The tiny hamlet of Deerfield sits in the western part of Massachusetts. I say “hamlet” not to sound poetic, but because it is honestly too small even to be called a town or village (though those who live there might prefer it). No stores. No gas stations. No Dollar General.
Deerfield dates to some of the earliest days of America. Founded between 1663 and 1673, it was about as remote as one could get – hip deep in Algonquian-speaking Pocumtuck Indian territory. It’s said, the then-Puritan New England folks endeavored to foster good relations with their Indian neighbors. They also tried their best to stay in touch with what might have been called the “civilized” world. That wasn’t easy.
Deerfield wasn’t on a “Post Road.” It was, as we’d say today, “in the sticks.” Only primitive paths to the south barely linked Deerfield to Northampton and then on to a Post Road to Boston. The isolation made communication slow. That proved particularly bad in February of 1704 when a French and Indian massacre took place. Over 50 colonists died and 112 were taken captive and on a forced 300-mile winter march to Montreal. Many died along the way....
From the few left that survived the slaughter, word got out. Riders were dispatched south, then to Boston. Very curiously, long after the event, a letter sent a year earlier surfaced written by a Colonel Samuel Partridge to Connecticut Governor John Winthrop. It warned specifically of the threat of a French and Native force advancing from Quebec toward Deerfield. That letter still survives today.
At the time, mail was the only means of communication. No stamps were in use or even yet invented. No formal postal service had been created. Still, people wrote letters. They asked friends, relatives or coach riders to deliver them…hoping it would get through.
With no reason to keep letters for posterity, most were discarded. Others may have been used to start fires. Who knows? Those that survived give us precious views into early America. Ones with keen history, such as the warning missive from Partridge to Winthrop which could have completely thwarted one of the greatest early massacres in early New England, are hauntingly compelling. And valuable. The monetary value of such a significant letter is incalculable.
Fast forward a century to New England after the Puritans during the time of the Revolution. That’s when you’ll find, among others patriots, statesman Ben Franklin. You’ll also find an early functioning postal system which Franklin helped create. Ben was a prominent member of the Continental Congress. He was also named first Postmaster General.
By 1775, newspapers and almanacs were a familiar form of broadsheet communication and information dissemination. Ol’ Ben was hip deep in the writing and printing of both. For his almanacs, he often wrote under the pseudonym Richard Saunders and/or Poor Richard. Modern reprints of the latter are still available in many bookstores. Actual surviving copies of the original are worth a small fortune.
Because Franklin was a member of the Continental Congress, he could simply sign his name in the corner of a folded letter to cover the cost of the postage. Known as “franking” – no connection whatsoever to his name – his position in Congress allowed him the privilege of just signing. The letter would be delivered at no charge. A nice perk. That benefit is still offered to politicians to this day. You may have seen it on envelopes delivered from your representative.
The twist during Revolutionary days was, every now and then, in a sneaky way to drive home Ben’s commitment to the cause of freedom, he wouldn’t just sign or “frank” his envelopes with his name “Benjamin Franklin” or “Ben Franklin.” Instead, he would do so with the signature, “B. Free Franklin” The guy was truly genius.
Fortunately for us, because of his notoriety, over the centuries, many of Franklin’s letters were saved for posterity. Certainly, those letters have grown in interest and value. So too for any signed documents connected to the statesman, particularly during this significant anniversary year.
Though many of the earliest documents and letters of America are of historical interest and value, those connected to founding fathers stand out. A cut out or “clipped” signature of Ben Franklin is currently worth between $15,000 and $25,000 depending on its condition. A document or letter hand written and signed by Franklin can command upwards of $100,000.
Finally, a franked envelope bearing the signature of Ben Franklin with his clever, “B. Free Franklin” secret message can easily bring upwards of $250,000 at auction – even far more during this Semiquincentennial.
Perhaps, the most exciting aspect is how many such items still wait to be uncovered in old chests and attics, particularly in New England. It’s always well worth a closer look.
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