Benjamin Franklin Papers

M. Foulger to David Edwards, 5 February 1759

M. Foulger to David Edwards7

ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Illington,8 Feb. the 5 1759

Sir

As you have Testified so particularly a desire, in being better Informd in your Affair, with Mr. Franklin we took an Oppertunity of meeting Mr. Foulger, who could give little Intelegence more than we have Acquainted you, the before mention’d Peter Foulger, went when he was a Lad with a Neighbouring Gentleman the Name unknown to us, As a Servant to New England,9 After his Arrival, he Frequent Convers’d with his Relations, who lived at, or near, Windham in Norfolk his Letters cannot be Produce’d by none of the Family that we can Learn. If it suits with my Husbands Conveinency he will meet you; at your Appointment. Which Concludes Me, Your Humble Servant

M: Foulger

Accept United Compliments and Dispose of that to your worthy Friend, Mr. Franklin as you Express him if Agreeable.

Addressed: To / Mr David Edwards / at Mr Grigsbys Attorney at Law / At / St Edmunds Bury / Suffolk

Endorsed: Reced Feb. 7th. 1759. DE.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

7Neither the writer of this letter, her husband, nor the other “Mr. Foulger” mentioned in it has been identified. On David Edwards, see above, VII, 275 n.

8A small village in the Hundred of Shropham, Norfolk, about nineteen miles from Norwich and four miles from Attleborough, where BF had found the grave of a Thomas Foulger, to whom he believed he must have been related. He apparently asked his friend David Edwards of Bury St. Edmunds to make inquiries in that neighborhood. See above, pp. 171–2.

9BF’s maternal grandfather, Peter Folger (or Foulger; B.1), was born in Norwich and had migrated to New England in 1635 with his parents and one sister.

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