Benjamin Franklin's Letter from London to Cousin Kezia

B e n ja m in F ra n k l in 's L e t t e r F ro m L o n d o n t o C o u si n K e z i a

27

THE REMARKABLE BENJAMIN Franklin, whose mother was Abiah Folger, never recorded in his writings a visit to Nantucket, although his sister Jane did write him of staying with a cousin, Mrs. John Coffin, better known as Kezia (Folger) Coffin. It was to this cousin that Franklin sent a letter, dated August 29, 1769, at London, and indicates a previous acquaintanceship. Kezia Coffin was a strong Loyalist during the ^American Revolution. She was, also, a shrewd business woman, and was accused of smuggling. During that war period, with the Royal Navy and Continental privateers harassing Nantucket commerce, it was necessary jto procure supplies in every way possible, and so smuggling was not unusual. Franklin's letter to Kezia follows:

"Loving Cousin: I had the pleasure of hearing yesterday, on inquiry of our cousin Folger, [ probably Captain Timothy Folger], that you and your husband and daughter were well when he was last on the Island. I recollect that when I sent you the Sliding Plate, I received a dollar more than it came to, which I thought to have settled when I should send you the last Plates, but as that was perhaps omitted after I came away, and I know not whether the Plates were ever made or not, I send you herewith a pair of very nice snuffers in some sort to balance that. They cost six shillings sterling, which is a little more than that dollar. Seeing some very neat candlesticks, where I bought the snuffers, with a pretty contrivance to push up from the bottom, I bought some for my wife, and a pair I send you, which I pray you accept as a token of my regard. B. Franklin."