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Background note
During the 17 years he served as colonial agent for Pennsylvania in London, Benjamin Franklin developed a strong attachment
to the family of his landlady at 36 Craven Street, Margaret Stevenson. Margaret's daughter, Mary (usually called Polly) became
a particular intimate, so much so that Franklin connived to marry her off to his son, William. Although nothing came of these
efforts, Franklin's intentions did little to impair the friendship with the Stevensons, and Franklin's domestic circle at
Craven Street eventually grew to include his grandson William Temple Franklin and Sarah Franklin, daughter of an English cousin.
In 1770, Polly married the distinguished surgeon and anatomist William Hewson in what was to be a tragically short pairing.
Hewson died in 1774 after contracting septicaemia from a cut he received while dissecting a cadaver in his basement, leaving
Polly to care for their daughter and two sons to raise, one of whom was Franklin's godson. Recognizing the difficulty of
her situation, Franklin stepped in to assist his old friend, further strengthening their bond. After Franklin left England
on the even of the Revolution, he and Polly continued in regular correspondence, and after the Revolution ended, Polly arranged
to renew their friendship face to face, visiting Franklin at Passy in 1785. In the following year, she followed him when
he returned to Philadelphia, and was at Franklin's beside when he died in 1790. In his will, Franklin recognized Polly with
a silver tankard he had "marked for her use during her life," acknowledging her daughter Eliza as well, and leaving books
to her sons William and Thomas.
Scope and content
The James S. and Frances M. Bradford Collection contains a wealth of letters to and from Polly Stevenson Hewson, intimate
friend of Benjamin Franklin. At the heart of the collection are approximately 40 letters from Mary Stevenson to Franklin
with a smaller number in return. Friendly, increasingly intimate, these provide a glimpse of the domestic life of Franklin
and his warm personal relations with the Stevensons and Hewsons. Among the noteworthy individual items are the manuscript
"Craven Street Gazette" (Sept. 22-26, 1770), the mock newspaper Franklin produced while in London, Franklin's "Scheme for
a new alphabet" (1768), and his parable on brotherly love (1774).
The Bradford Collection also includes a number of interesting letters between Hewson and Dr. John Hawkesworth, as well as
a few miscellaneous letters from important Americans owned by the Bradford family, including two from George Washington and
two from Patrick Henry. A self-educated miscellaneous writer, Hawkesworth was associated with Samuel Johnson (until a falling
out in about 1756) and was a contributor to the
Gentleman's Magazine
, the
Adventurer
(which he edited with Johnson), and other publications, and edited a volume describing Captain Cook's voyage to the South
Seas. He and his wife were close friends of Hewson and of Franklin.
At the end of the collection is a series of typescripts of letters written between Hewson and Franklin, several of which appear
in the original in the collection.
Administrative information
Restrictions
None.
Provenance
Gift of James S. and Frances M. Bradford, 1956 and 1960.
Preferred citation
Cite as: James S. and Frances M. Bradford Collection, American Philosophical Society.
Processing information
Recatalogued rsc, 2003.
Additional information
Separated material
The Bradford Family Collection included several items that have been transferred to the Curatorial Department or Department
of Printed Materials. These include:
- Miniature chess set and board used by Mary Stevenson Hewson
- Memorial ring "John Hawkesworth,LLD ob 17 Nov. 1773 art 58" formerly owned by Hewson
- Pluche, Noel Antoine,
Spectacle de la nature...
, 8th ed. (London, 1753-1757). Presentation copy from Franklin to Hewson.
Call no.
: 500 P72s.8 v.1-7.
Related material
Polly Hewson appears as a correspondent in several other collections at the APS, including:
- Benjamin Franklin Papers (B F85)
- Benjamin Franklin Miscellaneous Collections (B F85x)
- Bache Family Papers (B B121)
- Sarah Franklin Bache (B B1245)
- Hewson Family Papers (B H492)
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B F85.bra.
James S. and Frances M. Bradford Collection
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1749-1794
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81 items
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
,
Opinion and conjectures...
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1749
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
,
to Benjamin Franklin
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1760 January 14
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1760 June 23
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1760 June 6
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
,
to Benjamin Franklin
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1760 September 16
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1760 [September]
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1761 January 13
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
,
to Benjamin Franklin
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1761 April 27
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
,
to Benjamin Franklin
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1761 May 19
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1761 July 8
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1761 July 30
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1761 September 10
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1761 November 9
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Dr. John Hawkesworth
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1761 December 16
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Stevenson, Mary
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to "dear cousin"
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1761 December 17
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1762 March 10
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1762 June 11
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Polly Stevenson Hewson
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1762 June 21
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Hawkesworth, Mrs.
,
to Mary Stevenson
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1762 July 25
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1762 August 5
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1763 March 11
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Hawkesworth, Mrs.
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to Mary Stevenson
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1763 August 28
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1763 August 30
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1763 November 25
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1764 May 24
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1765 January 17
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1765 February 8
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1765 July 28
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Polly Stevenson Hewson
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[1765?] December 31
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Sun Fire-Office, Cornhill
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Proposals..
