THE MIRROR TALE 483

Copy of a Letter by Fred Haviland to Mrs. John Busby, Jordan, N.Y.

"The information I had about the old mirror which you have is as follows: 'It was formerly in the house of Ira Allen, Oblong, and was there examined by Horace J . Haviland of Beekman and Benjamin Chase of Ohio, whose wife was Elizabeth Haviland, and they found the name of "Benjamin Haviland Emigrant" attached to the back of the Looking glass with many others who landed at Plymouth: the date was obliterated. Ira Allen has been dead many years.

" 'The glass was some years ago at the house, where it was kept, of a Mr. Toffy, I think, a son-in-law. They told me a branch of the family had taken it to the western part of the State and they knew of such a record being there.'

"Do you think there could have been a record of names on the back of the mirror before it came into your possession which might have become obliterated by time? Did you ever hear of there being more writing on the mirror than now exists?"

Mrs. Busby's Reply, Dated Feb. 3, 1894.

"I received your letter. I have the mirror Mr. Toffey told you about. There are no names written on it you spoke of. I will send you a copy of all that is written on it."

Extracts from a Letter Written Miss Phebe Post by Mr. Frederick Haviland.

"I have received two letters from Mrs. John Busby, telling me that she has in her possession the mirror as described by Mr. Akin Toffey and the only thing written on it is the following: "T.A. 10, 15/ For Tho's Smith; For Henry Chase at the Oblong' "

Mrs. Busby's Letter to Mr. Haviland,
Dated Feb. 14, 1894.

"Yours of Feb. 8 received. I have looked the mirror over again and cannot find any more than I wrote you before. I have measured the glass. It is 2 ft. and 4 in. long and 11 in. wide and has an old fashioned mahogany frame. My father said it was over two hundred years old. Where it was bought I do not know. It was formerly in the Briggs family of Dutchess Co., N.Y., and was willed to the Annie's and Mary's and there was no name of either between her and myself and she was Ira Allin's wife and my father's aunt. I am looking into the matter and if I find any more about it I will write you." "MARY E. BUSBY."

ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM HAVILAND OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, AND FLUSHING, LONG ISLAND, 1653-1688, WITH SPECIAL RECORDS OF THE ALLIED FAMILIES OF FIELD, HULL, TORREY, WILLETT-WILLIS BY JOSEPHINE C. FROST, THE LYONS GENEALOGICAL COMPANY, NEW YORK, MCMXIV