Collection of Benjamin Franklin materials: Finding Aid
Finding aid prepared by Diann Benti and Olga Tsapina.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical
Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© 2019
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Overview of the Collection
Title: Collection of Benjamin Franklin
materials
Dates (inclusive): 1750-1787
Collection Number: mssFranklin
Creator:
Franklin, Benjamin,
1706-1790.
Extent:
38 items in 1 box (1.17 linear feet)
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection consists of various manuscripts and letters by, to, and about
American diplomat Benjamin Franklin assembled at the Huntington Library.
Language: English.
Access
RESTRICTED. Available with curatorial approval. Requires extended retrieval and
delivery time.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Collection of Benjamin Franklin materials, The
Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
The collection was assembled from various sources. More information can
be found in the item descriptions, when available.
Biographical Note
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was an author, inventor, diplomat,
politician, and scientist.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of various manuscripts and letters by, to, and about
American diplomat Benjamin Franklin assembled at the Huntington Library. The materials date from 1750 to 1787. Additional
Franklin manuscripts housed separately are listed in the Related Materials section
of this finding aid.
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
Other manuscript material by or addressed to Benjamin Franklin
- Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790.
Benjamin Franklin autobiography
(call number: HM 9999)
- Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790.
Benjamin Franklin's account books
[microform]
(call number: MSS MFilm 00722). Microfilm
from originals in the American Philosophical Society and the Pennsylvania
Historical Society
- 1775 February 10. Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to unidentified addressee.
London, England. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, in
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
collection of letters, 1729-1905
(call number: EM
45, vol. 5)
- 1776 May 11. Carroll, John. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. Autograph letter
signed (call number: HM 22517) in the
Canadiana collection
- 1779 January. [Adams, John, and Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee]. Letter
to [Charles Gravier], Comte de Vergennes (Contemporary copy, unsigned) (Call
number: HM 41567) in the
Edward Davis Townsend
papers
- 1779 November. LaVauguyon, Duc de. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. Autograph
letter signed (call number: HM 22558) in the
John Paul Jones File
- 1783 January 20. Adams, John, and Benjamin Franklin. Declaration for
Cessation of Hostilities between Great Britain and America (call number: HM
25767) in Great Britain. Cabinet. Collection of Minutes, letters of Thos.
Townshend, & a Declaration of the U.S. Ministers ... (call number: HM
25756-25767, 80765, 80766)
-
Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council. Deed to
Vincent M. Pelose, 1786 May 29.
Signed by Benjamin
Franklin (call number: HM 49488)
- Cooper, Samuel, 1725-1783.
Samuel Cooper papers, 1718-1798
(mssCO) includes letters to Franklin:
- Cooper, Samuel. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1777 March 28 (CO
15)
- Cooper, Samuel. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1777 October 25 (CO
17)
- Cooper, Samuel. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1778 November (CO
1)
- Cooper, Samuel. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1782 December 21 (CO
26)
- Adams, John. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1783 September 13 (CO
36)
- Loudoun, John Campbell, Earl of, 1705-1782.
Loudoun papers : Americana,
1682-1780
(call number: mssLO) contains letters either
to Franklin or that mention Franklin:
- Braddock, Edward. Letter to Sir Thomas Robinson that mentions
Franklin. 1755 June 5 (LO 581)
- Parsons, William. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1756 June 19 (LO
1225)
- Abercromby, James. Letter to John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun,
that mentions Franklin. 1756 July 22 (LO 1237)
- Loudoun, John Campbell, Earl of. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1757
February 20 (LO 2870)
- Montagu, Mrs. (Elizabeth), 1718-1800.
Elizabeth Montagu papers,
1688-1800
(call number: mssMO) contains copy of a
portion of a letter from Franklin:
- Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Madame B. 1778, Sept. 28. Embedded
in an incomplete letter to an unidentified addressee (MO
6836)
Letters and manuscripts that mention Franklin
- 1756-1758. Loudoun, John Campbell, Earl of, 1705-1782.
Loudoun memorandum books, 1756, January
1-1760, March 31
(call number: HM 1717) contains
references to Franklin (see 1756 July 24; 1757 April 25; 1758 January
7)
- 1763-1764.
