1To Benjamin Franklin from William Neate, 24 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. William Neate presents his most respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and as a report prevailed yesterday Evening that all the disputes between Great Britain and the American Colonies were thro’ his application and influence with Lord North amicably setled, conformable to the wish and desire of the late Congress. W N desires the favor of Dr. Franklin to inform...
2To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 24 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I came here on Thursday last to attend the Funeral of my poor old Mother who died the Monday Noon preceeding. Mr. Bache sent his Clerk Express to me on the Occasion, who reached Amboy on Tuesday Evening, and I set out early the next Morning, but the Weather being very severe, and snowing hard, I was not able to reach here till about 4 o’Clock on Thursday...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 24 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This and the following letter from William, which went on the same ship, brought Franklin the news of his wife’s death. Until her final stroke neither his son nor son-in-law had warned him that she was failing, at least in letters that survive; both had written frequently and at length but had scarcely mentioned her. Perhaps they saw no change in her...