United States and C.S.A. Postal History continued...

**Revolutionary War Period - New York to Pennsylvania**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
3087		(New York N.Y., 1775) "N YORK May: 4". Clear strike of red straightline datestamp on back of 1775 folded letter to Philadelphia, datelined at New York and with "(Sh?) 6d" and "1/" (local currency) rate markings, horizontal file fold, some soiling, still Very Fine strike, a rare transitional period cover, Ebenezer Hazard was appointed Provincial Postmaster by the New York Provincial Congress on May 3, 1775, the day before this was sent (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 300-400 SOLD for $1,800.00 Will close during Public Auction
3088		(New York N.Y. 1775) "New York 7 June 1775". Dateline on folded letter to London, England, brown "DOVER/SHIP LRE." two-line handstamp and matching "28/IY" (Jul. 28) Bishop's mark applied on arrival, ms. due rate, fresh and Very Fine (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 200-300 SOLD for $160.00 Will close during Public Auction
3089		*(New York N.Y., 1776) "N. YORK. AP 10". Bold strike of greenish-blue straightline datestamp on back of April 1776 folded letter to Philadelphia, light red "2dwt" rate on front, light vertical file folds with some splitting, Extremely Fine strike of this rare New York City straightline, the distinctive greenish-blue ink was used by the New York post office in 1775 and 1776 after introduction of markings for the newly-created Congressional Post (Image)** Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 1,000-1,500 SOLD for $2,700.00 Will close during Public Auction
3090		(North Carolina, 1777) "P. Express". Folded cover to Waightshill Avery and William Sharpe by military express, endorsed "on public service" and docketed "J. S. Glasgow 15th Augt 1777", at this point Avery and Sharpe had just concluded a treaty with the Overhill Cherokees in North Carolina, Fine and rare Revolutionary War period express cover (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 200-300 SOLD for $275.00 Will close during Public Auction
3091		(Philadelphia Pa., 1775) "PHILA: SEP. 7". Clear strike of red straightline datestamp on back of folded letter from Francis Gurney to Jesse Yates in Lancaster Pa., matching "Post Paid" in circle handstamp on front, ms. rate, Very Fine strike of this rare marking, illustrated in ASCC on p. 344, a rare transitional period cover (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 750-1,000 SOLD for $4,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
3092		(Philadelphia Pa., July 1776) "PHILA. JULY 16". Straightline datestamp and ms. "3.8" dwt rate on side flap of folded cover to Fredericksburgh Va., 1776 docketing, opened for display and silked on both sides, appears Fine, scarce cover from Philadelphia during the celebrated month of July 1776 (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 750-1,000 SOLD for $500.00 Will close during Public Auction
3093		(Philadelphia Pa., 1776) "PHILA. SEP. 5". Straightline datestamp across backflap of folded letter from William Tilghman to Maj. Walter Stewart at Fort Ticonderoga, addressed "To Major Walter Stewart, Aid de Camp to his Excellency General Gates at Ticonderoga" with forwarding instructions in another hand "To the Care of Mr. Tench Tilghman at Genl. Washington's, New York", letter datelined "Philada. Augt. 27, 1776", slight wear and toning VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING REVOLUTIONARY WAR-PERIOD LETTER SENT THRU THE MAILS TO THE AIDE-DE-CAMP OF GENERAL HORATIO GATES AT FORT TICONDEROGA, IN CARE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON'S AIDE-DE-CAMP, TENCH TILGHMAN. This fascinating 2-1/2 page letter was written by William Tilghman at 20 years of age, who later served as Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and was one of the "midnight judges" appointed by President Adams to the Third Circuit Court in 1801. He was the grandson of Tench Francis and the brother of Tench Tilghman, a Revolutionary War soldier who served as an aide-de-camp to General Washington at Valley Forge. Tench Tilghman also served as secretary and treasurer to the Continental Congress in 1775. The letter begins with favorable mention of the promotion of James Wilkinson and laments the vacant social scene of Philadelphia (his comments are made weeks after the Declaration of Independence). Tilghman continues with a direct reference to General Burgoyne's movements and potential to join forces with General Howe: "But it is feared that our Army has suffered almost too much from sickness and the rigors of the last campaign. If you can surmount these difficulties, by your activity and courage, your honor will be immortal. Much is expected from Genl. Gates, and he seems to be looked up to, to retrieve the desperate Affairs of Canada." The writer then gives a heartfelt commentary on war and peace: "But you and I, my Friend, shall be laid low, before the tender frame of the Infant States, can recover from those violent convulsions that are to usher them into Being." Tilghman states that he is giving this letter to Tench Coxe (a relative) "who will forward it by the first opportunity." Based on this remark, the forwarding notation on the address panel was probably written by Tench Coxe. According to http://www.2ndpa-43rdfoot.com/history.html: "The colonel of the 13th, 23-year-old Walter Stewart, became the Second's [Second Pennsylvania Regiment's] new commander. The young officer, nicknamed 'The Irish Beauty' by the ladies of Philadelphia, was a close friend of Anthony Wayne's and well acquainted with Washington as well. He was an able leader with a reputation of taking care of the welfare of his men. Diarist Joseph Plumb Martin described him as 'an excellent officer, much beloved and respected by the troops of the Line he belonged to.'" (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 2,000-3,000 SOLD for $3,250.00 Will close during Public Auction
3094		(Philadelphia Pa., 1779) "Philadelphia March 30th 1779". Dateline on folded letter to Middletown Conn., ms. "6" rate but with no other postal markings, business letter with remark "...this branch will have no such success for want of sailors and men" and listing prices for spirits at bottom, light vertical file fold and minor soiling, Very Fine (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 300-400 SOLD for $170.00 Will close during Public Auction
3095		*(Philadelphia Pa., 1782) "P MAY 22".** Clear strike of straightline handstamp on back of folded letter datelined "Philada. May 20th 1782" and addressed to Boston, ms. "4" rate, light vertical file fold, Very Fine (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 300-400 SOLD for $600.00 Will close during Public Auction
3096		*(Philadelphia Pa., 1782) "PHILA OCTOBER 5". Clear strike of straightline datestamp struck on back of Sep. 30, 1782 folded letter to London, England, matching "Paid" handstamp, light strike of "6" in circle handstamp, light strike of red postmark just below "Penny Post Not Paid C" in circle handstamp, various datestamp markings incl. Jan. 22 arrival and large "R" handstamp, light vertical file fold with sight splitting at top, missing small part of top flap, still Very Fine (Image)** Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 400-500 SOLD for $2,600.00 Will close during Public Auction

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