Cash book B, [account book of unidentified
Philadelphia merchant, possibly Richard Footman and Peter Footman],
1759-1768
(call number: HM 729) containing single
entries for Franklin & Hall (June 11, 1763, p. 37) and Benjamin Franklin
(January 17, 1764, p. 41)
- 1778 January 4. Petrie, Samuel.
Letter to Edmund Burke
(Call
number: HM 23309)
- 1778 September 10. Alexander, William. Letter to Sir William Pulteney
(call number: PU 34) in the
William Pulteney papers
- 1782 May 21. Cowper, William.
Letter to John Thornton
(Call
number: HM 24316)
- 1784 November 4. Adams, John. Letter to Elbridge Gerry (call number: HM
22793)
- 1798 April 2. Murray, William Vans. Letter to Rufus King (call number:
RK 330) in
Rufus King papers
- 1775 February 6. Strahan, William. Letter to William Hall (call number:
HM 44036)
- 1787 December 1. Temple, John, Sir, 1732-1798. Notice of appointment of
Benjamin Franklin as President and Commander in Chief of the state of
Pennsylvania. Inset in extra-illustrated copy of Lossing, Benson J.
The Pictorial Field-Book of the
Revolution
(call number: 39002, v.4, page
494)
- 1908 November 28. Turner, Frederick Jackson. To Clarence Walworth Alvord
(call number: mssTU Box 11) in
Frederick Jackson Turner
papers
- 1924 April. Kennerley, Mitchell. Letter to Henry Huntington concerning
artwork "Franklin Before the Privy Council." (call number: HEH 11167) in
the
Henry E. Huntington papers
- 1924 April-September. Anderson Galleries. Letter to Henry Huntington
concerning artwork "Franklin Before the Privy Council" (call number: HEH
10978) in the
Henry E. Huntington papers
- 1924 July 10. Wyman, Walter C. Letter to Charles E. Graham concerning a
bust of Franklin (call number: HEH 11278) in the
Henry E. Huntington papers
- 1925 June 20. Alvord, Clarence Walworth. To Frederick Jackson Turner (Call
number: mssTU Box 34) in
Frederick Jackson Turner
papers
Facsimiles of Franklin manuscripts
-
Max Farrand papers
(call numbers:
mssFAR) includes photocopies of letters by Franklin:
- FAR Box 19 (5) Franklin, Benjamin. Letters to Catherine Ray
Greene. 1755-1778. Photocopies of 8 autograph letters signed.
- FAR Box 19 (10) Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Anna Maria Shipley.
1779 March 25. Passy, France Photocopy of autograph letter
signed.
- FAR Box 19 (3) Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to [William Bartram].
1769 July 9. London, England. Photocopy of autograph letter signed.
1 page.
- FAR Box 19 (8) Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Humphrey Marshall.
1771 April 22. London, England. Photocopy of autograph letter
signed.
- FAR Box 19 Franklin, Benjamin. Memoirs de B. Franklin (Le
Veillard’s translation of the Autobiography). 1771-1789. Positive
and negative Photostats of manuscript (206 pages), in French.
- FAR Box 19 (7) Franklin, Benjamin. Letters to Jan Ingenhauss.
1781-1785. Passy, France. Photocopy of 2 autograph letters
signed.
- FAR Box 19 (6) Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to David Hartley. 1782
September 2. Passy, France. Photocopy of autograph letter
signed.
- FAR Box 19 (9) Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Richard Oswald. 1782
November 26. Passy, France. Photocopy of autograph letter
signed.
- FAR Box 19 (4) Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Matthew Carey. 1786
August 10. Photocopy of autograph letter signed. 1 page.
- FAC 752 Galloway, Joseph. Letter to William Franklin mentioning Benjamin
Franklin [FACSIMILE]. 1773 November 25.
- FAC 751 Franklin, William. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1775 August
14
- FAC 474-477 Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Silas Deane. 1776-1777 France
Facsimiles of 4 letters
- FAC 753-756 Walpole, Thomas. Letter to Benjamin Franklin. 1777
February–December Facsimiles.
- FAC 750 Bancroft, Edward . Letter to Benjamin Franklin.
