RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Wilmington*D straight line in black
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: October 30, 1793
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width (folded): 3 1/2 × 5 in. (8.89 × 12.7 cm) Height x Width (partially unfolded): 10 × 8 5/16 in. (25.4 × 21.11 cm) Height x Width (unfolded): 10 × 16 5/8 in. (25.4 × 42.23 cm)
Description: Wilmington*D folded letter to Major E Dulith and Wacksmuth
['WILMINGTON-D\nOct. 30 {\n6.\nMessrs E. Dutilh Machemont\nPhiladelphia\n1793\n1793-\n10-15\n4444\nms. # 107\nWilmington 30 Dec 1793 H. H. H. H. See no 31.9 Sep 23 1793'
 'WILMINGTON * D\nOct. 30\n6.\nMessrs E. Dutilh & Wachsmuth\nPhiladelphia\n1793'
 'WILMINGTON * D\nOct. 30'
 "Messieurs Duthith & Sachemuth mest à Philadelphie\nWilmington le 30 octobre 1793\nMessieurs\njay reçu aux mains de mon dernier avis par la maison Mr L'enfant & Chevalier mest pour le cap français, qui avoit chargé sur la goëtte L'isabella 3 rd quart de cacao pour mon compte, dont on m'avait fait, passé connoissement dans le tems, j'espérois avoir de savoir sitôt qu'ils seroit arrivé à bon port & pour mon avis prouvé la défecte, je dois me rendre à Baltimore sous cinq à six jours je vous prie de marier et adresser à Mess r Stuart & Splunkett le le chargement pour et parvenu, j'espere passer sur le brig la Salby capne l'ain qui doit avoir des nouvelles pour vous — j'avoir adressé plusieurs chargement à votre maison jay appris à mon arrivée que les batimens étoit à la providence le dernier étoit le Liberator grand capne Hornes, il m'y a de malheur aujour d'hui que pour les français obligé de se retirer de toute part & d'abandonner toute leur propriété.\njay l'honneur de vous sincerement\nMessieurs\net obéissans et très obéissans serviteurs"
 "Wilmington 30 Oct 1793 M re Vizonnean rue de 31.8 Rep s 31.8 } 10-15\nWILMINGTON & D Oct r 30\nMess r E. Dutill e Merchant\nPhiladelphia\n10-15\n1793 10-15\nMessieurs Dutill e & Vache muth rue à Philadelphie Messieurs\nWilmington le 30 octobre 1793\njay reçu avec plaisir de vos derniers avis par la maison V r L'enfant & chevalier n'est que le cap français, qu'il avoit chargée sur la goëlette Elisabeth 3 1/4 quart de caïac pour mon compte, dont on m'avoit fait, passer connoissance dans le tems, j'espérois avoir le plaisir d'en avoir reçu à bon port & pour mon avis parvenue la défectue, je dois me rendre à Baltimore sous cinq asseurances je vous prie de marier & adresser à Mess r Stuart & Plunkett le chargement pour en parvenu, j'espere passer sur le brig la sally capne l'escain qui doit avoir des nouvelles pour vous — j'avoir adressé plusieurs chargement à votre maison jay appris à mon assirve que les batiment étoit ala providence le dernier étoit le Liberator grand capne Hornes, il m'y a de malheur aujour d'hui que pour les français obligé de sequestrer detoute part & d'abandonner toute leur propriété,\njay l'honneur de vous saluer\nMessieurs\nObéissant humble Serviteur Vizonnean"
 None]
10c Pennsylvania First Federal Issue embossed revenue stamped paper on document
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Revenue Stamps
Date: April, 1800
Place: United States of America
Medium: paper; ink (black)
Dimensions: Height x Width: 5 9/16 x 10 1/4 in. (14.1 x 26 cm)
Credit line: Bequest of Harriett M. Leach
Alternative titles: Scott Catalogue USA RM176
Topics: American Expansion (1800-1860)
Description: Before the Revolution, the colonial and British governments used embossed revenue stamped papers to support frontier and local services. After the Revolution, the U.S. government used embossed stamps to pay war debts.
