RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Deputy postmaster appointment certificate
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Employee Gear
Date: March 29, 1784
Place: Pennsylvania
United States of America
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 9 3/4 × 5 5/8 in. (24.77 × 14.29 cm)
Topics: Early Nation's Period (1776-1800)
Description: This is the appointment of John Harper to deputy postmaster, Chester, Pennsylvania, and is signed by Postmaster General Ebenezer Hazard on March 29, 1784. Hazard was the third Postmaster General (1782-1789) and was largely responsible for reforms and refining the operation of the early postal system.
By AUTHORITY of C O N G R E S S.
EBENEZER HAZARD, EsQ;
POST-MASTER-GENERAL of the UNITED STATES of NORTH-AMERICA,
TO ALL to whom these Presents shall come, sends GREETING: KNOW YE, That I, the said EBENEZER HAZARD, having received good Testimony of the Fidelity and public Spirit of John Harper of Chester, in the State of Pennsylvania — and reposing great Trust and Confidence in the Knowledge, Care and Ability of the said John Harper , — to execute the Office and Duties required of a Deputy Post-Master, have deputed, constituted, authorized and appointed, and by these Presents do depute, constitute, authorize and appoint the said John Harper , — to be my lawful and sufficient Deputy, to execute the Office of Deputy Post-Master of the District of Chester , — to have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy the said Office, with all and every the Rights, Privileges, Benefits and Advantages, to the same belonging, from the first Day of April for the Term of three Years, or until he shall receive a new Commission, or until the present be superseded under such Conditions, Covenants, Provisoes, Payments, Orders and Instructions, to be faithfully observed, performed, and done, by the said Deputy, and Servants, as he or they shall, from Time to Time, receive from me, or by my Order. In Witness whereof, I, the said EBENEZER HAZARD, have hereunto set my Hand, and caused the Seal of my Office to be affixed: Dated the Twenty ninth Day of March 1784
Ebenezer Hazard
Emmeline with Mother in shelter
Post Office Act of 1790
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: Jauary 4, 1790
Signer: Thomas Jefferson, American, 1743 - 1826
Place: New York
United States of America
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 15 1/8 in. (38.42 cm)
Topics: Postal Administration
Early Nation's Period (1776-1800)
Description: This document records “an act for the temporary establishment of the post-office” passed by the Senate and House of Representatives in the second session, begun on January 4, 1790. Between 1789 and 1792, Congress passed such temporary measures on three occasions. The Post Office Act of 1792 finally outlined and instituted postal operations as run by the federal government. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states: “The Congress shall have the Power . . . to Establish Post Offices and post Roads.”
This act, approved on August 4, 1790, carried the signature of Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and bore the names of Speaker of the House of Representatives Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate John Adams, and President George Washington.
References:
Fuller, Wayne. The American Mail: Enlarger of the Common Life. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1972.
John, Richard. Spreading the News: The American Postal System from Franklin to Morse. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1995.
['Congress of the United States :\nAT THE SECOND SESSION,\nBegun and held at the City of New-York, on Monday, the Fourth of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety.\nAn ACT to continue in force for a limited Time, an Act, intitled “An Act for the temporary Establishment of the Post-Office.”\nB E it enacted by the SENATE and HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the act passed the last session of Congress, intitled “An act for the tem- porary establishment of the post-office,” be, and the same hereby is continued in force until the end of the next session of Congress, and no longer.\nFREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives.\nJOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate.\nAPPROVED, August the fourth, 1790.\nGEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States.\n(TRUE COPY.)\nW. Patterson Secretary of State.'
 None]
Constitutional Post endorsed folded letter
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: June 13, 1775
Writer: Joseph Warren
Place of Origin: Massachusetts
Rhode Island (colony)
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 8 × 7 1/2 in. (20.32 × 19.05 cm) Height x Width (partially unfolded): 12 1/2 × 7 3/4 in. (31.75 × 19.69 cm) Height x Width (unfolded): 15 1/2 × 12 1/2 in. (39.37 × 31.75 cm)
Topics: Covers & Letters
Colonial Era (1607-1776)
National Stamp Collection
Description: This is a letter dated June 13, 1775 from Watertown, Massachusetts, written by Joseph Warren, President of the Provincial Congress of Massachsetts, to the Lieutenant Governor and Company of Rhode Island. The letter bears the only known marking from the Constitutional Post.
