: The Early History of the Colonial Post-Office by Woolley Mary Emma - Postal service United States History Colonial period ca. 1600-1775

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Papers from the Historical Seminary of Brown University

Edited by J. FRANKLIN JAMESON, Ph. D., Professor of History

II

THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE COLONIAL POST-OFFICE

by MARY E. WOOLLEY

Reprinted from the Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society

EARLY HISTORY OF THE COLONIAL POST OFFICE.

A letter written in 1652, by Samuel Symonds of Ipswich, to John Winthrop, Jr., at Pequot, says: "I cannot say but its besides my intentions that I write not more frequently unto you; I can onely plead this for my excuse ... and the uncertainty when and how to convey letters."

A glance at the correspondence of that period shows that Mr. Symonds was not the only one inconvenienced by the "uncertainty when and how to convey letters." With no domestic postal service the writers of that day were dependent upon individual bearers and pressed neighbors, relatives, merchants, sea captains, any and every one whom they could reach, into the service. Indians were often used as messengers. Roger Williams writing to John Winthrop, at some time in the '30's, speaks of word "by this bearer Wequash whome I commended for a guide in the Pequt expedition;" again, "I pray let your servant direct the native with this letter;" and at still another time, "From your owne hand ."

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