1777 March 4 Facsimile
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically in one box.
Indexing Terms
Personal Names
Franklin, Benjamin,
1706-1790 -- Archives.
Franklin, Benjamin,
1706-1790 -- Autobiography.
Franklin, Benjamin,
1706-1790 -- Autographs -- Collecting and collectors.
Franklin, Benjamin,
1706-1790 -- Correspondence.
Franklin, Benjamin,
1706-1790 -- Criticism and interpretation.
Franklin, Benjamin,
1706-1790 -- Manuscripts.
Subjects
Seven Years War, 1756-1763 -- Sources.
United States -- History -- 1783-1815 -- Sources.
United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Sources.
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources.
Forms/Genres
Letters (Correspodence) -- United States -- 18th century.
Manuscripts -- United States -- 18th
century.
Alternate Authors
Belcher, Jonathan,
1682-1757.
Chaumont, Jacques-Donatien Leray de, 1725-1803.
Cooper, Samuel, 1725-1783,
addressee.
Dumas, Charles Guillaume Frédéric,
1721-1796, addressee.
Loudoun, John Campbell, Earl of,
1705-1782, addressee.
Strahan, William, 1715-1785,
correspondent.
1750 July 26
Belcher, Jonathan. Order to the Treasurers
of New Jersey to pay Benjamin Franklin for printing Sundry Acts &
Laws ...
HM 1472
Burlington, New Jersey. Document signed. 1 page; 19.5 x 16 cm.
Document also signed by Charles Read, Secretary, and endorsed by
Benjamin Franklin.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 4:
6-7.
Acquired from the E. N. Crane Library (Smith).
1753 June 6
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to [Joseph
Huey].
HM 22613
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Contemporary copy. 4 pages; 23 x 19 cm.
First page incorrectly titled "Copy of Dr. Franklin's letter to Geo.
Whitfield …"
1753 June 26
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Peter
Collinson.
HM 21693
New Haven, Connecticut. Autograph letter signed. 2 pages.
Bound.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 4:
511-512.
Purchased from the F. R. Halsey sale (lot 432), February 17-19, 1919.
Card lists letter to Collinson and "Deborah Franklin, his wife, L. S.,
April 30, 1755, to the same; William Franklin, their son, A. ?L. S.,
June 18, 1764, to William Strahan, with portraits of B. Franklin and
Collinson, all inlaid to folio size, and bound in light morocco.
1753 [i.e. 1754] January 1
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to "Gentlemen"
[Thomas Darling and Nathan Whiting].
HM 21675
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Autograph letter signed. 1 page; 21 x 21
cm.
In the margin: two-line note written and signed by Nathan
Whiting.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 5:
487.
Bixby.
1756 June 22
Franklin, Benjamin. Memorial to James
Abercromby on expresses.
LO 1239
New York. Autograph document signed. 2 pages; 32 x 20.5 cm.
With
postscript on second page signed by Franklin, July 22, 1756.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 6:
462-463.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923. From Loudon
Papers.
1756 July 22
[Franklin, Benjamin]. Memorial of the State
of the Forces in Pensilvania [i.e. Pennsylvania].
LO 1328
New York. Autograph document. 2 pages; 32 x 20 cm.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 6:
470-471.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
[1756 August?]
[Franklin, Benjamin]. Extract of letter to
Thomas Pownall.
LO 1298
Contemporary copy. 1 page; 30 x 18.5 cm.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 6:
497-498.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
1756 September 9
Franklin, Benjamin. Extract of letter to
Thomas Pownall.
LO 1749
Contemporary copy. 1 page; 31.5 x 20 cm.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 6:
502-503.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
1757 January 31
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to William
Strahan.
HM 22614
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Autograph letter signed. 2 pages with leaf of
superscription; 33 x 21 cm.
The letter is preceded by Franklin's
copy of a previous letter from Franklin to Strahan, January 1, 1757.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 7:
115-116.
Anderson 1386.
1757 February 20
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to John Campbell,
the Earl of Loudoun.
LO 2870
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 7:
133.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
1757 March 3
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to [John
Campbell, the Earl of Loudoun].
