From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 24 May 1762
To Mary Stevenson
ALS: American Philosophical Society
May 24. 62.
According to Promise I write on Monday to let my good Girl know how her Mama does; but so late in the Day that I fear I might as well have let it alone till Tuesday. She is not yet quite well, but so well as to be abroad ever since Morning. I went early into the City, Din’d there, and return’d hoping for the Pleasure of a Dish of Tea with her; when I learnt that she went out soon after me, and had not since been at home: So was forc’d to beg my Tea at Mrs. Gambier’s.5 This will look a little like a Complaint, but I don’t intend it.
Are you provided with a House? If not, look into Tomorrow’s Daily Advertiser where you will find one to be let at Ealing, which I know and think I could recommend as to the Pleasantness of the Neighbourhood, Roads, &c. if the Description appears such as may make the rest agreable. I know there is a good deal of Garden, and abundance of Room in and about the House.6
I shall be glad to hear that you got well home, and found all well. Present my best Respects to Mrs. Tickell, Mrs. Rooke and to Pitty. I am, my dear Friend, Yours affectionately
B Franklin
Addressed: To / [Miss Ste] venson / [at] Mrs Tickell’s / [Wa]nstead / Essex7
Endorsed: May 24–62
5. Probably one of Mrs. Stevenson’s neighbors in Craven Street. Mrs. Gambier may have been the mother of John and Samuel Gambier of the Bahamas, to whom BF sent two boxes of goods in 1759; see above, VIII, 424 n.
6. The Daily Advertiser, May 27, 1762, advertised a “neat convenient House” for lease at Great Ealing in Middlesex Co. The house contained three parlors, four bedrooms, four servants’ rooms, stabling for four horses, and a “Garden wall’d and planted with the best Fruit-Trees, and full cropp’d.”
7. Part of the address page has been torn off.