To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 January 1783
From Jonathan Williams, Jr.
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Nantes Jan. 4. 1783.
Dear & hond sir.
I beg leave to reccommend to your kind Notice Mr Purviance son to a Respectable Merchant in Maryland.9 This young Gentleman proposes to make a Tour to Ireland with a View of reestablishing his Health & visiting some Relations. I shall be much obliged by your giving him the necessary passport, and whatever Civilities you may think proper to show him you may depend he will be worthy of, & I shall esteem them as a favour done to me.
My Friend Mr Nikson [Nilson?], an Irish Gentn but an american in his Heart, goes with Mr Purviance, & I equaly reccommend him to your notice. I am as ever most dutifully & affectionately Yours
Jona Williams J
His Excelly Doctor Franklin.
9. Perhaps John H. Purviance (d. 1820), son of Samuel Purviance, Jr. (XXII, 606n). Samuel and his brother Robert were natives of Donegal who emigrated to Philadelphia with their father in the mid-1750s and became partners in a Baltimore mercantile firm. We have found no record of Robert’s children. Samuel’s son John served as secretary and interpreter for James Monroe during his tenure as U.S. minister to France. Edward C. Papenfuse et al., eds., A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635–1789–1789(2 vols., Baltimore and London, 1979–85), II, 667–9.