1From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 6 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am but just return’d from a long Journey, having been absent near [six months]. I find your Favour of Novr. [ I , which I shall?] answer particularly per Reeve [who sails for London?] in about 10 Days. This [will only serve to bring?] Dr. Douglas’ Piece (and another) on the [ one and a half lines missing ] Copy, [ one line missing ]. With [ complimentary...
2Israel Pemberton to John Fothergill, [19 May 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society The Light in which Friends here are represented on your Side of the Water is cause of painful Consideration to many of us; Some of our Friends in your City, were so kind by Capt. Messnard to send us two or three of those Scandalous Pamphlets which are stiled a State of the Province. It has justly alarmed all ranks of People here to find we have some...
3Israel Pemberton to John Fothergill, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania As I am sensible thou art well acquainted with Benja. Franklin’s Character a recommendation of him seems unnecessary, yet as I would not be deficient in respect to him and am Sincerely desirous he may succeed in the important Service he is engag’d in, I cannot but desire he may have some Share of thy Friendship and so far as his views and measures tend...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, [October 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I took the 30 grs. of Comp[oun]d Powder of Contrayerva you prescribed, and had a good Night. I had no Headach in the Morning, as when I took the Hartshorn Drops; and therefore did not cup. But I have had all Day yesterday, a Giddiness and Swimming in my Head, which, every time I rise up, or turn suddenly, makes me stagger a little. I hear a humming Noise...
5From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS Autobiography: Huntington Library The filthy streets of Philadelphia and London were a persistent challenge to Franklin’s civic conscience. He explained in the autobiography that “by talking and writing on the Subject” he had at length done something about the streets of Philadelphia. At an unstated time, perhaps before he retired from business, he “wrote and printed a Paper” (not found) on...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 8 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society On Nov. 8, 1762, William Shippen (above, IX , 219 n), who had recently arrived in Philadelphia from London, informed the treasurer and managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital that Dr. John Fothergill had sent by the Carolina (the ship which had brought Franklin home) a present of seven cases of materials for the study of anatomy. Three contained drawings by...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 14 March 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your Favour of the 10th. of Decemr. It was a great deal for one to write, whose Time is so little his own. By the way, When do you intend to live? i.e. to enjoy Life. When will you retire to your Villa, give your self Repose, delight in Viewing the Operations of Nature in the vegetable Creation, assist her in her Works, get your ingenious Friends at...
8From Daniel Roberdeau to Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and Charles Pearce, 27 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania However reluctant a man may be within his sprere of action to give trouble to another, yet the circumstance of distance of place lays him under an indispensable necessity, and when that happens his first thought leads to the object of his confidence, and he is exercised therein in proportion to the trust he is to repose. I have motives...
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been for weeks past meditating a Voyage to London, which would be attended with very great inconvenience, to sell my Estate in St. Christophers, as a long lease thereon is now almost expired, when a presumptious thought occurred, that if you would condescend to look down from Affairs of the highest publick concern, to an Affair of the highest private...
10From Daniel Roberdeau to Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and Charles Pearce, 27 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook copy): Historical Society of Pennsylvania Please to be refered to what I wrote you the 27th. Ulto, on considering the possibility of your not obtaining £6,500 Sterl. for my Estate the Sum by which you were then limited, and as I would not have my purpose mared by failing of the above sum, and in Case you cannot obtain an intermediate Sum I even consent to take Six Thousand...