In 1803, Thomas Jefferson was President, the United States had expanded its borders to the Mississippi River, and the American Navy was stationed in the Chesapeake Bay because British ships were threatening to blockade Washington D. C.
In Truro, Benjamin Harding was appointed as the Town’s second Postmaster, operating out of a room in his North Truro home, where there were no mail boxes to rent, nor postage stamps or envelopes for sale. Nor were there any home delivery or street addresses; and the mail arrived in Truro by stagecoach only when there were enough passengers or goods to justify the trip. But Mr. Harding did have a metal stamp (brass?) and probably charged her a penny when Betsey Snow mailed a letter to her sister in Baltimore on January 13, 1804.
When Peggy Snow received the news from Truro in February, she replied the next day. She took a large piece of paper (12″ x 16″), folded it in half, and wrote her letter. Then she folded it into a 3″x 6″ envelope with a wax seal and addressed it to:
Captain Shubael Snow
Truro in the County of Barnsatble
State Massachusetts
Transcription
Mrs. Betsey Snow Baltimore 4th Feb, 1804
Dear sister, your favor of the 13 January is just now handed to me which I was happy to receive. I congratulate you of your safe delivery of a son which was happy news for me to hear. I have a great desire to see you all again, but at present it is uncertain when I shall see that time. Mr. Snow and Reuben is here and well and hearty and desire their kind respects. The Almy is been detained here by the ice for 6 weeks with a great number of other ships and in all probability the ice will continue here until March. I should have wrote you before but I had nothing new to mention but shall be happy to hear from you often. My respects to both mothers and love to brothers and sisters and all other friends. I still remain your affectionate sister. Mr. Snow desires his respects to both mothers and brothers and sisters and all other friends.
Peggy Snow
Mass. Vital Records
Shubael Snow —born in Truro 7/10/1775 son of Jonathon & Deliverance Snow
Shubael Snow married Betsey Lombard both of Truro (published 12/20/1800)
Anthony Snow— Son of Shubael & Betsey Snow born in Truro 12/13/1803
Truro Cemetery Records
Old North Cemetery Stone 566
“Sacred to the memory of Betsey Snow, wife of Shubael Snow, who departed this life 8/6/1814 aged 34 years”