4 N o 267. & 268. a sample Box 26 7/268. 8 N o 33. 34. & 35. 100 N o 41. 42. & 43. 12 N o 9 & 10. H M. V. 10. Cases & 1 Sample Box
SHIPPED in good Order and well conditioned, by L. D. Carpenter in and upon the good Ship called the Fair American whereof is Master for this present Voyage, J. C. Brevoort and now riding at anchor in the Delaware and bound for the Havana To say,
Ten Cases & a Sample Box of Merchandise going for account & risk of the Shipper a Citizen of the United States of America
Being marked and numbered as in the Margin, and are to be delivered in the like good Order and well conditioned, at the aforesaid Port of the Havana (the Danger of the Seas only excepted) unto M rs Dutilla or in his absence to J. B. L. Fortomany or to Assigns, he or they paying Freight for the said Goods, Sixty Five Dollars 
 $ 20/100 of a Dollar 
with Primage and Average accustomed. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Master or Purser of the said  master hath affirmed to four Bills of Lading, all of this Tenor and Date; one of which Bills being accomplished, the other to stand void. Dated Philadelphia  April 1800. 
 John C. Brevoort 
Received the amount of the freight in full July 31 1880 -
For capt. J. H. Brown
Fortimino. 1880
J. H. Farber
107. & 108. a sample Box No 33. 34. & 35. -
41. 42. & 43. -
20c Pennsylvania First Federal Issue embossed revenue stamped paper on document
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Revenue Stamps
Date: March 28, 1800
Place: United States of America
Medium: paper; ink (black)
Dimensions: Height x Width: 3 3/4 x 8 11/16 in. (9.5 x 22 cm)
Credit line: Bequest of Harriett M. Leach
Alternative titles: Scott Catalogue USA RM177
Topics: American Expansion (1800-1860)
Description: Before the Revolution, the colonial and British governments used embossed revenue stamped papers to support frontier and local services. After the Revolution, the U.S. government used embossed stamps to pay war debts.
N o 1. With Letter of advice — Philadelphia 28 th March 1800
Exchange for M ks B co 1250 —
Sixty Days after Sight of this my third of Exchange (first & second of same Tenor & Date unpaid) Pay to M rs Francis G Deimling or Order the Sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Marks Banco
Value Received which place to Account as advised by To M rs Albert & Co Merch ts  Hamburg Rich d Gerson
Pay to Margaret Rund on Order, Value received Bil d 28 th March 1800. F. G. Beamlung
1. March 18
Exchange
first & second Mr. F.
75c Pennsylvania First Federal Issue embossed revenue stamped paper on document
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Revenue Stamps
Date: February 19, 1801
Place: United States of America
Medium: paper; ink (black)
Dimensions: Height x Width: 4 3/16 x 7 11/16 in. (10.7 x 19.5 cm)
Credit line: Bequest of Harriett M. Leach
Alternative titles: Scott Catalogue USA RM181
Topics: American Expansion (1800-1860)
Description: Before the Revolution, the colonial and British governments used embossed revenue stamped papers to support frontier and local services. After the Revolution, the U.S. government used embossed stamps to pay war debts.
Dollars 2700-
Philadelphia 19 th February 1801
Sixty Days after date I promise to pay to Mr. James J. Moazurie on order (without defalcation) Two thousand Seven hundred Dollars for value received.
Ex Distill
F.D n o 381
Ent
Elizabeth W. Mayhew
908
Franklin
2700
Apr. 20
0.260305. 201.3.6.2
Dollar
to
2
Bristol-New York Government Packet Service
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: May 1711
Place of Destination: Great Britian
Place of Origin: New York
Medium: paper; ink; wax / handwritten
Dimensions: Height x Width (folded): 7 11/16 × 4 5/8 in. (19.5 × 11.8 cm)
Topics: Ship "Bristol Packet"
Covers & Letters
Colonial Era (1607-1776)
Description: This folded letter originated in New York in May 1711. It was addressed to Mr. Joseph Levy, a merchant in London, England. A red, circular wax seal of the letter sender showing the impressions of two fish and the letters "S" and "N" is stamped on the document. On the back portion of the letter is an example of the earliest known straightline handstamp used in North America, a British postmark used at New York. Alongside is a 14 mm circular datestamp of London showing arrival of the letter on June 14 (IV/14). Postage due in London of two 1-shilling for a double-rate packet letter was written in the upper right corner as “2N.” A double-rate letter was a single sheet with another enclosed sheet. In the lower left corner is the talismanic inscription, “Q D G,” meaning “Que Dieu Garde” or “which God protect” in French. Endorsements such as this were inscribed on many early letters by the senders to seek preservation and guidance for the ship and its master.
