To Benjamin Franklin from Ray Greene, 4 August 1776
From Ray Greene
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Warwick August 4th, 1776
Honord Sir
It would be Ungrateful in me not to Acknoqledge the many Obligations I am Under to you and my Good Granmah Mecom by so good an opportunity as this. Pappa and Mammah had thoughts of taking me with them.5 My mamma wrote you of my getting home well or I should Certainly have done it as I know you thought of me. We had a very Pleasent journey I saw some of my relations in new york very intimate acquaintances that did not know me. They said I was so much altered and by their Smiles Concluded they thought it was for the better. Most all my friends wishes me to go back again shall I Conclude they love me? Indeed Sir I love you Dearly Gratitude says I must but had rather stay at home. Pray give my Duty to Mr. and Mrs. Bache and Sincere love to Mr. temple and all the family who I tenderly Regard. Permit to write a few lines to my Dear Granmah in your letter6 I’m your Dutiful and Oblidged Servant
Ray Greene
Addressed: To / Doctr. Franklin / Philadelphia
5. Jane Mecom was “Granmah” because she had become a quasi-mother to his mother; see her letter to Caty above, Nov. 24. In writing BF on July 3, 1776, Caty had asked his advice on whether to bring Ray, then eleven, home for vacation. The parents had done so, but had themselves left for Philadelphia so that William Greene might collect $120,000 due Rhode Island for troops taken into the continental service: William G. Roelker, Benjamin Franklin and Catharine Ray Greene . . . (Philadelphia, 1948), p. 77.
6. The brief note to Jane (APS) explains that he has not written because he had “errands,” and was “once Smart to work when the Post Past.” He hopes that she is pleased with what he is told is to be Jenny Flagg’s match (i.e., to Elihu Greene), and that it will be “Pretty Soon if you like it. He comes Pretty often.”