USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Professional and industrial history of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
1132 1231 -John Boydell.
1731-1755 .- Ellis Huske. He lived at Portsmouth, Is deputies at Boston being William Brock (d. 1218) and Samuel Holbrook. 1437. Benjamin Franklin appointed Postmaster at Philadelphia by Postmaster-General Spotswood.
1753. Benjamin Franklin and William Hunter appointed Postmasters- General for America.
1155 1456 .- John Franklin. Died January 30, 1756.
1456. Tuthill Hubbart. He served nominally until the British va cated Boston in 1776.
Postmaster General Franklin dismissed by the British authori ties. "Collection of the Statutes now in Force, Relating to the Post office," published in New York. Paul Revere's first ride as the Courier of the Revolution.
1:45, May 13 The Province Congress establishes Post-Offices and ap- points Postmasters for Massachusetts. James Winthrop ap. pointed for Cambridge (and Boston); succeeded by Jonathan Hastings on July 8. On July 20 the Continental Congress appoints Benjamin Franklin Postmaster-General.
1776 ISDS. - Jonathan Hastings Postmaster at 11 Cornhill, Boston.
1726, November 2. - Richard Bache appointed Postmaster-General.
1711. The Dead Letter office begins. Post Ofice monopoly established and vested in the " United States, in Congress assembled." Ebenezer Hazard appointed Postmaster-General. Congress passes the Post office Ordinance, which controlled until 1799.
.. The office of (First) Assistant Postmaster-General established. 1785, - Post Office Department removed to New York. Stage coaches used for mail transportation.
1789. The Constitution. Samuel Osgood appointed Postmaster-Gen eral. Post office Department in New York.
Tue, February 20. Washington signs the first great Post office et under the Constitution. The postage rates established con- time, with slight changes, until 1815. Post-office Depart- ment in Philadelphia.
17 !! The expenses of the Post office Department, as distinct from the postal service, are charged to the Treasury.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
1800. Post office Department in Washington, D.C
150%, October 1. Postmaster General Gideon Granger establishes the Post Office at Cambridge.
IsOS, July 1, 1899, Aaron Hill Postmaster at Boston, appointed by Postmaster General ideon Granger.
IS10. The office of Second Assistant Postmaster General created. 1815, February 1, to April 30, JSI6. - Domestic letter postage twelve to) thirty-seven and one hall cents.
18th January 1. Boston Post Ofice at corner of Congress and Water Streets,
·· April 1 .- The Post Office at Charlestown established Isti, July 1 -The Post Office at Brighton established.
1823. August 95. The Post Office at Roxbury established.
1825. The Post Office laws codified under Postmaster General John Mclean. Bonds required of Postmasters. Negroes still ex cluded from the mal service.
1820, April 3. - The Post Ofice at Dorchester established. 1898, March 1 .- The Post Office at East Cambridge established. ٠٠ ١١ IS. The Post Office at Cambridgeport established.
1899, January 12. The Post Ofice at Jamaica Plain established.
March & The Post Office at Brookline established.
٠١ I President Jackson inaugurated.
٠٠
١١ ?I .- Nathaniel Greene appointed Postmaster at Boston by Postmaster General William T. Barry. The Postmaster General admitted to the Cabinet
1830 Post Office in old State House, then called City Hall.
1:32, July 6. The Post Ofice at Chelsea established.
ISHI, February Vi The Post Office at West Roxbury established. ٠٠ -Adhesive postage stamps first proposed by James Chatmers, Dundee.
1835-1810. - Amos Kendall Postmaster General.
1836. The Kendall Act transfers the auditing of Best Ofice accounts to the Treasury. The appointment of Postmasters receiving $1,000 or more is vested in the President The office of Third Assistant Postmaster-General created. Collection of letters for the mails authorised.
1539, March 2 .- The Post Ofice at Neponset Village established It ceased on June 30, 1873, but was continued for a short time as Neponset Station.
482
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
1840, July 19 .- The first Cunard S. S., the Britannia, arrived in Boston with the English mail. The service continued ever since.
1811, April 28. President Tyler appoints George William Gordon Postmaster at Boston. He served until 1843.
