MGJ Postal History

DPO rarity 7 $25-50 value.  White paper stuck to top of envelope. Does not affect postmark or stamp.

This lot contains three items. First, a pink American Tract Society business envelope with a cachet and Boston postmark with pie wedge cancel on a Scott #65 stamp. It is opened roughly at the top and has no back flap. Second is a letter on ATS stationery from Henry Hill, ATS treasurer offering to pay Taunton Bank director Lovett Morse interest due on a building loan to his son if Morse will forego foreclosure proceedings. Third is the reply from Morse, explaining his position in the matter and setting down reasons for his decision whether or not to accept Hill’s “proposition”. The winner of the lot gets all the details. Very interesting reading.

Lovett Morse was a director of the Taunton National Bank as well as a director of the Taunton Gas-Light Company. Born in Taunton, on February 25, 1810, he married Sally Morse and they had five children.

Henry Hill – 1795-1892 – Born in Newburgh, NY. In 1809 he became clerk for Hill & Smith, 100 Wall Street, New York City. In 1817 he went on business to Chili acting as U. S. Counsel for Valparaiso and Santiago. He was treasurer of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions from 1822 to 1854 for 11 years was a member of its Prudential Committee. He was treasurer of the American Tract Society, Boston, for nine years.

The American Tract Society (ATS) is a nonprofit, nonsectarian but evangelical organization founded on May 11, 1825 in New York City for the purpose of publishing and disseminating Christian literature. ATS traces its lineage back through the New York Tract Society (1812) and the New England Tract Society (1814) to the Religious Tract Society of London, begun in 1799. Over the years, ATS has produced and distributed many millions of pieces of literature.

Clean cover. Sale price.

Brief note in a stampless folded letter that contained a check paying an invoice.  Clear 1850 red postmark of the line over 10 variety.