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1766 January 16
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1766 March 9
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1766 September 26
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Stevenson, Mrs.
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1766 November 22
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Polly Stevenson Hewson
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1767 June 15
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Stevenson, Mrs.
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to Deborah Franklin
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1767 September 18
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Polly Stevenson Hewson
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1768 July 20
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
,
[Scheme for a new alphabet...] Remarks
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[1768]
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1769 December
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Hawkesworth, John
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to Mary Stevenson
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1770 February 28
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Marriage settlement of Mary Stevenson and William Hewson
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1770 July 9
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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Craven Street Gazette
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1770 Sept. 22-26
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1771 October 31
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1771 November 2
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1772 July 6
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1772 October 22
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
,
Parable on brotherly love
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[1774]
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Washington, George, 1732-1799
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to [Philemon] Dickinson
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1777 August 27
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1779 January 11
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1779 May 30
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Bradford, William, Jr.
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to Thomas [Bradford]
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1779 May 4
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1781 December 23
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Briscoe, A.
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1782 March 27
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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ca. 1782
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Robert, bishop of London.
,
Letter of administration of Margaret Stevenson's estate to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1783 January 16
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1783 September 28
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1784 April 2
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Washington, George, 1732-1799
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to [John] Cadwallader [sic]
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1784 December 11
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Hewson, Mary
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to [Mrs. Sarah Franklin Ba]che
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1785 April 13
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1785 April 26
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(also letter from J.Williams to BF)
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1785 May 8
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1786 October 17
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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1789 August 14
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Hewson, Mary. Will
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1794 June 7
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Blunt, James.
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Declaration of trust of estate of Mary Hewson
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1796 November 2
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Bradford, William.
,
La Fayette - a song
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1824 September 6
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Hart, Charles Henry
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to Charles S. Bradford
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1896 September 21
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Bradford?, Charles S.
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List of Franklin- Hewson items received by Stan. V. Henkels
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1938 November 22
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Fortin, John
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Notes on Matthew 13,30
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n.d.
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Polly Stevenson Hewson
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n.d.
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Hawkesworth, John
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to Mary Stevenson
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n.d.
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Hawkesworth, John
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to Mary Stevenson
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n.d.
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Hawkesworth, John
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Miscellaneous notes - 5 pieces
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n.d.
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Henry, Patrick
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to [John] Cadwalader
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n.d.
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Henry, Patrick
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to [John] Cadwalader
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n.d. (Thursday morning)
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Hewson, Mary
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to Mrs. Lynn
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n.d. (Friday night)
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Hewson, Mary
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Miscellaneous notes - 3 pieces
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n.d.
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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n.d. (Friday night)
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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n.d.
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Hewson, Mary Stevenson
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to Benjamin Franklin
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n.d.
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Hawkesworth, Mrs.
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Explanation of Proverbs 27,14
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Hawkesworth, Mrs.
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to Mary Stevenson
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n.d.
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Hawkesworth, Mrs.
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to Mary Stevenson
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mrs.
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to Benjamin Franklin
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n.d. (August 4 Tuesday evening)
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Stevenson, Mrs.
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to Benjamin Franklin
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n.d. (August 5 Thursday)
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Stevenson, Mrs.
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to Benjamin Franklin
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Dr. John Hawkesworth
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Dr. John Hawkesworth
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Dr. John Hawkesworth
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Dr. John Hawkesworth
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Dr. John Hawkesworth
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Dr. John Hawkesworth
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n.d.
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Stevenson, Mary
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to Mrs. Margaret Stevenson
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n.d. (Sunday evening)
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B F85.bra1.
Transcripts of Hewson-Franklin Correspondence
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1758-1898
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Ford, Paul L.
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to Charles [S.] Bradford
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1898 March 30
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Ford, Paul L.
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to Charles [S.] Bradford
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1898 July 15
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Hewson, William.
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Introduction . .George Gulliver
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n.d.
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1758 Aug. 20
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1760 Feb. 14
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1761 July 7
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1762 May 10
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1762 May 24
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1762 June 21
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1763 June 27
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1764 May 4
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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[1764 Dec.]
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1765 Jan. 9
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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[1765? Dec. 31
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1767 March 26
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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[1767?] May 16
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1767 May 16
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1768 Oct. 20
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1770 July 18
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1772 July 8
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1780 Jan. 10
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1780 Dec. 7
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1782 May 13
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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[1782?]
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1783 Jan. 8
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1783 July 12
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1784 Jan. 1
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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1784 April 29
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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June 15
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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Wednesday morning
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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Wednesday P.M
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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Friday morning
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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Friday 2 P.M
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Mary Stevenson Hewson
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n.d.
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Hewson, Mary.
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Marriage settlement
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1770
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Brown, Collinson, etc
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1780 Jan. 10
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Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
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to Woodmason
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1780 Jan. 10
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Hewson, Mary.
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to Mr. Viny
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1784 May 10
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