To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Franklin, 30 May 1765
From Sarah Franklin
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Philad. May 30 65
Honoured Sir
I take it particularly kind of you to write to me at a time when I know you must have so much Business on Your hands.5 However I hope tis hapily setled before this and that we shall have the Satisfaction of seing you here in the fall, which we long for.
As I know my dear Papa likes to hear of Wedings I will Give him a list of my Acquaintance that has enter’d the Matrimonial State since his departure. Mr. Shee to Miss Lawrence6 Mr. Clymer to Miss Meridith7 Young Coats to Miss Hughes8 Mr. Martin of Maryland to Miss Betsy Bond,9 it was sudin Thought Mr. [Joseph Shewell to Miss] Kinnersly1 Miss Keple our Neighbour to Marry but I [dont recall?] her Mate.2 Dont you think [these] make a figure. Besides there is a great many that are just going to be married.
The Commencement began this Morning. Doc. Morgan Made publick his plan for forming a Physical School in the College. I send you the Dialogue that is to be performed tomorrow.3
Good Mrs. Gram is to be buried this Afternoon—she has been ill a long time.4
I am proud to hear Miss Stevenson wears my work and wish it was more worthy the Wearer.5 Pray give my love to Mrs. Stevenson and her Daughter. I see the Girls this Morning and they begd me to send their love to you they were much pleased that you mentioned them. I am my dear Papa your Dutiful Daughter
Sally Franklin
5. BF’s letter has not been found.
6. Miss Lawrence was Katharine (“Kitty”) Lawrence, grand-daughter of Thomas Lawrence, mayor of Philadelphia and provincial councilor, and grand-niece of Robert Hunter Morris, the former governor. According to one observer, her family was unhappy with her marriage to John Shee, a merchant who served with distinction during the Revolutionary War; “they expecting nothing less than a Prince of the Blood.” Charles P. Keith, The Provincial Councillors of Pennsylvania (Phila., 1883), p. 434; PMHB, XVIII (1894), 41.
7. George Clymer married Elizabeth Meredith on March 18, 1765. 2 Pa. Arch., VIII, 58; PMHB, XVIII (1894), 41. Clymer and his father-in-law, Reese Meredith, were both merchants and formed the partnership of Merediths & Clymer. An ardent patriot, Clymer represented Pa. in the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. DAB.
8. Lindsay Coats married Ruth Hughes, the daughter of BF’s close friend and political associate, John Hughes, on April 13, 1765. 2 Pa. Arch., VIII, 58; PMHB, LI (1927), 275 n.
9. John Martin of Maryland, perhaps a physician, married Elizabeth Bond, daughter of Dr. Thomas Bond (above, II, 240 n) on May 9, 1765. 2 Pa. Arch., VIII, 32; PMHB, XVIII (1894), 41.
1. Joseph Shewell married Esther Kinnersley, daughter of BF’s close friend and scientific collaborator, Ebenezer Kinnersley (above, II, 259 n), on April 22, 1765. 2 Pa. Arch., VIII, 770.
2. Catharine Keppele married John Steinmetz (Stonemetz) on April 18, 1765. 2 Pa. Arch., II, 141; Theodore G. Tappert and John W. Doberstein, trans., The Journals of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, II (Phila., 1945), 222.
3. The commencement at the College of Philadelphia, the conclusion of which was postponed until Friday morning, May 31, because of the extremely hot weather, is described fully in Pa. Gaz., June 6, 1765. John Morgan began an oration, which was published as A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America (Phila., 1765), on one morning and finished it on the next. In October 1765 Morgan sent a copy of the Discourse to BF. See below, p. 308.
4. Ann Diggs Graeme, wife of Dr. Thomas Graeme and mother of WF’s old flame, Elizabeth Graeme (above, VII, 177 n), died on May 29, 1765. Keith, Provincial Councillors of Pa., p. 161.
5. Just what Sally sent Polly Stevenson is not known.