President of the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts Bay June 13. 1775
free To the Hon ble The Lieutenant Governor & Company of the Colony of Constitutional Post Rhode Island
Watson
In Provincial Congress June 15 th 1775
To the Hon. the Lieut. Governor & Company of the Colony of Rhode Island Gentlemen.
Considering the critical state of the
10.0E60.5861
President of the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts Bay June 13. 1775
Free To The Honble The Lieutenant Governor & Company of the Colony of Constitutional Post Rhode Island
Watertown
In Provincial Congress June 15 th 1775
To the Hon ble the Great Governor & Company of the Colony of Rhode Island Gentlemen.
Considering the exposed State of the Frontiers of some of the Colonies, the Danger that the Inhabitants of Canada may possibly have disagreeable Apprehen- sions from the military Preparations making in several of the other Colonies, and the Rumours that there are some Appearances of their getting themselves in readiness to act in a hostile Way. This Congress have made Application to the Hon ble Continental Congress desiring them to take such measures as to them shall appear proper to quiet & conciliate Minds of the Canadians, and to prevent such alarming Apprehensions. We also have had the most disagreeable Accounts of Methods taken to fill the Minds of the Indian Tribes adjacent to these Colonies, with Sentiments very injurious to us, particularly we have been informed that Col l Guy Johnson has taken great Pains with the six Nations in order to bring them into a Belief, that it is design d by the Colonies to fall fall upon them, and cut them off — We have therefore desired the Hon ble Continental Congress that they would with all convenient speed use their Influence in guarding against the Evil intended by this malevolent Misrepresentation. And we desire you to join with us in such Application.
J. Warren President
Sam Freeman Sec y
William Goddard portrait
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Art
Date: unknown
Depicts: William Goddard
Place: United States of America
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 4 1/4 x 3 1/8 in. (10.8 x 7.94 cm)
Topics: Art
Description: Lithograph portrait is of William Goddard (1740-1817), an early organizer of the U.S. postal system. Goddard was a printer, newspaper publisher, postmaster in the British General Post Office of North American, founder of the subscription Constitutional Post, and appointed surveyor of the American Post Office in 1775.
['William Goddard' None]
Wrapper from New Orleans via Fort Adams to Jonathan Meredith
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: 1810
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 7 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. (19.05 × 16.51 cm)
Description: Wrapper from New Orleans via Fort Adams to Jonathan Meredith
['25\nJonathan Mercadith Pugh\nBatture\nvire font accams mail\n2999\nRobert Pugh New Orleans 24th April'
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New Orleans to Baltimore folded letter via Fort Stodder
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: 1810
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 6 3/4 × 9 3/8 in. (17.15 × 23.81 cm)
Description: Wrapper from New Orleans via Fort Stoddert to Jonathan Meredith; single sheet; no enclosed letter in this cover
["2296\nPAID\n50\nJonathan Meredith Esqr, Attorney at Law,\nMail bin Fort Street\nBaltimore\n1810\nR. Hopkins M. O'Keane Esqr"
 None]
London Penny Post folded letter
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: c. 1706
Place: England
Medium: paper; ink; wax
Dimensions: Height x Width: 3 9/16 x 5 7/8 in. (9 x 15 cm)
Description: Letter delivered via London Penny Post with a triangular postmark
['for for Jeremy Nich. Esq. in Paradise Row at Chelsea\nMiddlesex\nJ' ''
 None
 "and will\nI heartily beg y d pardon for a mistake which I believe I have made tho' I am not sure of it in sending you this day a letter without sealing it . It was in a hurry of business and in sending away several others all which I sealed with wax and I thought to seal yours with wax as I believed I forgot I hope it will be no prejudice to you\nI am y d obedt Servt James Cully 2 d Serjeant"
 'for for Jeremy Nicholls Esq e in Paradise Row at Colpa\nMiddlesex\n1'
 "and will\nI heartily begg y d pardon for a mistake which I believe I have made tho' I am not sure of it in sending you this day a letter without sealing it. I was in a hurry of business and in sending away several others all which I sealed with wax and I thought to seal yours with wax as I believed I forgot. I hope it will be no prejudice to you.\nI am y d obedt servt James Cully No 2. Dorset\nAns d Dec 17 at 11 o'clock in General's Room for Johnnys time of day for"
 None]
Post rider receipt
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: March 19, 1687
Associated Person: Edmund Andros, British, 1637 - 1714
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 2 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. (6.99 x 19.69 cm)
Topics: Colonial Era (1607-1776)
Customers & Commerce
National Stamp Collection
Description: During the late 1600s, ideas for East Coast inter-colonial postal service began to circulate. In 1684 New York's Governor Dongan proposed the most ambitious idea yet - a chain of post houses from Nova Scotia to the Carolinas. It was never fully realized because of the small volume of mail; only one route was created between New York and Boston. But the idea was also never abandoned. Governor Andros of Massachusetts was interested in such a service.
