MGJ Postal History

Created when Wheeling was part of Virginia (now West Virginia).  Letter is from David McConaughey (a prominent surname in Wheeling area at the time) regarding settlement of a claim. His right to the settlement is affirmed by a second note signed D. T. Tallant. Letter is addressed to Delano & Israel attorney at law. Condition is very good with no separations. Only tear is in the usual spot where seal was broken and does not affect content.  Postmark is full but light. 12.5-cent rate. 

Letter is from a Boston property owner to a friend in Danville, New York, first complimenting him on his shooting ability: "You shoot well--a good gun no doubt--give it to some of the grey squirrels in the woods".  He goes on to rave about Bob Bowa -- that crassy mouthed, drunken fellow abovestairs, 2 parties, 6 girls. The fellow would not clean.  Cousin G. tried to clean him out but the devil said Silverman engaged him and he would not clean (out) without his discharge. The girls as G. calls them know that I know all about the affairs and the other night I talked pretty freely about matters with Miss Abby."  Much more about that and other topics.  Easy reading. Letter in very good condition.

Absolutely wonderful letter from Sarah, of Taunton, MA, to Miss Emilie Carpenter, Providence RI.  Here's a sample of what it contained: "I was sitting at the window, and as it stormed violently, I was much surprised to have a cab stop at the door and a New Bedford gentleman (a Mr. Parker) was announced.  He is a friend of mine. He brought three letters, all saying I was expected back with him in the next train. The emergency was the great annual ball to be held there that evening..."  It goes on to describe her Cinderella-like evening including: "My dress was a straw colored lace, over a white satin".  Four pages of easy to read writing.  Envelope has an unlisted rimless Taunton postmark (light blue) with manuscript 5.  The back flap of the envelope is missing.

Letter sent to William B. Whipple, :Providence RI, from C. H. Dabney informing him that Dabney has shipped 62 bales of cotton on the sloop Rhode Island. He draws the bale marking for identification and says the lot can be insured.  Adds a personal note that he doesn't have time to write his wife and asks Whipple to ask her some questions for him.  Letter in very good condition. Light but full Providence postmark. Dabney was an agent for Brown & Ives, Providence, RI., dry goods commission agents, cotton brokers and merchants.