This letter was carried on the second voyage of the Bristol packet service, that of the sailing ship "Bristol," Captain William Ball, arriving at Bristol about June 6, 1711.
This is the earliest transatlantic packet letter from North America recorded and one of three known letters attributed to the Bristol packets.
Donated by the Milton A. Holmes Memorial Fund on October 21, 1968
['NEW YORK\n2N to Mr Joseph Levy\nBruffock packet\nIn\nMerchant\nLondon\n22g'
 '' None
 'NEW YORK\n2N To Mr Joseph Levy\nBrigantine Merchant In London Dg'
 '280593.01\nTo Mr Joseph Levy Merchant In London\n15 of Bristol plate J & G']
Painting of Benjamin Franklin
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Art
Date: 1898
Depicts: Benjamin Franklin, American, 1706 - 1790
Artist: Lloyd Branson, 1853 - 1925
Place: United States of America
Medium: canvas; wood; paint (oil)
Dimensions: Height x Width (Canvas): 31 1/2 × 25 in. (80.01 × 63.5 cm) Height x Width x Depth (Framed): 34 1/4 × 29 7/8 × 3 1/4 in. (87 × 75.88 × 8.26 cm)
Topics: Art
The Gilded Age (1877-1920)
Postal Employees
Description: The oil painting of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) rendered by artist Lloyd Branson in 1898 is a copy of Joseph Siffred Duplessis’s famous life portrait of Franklin commissioned while Franklin was in Paris in 1779. This composition is similar to the portrait (museum id 0.23371.2) painted by artist Charles Ayer Whipple that is also in the National Postal Museum's collection.
Among his many enterprises, Benjamin Franklin had a long career with the post. Beginning in 1737, the ambitious printer became postmaster of Philadelphia for the British Crown, ensuring that he would receive reliable news, and receive it first. This allowed him to publish it first. In 1753 Franklin received the promotion to joint postmaster general for the American colonies with William Hunter. Franklin and Hunter instituted milestone markers and ordered post riders to travel by lantern light through the night, thus improving the mail's reliability and speed between Philadelphia and Boston as well as turning the first profit for the British Post in North America. However, as a result of his revolutionary political activities, the Crown dismissed Franklin from service as joint postmaster general in 1774. Not long after, his involvement with America’s postal system renewed, and he served as postmaster general under the Continental Congress from July 25, 1775, to November 7, 1776.
Reference:
http://npgportraits.si.edu/ (Accessed April 11, 2006)
[None None]
Painting of Gideon Granger Jr.
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Art
Date: 20th century
Depicts: Gideon Granger, American, 1767 - 1822
Artist: W. Chadwick
Place: United States of America
Medium: canvas; wood; paint (oil)
Dimensions: Height x Width x Depth: 60 × 51 × 2 3/4 in. (152.4 × 129.54 × 6.99 cm)
Topics: Art
Description: Portrait of Postmaster General Gideon Granger Jr. painted by W. Chadwick. Granger (1767-1822) served in the administrations of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison from November 1801 to April 1814.
Gideon Granger
Connecticut
November 1801 - April 1812
Postmaster General under President Jefferson and Madison
1. 1841-1842 2. 1841-1842 3. 1841-1842 4. 1841-1842 5. 1841-1842 6. 1841-1842 7. 1841-1842 8. 1841-1842 9. 1841-1842 10. 1841-1842
Smithsonian National Postal Museum 0.283371.3 Gideon Granger Artist: W. Chadwick (12.4 x 12.5 x 17.8 cm) (4.87 x 4.92 x 7.01 in)
1841-1842 Gideon Granger Artist: W. Chadwick
Smithsonian National Postal Museum 0.283371.3 Gideon Granger Artist: W. Chadwick (12.4 x 12.5 x 17.8 cm) (4.87 x 4.92 x 7.01 in)
293371-3
1841-1842 Gideon Granger Artist: W. Chadwick
Painting of Return J. Meigs Jr.
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Art
Date: unknown
Depicts: Return J. Meigs Jr., American, 1764 - 1824
Place: United States of America
Medium: canvas; wood; paint (oil)
Dimensions: Height x Width x Depth: 62 5/8 × 53 × 3 3/4 in. (159.1 × 134.62 × 9.53 cm)
Topics: Art
Description: Postmaster General Return J. Meigs Jr. (1764-1825) portrait (no artist attribution). Meigs served in the administrations of Presidents James Madison and James Monroe form 1814 to 1823.