LO 2963
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Autograph letter signed. 1 page; 20 x 16
cm.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 7:
143.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
[1757 March 21]
[Franklin, Benjamin]. Extracts and answers
to points proposed to be amended in the bill now before the
Governor.
LO 3119
Autograph document. 8 pages; 32.5 x 20.5.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 7:
145-152.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
1757 April 21
List of Servants, Belonging to the Inhabitants of Pensilvania and
taken into His Majesty's Service, For whom Satisfaction has not been
made by the Officers according to Act of Parliament [with an
abstract].
LO 3415
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Document. 22 pages; 42 x 33.5 cm,
folded.
Table containing claims of 612 servants (listing number,
owners names, servants names, term bound for, term serv'd, term of
service due, considerations/money paid, due to the owner, and regiment
or company enlisted in). The title and a note of 3 lines on page 22 are
in the handwriting of Franklin. With loose 1-page abstract: "Castings of
the Account of the List of Servants belonging to the Inhabitants of
Pensilvania [sic]" and loose note on folded leaf: "This List is not yet
compleat; the Claims continuing to come in daily."
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
1757 May 21
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to John Campbell,
the Earl of Loudoun.
LO 3699
Woodbridge, New Jersey. Autograph letter signed. 2 pages; 23.5 x 19
cm.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 7:
214-215.
Purchased as part of the Loudoun papers from the Campbell family through
the agency of Sotheby's and Sir Joseph Duveen, 1923.
1763 May 9
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to William
Strahan.
HM 22616
Virginia Autograph letter signed. 2 pages; 23 x 19 cm.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 10:
260-261.
Hoe library (Smith)?; And. 13867.
1763 September 22
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to William
Strahan.
HM 22615
Boston, Massachusetts. Autograph letter signed. 1 page; 22 x 18.5
cm.
Transcribed in Labaree, ed.
Papers, vol. 10:
343.
Smith; Grove sale.
1768 December 6
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to George
Whitefield.
HM 21676
Craven Street [London, England]. Autograph letter signed. 1 page; 29 x
18.5 cm.
9-line handwritten biographical sketch of Franklin is
attached to bottom of leaf.
Transcribed in Willcox, ed.
Papers, vol. 15:
286.
Removed from "Autograph letters of Benjamin Franklin"
extra-illustrated collection of portraits" Bixby.
1771 July 4
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to William
Smith.
HM 25022
London, England. Autograph letter signed. Bound with HM 3000. 1
page.
Transcribed in Willcox, ed.
Papers, vol. 18:
163-164.
1776 July 20
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Lord Howe
[Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe].
CO 33
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Letter signed. 4 pages; 33.5 x 21 cm.
Marked: "Copy."
Transcribed in Willcox, ed.
Papers, vol. 22:
518-521.
1777 April 26
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to [Jan
Ingenhousz].
HM 21677
Passy (Paris, France) Autograph letter signed. 2 pages; 23 x 18.5
cm.
Transcribed in Willcox, ed.
Papers, vol. 23:
613-614.
Removed from "Autograph letters of Benjamin Franklin" extra-illustrated
collection of portraits" Bixby.
1778 April 7
Strahan, William. Letter to Mary Lacock
Hall.
HM 44037
London, England. Autograph letter signed. 1 page; 23 x 18.5 cm.
The
letter quotes a February 4, 1777, letter from Franklin.
Acquired from Bernard Quaritch, October 8, 1976.
1779 March 12
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Charles
Dumas.
HM 22617
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 3 pages; 31.5 x 20.5 cm.
In the
handwriting of William Temple Franklin.
Transcribed in Obserg, ed.
Papers, vol. 29:
100-101.
Grove sale.
1779 October 27
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Samuel
Cooper.
CO 38
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 3 pages; 31.5 x 20.5 cm.
In the
handwriting of Jean L'Air de Lamotte. Additions and corrections in
Franklin's hand. Marked: "Copy."
Transcribed in Obserg, ed.
Papers, vol. 30:
397-9.
1780 March 16
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Samuel
Cooper.
CO 27
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 3 pages; 23 x 19 cm.
In the
handwriting of William Temple Franklin.
Transcribed in Obserg, ed.
