121From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 7 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours per the August Packet, but had no Line from you by that of September. I was glad however to learn by Mr. Bache’s Letter that you were all well. I have had several Touches of the Gout lately, but am otherwise very well. Mr. and Mrs. West, Mr. and Mrs. Strahan, Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Hewson, and Sally Franklin, have at...
122From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I received yours of June 29. per Packet. I am glad to hear of all your Welfares, and that the Pictures, &c. were safe arrived. You do not tell me who mounted the great one, nor where you have hung it up. Let me know whether Dr. Bond likes the new one better than the old one; if so, the old one is to be return’d hither to Mr. Wilson, the Painter....
123From 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...
124From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I received yours of Dec. 28 and Jan. 6. and am glad to find you were so well. I do not recollect the Miss Moore’s you mention, whom Ben visited before they went away. As to Mrs. Wright, I have done all I could to serve her here; but I have somehow or other, I know not which way, displeas’d her of late, so that she does...
125From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We got well over here last Night about 8 aClock. I believe I shall not return the same Road with the Company, but go round by Winchester, and so to Carlisle, in order to settle the Posts, which the Assembly agreed to Support for a Year between the Camp and Philadelphia. My Love to all. I have receiv’d sundry Pacquets of Newspapers here from England, which I...
126From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [August 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragments): American Philosophical Society You should never be without Tubs sufficient in the Area to catch the Rain Water; for if it overflows there often, it may occasion the Foundation to settle, and hurt the Wall. I am sending you per Budden (or Robinson) a Copper to be set in your Kitchen, with some other Things. Let me have the Breadth of the Pier, that I may get a handsome Glass...
127From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 4 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is just to let you know that I am well, and that I shall write fully to you per Capt. Sparks or Falconer. My Love to Sally; and Son Bache, and the little Gentleman. I am as ever Your affectionate Husband Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / Philadelphia / per favour of / Capt. Gill Probably an error for the 3rd; see the next document. Robert Gill, the master...
128From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 24 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you largely by this Packet, but omitted mentioning two Things I want you to send me per first Ships, for two of my Friends here. One is, Miller’s German Newspapers for two or three Months back; and to be continued. The other a Lump of that Sort of Stone we make Steps and Cheeks of Cellar doors of, at Philadelphia. Your Care in these Particulars will...
129From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 February 1765 (II) (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Capt. Robinson you will receive a Case Mrs. Stevenson has sent you, with the Blankets, Bed ticks, &c. you wrote for. No new China was to be had that would match the Cup and Saucer; but a Friend who has a Set at the same time with me, spar’d me the Remains of his, which are now sent. In the Case I return Mr. Thomas Wharton’s Woollen Gown, which he was so...
130From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 June 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just received yours of the 29th [past. I have made] fresh Enquiry about the Clothes and [Sugar but have yet to] hear a Syllable of them. The brass [Engine at length] came by itself, and was deliver’d to the [ ? ] House, with the three small Parts belonging [to it] by a tall Man whom she does not know; but no Clothes, Sugar, or anything else. There...
131From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [c. 7 April 1759] (Franklin Papers)
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] By the same I shall write to dear Precious, Cousin Debby, and some other Friends. I have now only to let you know what I have sent in these Ships. There are two or 3 Boxes; Mr. Neate shipt them, but I know not on board which Ship, as he has not sent me the Bills of Lading. They were shipt on board [the] Cornelia Capt. Smith...
132Power 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...
133From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I must, I find, stay another Winter here absent from you and my Family, but positively nothing shall prevent, God willing, my Returning in the Spring. I had no Line from you by the last Packet, but had the Satisfaction of hearing you were well. I thank God, my Health continues; but I cannot in the course of things expect it much longer, which makes me the...
134From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Jefferies has so long talk’d of sailing, that People began to think he would never sail; and now I am just told that he goes this Evening, so can only say that I am well, and that having receiv’d Sally’s Letter by Capt. Falkner, I rejoice to hear you so soon got over your late Indisposition, but am impatient for the next Packet which I hope will bring...
135From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 18 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Letters are all in Capt. Falconer, but as Capt. Sparks has just been so kind as to call and acquaint me that he sails to day, and I understand that Falconer will not sail till the 20th. I just write this Line to acquaint you that I am well. Mrs. Stevenson and Polly, join me in best Affections, &c. My Love to our Children, &c. I am, my dear Debby, Your...
136Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Bargain and Sale, 9 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society This document and the two which immediately follow record the first transactions in the drawn-out process by which Franklin put together the various parcels of land on the south side of Market Street (also called High Street) between Third and Fourth Streets which became the site of his home. The plot involved here, corresponding to the later No. 318 Market...
137Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Release, 10 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society; also copy: Office of Recorder of Deeds, Philadelphia This Indenture made the Tenth day of April in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Four between Sarah Read of the City of Philadelphia...
138William Strahan to Deborah Franklin, 13 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 25–7. I will not write to you, for the future, as a stranger whom I never had the happiness of seeing, but as to one with whom I have been for some time acquainted, for having had the pleasure for several months past, to be personally known to what you will readily allow, to be your better half, you’ll permit me to fancy, I am by no means...
139William Weyman to Deborah Franklin, 26 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d you have £19 4 s . 0 d ., Philadelphia Currency, which please to give me Credit for. I have long since expected Obrien; but find the Ice has hindered him: I should therefore take it as a particular Favour you would put 18 or 20 Ream of News Paper on board the Boats, or send it as the Waggons come now, from Opposite to Philadelphia. I beg Madam, you...