Anne Farrow to Benjamin Franklin, January 8, 1759

Castle Thorp, January the 8 1759

Dear Sir

I hope you will not think it bold though I Present you with a few Lines being So near a Relation. Hearing you was not gone out of England 1 I thought I could do no less When I was informed in Summer 2 you was come over into England to see all your Relations I fanced my Self with great Pleasures of seeing you and your offspring. Which Pleasure would have been the greatest I could have had in this world to think that I had lived to see my Dear Uncle Josiahs Son and his offspring 3 as was my Dear Fathers first Prentence. 4 If I had not been of low Circumstance I would have gone to New England many years agone to have seen my Relations and what a Pleasent Place it was for my good Uncle Benjman sent me the heads of it and if my age and circumstance would Answer I would see you still before you went out of England but I am a Poor Widow being now in my Seventy four. But Dear Sir I hope you will be so good as to grant a Poor widows request as to Answer my Letter 5 but I Should have joy without measure to see you I having Neither Brother nor Sisters alive only a Daughter. 6 I thank God I have a good Bed to Lodge you if you was to come that is all my comfort I live wihin two Miles of Stony Strafford. My Daughters complements and mine wait on you and your son though unknown so I remain your ever affectionate and Loving Coussin to Command

Anne Farrow

Direct for me at Castle Thorp near Stoney Strafford