Papers, vol. 32:
117-118.
1780 December 2
[Franklin, Benjamin]. Letter to Samuel
Cooper.
CO 53
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 2 pages; 31.5 x 20.5 cm.
In the
handwriting of William Temple Franklin. Signature cut away; autograph
subscription and address. With seal. On cover: "To be sunk if in Danger
of being taken."
Transcribed in Obserg, ed.
Papers, vol. 34:
96.
1781 January 18
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Charles
Dumas.
HM 22770
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 4 pages; 23 x 18 cm.
In the
handwriting of Jean L'Air de Lamotte. The postscript is in Franklin's
handwriting.
Transcribed in Obserg, ed.
Papers, vol. 34:
287.
Hoe library (Smith)?
1781 November 26
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to John
Trumbull.
HM 21678
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 1 page; 23 x 18.5 cm.
In the
handwriting of William Temple Franklin.
Transcribed in Cohn, ed.
Papers, vol. 36:
118.
Removed from "Autograph letters of Benjamin Franklin" extra-illustrated
collection of portraits" Bixby.
1783 May 20
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Samuel
Cooper.
CO 29
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 2 pages; 23 x 18.5 cm.
In the
handwriting of Jean L'Air de Lamotte.
Transcribed in Cohn, ed.
Papers, vol. 40:
42-43.
1783 December 15
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to William
Carmichael.
HR 153
Passy (Paris, France) Letter signed. 3 pages; 25 x 20 cm.
In the
handwriting of Jean L'Air de Lamotte.
Transcribed in Cohn, ed.
Papers, vol. 41:
290-291.
Possibly Harbeck Collection (HR 153).
1785 July 13
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to Jane
Mecom.
HM 22771
St. Germain, France. Autograph letter signed. 1 page; 22.5 x 18.5
cm.
Transcribed in Albert Smyth, ed.
The Writings of
Benjamin Franklin
(1905-07), vol. IX: 363-364.
Grove sale.
1786 March 26
Franklin, Benjamin. Letter to William
Alexander.
HM 22786
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Autograph letter signed. 3 pages; 23 x 19
cm.
G.D. Smith.
1787 April 10
Franklin, Benjamin. Order to the Secretary
of the Council.
HM 5265
[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]. Autograph document signed. 1 page; 11 x 20
cm.
Smith 204.
1787 June 13
Franklin, Benjamin. Order to David
Rittenhouse, Treasurer, to pay Samuel Meredith.
BR Box 260 (7)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Document signed. 1 page; 18 x 20.5.
With
Meredith's receipt on verso.
1787 June 17
Chaumont, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de,
1760-1840. Letter to William Alexander &
Company.
BR Box 260 (8)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Autograph letter signed. 1 page; 23.5 x 19
cm.
1787 June 21
Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council.
Patent to Samuel Pleasants for 416 1/2 acres in Bedford
County.
HM 1771
Document signed. 1 page; 34.5 x 40 cm.
Vellum with seals. Signed by
Benjamin Franklin and attested by James Trimble for John Armstrong.
Smith.
1787 October 29
Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council.
Commission appointing Christian Gettig, Joseph Jacob Wallis, and Samuel
Weiser as Justices of the Peace.
HM 1772
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Document signed. 1 page; 30 x 37.5 cm.
Printed form filled in. Signed by Franklin and attested by Charles
Biddle, with recorder's note and signature of J. Simpson. With seals
broken in the folds.
Purchased from Anderson Galleries Learmont Library sale (lot 310/1325),
January 9-11, 1918.
1787 November 21
Franklin, Benjamin. Order to the Secretary
of the Council.
HM 39940
[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]. Autograph document signed. 1 page; 16 x 24
cm.
Verso has fragment of petition by Saml Judah [Samuel Bernard
Judah?].
Removed from RB 87821.
[Before 1790]
[Franklin, Benjamin]. Copy of verses on a
Philadelphia Gent.
HM 900
Autograph manuscript. 1 page; 15 x 18.5 cm.
14 lines beginning
"Religion take from …"
Removed from "Autograph letters of Benjamin Franklin" extra-illustrated
collection of portraits" Bixby.
