Speaking of Ben Franklin, he was a contemporary of Susanna Wright, the daughter of the founder of Wrightville and Columbia. They were close friends. Benjamin came to Columbia to stay at the Wright's Ferry Mansion, across the street and up three homes from our house, in the summertime, to escape the heat of Philly. They are slowly getting some of the original furniture back from people to display in the mansion. I haven't been able to tour the place, yet. But, someday I will get in there. Our family has gone through and found it quite interesting. This home is open for tourists from May until October. If anyone is interested in the times, and actual dates you can go through it, let me know and I'll check the sign. I'm not sure of the cost of going through, but when we moved here, and our daughter was quite young, the lady took her and her little friend through, though they didn't usually do this without a parent. But the girls were very good, and polite, so I guess she figured, "Sure, why not!" Back then I believe it was $3.00. The kids just went over and knocked on the door and asked about the mansion. I believe these days you might need an appointment, I'm not sure. When we first moved here, I walked the neighborhood kids to and home from grade school. As we were walking down Cherry St., one of the first days of school, we could see in the windows. I saw dummies sitting around the table, at least it seemed they were around a table, and said, "Look!!! They even have it set up with dummies, to show how these people ate back then!!!" The one young boy, who to this day lives next door to the mansion, started laughing so hard, at me, and I didn't know what he was laughing at until the "dummy" turned her head!!!! I was in tears, and told him he better not EVER tell her what I said!!!! I really thought they were fake, like wax figures or something!!!! I wonder if he EVER said anything to her. Just last week was the first I was able to get her attention as she left her day at the mansion, and we exchanged hellos. Of course, Lexus always barks at her, when she is leaving, because she is LEAVING_how dare she leave!!! How-about-it John and Joyce :o) They know about how Lexus sounds, and probably looks like she is going to tear your tires off your vehicle, when you leave :o) Anyway, that day, 17 years ago, still sticks in my mind, and I wonder if he told her :o) He's a stinker, and may have! Someday I'll get up the nerve to ask her_he would never tell me if he did or didn't :o) I'm sure she will get a good laugh out of it. Lynn Sheila wrote: She and her husband, John had a business that did upholstery, etc., and Betsy was a friend of Benjamin Franklin so it went from there.