[None
 'Smithsonian National Postal Museum 0.283371.5 Retum J. Meigs Artist: Unknown Cover: Single-Wide, 0 x 11 3/4 Flap: Single-Wide, 0 x 11 3/4\nSmithsonian National Postal Museum 0.283371.5 Retum J. Meigs Artist: Unknown Cover: Single-Wide, 0 x 11 3/4 Flap: Single-Wide, 0 x 11 3/4\n6051/8']
Colonel George William Fairfax’s invoice paid by Colonel George Washington
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: September 13, 1773
Writer: George Washington, American, 1732 - 1799
Place: United States of America
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 in. (13.02 x 9.84 cm)
Topics: Colonial Era (1607-1776)
Customers & Commerce
National Stamp Collection
Description: This is a slip of paper with notations (not George Washington's handwriting) about postage for payment to be made by Colonel George Washington for Colonel George William Fairfax. Washington agreed to manage Fairfax's business accounts when he left Virginia in August 1773. The document includes the name of William Ramsay, who was postmaster at Alexandria, Virginia, by 1772. The amount for Fairfax's outstanding postage totaled ten shillings and ten pence, and according to Washington's account ledgers, he paid the full amount to Ramsay on January 17, 1774.
References:
Alexandria, Virginia Post Office, https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/postmaster-finder/postmasters-by-city.htm, accessed July 8, 2025.
Ledger B, 1772-1793, Folio 66, left, The George Washington Financial Papers Project, ed. Jennifer E. Stertzer, et al. (Charlottesville: Washington Papers, 2017). Accessed July 8, http://financial.gwpapers.org/.
Col o Washington Dr To postage for Col o Fairfax 1773 Sep r 13 th
  1 letter — — —  4    12 o 6 h — — —  13.8    16 . 12 o . 2 o . . . . .  6.16    23 . . . . .  8.15         32.16      
32.16 . . . . . a 4 . . . . . £0.10.10d
Col o The Countess of
Mr Ramsay
St. Asaph
Col. Washington for Col. Tazewell Postage - 10/10 Feb 2 1773
For Her Majesty's Special Service docket
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: January 1707
Medium: Paper; ink; wax
Dimensions: Height x Width (partially folded ): 19 3/4 × 7 3/4 in. (50.17 × 19.69 cm) Height x Width (unfolded): 19 3/4 × 15 1/2 in. (50.17 × 39.37 cm)
Description: For Her Majesty's Special Service docket with the signatures of the several postmasters on Plymouth Road, Great Britain.
["For Her Majesty's Special Service.\nWE Her Majesty's Post-Master-General of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. do hereby in Her Majesty's Name, and for Her Special Service, Require you in your respective Stages to use all Diligence and Expedition in the safe and speedy Conveyance of my Parcel ————— as the same is directed and intended. You are not to fail to ride with the same Five Miles every Hour, And when you receive this Express, you are to give the Person that brings it a Receipt under your hand, mentioning the Day and Hour you received the same; You are likewise to direct the Person by whom you shall forward this Express, to demand a Receipt of the Deputy-Post-Master at the next Stage; And constantly to observe this Method in all Expresses that come to your respective Stages; as you will answer the contrary at your Perils.\nGenl Post Office Jan y 10 th 1707 1/2 hour post eight at night\nR. Cotton\nTbo. Frankland\nPost-Master-General.\nTo the several Post Masters on the Plymouth-Road. Haste, Haste, Post-Haste.\nPlymouth\nRecd and sent at all inns by Sam Janson\nsent always by Mr Boonham\nRode at Haverford bridge at Day Six half an hour and a way towards By, ED\nRow at Basingstoke post Eight half an hour and sent away with speed\nW. Wood\nRode at Andover past one near two and sent with speed\nMr. Westcomb\nsent at same near six at night and sent away at speed by Mr. Waterman\nRode at Shalton a post ten o'clock at night and sent a way towards speed by the post boy"
 "Left at the Court with two a Clock in the morning & went away w Speed\nLeft at Crowhurst on the 13th January 1707/8 near Six a Clock in the morning & went away at one-quarter of an hour after\nLeft at Houghton at three-quarters of an hour after Past ten a Clock in the morning went away w Speed\nReceived at Past one in the afternoon from John and sent away with Speed at 2 o'clock at Ashburton. At 1/2 past six in the afternoon sent away w Speed to John Darkman\nReceived the 13th January 1707/8 at 2 of the Clock this morning - p r Express"
 None]
Letter to Rep. Nicholas Gilman from Postmaster General Timothy Pickering
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: October 16, 1792
Place of Origin: Pennsylvania
Place: United States of America
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 9 1/4 × 7 3/4 in. (23.5 × 19.69 cm)
Description: This letter from Postmaster General Timothy Pickering to Nicholas Gilman, Esq., New Hampshire representative to Congress, is about considering the contract for the postal route Portsmouth, NH, to Boston, MA, and what towns might be included. There is no known existing cover or address panel portion for this folded letter.