1843, September 20 .- Nathaniel Greene reappointed Postmaster by President Tyler; serves until 1849.
1844. January 1. - Boston Post-Office in Merchants' Exchange building, State Street.
" May 24 .- Successful trial of the Morse telegraph between Wash- ington and Baltimore.
" May 28 .- The Post-Office at Somerville established.
1845 .- Postage reduced to five and ten cents for half-ounce letters. Pamphlets and magazines admitted to the mails.
1846, July 22 .- The Post-Office at North Chelsea established. The name changed to Revere in 1841.
1817 .- First arrangement with a foreign government for the exchange of mails concluded with Bremen. The regular despatch of mails for Europe by American steamers begun.
" -First issue of American Postage Stamps.
1848, November 23 .- Henry Archer's machine for separating postage stamps patented in Great Britain.
" -First Postal Convention with Great Britain.
1849, July 10 .- The Post-Office at Harrison Square established. It was cliscontinued on July 1, 1873.
" May 14 .- President Taylor appoints William Hayden Postmaster at Boston. He served until 1850.
" -1863 .- Delivery fee for letters, one cent.
1850, May 15 .- The Post-Office at East Boston established. Changed to a Station May 1, 1860.
September 28 .- President Fillmore appoints George William Gordon Postmaster at Boston. He served until 1853.
1851 .- Postage reduced to three cents on half-ounce letters carried not exceeding 3,000 miles. New issue of Postage Stamps Books admitted to the mails.
1852 .- The appointment of Assistant Postmasters required by the De- partment. Stamped envelopes authorised.
1853, January 6 .- The Post-Office at North Cambridge established.
February 2 .- The Post-Office at Winthrop established.
March 3 .- Assistant Postmasters-General are made Presidential appointments,
483
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
1853-Stamped envelopes introduced.
.. September 21 .- President Pierce appoints Edwin Curtis Bailey Postmaster at Boston. He served until 185 ;.
1853-1866 .- John Lewis, Superintendent of Mails at Boston.
1855, July 1 .- The Registry service begins.
" -Prepayment of postage on domestic mail letters compulsory.
1856, March 14 .- The Post-Office at Mount Auburn established. 1t was discontinued on September 15, 18:3, but became a Sub- Station.
". August 6. - The Post-Office at Mattapan established. A Station since July 1, 1843.
185%, June 4 .- President Buchanan appoints Nahum Capen Postmaster at Boston. lle served until 1861. Street Letter-Boxes intro- duced in Boston.
1858-1884 .- Albert J. Hildreth in charge of the Registry division.
1859, March 5. - Boston Post-Office at corner of Summer and Chauncey Streets.
1861, March 29 .-- John Gorham Palfrey appointed Postmaster at Boston by President Lincoln. Served until 186 ;. Thomas L. Har- mon, Assistant Postmaster.
.. August 1 .- Post-Offices established at East Somerville and North Somerville. The former becomes a Station July 1. 1823, and later a Sub-Station. The North Somerville Post-Office be- came a Sub-Station on July 1, 18:5 (present name, Winter 1lill).
" -Daily mails to California established.
.. December 14 .- Boston Post-Office in Merchants' Exchange build- ing, State Street.
1863, July 1 .- Free Delivery and Collection service begins.
" -First international postal conference at Paris.
" -Entire trans-Atlantic mail service performed by foreign steamers.
1861, July 1 .- Money-Order service begun. Omar Loring superintend- ent at Boston until April 30, 1888. Railway Post-Offices.
1865, March 3 .- Employment of Railway-Mail clerks authorised by Congress.
1866 .- Request envelopes introduced.
1864, April 13 .- President Johnson appoints William Lathrop Burt Postmaster at Boston. Served until 1875. Henry'S Adams, Assistant Postmaster.
484
-
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
1868, February 28 to May 31, 1875,-Allston a Post-Office.
September 22 .- The Post-Office at Roxbury changed to a Station of the Boston Post-Office.
1869-1844 .- John A. J. Creswell, Postmaster-General under President Grant.
1869, May 10 .- The railroad to the Pacific completed.
1840, March 15 .- The Post-Office at Roslindale established It ceased May 31, 1845, but was revived as a Station.
