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1840 ASHTABULA, OHIO STAMPLESS COVER WITH ENCLOSED LEGAL LETTERITEM OVERVIEW
More about the sender, an interesting individual after the description.
- Type: Stampless Folded Letter (Postal History)
- Origin: Ashtabula, Ohio
- Destination: Jefferson, Ohio
- Date: March 20–23, 1840
- Sender: Norman L. Chaffee (N.L. Chaffee - Prominent early Ashtabula attorney and future Common Pleas Judge)
- Recipient: Samuel Hendry, Esq.
POSTAL HISTORY MARKINGS & RATE
- Front Markings: Clear, bright strike of a red circular date stamp (CDS) reading \"ASHTABULA / OHIO / MAR 23\". Features a matching red hand-stamped \"PAID\" and a blue manuscript \"6\" rate marking.
- Postal Rate Context: The 6-cent rate corresponds to the U.S. Postal Act of 1825 for a single-sheet letter traveling under 30 miles (Ashtabula to Jefferson is approximately 10 miles).
- Reverse Markings: Period filing docketing reading \"Jefferson / March 20, 1840\". Shows original red wax seal residue.
LETTER CONTENTS & HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The enclosed handwritten letter is a fascinating piece of early Ohio legal history. Written by noted local attorney N.L. Chaffee, the text outlines an inquiry into court judgments and a foreclosure.The text reads in part:
\"Please send me tomorrow a statement of the Judgment and costs in case of Norris vs. G. Wilkerson & Chaney Smith... There has been some paid on the Judgment & also a case of Foreclosure of Mortgage.\"CONDITION
Excellent historic condition for a folded letter over 180 years old. Expected period fold lines, minor toning, and typical small tears on the edges where the original wax seal was broken to open the letter. Letter text is fully clear and legible. Please see photos for exact condition details.
N. L. Chaffee (Norman Lemuel Chaffee, often misspelled as Chaffie) was a prominent lawyer, judge, and abolitionist in Ashtabula County, Ohio. The year 1840 represents a significant milestone in his life, marking both his early legal career and his marriage.
Marriage (1840): On June 23, 1840, Norman L. Chaffee married Mary Eliza St. John in Ashtabula, Ohio (3 months after this letter was written).
Early Legal Career: Chaffee moved to Ashtabula County from New York in 1831. In 1837, he began studying law in the Jefferson, Ohio office of the famous abolitionist Joshua R. Giddings. Chaffee was admitted to the bar in 1839 and subsequently formed a six-year law partnership with Giddings
Underground Railroad Activity: Chaffee was deeply involved in anti-slavery efforts and the Underground Railroad in Ohio.He is historically noted for helping secrete and protect George Harris—the real-life husband of Eliza Harris, whose escape inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe\'s Uncle Tom\'s Cabin.
