From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 9 October 1767
To Mary Stevenson
ALS: Dr. William Hewson Baltzell, Philadelphia, Pa. (1957)
Friday morning Oct. 9. 67
I write this Line just to acquaint our dear Polly, that I left her amiable Friend Miss Henckel9 well at Calais on Wednesday noon, waiting for good Weather to come over. She has been four Months at Spa. She enquir’d concerning Miss Stevenson’s Health and Welfare in the most tender and affectionate Manner; and will be disappointed in not finding you at Bromley. We got home well last Night. My respectful Compliments to Mrs. Tickell.1 I am, as ever, my dear Friend, Yours affectionately
B Franklin
9. Not identified, but probably the daughter of one among a number of London merchants surnamed Henckell, who were active in trade with the Continent, especially with Hamburg and Lisbon. Kent’s Directory for the Year 1770 (London, 1770), lists several Henckells.
1. An aunt with whom Polly lived at Kensington.