18CI, October 16. - President Grant lays the corner-stone of the first Government Post-Office building in Boston.
1842, June 8 .- The Postal Code signed. Merchandise admitted to the mails.
1872, November 10 .- The Post-Office in the Merchants-Exchange Building, 55 State Street, destroyed by fire. Removed to Faneuil Hall.
1843, February 3 .- Post-Office removed to Old South Meeting House. March 20. The Post-Office at North Brighton established. ceased on May 31, 1845.
" April 21 to May 31, 1845 .- West Somerville a Post-Office.
" May 1 .- Postal Cards introduced.
June 25. - Postmaster-General Creswell signs the order changing the Post-Offices at Charlestown, Chelsea, East Cambridge, Cambrigdeport, Cambridge, North Cambridge, Somerville, East Somerville, Harrison Square, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Neponset Village to Stations of the Boston Post-Office, the order taking effect on July 1, 1823.
" _The office of Attorney-General for the Post-Office Department established.
1844, October 9 .- The Postal Treaty at Berne signed; the Postal Union established.
" -The publication of the official United States Postal Guide begun. 1825, January 1 .-- The present Post-Office building occupied.
May 17 .- Postmaster-General Marshall Jewell signs the order discontinning the Post-Offices at West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Allston, Revere, Winthrop, Roslindale, Boylston Station, North Brighton, North Somerville and West Somerville; and establishes Boston Stations at West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Allston, Revere, and Winthrop, the Stations to begin on June 1, 1815.
It
1
185
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
1826 .- Edward Silas Tobey (from Jan. 1) Postmaster at Boston. He served until 1886. Charles Soule, Assistant Postmaster to 188-1.
$6 October 1 .- Edward T. Barker begins the superintendence of delivery and collection.
18G. July .- David A. Holmes appointed Superintendent of Mails.
" -The penalty envelope authorised.
1878, October 1. Packages admitted to Registration.
18;9, April 1 .- The General Postal Union becomes the Universal Postal Union. Five cents the standard for all Postal-Union letters.
" -Publishers' postage on newspapers and periodicals two cents per pound.
" -The title of Special Agents of the Post-Office Department changed to Post-Office Inspectors.
1851, February .- A. T. Stahl appointed Superintendent of Mails.
1882, July 1. - The Brookline Post-Office changed to a Boston Station.
". October 1. - Domestic postage on half-ounce letters two cents.
1884, June 9 .- Postage on newspapers mailed by the public reduced to one cent for every four ounces.
". - Alden B. Weston appointed Superintendent of Registry. Ed- ward S. Tobey, Assistant Postmaster to 1886.
1885, July 1 .- The lawful weight of two-cent letters increased to an ounce.
" -- Newspapers and periodicals mailed by publishers carried at the rate of one cent per pound.
" October 1 .- Special-Delivery service begun.
1886, October 8 .- President Cleveland appoints General John Murray Corse Postmaster at Boston. His service began December 1, 1886, and ended March 31, 1891.
188 ;.- Peter J. Hughes appointed Superintendent of Mails. W. J. Dale, Assistant Postmaster to 1891.
ISSs, May S until May 11, 1889 .- Linus E. Clark Superintendent of the Money-Order Division.
.. May 21. -- The eight-hour law for Letter-Carriers passed.
November I .- Back Bay Station opened.
1889 .- Henry A. Thomas appointed Superintendent of Mails.
" May 31 .- Omar F. Loring appointed Superintendent of the Money- Order Division.
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
1891. March 3 .- The office of Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General established.
". _ The Post-Office Department recast by Postmaster-General John Wanamaker.
" February 28 .- President Harrison appoints Thomas N. Hart Postmaster at Boston. He served from April 1, 1891, to June 30, 1893.
". July 6 .- A new Convention of the Universal Postal Union signed at Vienna.
.. October 1. -- Australia joined the Postal Union.
1893, July 1 .- Jeremiah W. Coveney Postmaster at Boston, appointed by President Cleveland. John Burnett, Assistant Postmaster.
STATIONS IN THE BOSTON POSTAL DISTRICT-1892.
