To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Shipley, 22 September 1772
From Georgiana Shipley8
ALS: Yale University Library
Chilbolton Tuesday 22d September [17729]
Dear Sir
I have the Misfortune to acquaint you that last week poor Mungo got out of his Cage and was killed by a Dog. I was really very much concerned for it, as I am remarkably fond of all Squirrels, and particularly valued Mungo as being the Gift of my good Friend. I perfer’d it to the European Squirrels for being more Gentle and Goodhumored and full as lively.1
Papa and Mama are gone to spend a week at Bevismount. The Bow Windows at Twyford go on but Slowly.2 I believe we shall not be able to remove there this year, but we all hope you will still hold yourself engaged to spend some part of the Autumn at Chilbolton all this Family desires their best Compliments and I remain Your Obliged humble Servant
Georgiana Shipley
Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / at Mrs: Stephensons / Craven Street / Strand / London
Endorsed: The Answer is on the other Side.3
8. For the Shipley’s fourth daughter, who was about sixteen at the time, see above, XVIII, 200 n.
9. The one year during BF’s acquaintance with the Shipleys when the 22nd fell on a Tuesday. The family had gone to Chilbolton, Hants., the only living that the Bishop had not resigned on his transfer to St. Asaph, because their principal residence at Twyford was being remodeled.
1. For the gift of squirrels see BF to DF above, Jan. 28, and below, Feb. 14, 1773.
2. Bevis Mount, on the outskirts of Southampton, had been the seat of Mrs. Shipley’s uncle, the third Earl of Peterborough, who had entertained there Swift, Pope, and other literary figures; see the DNB under Charles Mordaunt. At this time the estate was in the hands of the Earl’s nephew and Mrs. Shipley’s cousin, the elderly General Sir John Mordaunt, for whom see also the DNB. The bow windows at Twyford that were a major part of the remodeling are shown in the illustration of the house in the Autobiog., following p. 44.
3. In BF’s hand; his answer is the following document.