US Gouverneur NY 03 JUL 1843 Schenectady NY 18¾c Paid Red circular date stamp "GOUVERNEUR N.Y. JUL 3" with matching red boxed "PAID" handstamp and manuscript rate "18¾". Sent by Rev. A.W. Cummings, Principal of Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, recommending Professor Lundy to Rev. Eliphalet Nott, President of Union College.

Summary

• Date Sent: 3 July 1843 (letter dated 28 June 1843)

• Country of Origin: United States

• Country of Destination: United States

• Town Sent From: Gouverneur, New York

• Town Sent To: Schenectady, New York

• Distance Between Towns: Approximately 170 miles

• Philatelic Details: Red-orange circular date stamp "GOUVERNEUR N.Y. / JUL 3"; red-orange boxed "PAID" handstamp; red manuscript rate "18¾" cents (under the 1825 postal rate structure for single-sheet letters traveling 150 to 400 miles); docketed on reverse "An. An. / for H. D. Lundy" and collector pencil notes "Gouverneur, N.Y. 1843".

• Sender: Rev. A. W. Cummings, Principal of Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary

• Receiver: Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D.D., President of Union College, Schenectady, NY

• Sociological, Historical, and Genealogical Details: Important higher-education correspondence between two prominent 19th-century educators. Rev. Cummings recommends Professor H. D. Lundy for an honorary degree / academic recognition at Union College, citing the growth and reputation of Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary in St. Lawrence County, NY.

Transcription

[Page 1 - Letter Body]

myself, especially if you should think best to grant the desired honour. I will at present give no references — if the subject should be favourably entertained by you, and you should prefer to receive the testimony of other gentlemen in regard to the character of Professor L., I shall be very happy to furnish it. If you will do me the favour to write me — Permit me in conclusion to say (and perhaps modesty would forbid my referring to the fact) that this Seminary is one of the largest, and most flourishing in the State, this you will know by reference to the Reports of the Regents of the University — this as far as it goes is a recommendation of Professor Lundy —

I am Gentlemen with much respect Your Most Obedient Servant

Rev. A. W. Cummings

Principal of Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary

June 28th / 1843

[Page 2 - Address Panel]

[Address Panel]

Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D.D.

President of Union College

Schenectady

[Postmarks & Markings]

• Red circular date stamp: GOUVERNEUR N.Y. JUL 3

• Red boxed handstamp: PAID

• Red manuscript postal rate: 18¾

[Page 3 - Reverse Side & Docketing]

[Docketing / Endorsement]

An. An. [Answered]

for H. D. Lundy

[Pencil Notes]

Gouverneur, N.Y.

1843

Historical, Philatelic, and Genealogical Notes

1. Philatelic Significance: Under the US Postal Act of 1825, single-sheet letters sent between 150 and 400 miles were assessed an 18¾-cent rate. The postal markings feature a crisp red circular date stamp from Gouverneur, NY, paired with a matching red boxed "PAID" handstamp.

2. Historical & Genealogical Context:

   • Rev. Eliphalet Nott (1773–1866): Long-serving President of Union College in Schenectady, NY (from 1804 to 1866), making him one of the longest-tenured college presidents in American history.

   • Rev. Anson William Cummings (1815–1889): Prominent Methodist clergyman and educator who served as Principal of Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary in St. Lawrence County, NY, and later as President of McKendree College and the University of South Carolina.

   • Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary: Founded in 1837 in Gouverneur, NY, it was one of Northern New York's primary academies and seminary institutions supervised by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.