Norr .- Stations, or Branch Post-Offices, are mentioned in Section 202, Act of May 18. 1842. These appear to have been sub-offices established in the largest cities by the local Postmasters, using their discretion. Stations were first authorised by Sec- tion 10, Act of March 3, 1817. They are now established or discontinued by the Postmaster-General only, acting under Section 98, Act of June 8. 1872.
The Sub-Stations at Boston, from about 1852 to about 1858, the largest number being less than twenty, were stores at which the public could leave mail matter, which is now deposited in Street-Letter Boxes. The first of the modern Stations, which are Post-Offices in most respects, except in name, is East Boston, which dates from May 1, 1860. In 1860 New York had six Stations. The Stations next estab- lished in Boston are South Boston and South End (since known also as Station "A"). Roxbury was added in 1868; twelve additional Stations were established in 1873; six in 1875; Brookline in 1883; Back Bay in 18SS. Four Stations-East Somerville. Harrison Square, Neponset, and Allston-were discontinued, and Roslindale was established, leaving the number of Stations in 1892 at twenty-one. In addition, there were six Sub-Stations-Allston, East Somerville, Roxbury Crossing, Uphams Corner, West Somerville and Winter Hill (formerly North Somerville)-for the transaction of Money-Order, Registry and Stamp business. On September 1, 1892, the Postal District had also thirty-two agencies for the mailing of packages and the sale of Stamps, and sixty agencies for the sale of Postage Stamps. The number of sworn persons attached to the service in the Boston Postal District was nearly 1,300.
Back Bay.
Opened November 1, 1888, with Ezra O. Winsor as Superintendent. Ile was succeeded on November 1, 1889, by Herbert N. Hanson.
Brighton.
The Town of Brighton, set off from Cambridge, was incorporated in 1802. When the Post-Office was established, July 1, 1812, the Town had
THE POST.IL. SERVICE.
less than 200 inhabitants. It has now ( August 1, 1892) about 13,000, and an area of 2,212 acres. Since 1811 Brighton has been a part of Boston and Suffolk County.
The first Postmaster at Brighton, 1817 to 1831, was Noah Worcester, whose Memoirs were published in 1811. He was born in E58, took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, was ordained a Congregational min- ister in 1982, removed to Brighton in 1818, founded the Massachusetts Peace Society in 1815, was created a Doctor of Divinity by Harvard in 1818, and died October 31, 1837. His " Solemn Review of the Custom of War" was republished in Europe, and had great influence. His deputy in the Post-Office, which netted him $30.10 in 1825, was his daughter Sally.
Jeremiah B. Mason, commissioned April 28, 1837, served until No- vember 4, 1812. William Warren, commissioned January 26, 1843, served until May 26, 1852. Under President Buchanan, Timothy Mun- roe was Postmaster at Brighton. In 1859 his allowance was $462.92; his surplus, paid over to the Department, $390.36. His successor, John F. Day, commissioned July 1, 1861, perished in a rebel prison in Octo- ber, 1861. Hle was succeeded in the Post-Office by his widow, Mrs. Sibyl S. Day, who served also as Superintendent when Brighton became a Boston Station, June 1, 1825. Her daughter, Miss M. E. Day, sue- ceeded: on April 1, 1887, David Reed, the present Superintendent, took charge.
The Brighton Post-Office has always been in Washington Street. It is the only Station in the District whose history has been previously published. in Drake's Middlesex.
.Allston, named after Washington Allston, was an independent Post- Office from February 28, 1868, to May 31, 1845. John Parkhurst ap- pears to have been the only Postmaster at Allston. His allowance in 18;1 was $310. For a short time Allston was continued as a Sub- Station, with A. B. Hitchcock in charge. This ended in 18;6. On July 1, 1892, Allston became again a Sub-Station.
orth Brighton was an independent Post-Office from March 20, 1813, to May 31, 18:5, with Thomas Hunt for Postmaster, For less than a year it was continued as a Sub-Station, with Thomas Hunt in charge.
Free Delivery was established in Brighton June 1, 18;5. In 1892 the service required ten Letter Carriers, two Clerks, and one Superin- tendent.
188
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
BROOKLINE.
