US Lynn MA 18 DEC 1830 to Middleborough MA. 10c PAID (30–80 miles). Red Lynn DEC 18 Ms CDS, red PAID, manuscript 10, wax seal. Stampless FL. Shoemaker Nathan D. Chase offers women’s shoes to merchant Peter H. Peirce. Lynn shoe trade, peddlers, prices.

Summary

• Date sent: 18 December 1830 (from the postmark, the same date as the letter)
• Country of origin: United States
• Sent from: Lynn, Massachusetts (Essex County)
• Sent to: Middleborough, Massachusetts (Plymouth County)
• Distance: about 45 miles in a straight line, roughly 50 miles by post road through Boston
• Philatelic details:
  • Red circular datestamp reading “LYNN” with “DEC 18 MS.” The upper lettering is partly struck and may read “LYNN ESSEX CO.”; that reading is tentative.
  • Red straightline “PAID.”
  • Manuscript “10,” the 10-cent rate for a single letter sent 30–80 miles under the 1825 rate act, prepaid by the sender.
  • Red wax seal remnant with a seal tear, and a small hole at a fold.
  • Stampless FL.
• Sender: Nathan D. Chase of Lynn (the reading of the signature is tentative), a shoe manufacturer who employed his own workmen.
• Receiver: Mr. Peter H. Peirce, merchant, of Middleborough. He was probably Peter Hoar Peirce (1788–1861), a leading Middleborough merchant, ironworks owner, and militia general, whose store was at Middleborough Four Corners. The letter alone does not confirm this.
• Other people named: Mr. Thomas of Middleborough, who had married a wife from Lynn and could vouch for the writer.
• Historical interest:
  • Lynn was the leading shoemaking town in America. Manufacturers there “put out” cut leather to workmen who stitched shoes at home in small shops called “ten-footers.” Chase has “shifted my workmen” to spring styles, which shows how production followed the seasons.
  • The letter gives real prices from 1830: 92 cents a pair for surplus stock, 80 cents for a recommended quality, cheaper grades at 70 to 75 cents, and a promised saving of 10 per cent.
  • The terms used, such as “leather bound,” “lasting” (a strong worsted fabric used for shoe uppers), “heel slips,” “trimmed with plate and ornaments,” and “¼ square toes,” record women’s shoe styles of the period.
  • Chase’s remark about “the disadvantages of a Pedlar” reflects the poor reputation of traveling peddlers. He sold by letter and personal reference instead.
  • Selling by mail to country merchants was how Lynn shoes reached small-town stores across New England.
• Genealogical interest: The letter places Nathan D. Chase at Lynn and Peter H. Peirce at Middleborough in December 1830. It also notes a Mr. Thomas of Middleborough whose wife came from Lynn.

Transcription

The letter is transcribed with the writer’s original spelling. Abbreviations are written out, and uncertain readings are marked.

Inside letter:

Lynn Dec. 18 1830

Mr Peter H. Peirce
Dear Sir I take the liberty to inform you that as I have closed all my orders on Leather Bound Women’s walking Shoes, and Lasting Bound Spring Imitation ditto And as I have shifted my workmen Pretty much on to Spring Shoes and no use for the above named. about 100 pairs Each — that I will sell them to you for 92 Cents per Pair should I not dispose of them before I hear from you — the Women’s Shoes are mostly of the same quality that I sold you last — A few of them not quit so Good, the Lasting Imitation I will warrant to be satisfactory if you want the article —
I should be Pleased to supply you with Spring Shoes think I can make you A saving of 10 per Cent — will sell Lasting heel Slips and warrant at 8/- (reading uncertain; possibly 8 shillings) Trimed with Plate and oraments — and Recommend A quality at 80 Cents — from 70 to 75 say nothing about — I make Shoes of most all Qualities the market affords — have sold one man in your Sesion of the Country more than 2000 pairs Shoes this Season — Expect to come that way once in A while if I make it convenient but I know too well the disadvantages of A Pedlar — you can know me by Enquiring where I’m known, Enquire if you Please of Mr. Thomas of your Town who married his wife from Lynn

Yours Respectfully
Nathan D. Chase (reading tentative)

P.S. The above named Shoes are about ¼ Square Toes

Address panel:

10
PAID
Mr Peter H. Peirce
Merchant
Middleborough
Mass

A few words are written near the seal tear on the address leaf, but too little survives to read them. Notes on terms:

• “Ditto” means the same kind of shoe as the one just named.
• “Lasting” was a hard-wearing woollen fabric used for shoe uppers.
• “Heel slips” were light slippers with heels.
• “Plate and ornaments” means metal trim and decoration.