternoon, Jan. 1, 1756.
2. No communication from these men to the commissioners has been found.
3. See above, p. 311 n.