By 1667 Andros was corresponding with John Allyn of Hartford, Connecticut about his plan to have mail couriered between Boston, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut once a month. Allyn supported this idea suggesting that the trip be made once every three weeks during the summer months. Andros had a man for the job in John Perry. He was familiar with the route and was already making regular trips to Connecticut. Perry had previously carried letters from Governor Andros to the Connecticut government. Though suspected by some of opening letters, Perry remained in the service until his arrest during the Massachusetts revolution against the Dominion of New England in 1689.
This post rider receipt vouched that John Perry carried letters from Edmond Andros (1637-1714), Governor of Massachusetts, to Connecticut. The document is dated Boston, March 19, 1686[1687] and bears John Perry's mark.
Boston 19 th March. 168 8/9
See the hon of John Usher Esq m Treasurer for carrying Letters from his Excellency S r Edmund Andros to Connecticutt Ten shill s in money — £0: 10: 0
John X Perry marke
Randolph Dep y Audit r ,
11:7 11:08
1993.2002.15
20c single letter rate for 250-350 miles plus 4c ship fee stampless cover
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: May 27, 1797
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width (folded): 3 3/8 × 5 in. (8.57 × 12.7 cm) Height x Width (unfolded): 7 3/8 × 8 7/8 in. (18.73 × 22.54 cm)
Topics: Covers & Letters
National Stamp Collection
Description: Folded letter dated May 27, 1797, from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to Philadelphia, carried by sailing ship “Harmony,” Captain Dingly, from Rotterdam to Boston. Letter entered US mail system at Boston on August 5, 1797. Here it was marked with a straightline handstamp "BOSTON" in the lower left corner and a small circular datestamp in the upper left corner with the numeral and letters “5 AV” for August 5. This style datestamp was fashioned after a similar one used in England known as “Bishop Mark,” which had a horizontal line dividing the day and month. The American version, sometimes called a “Franklin Mark,” had no dividing line. At Boston the letter was marked in the upper right corner for 24 cents postage due in Philadelphia, 4 cents incoming ship fee, plus 20 cents inland fee from Boston to Philadelphia (250-350 miles).
211
Mess rs Hawthorn & Herr
Merchants Per the Harmony Capt n Dingley } Philadelphia
BOSTON
my Lf. John ... (Large decorative flourish)
1621
U.S.N.M.
2004, 2004, 41
74
711 Messrs Hawthorn & Ferris
Merchants Per the Harmony Capt. Dingley Philadelphia
BOSTON
May 27 Answer
Messrs Hawthorn & Ferris
Rotterdam May 27 th 1797
Sirs
I embrace this opportunity to inform you of my being still in this place. I have not yet settled with the Consignees for the freight, my cargo turning out in such a damaged state has occasioned me much trouble in obtaining the freight. I have your directions to remit what freight I receive here to Messrs John Kirwan & Sons in London which I shall attend to. I have been obliged to buy a new cable with some other repairs which I could not obtain in Ireland and as my people are on such high wages I think it prudent to discharge some of them or all as I can get men here for one third the wages that I pay those I have now. I have been very unfortunate in this voyage but you may depend on my taking every step in my power that will tend to your interest. I am freighted for Charleston & expect to sail in four or five days for that place.