Dear Sir,
Phila. a Oct. 16. 1792.
State South
When I came to advertise for contracts for carrying the mail between Portsmouth & Boston , I considered whether Salmon (whence a stage runs daily to Boston) could be rendered an intermediate stage, & the new contract extend from Portsmouth only to Salmon: but this soon appeared impracticable, without making a journey of two days (for the letters) between Portsmouth and Boston, even in the summer; a delay that would be intollerable. — Eventually I could think of but one way to accommodate the town of Exeter: that was, by establishing a post from that place to Hampton Falls. But this will require legislative authority. If you should concur in this idea, and any preparatory steps should be thought requisite, you can furnish yourself with representations from your Supreme Executive — other public officers, and the merchants of Exeter.
I am with sincere esteem Dear Sir,
your most obed. t Serv. t Timothy Pickering.
Nicholas Gilman Esq.
Twiss Pickering October 16th 1892
Distinguished in the American Revolution - after - wards Secretary of State Senator in Congress & etc
Pay claim for Wyandot Express Rider signed by William Henry Harrison
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: January 15, 1813
Place: United States of America
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 5 × 8 in. (12.7 × 20.32 cm)
Description: Pay claim for Wyandot Express Rider signed by William Henry Harrison
Upper Sandusky Jan y 15 th 1813
United States To Kamandatak a Myandot Indian Do
For his Services as an Express from the Twenty Sixth day of December 1812 to the third of Jan y 1813 } $13. 50 both days inclusive @ 1 50 / 100 of p er day
Received of Capt n William Picart Deputy Quartermaster Genl. Harrison Dollars Fifty Cents in full of the above
Account Discharged. Witness my hand John M c Clellan d B t A. Hickney
Kamandatak his Mark (over)
Capt William Pratt Depy Quarter master Genl will pay to Kamandatah a Wyandot Indian thirteen Dollars fifty Cents for his services as an Escaper from the twenty sixth day of December 1812 to the third of Jany 1813 both days inclusive at One Dollar fifty cents per day.
W m Henry Harrison
President, etc.
John
Indian runner
(over)
Draft regarding Mail Indenture
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: September 20, 1787
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 7 1/8 × 5 7/8 in. (18.1 × 14.92 cm)
Description: Draft Regarding Mail Indenture from Portland to Portsmouth between Joseph Barnard and James Osbourne, September 20, 1787.
Proposals for transporting the Public Mails by Stage Carriages from Portland in Massachusetts to Portsmouth in New Hamp- shire — for the Year 1788
Twice a Week from May 1. to Nov 1. and Once a Week from Nov 1. to May 1.
60 Miles at 48. or 8 Dollars per Mile
In the whole — 480 Dollars
Sept 20. 1787
Jos: Bernard
Proposals
Letter
Sir In consequence of your late Advertisement respecting the transportation of the Mails for the Year 1788 — I take the liberty to send you the inclosed Proposals for trans- porting them from Portland to Portsmouth
Yours sincerely James Otis
I
I have not proposed to carry them only twice in y e summer & once in the winter, as I apprehend it will be as agreeable to you and I suppose  suppose  suppose would not suffi- cient for that stage. — The Roads are bad and the your after expense would be very great greater than if proposed that would be denied theat  theat — so To perform it as I have
proposed, will I hope be satisfactory — and I flatter myself you will not object to the terms I have offered — The mion.
veniens attending the delay of Def which was necessarily took place the sum- mer past on account of going but once a week has prevented the having so many Def. these were to defer & the expense of undertaking  singers as  would doubtless have otherwise transferred with — I hope
This has  has induced me with for a trial on the plan of advising twice a week and the production of better plays than I have made it so that only the present year I therefore wish to make a trial on the plan proposed and I flatter myself you will not object to the terms which I have offered —