From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Burton, 21 November 1766
To Daniel Burton
ALS: Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
Craven Street, Nov. 21. 1766
Reverend Sir,
Being informed that Mr. Jonathan Odell1 purposes applying to the Venerable Society, for an Appointment to the Mission of Burlington in New Jersey, I beg leave to acquaint you that from the Character he bears I apprehend such Appointment may be very agreable to the Congregation there; and that if the Society think fit to favour his Request, I shall recommend him warmly to the Countenance and Friendship of the Governor of that Province. I am, with great Respect Reverend Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
Revd. Doctor Burton
Endorsed: Mr Odell’s testimonium and recommendation Laid before the Board—Nov. 21. 1766.
1. Jonathan Odell (1737–1818), Anglican clergyman, surgeon, vigorous satirist, active Tory, was born in Newark; graduated from the College of New Jersey, 1754; studied medicine; was ordained in London, January 1767. The S.P.G. appointed him to the mission in Burlington, where he served until after the beginning of the American Revolution. He was with the British Army in America, 1776–77, first as a surgeon, then as a chaplain. After the war he settled in the province of New Brunswick, where he was a councilor and secretary of the province, 1785 to his death. DAB; Frederick L. Weis, “The Colonial Clergy of the Middle Colonies,” Amer. Antiq. Soc. Proc., new series, lxvi (1957), 284–5.