From Benjamin Franklin to Timothy Horsfield, 24 January 1756
To Timothy Horsfield
Extract:8 American Philosophical Society
[Fort Allen, January 24, 1756]
Foulk with his Company March this Day to build another Fort between this and Fort Lebanon in the Forks of Shuylkill.9 He is to be assisted by Traxlers Company and a Detachment of Wetherhold’s, which also leaves us this day. My Son with Hay’s Company and Arndt’s Marches in a few Days to Surfass’s Place1 (where Trump is also Expected) to Erect another Fort between this and the Fort Hamilton Near Brodheads.2
I purpose to remain here between them till both are finished, with Wayne, and the Detachment of Davis, that I may be able to Supply and Assist on either Side, as Occassion requires.
This is the present State of Our Affairs of which please to Inform Our Friends as I cannot now write to them.
8. On January 25 Horsfield (in Bethlehem) wrote William Parsons (in Easton), “This moment I Received a Leter from Mr. Franklin Dated at Fort Allen the 24th Inst, Wherein he Desires you will Excuse him for not Writeing to you as he had not then time. The following is a part of his letter to me which he Desires I would Communicate to his Friends Dated as above the 24th.” Following the extract, printed here, Horsfield concluded, “This is the Chief of the Leter Excepting Mr. Franklin’s Orders for Sending up the Provision which I hope to get away Tuesday Morning [January 25].”
9. This fortification, later popularly called Fort Franklin, was erected near the site of the present Snyders, Schuylkill Co. For the officers and companies mentioned in this letter see above, pp. 343–7.
1. See below, p. 368 n.
2. This fortification, named Fort Norris after the speaker, was erected near the site of the present Kresgeville, Monroe Co.