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"Genito Bridge Va. 26 Novr 1813" Rare and early Powhatan County, Virginia manuscript cancel on a 2-page letter signed "Eliza S. Randolph, saluted "My Dear Mother" and addressed to "Mrs. Catherine Randolph, Lawrenceburg, Ohio."

From the Indiana Historical Society's Website:
Catherine Lawrence Randolph was born in Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania in 1789 to John Lawrence and Elizabeth St. Clair Lawrence. Her maternal grandfather was Northwest Territory governor Arthur St. Clair. John Lawrence died in 1799, and Elizabeth married James Dill. For a woman of her time, Catherine traveled a fair amount, writing letters from Cincinnati, Vincennes, Jeffersonville, Lawrenceburg, and Elk Hill. In 1810 she married Thomas Randolph, Indiana Territory's attorney general; they lived primarily in Vincennes. In August 1811 they had a daughter, Mary Skipwith Randolph. Thomas Randolph died in November 1811 at the Battle of Tippecanoe while serving on William Henry Harrison's staff. Catherine Lawrence Randolph died in Paris, Kentucky in 1816.

Note in the above biography "In August 1811 they had a daughter, Mary Skipwith Randolph."  This daughter - age 2 when this letter was written, is referred to in the last line of the text presented below.

The letter is addressed in a different hand than the letter.  Here is the text of the letter:

"November, My Dear Mother, I want to see you and my little sister very much.  I it seems as if I never should for I see no possible chance of your getting to see us and I know I never shall be able to go to see you.  It seems as if it was intended we should never meet.  I have not seen Aunt Harrison since she had her last child.  And I don't expect to see her this winter.  Both Uncle William and Uncle Henry have been to see us and are very well.  Perhaps you have heard poor Papa speak of them, don't forget your promise in making sweet little Mary love me:  as soon as she is able of comprehending learn her to know that she has a sister that loves her dearly.  and don't forget me for I will never forget you.  If we never meet in this world I hope to meet in the world to come where parting never was known.  Both of the children are very well only Nat is fretful cutting teeth.  Aunt Patsy and Uncle Edmond join me in love.  Adieu.  I remain your affectionate Eliza S. Randolph.  Mrs. Catherine Randolph.  You must send me a curl of Sister Mary's hair in your next letter.

This is an original folded "stampless" letter with a Virginia State postal marking.

The letter IS present.  You are purchasing BOTH the letter and the postal markings.  The letter has not been separated--it's still here, and pictured.  

ONE of the reasons it is collectible is because of the fact that the local postmaster applied postal markings considered appropriate for the letter's journey--namely:  The originating town name and a rate.  In addition to being collectible because the addressee or the town from which it was sent, it is a collectable item of "postal history" because of the rates, markings usage, the addressee or something that might appeal to the collector.

ANOTHER is the writer, the content and the addressee.

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