From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 September 1768
To Jane Mecom
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London, Sept. 20. 1768
Dear Sister,
The last Letter I have received from you is dated May 11. I hope you continue well, tho’ ’tis so long since I have heard from you. As your good Friend Capt. Freeman has not been here this Summer, I am afraid his Sickness that you mention proved fatal to him, 8 which I shall be sorry to hear, as I had conceiv’d a great Esteem for him. I suppose the Dissolution of your Assembly will affect you a little in the Article of Boarders; but do not be discouraged.9 Your Debt to Mrs. Stevenson is paid, and she presents her kind Respects to you, and desires you will freely command her Service at any time.1 I cannot always conveniently send you the Pieces I write in the Papers here, for several Reasons; but will do it when I can. I send the Mezzotinto Print herewith.2 My Love to Cousin Jenny3 and all enquiring Friends, from Your affectionate Brother
B Franklin
Addressed: To / Mrs. Mecom / Hannover Street / Boston / per favour of / Mr Rogers
8. Isaac Freeman (c. 1718–69), ship captain, was an old friend of the family and a frequent messenger between BF and his sister. By autumn Freeman had recovered and was again crossing the Atlantic, but early in 1769 he died in the Grenadines. Jane Mecom to BF below, Nov. 7, 1768; Boston Chronicle, March 6–9, 1769.
9. Some of the out-of-town members of the Assembly boarded with Jane Mecom in Boston during the sessions. Van Doren, Franklin-Mecom, p. 103. The Assembly had been dissolved on July 1.
1. Mrs Stevenson had been sending materials for Jane to use in her millinery shop. See above, XII, 324; XIII, 489–90; XIV, 334, 345.
2. The engraving by Edward Fisher from Mason Chamberlain’s portrait of BF. See above, X, XV; XI, 89–90, 230–1; XIV, 215 n.
3. Jane’s only surviving daughter, Jane Mecom (C. 17.9).