To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 1 March 1776
From Jonathan Williams, Sr.
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Worcester march 1st. 1776
Honored Sir
Agreeable to your desire I now inclose your Acct. Drawn in the best manor I now Cane tho’ not So partecular as I Could wish as Some of my Old books and papers were Consumed Last may in my werehouses3 but I belive it is nearly right. I received an acct. of yours from England drawn by Jonathan in which was Some omitions the £50. paid your niece on her marage with the many repairs of your House and £18.8s. 5d. Difficience in Reiley rent Which you Order’d me to Charge Your Acct. with &c.4 My Wife Joines in duty to you and Love to your Children. I am Your Friend and Nephew
Jona Williams
PS Please to Let Us know if you hear from Our Son.
Addressed: To / The Honble. Benjamin Franklin Esqr / In / Philadelphia / per Post
Franked: Free William Ellery5
3. See his letter to BF above, June 19.
4. For JW’s account and the one that his father enclosed with this letter see above, X, 354–61. The former actually included the wedding present to Jane Mecom’s daughter Jane, and the costs of repairing the house on Unity Street and the sum left unpaid by its tenant, James Reilly.
5. A Newport merchant and lawyer, who two months later became one of the Rhode Island delegates to Congress. DAB. We have no idea why a letter from Worcester to Philadelphia should have passed through his hands, or in what capacity he franked it.