Brookline, originally a part of Boston, was incorporated as a sepa- rate Town in 1205, and remained a part of Suffolk County until 1195. When the Post-Office was established, March 3. 1829, Brookline had less than a thousand inhabitants. August 1, 1892, it had about 12,000 inhabitants, an area of about 4, 160 acres, about 1,900 inhabited houses, and fifty miles of streets. The service was supplied by one Superin- tendent, two Clerks, and twelve Letter-Carriers.
The first Postmaster was Oliver White, who served until September 30, 1842. His successor was Stephen S. C. Jones. In 1851 James M. Seamans appears to have succeeded. About two years later, Clark S. Bixby was Postmaster. Alexander H. Clapp succeeded in 1855, or pre- viously. On December 12, 1sås, John McCormack followed. Under Republican rule, Cyrus W. Ruggles served as Postmaster from the time of the war until June 30, 1883, and then as Superintendent of the Station until October 31, 188;, when he was succeeded by Isley M. Fogerty.
In 1810 the Postmaster at Brookline had a salary of $1,900, and no Money-Orders were negotiated.
July 1, 1883, Brookline became a Boston Station.
CAMBRIDGE.
The Post-Office at Cambridge was established October 1, 1802, being the first established in the present Postal District, except Boston. At that time Cambridge included Brighton and Arlington, and had about 2,500 or 2, 600 inhabitants. In 1860 Cambridge had 26, 060 inhabitants, and five independent Post-Offices: Cambridge, Cambridgeport, East Cambridge, Mount Auburn, and North Cambridge. In 1890 the City of Cambridge had 20, 028 inhabitants, and an area of 3, 115 acres.
Cambridge has been a Station of the Boston Post-Office since July 1. 1813.
The first Postmaster at Cambridge, not counting the appointment of Winthrop and Hastings in 1425, was Ebenezer Stedman. He was born at Cambridge May 16, 1143; was graduated at Harvard in 1165; served as Selectman 1286-90 and 1496 1801: was Town Treasurer 1786-1808; and died October 4, 1815. His successor was Joseph Stacey Read, who appears to have served until his death in 1836. Read's allowance in 1816 was $220.42; in 1825, $384.53; in 1829, after the Post-Offices at Cambridgeport and Cambridge were established, it was $366.60.
189
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
His successor was Calvin Morse; but soon Samuel Newell succeeded, serving until April :, 1843. E. T. Bridge filled the interregnum of AApril and May, 1843. On May 26, 1843, Thomas J. Whittemore suc- ceeded. He brought his compensation in 1819 to $1.096.29, and soon after the President appointed Nathan Fiske Postmaster at Cambridge. Fiske, born December 6, 1179 or 1180, was a Selectman in 150;, and served also as deputy sheriff. He died April 21, 1868. But William Caldwell had become Postmaster in 1855, or earlier. His successor, from May 1, 1861, was George M. Osgood, whose salary in 1865 was $2,500. lle retired soon after Cambridge became a Station. Free Delivery was introduced in 1864.
For a brief period William L. Lyon was Superintendent of the Sta- tion. From September 1, 1814, to 1886, Miss O. S. Bragdon was Super- intendent. On April 1, 1886, Daniel T. Duhig served; A. H. Gormley from 1888 to 1891; Edwin P. Craig since 1891.
In 18;5 the five Postmasters in Cambridge-City had a salary amount- ing to $1,560; in 1892 the four Superintendents had $4,800. For Cam- bridgeport, East Cambridge and North Cambridge see the separate articles.
Mount Auburn.
The Post-Office at Mount Auburn was established March 14, 1856, and discontinued September 15, 1813, as if the famous order of June 25, which merged the Cambridge offices in the Boston Post-Office, had overlooked Mount Auburn. Its first Postmaster was Truman H. Safford, the railroad station master, and not the famous astronomer. From 1859 or carlier, Joseph Bird served until 1868. Hlis salary in 1865 rose to $123.19. In 1820 Edwin M. Safford was Postmaster, with a salary of $320; in 1843 Robert B. Safford, brother of the pre- ceding, served, with a salary of $290. Apparently Mount Auburn was continued as a Sub-Station, with James H. Wyeth in charge. succeeded in 1814 by James H. Flagg. The Department authorised the Sub-Station from November 1, 1888. As such it is attached to the Cambridge Station.