Nothing remains but to settle for my freight from Charleston to this place, I flatter my self that all the Extra Expence attending this voyage will fall on the under writers at least I have indavoured to discharge my Self of Eory duty incombant on my Self that might tend to the Interest of My Employers,
I Remain Gentlemen
your most Ob t Servant
W m Cook
Benjamin Franklin free frank cover
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: April 13, 1765
Associated Person: Benjamin Franklin, American, 1706 - 1790
Recipient: John Hancock, American, 1737 - 1793
Place of Origin: England
Place of Destination: Massachusetts
Medium: paper; ink; wax seal (red)
Dimensions: Height x Width (folded): 3 5/16 × 5 11/16 in. (8.41 × 14.45 cm) Height x Width (Unfolded): 7 7/8 × 12 3/8 in. (20 × 31.43 cm)
Topics: Covers & Letters
Colonial Era (1607-1776)
National Stamp Collection
Description: Free Frank signed by Benjamin Franklin on cover (2005.2027.1.1) enclosed a second sheet upon which the letter commenced (2005.2027.1.2) and concludes on the reverse of the cover sheet. The letter was posted to John Hancock, Merchant of Boston, and written by a third party, but posted by Franklin, probably as a favor.
['To Free B en Franklin John Hancock Esq r Merch t Boston' None
 'Bownall,\nApril 1765\n2005.2027.1'
 'To Ira Franklin John Hancock Esq. Merch t Boston\nYrs in Newm ts April 1765'
 'Interests either received or due — that I may know what Directions to give — & Lett me that not only on this Account but for sake of my Regard & Love to your Late Uncle you may ever command the best of my Services in any case wherein I could serve you — I beg my respects to your good aunt & to all friends whom I defer to meet at your Uncles — & beg you will believe me to be\nSir Yr friend of J. W. Dorrance —\nTo John Hancock Esqr. Boston —\nI have written four or five Letters to you — besides that by Capt. Hallowell.\nIn my opinion the Trants of B. Franklin is genuine John A. Fox'
 None]
Letter enclosed in Benjamin Franklin free frank cover
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: April 13, 1765
Associated Person: Benjamin Franklin, American, 1706 - 1790
Recipient: John Hancock, American, 1737 - 1793
Place of Origin: England
Place of Destination: Massachusetts
Medium: paper; ink; wax seal (red)
Dimensions: Height x Width (folded): 3 5/16 × 5 11/16 in. (8.41 × 14.45 cm) Height x Width (Unfolded): 7 7/8 × 12 3/8 in. (20 × 31.43 cm)
Topics: Covers & Letters
Colonial Era (1607-1776)
Description: Free Frank signed by Benjamin Franklin on cover (2005.2027.1.1) enclosed a second sheet upon which the letter commenced (2005.2027.1.2) and concludes on the reverse of the cover sheet. The letter was posted to John Hancock, Merchant of Boston, and written by a third party, but posted by Franklin, probably as a favor.
New- Norfolk Street Grosvenor Square London—
April 13. 1765—
Dear Sir,
Upon the melancholly occasion of my late good friend y Uncle  Scott I wrote to you— & took t e Liberty to trouble you with my wish that you would be so good to acquaint me of the state of my Treasurers notes & interest which your Uncle was so good to manage for me— By my never having been favored with a line from you I fear that either my letters to you or your letters to me or both have miscarried— For I am sure that it is not possible that would not answer me; I am sure I have no right to ask any favor of you or to give you any trouble in my affairs but even if you thought so— the favor of a line to tell me so, would enable me to know where my affairs that were in your Uncles hands were lodged & to whom I must apply for them—
By a letter from your Uncle of Sep r 10 1763. He acquaints by a schedule as follows.
" Province Treasurers notes in Mr Hancocks hands " belonging to His Excellency Tho' Pownall Esq. w th " One note dated Nov r 3. 1761. payable June 20. 1764. 2853. 11. 8 " Four Do — March 1. 1762 pay ble June 20. 1766. } 1220 1 for £400. 1 for £417. 1 for £403 — } " One note dated Nov r 3. 1762. pay ble June 20. 1764 — 171 " One Do — 1 March 1762. pay ble 20 June 1766. 73. £ 4317 11:8 " If it be possible to gett notes for the Rising Interest & " shall — Third of Nov r next & interest will be due " on £ 2853:11:8 one year for 1763. & on 171 £.
