31Richard Bache to Deborah Franklin, 3 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript : Yale University Library This is a pleasure I have not done myself, since my arrival in England; I have waited for an event, which, I know, as it is interesting to me is so to you—I mean the reception I should meet with from my father. I can now, with great satisfaction tell you, that he received me with open arms, and with a degree of affection that I did not expect to be made...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you some time since to go by Capt. Falconer, but he is still here. I have since written to you per Packet. And now write this Line to let you know I continue pretty well, but find more Exercise necessary to preserve my Health, and therefore am about to make the Tour of Ireland with my old Friend Mr. Jackson, purposing to return thro’ Scotland,...
33From 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....
34From 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...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 4 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letters of April 24. I hope that very bad Cold you had is gone off without any ill Consequences. I have found by a good deal of Experience, that three or four Doses of Bark taken on the first Symptoms of a Cold, will generally put it by. It was a terrible Accident indeed which happened to poor Mr. Rogers and his Family. If I were to...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have lately made a Journey of a Fortnight, to Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester and return’d only in time to be at Court on the King’s Birthday, which was yesterday. The Joy was in a fair way of being doubled on the same Day, for the Queen was deliver’d early this Morning of another Prince, the eighth Child, there being now six Princes and two...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin rarely castigated his wife as overtly as in the letter below, where he shows his annoyance and disturbance at what he considers her extravagance. He was providing her a more than ample income, as he points out; and she was making him periodic remittances. This time she had obviously run through the funds allotted her, so that in order to send him...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is just to acknowledge the Receipt of your kind Letter of Nov. 25. which came to hand last Night, per Capt. Sparks. I had before received those per Capt. Falconer, by whom I shall write fully to you and all my Friends that correspond with me. I am, Thanks to God, as well as ever. My Love to our Children and the Kingbird, as you call him. In haste, I...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [November 1770] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is just to let you know I am well, but so busy that I cannot now write more than to acknowledge the Receipt of your kind Letter of Oct. 14. with Sally’s and Mr. Bache’s, which I shall answer per next Opportunity. Thanks for the Cranberrys. I am as ever Your affectionate Husband Endorsed: D Franklin The letters that BF is acknowledging were carried by...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Aug. 16. which gave me a great deal of Satisfaction. I am glad your little Grandson recovered so soon of his Illness, as I see you are quite in Love with him, and your Happiness wrapt up in his; since your whole long Letter is made up of the History of his pretty Actions. It was very prudently done of you not to interfere when...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 19 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to you by our ingenious Countryman Mr. Benbridge, who has so greatly improv’d himself in Italy as a Portrait Painter, that the Connoisseurs in that Art here think few or none excel him. I hope he will meet with due Encouragement in his own Country, and that we shall not lose him as we have lost Mr. West: For if Mr. Benbridge did not...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 10 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letters of March 12 and April 24. I think you are the most punctual of all my Correspondents; and it is often a particular Satisfaction to me to hear from you, when I have no Letter from any one else. I did per Capt. Falconer answer Sally’s Letter about her Son’s being inoculated; and told her Sir John Pringle’s Opinion as to the...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 20 April 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Munson-William-Proctor Institute This will be delivered to you by Miss Farquarson and Miss Smith, the one bred a Miliner, the other a Mantuamaker, who, by the Advice and Consent of their Friends, go to Philadelphia, with an Intention of following their respective Businesses there. They are Persons of good Character, and very well recommended to me; therefore I recommend them warmly to...
44From 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...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (facsimile) in John Jay Smith, American Historical and Literary Curiosities; Consisting of Fac-Similes of Some Plates, &c. Relating to Columbus, and Original Documents of the Revolution … Second Series (New York, 1860), pl. XLVI . By Capt. Falconer, I shall write to you fully; this only serves to acquaint you that I am as well as I can be without my usual Journey, but I begin to feel the...
