To Benjamin Franklin from Martha Johnson, 26 January 1768
From Martha Johnson2
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Letchlade, Janry the 26 1768
Honoured Sir
I take this opertunety to write to you hopeing to find you in good helth as I am at present but as to Samey3 he is very ill but I think he is a littel better. I am jest arived at letchlade with my Brother in law4 and am in hopes to have our matters setteled in a boute a week so as to git into my shop, I have no Reason but to think that it will answer very well as my frends semes to Do every thing to obblige me and I hope I shall always Deserve thire favor I have Bought a Chees and shall send it by the waggener and it will be in town a friday night and I hope you will Receive it safe and bag your acceptance my Best Respects to mrs. stevinson and miss franklin and samey gives his Duty to you and mrs. stevinson and his love to miss franklin and tempel5 and all the fameley. I am Dear Sir your most Humbel and Obedent sarvint
Martha: Johnson
Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven St. Charing / Cross / London
2. Martha Harris Johnson (C.5.7), BF’s niece, was the daughter of his half-sister, Ann Franklin Harris. Nothing is known of Martha’s husband except that by this time he was dead. She moved from London after his death to set up as a shopkeeper in the country; see BF to Jonathan Williams below, Oct. 4, 1769. This is the first extant letter from her.
3. Martha’s son Samuel (C.5.7.1).
4. Lechlade, Glos., is a market town on the upper Thames. Of the brother-in-law, as of the husband, nothing is known.
5. For Sarah Franklin (A.5.2.3.1.1.1), BF’s cousin, see above, XIII, 446, XIV, 154; for BF’s grandson, “young Temple,” see XIII, 443.