CAMBRIDGEPORT.
In 1805 this part of Cambridge was made a Port of Delivery, whenee the name. The Post-Office at Cambridgeport was established March 18, 1828, and serves about half the people at Cambridge.
62
1900
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
The first Postmaster at Cambridgeport was Luther Stearns Cushing. In 1826 he was the only graduate of the Harvard Law School. He was Clerk of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1832 to 1813, and a member in 1811. In 1831 he had been Town Clerk. In ISIS 19 he was a Judge of the Massachusetts Court of Common Pleas. Hle edited twelve volumes of Massachusetts Supreme Court Reports; but he is best remembered as the author of " The Law and Practice of Legislative Assemblies." The Post-Office was in his law office, and his compensation in 1829 was $80.61. He died in 1856.
His successor was John Parker Tarbell, who served until about 183 ;. Ile was graduated at Harvard in 1828; was Town Clerk 1832-31; served in the Massachusetts Legislature from 1839 to 1811, and in 1843 as a member of the House, in 1812 as Senator. He was born in 1807, and still lives (September 1, 1892. )
Calvin E. Morse served from 1831 to 1819. In 1839 his allowance was $212.88; in 1819, 8572.27. In 1849 the Whigs made Dr. Henry Thayer Postmaster. lle was Clerk of the Common Council 1854 55, City Clerk 1856, and member of the School Committee 1858-59. Sam- uel James served as Postmaster from 1853 to 1861. He was Alderman in 1863. Ilis allowance in 1855 was $1,033. 25.
President Lincoln appointed John MeDuffie, who served from May 1, 1861, until June 30, 1878, when the Cambridgeport Post-Office be- came a Boston Station. He introduced delivery by Carrier and the Money-Order business. He was a member of the School Committee in 1860-61 ; a member of the Common Council in 1866-67; a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1868, 1811 and 1812; and has been Clerk of Committees since May, 1826. Ilis salary in 1861 was $2,500.
Rufus M. Hodgkins was Superintendent from IS23 to June, 1826.
William S. Arnaud was Superintendent from June 3, 1826, to 1889. James 11. Wells served in 1889-90. He had been a member of the Common Council in 1882-83, and Registrar of Voters 1884-1881.
Gardner W. Ring has been Superintendent since November 1, 1890. He had previously served as Postmaster Tobey's secretary, and in other branches of the postal business.
CHARLESTOWN.
Charlestown, at first an undefined territorial name, is now one of the best-defined towns. lo 1810, when it was supplied from Boston, it had
191
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
1,959 inhabitants. Somerville was set of in 1842. In 1817 Charles- town became a City. In 1821 it was annexed to Boston. The popula- tion of Charlestown in 1890 was 38,318; the area about 200 acres.
The Post-Office at Charlestown was established April 1, 1816, the first Postmaster being John Kettell, who served until 1822. He was born June 30, 1756, and died September 16, 1822. He served also as Town Clerk.
Paul Willard was Postmaster from 1822 to 1829. He was born August 1, 1495; graduated at Harvard in ISIG; served as Alderman in ISE, and died March 18, 1856. He was succeeded by his son in law, Arthur Williams Austin (name changed from Isaac Austin, March 11, 1828), who served from July 18, 1899, to January 19, 1839, Mr. Austin was born March 16, 1807; was graduated at Harvard in 1825; was made Doctor of Laws by Middlebury College in 1867 ; was Collector of the Port of Boston under President Buchanan, and died July 26, 1881. Ilis Memorandum concerning the Charlestown Post-Office, published in 1×35, has abiding interest as showing the fury with which the petty offices were fought for. It is doubtful whether Austin's earnings from the Post-Office averaged a dollar a day.
Ilis successor was William Sawyer, also a Harvard graduate in the class of 1828 (with Tarbell, of Cambridgeport). He was born Decem- ber 15, 180%; he was by profession a lawyer; he died May 21, 1852, in a railway calamity at Waltham. The election of Harrison and Tyler made John Harris Postmaster at Charlestown; but William Sawyer re- sumed the office in 1815, or earlier, and served until May 31, 1819.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.