Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-05-21


carried 1000 miles or under for three cents,
if prepaid, and for five cents il not pre-.
paid. The rates for distance exceeding
5000 miles were respectively, q and II
cents. Postage stamps and stamped en-
velopes were not used until 1852 The
system of charging uniform rates on let
ters according to weight and disregarding
distance within the limits of the country,
was established in 1868.
In the earlier years of the existence of
Burlington, and down to II period within
the memory of living man, money was so
scarce that Il letter would frequently re-
main in the Office several days or week,
until the person to whom it was address
ed could earn the % cents or less, by labor
for cash instead of pork, wheat, or pot
ashes.
Following is IL list of the postmasters of
Burlington from the first appointment, in
1892 to the present tor the first eight
names, credit should be given to Robert
Roberts, Esq, through whose influence
they were obtained from the department
at Washington: Amos, Hutchins APP
pointed July l7l5@; John Fay,
July 1, 1909 Jason Chamberlin, March q,
1914 DR.. Elijah ID. Harmon, January
%, 1916 Almon Warner, October II, 1916 ;
Ephraim Mills, September 26. 1878, Henry
b. Stacy, May II, 1871; Dana Wlnslow, 1913;
William Noble, 1915: George II. Paul,
1915 lsulDtT L. iDlOuptll, lN')O. ljOHHiUS
a. Dantorth, 1884 G. Grenvile Benedict,
1862 Samuel Huntington, 1866; William
II. Hoyt, 1867; George II. Bigelow. 1865 :;
6. Grenville Benedict, 1872; Buel j.
Derby, 1873.
While Ephraim Mills was postmaster
the office was kept in a little room about
p feet long and II wide in Mills Row, Il
building described in former pages as Il
long twostoried wooden structure extend
ing from the east end of the American
hotel to Church street and fronting the
square. Behind it, instead of the build
lngs now to be seen, was a large garden.
This postoflice was distinguished less by
'plgeon-holes" for the reception of mail
matter than by little shelves. The floor
was usually and unavuidably Uttered with
pieces of paper, Tor in those days envel-
opes were unknown the writer would
place the address of the person for whom
the letter was intended ON the back of the
folded sheet itself, around which the post
master would wrap an extra sheet, write
upon 1t the name of the place for which
the communication was destined. tie il
and send it ON. Letters received here
were stripped of their outer covering by the
postmaster and when paid for, delivered
to the person addressed. When Mr.
Stacy received the appointments he fitted
up an Office in framed building that oc-
cuped the present site of the Commercial
bank building on the north side of the
square, and constructed pigeon holes and
letter boxes for the convenience of the
public, an innovation that was generally
appreciated. 1t is related that the painter
who labelled the letter box Sits on the
inner apartment and on the outer door,
IN his anxiety To please and perform more
Jt service Than was expected of him.
painted over the key hole on the street
loor the title, key hole,. to the amuse.
nent OF the many and annoyance Of the
postmaster. The Office WAS kept for "A
number of years after Mr. Stacy's retire.
nent in the rear part of the building at
present occupied a. an office by the Bur
lngton Shirt company, ON the southwest
;orner of College and St Paul streets
The land now occupied by the post Office
,nd custom house building was decided on
August y, lSlG, by Seth Pomeroy to John
'omeroy for $1,000. John y. Pomeroy de
lived his title from the latter, and on the |
10Th of March, 1853, sold the property, in |
luding the brick cottage, to the United |
states Tor $3.50. The deed describes the /.
OF as extending 22O feet on MAN street.
md BIG on Church. On the 4th of August |
Sol, Congress passed an act approprating |
10000 for the construction of Il custom |
louse, posto1lice and rooms for the Judge |
# the United States District Court, at
burlington. This building was begun in !
he fall of 1853, and completed in the |
pring OF 1857. In June, 1898 an addition
| appropriation of $1,000 was made for |
'aving and grading the grounds and fur
fishing the building. 1t is composed OF .
rick, iron and stone only the doors, |
ase- boards, and the floors of the upper |
tory being made of wood. Douglas \. |
the first postmaster to occupy it,
emoVed his office from the basement of .
he city hall.