The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-01-24
RARE AUTOGRAPHS
FOUND IN ATTIC
Letter From Benjamin Franklin Is
ii Collection Which Was Nearly
Sold for Junk.

NEW BEDFORD. Jan. 24.-There
came 10 light in this city a few days
ago a collection OF autographs which
IA among the most remarkable as
eemblages OF letters and signatures OF
great men 10 be found IN any coliec-
ton Of Americana In the country II
was discovered by the merest chance
and narrowly escaped being sent 10
the Junk dealer. The collection was
made By Mrs. william Hathaway, Jrr
An 1912. and was stored for many
years In the old mansion at the cor
ner OF orchard and Arnold-sts.
The Hathaways were an old family
of great wealth, and Thomas Hatha-
way, the head of the house. was one
OF the founders OF Albany. The TOT
tune, however, was gradually dissipat'
ed The mansion was sold some years
ago for the support OF the last OF the
line. who has been In sanltarium
for many years, sufferer from
maIady of the mind. The treasures
in the way of old furniture. china, and
naintings. with which the Hathaway
house was filed, have been sold al
auction from time to time
I.ast week Oliver Prescott, the Con
aervafor of the estate. found forty
massive volumes which had beeh
scheduled upon the inventories as
scrap books, and. so far as is known
had not been opened for generation
They narrowly escaped being sold TOT
old pauer. However, one OF the vol
nmes attracted curiosity and an ex-
animation followed.
Each OF the forty volumes was spe,
cially made, OF large folio size. oouhu
IN Russia, especially lettered' win
nrinted title pages. and all are extra
Illustrated and skillfully mounted
One Of the volumes contains auto
graphs not only Of the signers OF me
declaration of independence but OF
those Of the Federal Constitution.
Few names are lacking, and In many
cases not one letter. but several, ap-
near. Moreover, many or the letters
are long and OF great interest, Whie
the extra illustrations OF the volume
contain many pieces OF Continental
money The collection includes long
document signed by John Morton.
sfgner of the Declaration from Fenh-
sylvania, as we'll as numerous pieces
or Continental money bearing MS
signature.
The following is the BENJAMIN
Franklin letter found In the collection.
II Is a personal letter TO his wife;
London, April 2s, 17I4.
NV Deae Love- hoped 10 nave
been on the sea on my return py
fhfs time but find / must stay a
few weeks longer, perhaps Tor the
eummer ships Thanks TO God
continue well and hearty, and hope
10 find YOU so when ] have the nap
plness once more Of seeing YOU
Your god-daughter Amelia Evans
that was (now Barry, is gone
again with her husband and chill
dren 10 Tunis. where she Is TO live
some time while her husband. VINO
is captain OF a ship, trades In
those seas Inclosed send the ar
fcctlonate sensible letter she wrote
me on taking leave.
NV blessing to the children. Mrs.
Hewson's have lately had the
smallpoN-the eldest In the COM
mon way. very full, the youngest
BY incubation, lightly. and both
arc now well. But Mr.. Hewson Is
down with terrible fever. and
Till Yesterday his life was despaired
OF We now begin 20 hope for his
recovery.
/ shall give you another line by
the racket OF next week. and as,
as ever, dear Debby,
Your affectionate husband,
B. FRANKLIN.
To Mrs Franklin. Philadelphia.
Favor OF Capt Ashmead.