46From 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...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society By Capt. Sparks Mrs. Stevenson sent you a large square Case, containing the Things mentioned in the inclos’d Invoice; it was marked Stores for Mrs. Franklin Philadelphia , and carried on board by our Porter, who says he deliver’d it to the Mate, but he brought back no Receipt. The Mate told him he liv’d not far from you, and knew us both. I hope there has...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of Jan. 3. per Packet, and one from Sally. I wrote to you very fully by the late Ships. This is only to let you know I am well, and particularly that my Arms, which you enquire after, have perfectly recover’d their Strength. Your Account of Mr. Coleman’s fresh Disorder, grieves me exceedingly. I have had a Visit from Mr. Bache’s Sister, who...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 December 1768 [–26 January 1769] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now before me your Favours of Oct. 1. 18, 23, 30, and Nov. 5. which I shall answer in order. I wonder to hear that my Friends were backward in bringing you my Letters when they arrived, and think it must be a mere Imagination of yours, the Effect of some melancholy Humour you happened then to be in. I condole with you sincerely on poor Debby’s...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 8 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Haven Colony Historical Society I write this Line in great Haste, just to let you know I am well, and to request your Care in delivering the enclosed. I am, with Love to our Children, Your affectionate Husband
51From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Cornell University Library It feels very strange to me to have Ships and Packets come in, and no Letters from you. But I do not complain of it, because I know the reason is, my having written to you that I was coming home. That you may not have the same disagreable Sensation, I write this Line, tho’ I have written largely by the late Ships, and therefore have little left to say. I have...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 9 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been in the Country for a few Days, and calling here this Morning I learn that this Ship, Capt. Ross, is to sail today for Philadelphia. I have nothing material to add to my last, but send this Line merely to let you know that I am extremely well, Thanks to God. Mr. Coleman is so far recovered that he thinks to return in Capt. Falkener, who sails...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 11 June 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of April 22 and 24. and rejoice to hear that you continue well notwithstanding the Fatigues you must have undergone with poor Debby. Mr. Coleman is with me. The Surgeon from whom he hoped a Cure when he came over, being gone abroad, and his Return uncertain, he has chosen upon the best Advice, to submit to have the diseased part cut out,...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 25 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thought Capt. Budden had been gone some Weeks since, but calling here just now, I find he is not sail’d but goes this Evening; so I write this Line to let you know that I continue well. I forget whether I told you in any preceding Letter that I have been at Bath and Bristol. At the latter Place I met Mr. Richardson, junr. who had Letters for me. I saw...
55From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania While I am writing, the letters by the March packet are come to hand with yours of the 9th and 12th. Amidst all the sickness and misfortunes to our friends what reason have you and I to bless God, that we at these years enjoy with our children so great a Share of health and so much happiness in other respects. Let us be thankful for what is past...
56From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 20 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have written to you lately by Packet, by Mr. Ayres, and by Capt. Falkener, and have little to add; but I know you will expect a Line by our Friend Capt. Story. I hope he will succeed in his new Employment, and indeed I make no doubt of it, for he is very obliging and seems to be much lik’d. It griev’d me to hear of the Death of that fine Child of theirs....
57From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Nationalbibliothek, Vienna I wrote to you per Packet, and also by Mr. Ayres, who goes in Sparks. But I must send you a Line per Capt. Falkener, and another per Capt. Story, if ’tis only to say over again that I am well, and to acknowledge the Receipt of your kind Letters and Presents of Meal, Apples, Nuts, Cranberries &c. I have written to Sally too by Mr. Ayres, My Love to her and all...
58From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter per Capt. Story, of Nov. 19, and a subsequent one per Capt. Falkner without date. I have received also the Indian and Buckwheat Meal that they brought from you, with the Apples, Cranberries and Nuts, for all which I thank you. They all prove good, and the Apples were particularly welcome to me and my Friends, as there happens to...
59From 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...
60From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this minute receiv’d Letters by the Packet of October, from Billy and some other Friends, but not a Line from you. I suppose therefore you have written by some other Vessel: I long to hear of your and Sally’s Welfare from your own Hands. I purpose writing to you fully to-morrow; but as I may be interrupted, I would not miss this Post, in hope it may...