From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Wharton, 9 November 1764
To Thomas Wharton4
ALS: Yale University Library
Cape Henlopen, Nov. 9. 1764
2 aClock P M.
Dear Sir
We are just putting to Sea, with a Wind fine and fair as can blow. My Love to my good old true Friend your Father,5 and all his worthy Sons;6 And my affectionate Regards to all enquiring Friends. I am Yours affectionately
B Franklin
Endorsed: Benja. Franklin Cape-Henlopen Novr. 9th. 1764
4. So identified on the basis of Wharton’s reply of Nov. 13, 1764; see below, pp. 456–8.
5. Joseph Wharton (1707–1776), Philadelphia merchant, benefactor of the Pa. Hospital, and shareholder in Lib. Co. Phila. See above, V, 317, 320, 330.
6. Joseph Wharton had ten sons by his first wife, seven and possibly eight of whom were living in 1764. Of these Samuel (above, p. 187 n) and Thomas (above, p. 449 n) had been closely associated with BF in anti-proprietary politics in 1764. By a second wife Wharton had five sons, one of whom, a boy of seven, was living in 1764, and two more of whom had not yet been born.