On Nov r 21. 1763. I had also another letter from your Uncle. wherein he mentions his Doubt of getting notes for & rising Interest — as well for the which was become due, with an offer to remit to my Order all or any part of my Money which was I pleased — Since that time, I have been so unhappy as not to receive one single line about my matters — & I dare say you will not wonder if I appear a little uneasy. — Permit to ask this one favor added to & many which I have received & shall ever gratefully acknowledge from your good Uncle — to give me a State of my present Affairs with & addition of several
This is to certify a mistake in the schedule & should be there.
Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hopkinson free franked “B Free Franklin” folded letter
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: May 9, 1766
Writer: Benjamin Franklin, American, 1706 - 1790
Place of Origin: England
Place of Destination: Pennsylvania
Medium: paper; ink; wax seal (red)
Dimensions: Height x Width (folded): 4 1/4 × 6 1/8 in. (10.8 × 15.56 cm) Height x Width (unfolded): 7 3/4 × 12 1/2 in. (19.69 × 31.75 cm)
Topics: Covers & Letters
Colonial Era (1607-1776)
National Stamp Collection
Description: Franked by Benjamin Franklin as Deputy Postmaster General from London to Philadelphia via New York. Red circular Free Mark is one of the earlier uses of this mark. This mark is listed as number 1 and described in "The Franking system in the Post Office 1652-1840" by George Brunell, 1936.
['To\nMrs Hopkenson\nat\nvia New York Packet\nPhiladelphia\nMiss Franklin'
 'YORK A. 1711\n10 1/2\n2005.4027.2' None
 '2005.4037.2\nTo\nM rs Hopkenson\nat\nvia New York Packet\nPhiladelphia\nR ichard Franklin\nNEW YORK\nLetter from Genl. Frank lin 1766'
 None]
Letter to Postmaster Dudley Woodbridge from Surveyor General Ebenezer Hazard
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: April 6, 1781
Writer: Ebenezer Hazard, American, 1744 - 1817
Place of Destination: Connecticut
Place of Origin: Massachusetts
Medium: paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 2 3/4 × 4 1/2 in. (6.99 × 11.43 cm)
Topics: Covers & Letters
Early Nation's Period (1776-1800)
Description: Folded letter dated April 6, 1781, has the free frank: "Free Eben[ezer] Hazard." In his role as Surveyor General of the Continental Post Office, Hazard was providing instructions to Dudley Woodbridge, newly appointed postmaster of Norwich, Connecticut.
At an unknown date prior to purchase to the museum's collection, the single sheet became separated and were rejoined through repair. The sheet is now in two parts through conservation treatment at the museum and consists of the body of the letter and the address panel with franking. Also at an unknown date, a corner of the sheet was cut out and other areas torn off, the latter have been filled-in through conservation treatments.
Reference:
"Hazard Letter, 1781," Out of the Mails exhibition (December 14, 2006-January 31, 2008), National Postal Museum, https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/out-of-the-mails-to-pay-or-not-to-pay/hazard-letter-1781.
['Plymouth April 6 th 1781\nSir, Yours of 7 th ult o is come to hand, with the Bond and Oath of Office. —\nI will endeavor to procure you some Postmasters Bills upon my Return to Boston; and am very sorry you have not yet received the Book; please to direct Torrey to enquire of the Riders who go from Hartford to Fishkill whether they remember seeing any thing of it; it is as long and broad as a Comptroller\'s Bill; and Mr. Bryson wrote me he had sent it on directed to you at Litchfield; perhaps it may have been left there. —\nMr. Hallam is mistaken about the late Resolution of Congress; it is no more than "That the postage of letters, in future, be double the Sums paid before the Commencement of the present war." Those Sums were as in the Table of Rates ; — they are now to be doubled , your best way will be to charge the same in Divs & Grs. as formerly, but instead of taking 3 d Sterling Gdwt. as the Table direct, take 6 d Sterl. or 8 d lawful. — This you are to observe will be so much in Specie , but you may receive other Money equivalent ; — only remember to keep your accounts in Specie . — I wish you would be kind enough to send Mr. Hallam a Copy of this Paragraph and desire him to attend to it. —\nWith Respects to Mrs Woodbridge and all\nFriends\n† by this I mean as in the Table of Rates .\nI am Sir your humble Servt.\nEbenezer Hazard'
 None
 '240\nFree Elen Hoar and\nDudley Woodbridge Esq. Post Master at Norwich\n5\' 10" 6" 1000'
 None]