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1856 Hardwicksville, Virginia Nelson County, 2-page letter datelined "Soldier's Joy, October 6, 1856" signed "Sister Willie London."  Addressed to noted Richmond merchant Daniel London.  Content relates to family news, sickness, doctors and comings and goings from home.

Much news, comings and goings, etc.  This is a Gorgeous Item.

From the Internet:

Soldier’s Joy was built between October, 1783-September, 1785 for Samuel Cabell (1756-1818), son of Col. William Cabell, Sr. and Margaret Jordan of Union Hill.  The house was designed by Col. Cabell and built by James Robards of Goochland at a cost of $635.   Col. William Cabell wrote in his diary that on “August 16, 1783, I agreed with James Robards of Goochland to build Samuel a dwelling house, kitchen, smokehouse and dairy.  It is to begin next October.”  Samuel and his wife, Sally Syme moved in October 1, 1785.

It is a 56 x 20 late Georgian “L” shaped home of heart of pine and poplar with a central hall containing an elegant open-string  dogleg staircase. There is intricate interior woodwork. The house is simply detailed, single pile, with a center passage, dining room, hall parlor with a chamber ell (wing).

The house was remodeled in 1806 by James Oldham, one of Jefferson’s workmen. It was developed into a 5 part Palladian house with one-story hyphens and 1 ½ story wings were added to the east and west.  Fine Federal woodwork was also added at this time along with the 2nd floor Palladian door. Other changes include the rebuilding of the 1st floor Palladian door and front porch which was enlarged using the original columns.  The rear porch is original.  Two original windows have been closed and a third window replaced with a door.  A back porch was added to the northeast corner in the 1920’s.

The original kitchen was located to the north of the house and was 22 x 18. “The dairy is also located to the north of the house.  The wooden grill work is believed to be like the original. The rafters are ship lapped & pegged. The nails are stamp headed. It is underpinned with Flemish bond. The brick work has not been restored at this point.”


This is an original postal item, not a reproduction.

This item is a "stamped folded letter" insomuch as the writer used a sheet of paper to write their letter and then folded it - leaving a space for the address and postal marking - and then sealed it, addressed it and took it to the post office where the postmaster applied a stamp (unless already placed on the letter by the sender) and applied markings appropriate for the letter's journey (principally the cancelling of the stamp and noting the origin of the letter with a town, state and date marking) and gave it to the postrider/post-wagon or stage to send the letter on its way. 

You are buying BOTH the postal portion AND the original letter.

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 cancel.  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.

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Terms and Conditions:

FREE United States of America Postal Service FIRST CLASS MAIL SHIPPING to the United States.

Uninsured International, including Canada, shipments are $12.00 for the first item and $2 or $3 extra for each additional item.  If you purchase multiple items, I will adjust the shipping charges when I send an invoice.

I prefer PayPal.  If you wish to pay by any other means, please message me before buying at and ask permission, which will not be unreasonably withheld.  When I send an invoice after you have purchased the item, please immediately remind me that you will be paying by another means.

Postal insurance and/or registered mail for loss and/or damage protection will be an extra charge and offered only if specifically requested.  If this concerns you, please message me in advance of your purchase.  Sometimes I will require this to protect us both.

All international shipments that request registered mail (insurance generally unavailable) will be charged a flat $16 for this service. 

The United States Postal Service has an excellent record with my shipments.

I have been a member of the American Philatelic Society since 1978 and have been selling on eBay for years.

You will need to work through Sales Tax issues with eBay.

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Thank you for taking the time to view my items and make sure to review the other items in my eBay retail store, especially in this category.