To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 11 June 1782
From Jonathan Williams, Sr.
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Boston June 11th. 1782
Dear sr
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 southward4 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 present wilest she was here & indeed apear’d as happy as I ever new her, but by a Late Letter from her I find she is sadly afflicted with the Death of her most Amiable G—— Daughter Mrs Green.5
We all have Our Trobles my Only Brother6 a few days ago Died allso but as Death is the Condition of human life we have no reason to Complain.
The Inclos’d Letter I recd from your Sister.
Bilive me ever your dutifull Nephew & most Hble Servant
Jona Wms
N.B. my Wife & Children are all well Desire their Duty
Our Oldest Daughter Betsy is the mother of a Very fine Daughter Nam’d after her mother7
Doctr Benja Franklin
Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esqe. / Passy / near / Paris
4. BF’s letter has not been found. It was almost certainly a duplicate of the recommendation of John Francis de Beÿerlé that BF sent to Michael Hillegas on June 17, 1781: XXXV, 171–2. Beÿerlé reached Philadelphia in April: Hillegas to BF, April 29, above.
5. Jane Mecom received BF’s gift, described in our annotation to her June 17 letter, below, during a visit the preceding fall, not spring: XXXV, 666. Jane Flagg Greene died in April: Catharine Greene to BF, May 8, above.
6. John Williams (I, lviin), whom we erroneously placed in Europe until the end of the war: XII, 193n; JW to John Williams, Sr., June 9, 1782; JW to Jonathan Williams & Son, Sept. 3, 1782 (both at Yale University Library).
7. Elizabeth (XIV, 289n) gave birth to Grace Williams Eaton on Feb. 15: A Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, Containing Boston Births from A.D. 1700 to A.D. 1800 (Boston, 1894), p. 331. She had married Joshua Eaton on April 24, 1781; Van Doren, Franklin-Mecom, p. 215.