UNITED STATES STAMPLESS LETTER 1845 BUFFALO NY BROOKLYN NY ABBY BILLINGS F955

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Condition

Unused

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

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This is a fascinating four-page letter written from Buffalo, New York, on August 24, 1845, and sent to Miss Abby F. Billings in New York City. The letter was written by Abby's cousin, Sarah G. Hollister.The correspondence is a rich slice of mid-19th-century life, filled with personal and family news. The author discusses recent illnesses, family visits, social engagements (or lack thereof), and the recent, sudden death of a man named George Perkins, which has greatly affected their community. She also touches on domestic matters, such as sewing and managing a household in a new city.A notable detail is the one-month delay between when the letter was written (August 24) and when it was postmarked (September 25), suggesting it was held for some reason before being mailed.Postal History AnalysisOrigin: Buffalo, New YorkDestination: New York, New YorkPostmark: A clear blue circular date stamp reads "BUFFALO N.Y. SEP 25".Date: The letter is dated August 24, 1845, but was postmarked on September 25, 1845.Postage Rate: The manuscript "10" at the top right indicates the postage cost. This is consistent with the U.S. Postal Act of 1845, which went into effect on July 1, 1845. Under this act, the rate for a single-sheet letter weighing less than half an ounce and traveling over 300 miles was 10 cents, prepaid. The distance between Buffalo and New York City is over 300 miles.Biographical InformationSender: Sarah G. Hollister (likely Sarah Granger Hollister, 1803-1891). Based on genealogical records, she was married to James Hollister, a prominent merchant and banker in Buffalo. The letter's content, discussing managing a household and her husband James, aligns perfectly with this identification. She was living in Buffalo during this period.Recipient: Abby F. Billings. Abby was Sarah's cousin. She was staying in New York City at the time of this letter, under the care of a Charles Stanton. The letter mentions her family in Connecticut.Charles Stanton: The individual in whose care the letter was sent. The author, Sarah, mentions in a postscript that she doesn't know him personally and was unsure whether to address the letter to his office in New York or Brooklyn.Full Transcription of the Letter[Address Panel]Miss Abby F. Billings Care of Charles Stanton New York[Page 1]Buffalo 24th August 1845My Dear AbbyYou may be spared your letter gave me about as much disquietude as it would have done to have heard you were destined to life in New York or Brooklyn, indeed I could not have been more surprised to have heard you were farther from home. I am not unhappy at your disposition of yourself. I was sorry to but glad to hear you were with our dear Cousin Fanny. Knowing you could not be but happy with her and her good husband, and notwithstanding I should have been happy to have had you here, still the preventative is pleasant for I know you do long have wished to visit Joanna, and I am do glad you are going to see your dear friends in Clinton, whom I know for a long time have desired this. Your Cousin Elisabeth with her husband left here two days since for Connecticut, and are to be absent till April. I did not see you in Utica. She will endeavour to see in Brooklyn. As for myself and family we remain much as usual with the absence of James, Louisa teaching she is with me for the winter, a gay girl of 17. We have spoken of sending Tod my to little Sallie G’s school. We have not decided to do so yet. The Dr. if we should not of course keep him without board. Brooks would take him into his family. We have not determined enough what to do to ask them if her and home we think of putting Don in a store, between these events we shall have only Cook at home. Mrs James H. intends journeying east this Summer. Her intention is to go the last of July or first of August, she will visit Trenton as a matter[Page 2]of course. I was very glad to hear Aunt Chason was house keeping. She said not more than half, like it she did not come to Utica this last spring. a disappointment for she and Uncle promised us. bring Sophia. I think I will take the vessel now, much love to them and to Cousin Spencer's family. Tell Lottie she and Mary must come and make that visit this summer. I shall expect them to fulfill that promise ask her if she ever got Mrs Knugs and my letter to her and Fanny I ofs letter to me and tell her Adney says she is glad very dear to hear and he often talks of her with tears in his eyes. Buffalo is a gay wonder-place tho' I know little of it only by hear say, for we have not accepted an invitation to a party out of our own family. tho we have had many. We are not party folks to any extent. Can you tell me when your aunt Gloyanna is, I have not in a long time written her but have wished to, thus far had something when I was interrupted and as I have been rather feeble all day. I fear it will be an extent effort to finish this letter in any way that will make it interesting, some thing I am not at all troubled to write again these lines a third over me, and this has been the case to day. I have not heard from Trenton since you life and probably shall not except through the medium of yourself. I had from Charity last heard of George Perkins death. You recollect Talcott's wife Eliza Perkins she was, she died three or four weeks since very suddenly. did not till a few hours previous to her death consider her at all dangerous. Her death has been a great affliction to us all, she was a very estimable woman, one we all loved. Josiah is inconsolable. for only a few months previous they lost their only son a boy of ten. He feels as if his troubles were[Page 3]more than he could bear. His griefs are beyond the aid of human power, but our heavenly parent does not have the afflicted unheard for I believe he will be supported under this bereavement. She left two children a daughter 18, and other 4. a clever boy I must tell you he is getting to be a first rate scholar. The boys are well and send love to you. The Hollister’s girls have by me reading the day. I must tell you Shepherd is right smart but this is not true, the said you must come and give your own history. He says I must tell you he is in high spirits himself when he sees you which he hopes may be soon. Tell Louisa Fanny Denison she and Charley would come and make us a visit and I think they might do so. I have commenced my bag and it knits very well I am rather fearful it is too large I am making a bag not a purse. I have much to occupy my time. learn here we have a small house and not many conveniences for closets and clothes presses but we are comfortable. I have made quite a good many acquaintances considering we are strangers, in a city, and out of town a mile or more. We have so large a family circle that we are not dependant else where for society. Give much love to Cousin Fanny and Charley to Uncle and Aunt Chason and family to Uncle Spencer and family. and if you think best to I think, it is hardly fare in him to run away as soon as you get there. Tho as a younger one I know and found him very pleasant give my compliments I forget his first name. do not fail to remember me to Cousin F, Custian, and now dear Cous let me hear from you soon and I will try to have more interest in another letter. but I am truly dear to they[Page 4]truly stupefied. Give love to Clinton people when you write and believe me my dear Abby your attached Cousin Sarah G. HollisterYou did not tell me how to direct your letters and we did not know Charley Stanton or whether he received his letters at the office in N. York or Brooklyn.SEE MY 20,000+ EXCEPTIONAL LISTINGS IN MY STORE! WATCH MY ITEMS USING YOUR WATCH-LIST FOR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AND ADD ME AS A FAVORITE SELLER FOR A GREAT NEWSLETTER!Attention Sellers - Get TemplatesImage Hosting, Scheduling at Auctiva.com. Track Page Views WithAuctiva's FREE Counter

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04/19/2013

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