Developed & Supported by Mark Scheuer. Based on the work of Thomas J. Alexander. Dedicated to the memory of Creighton Hart and Susan McDonald. Feedback, additions, and corrections most welcome. Please send to: mscheue1@rochester.rr.com
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| Scott Number | 1 |
|---|---|
| Date | May 18, 1849 |
| From City | New York |
| From State | NY |
| To City | Albany |
| To State | NY |
| Addressee | His Excellency Hamilton Fish |
| Cert Author | |
| Cert # | |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 1 |
| Quantity 2 | 0 |
| Bisect | |
| Others | Swarts hs |
Notes
Lot 1127 1847, 5¢ red brown, four full to mostly large margins, cancelled by red grid cancel and matching "New-York, May 18" cds on 1849 blue folded letter to Governor Hamilton Fish at Albany N.Y., red Swarts' "Letters for N. York City Direct to Chatham's Park" backstamp and "Post Office Swarts Chatham Square" oval handstamps, additional matching red "Paid" handstamp at left, Very Fine and unusual combination use.
Scott No. 1 Estimate $500 - 750.
Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions Sale 94 realized 375
Not listed in Alexander
EBAY lot (Dr Who Stamps) - reverse image noting 1849 mailing and letter image datelined New York May 18, 1849. The partial notation on the back ("19") indicates that the letter was received in Albany on May 19. Quite fast for a hand written letter to be mailed and delivered 150 miles away in 1 day.
Letter content is a request for a pardon to William Haughey for receiving stolen goods to be granted by Governor Hamilton Fish. Request submitted by Patrick Kelly, Alderman of the 6th Ward. The letter notes that at the time of the mailing, William had already been incarcerated for over 2 1/2 years. This indicates a felony conviction (3-5 years) for goods valued over $25. At the time of the request (May 1849), New York and Westchester County north of the city (including Sing Sing Prison where William would have been incarcerated) was experiencing a Cholera epidemic. This may have prompted the request for early release.
The 1849 edition of Doggett's lists a James Haughey owning a liquor store on E24th Street between Avenue A and 1st Ave (Ward 18) and a Patrick Haughey working as a blacksmith on Avenue A north of E21st Street. William Haughey was in the grocery & liquor business so was more likely related to James (although they all could have been related). It is not clear why the request did not come from Moses W. S. Jackson, Alderman of the 18th Ward.
However, the letter was delivered to the Post Office by the Swart's at Chatham Square, which bordered the 6th Ward, so the letter content is consistent with the postal markings.
The 1850 Federal Census lists William Haughey living at home in NYC. This shows that the Haughley family, with Patrick Kelly's help, were able to get Governor Fish to pardon William.
Scott No. 1 Estimate $500 - 750.
Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions Sale 94 realized 375
Not listed in Alexander
EBAY lot (Dr Who Stamps) - reverse image noting 1849 mailing and letter image datelined New York May 18, 1849. The partial notation on the back ("19") indicates that the letter was received in Albany on May 19. Quite fast for a hand written letter to be mailed and delivered 150 miles away in 1 day.
Letter content is a request for a pardon to William Haughey for receiving stolen goods to be granted by Governor Hamilton Fish. Request submitted by Patrick Kelly, Alderman of the 6th Ward. The letter notes that at the time of the mailing, William had already been incarcerated for over 2 1/2 years. This indicates a felony conviction (3-5 years) for goods valued over $25. At the time of the request (May 1849), New York and Westchester County north of the city (including Sing Sing Prison where William would have been incarcerated) was experiencing a Cholera epidemic. This may have prompted the request for early release.
The 1849 edition of Doggett's lists a James Haughey owning a liquor store on E24th Street between Avenue A and 1st Ave (Ward 18) and a Patrick Haughey working as a blacksmith on Avenue A north of E21st Street. William Haughey was in the grocery & liquor business so was more likely related to James (although they all could have been related). It is not clear why the request did not come from Moses W. S. Jackson, Alderman of the 18th Ward.
However, the letter was delivered to the Post Office by the Swart's at Chatham Square, which bordered the 6th Ward, so the letter content is consistent with the postal markings.
The 1850 Federal Census lists William Haughey living at home in NYC. This shows that the Haughley family, with Patrick Kelly's help, were able to get Governor Fish to pardon William.
