MASSACHUSETTS: "BOSTON" straight-line cancel nicely struck on the back side of a c.1769 folded letter sheet addressed to Newport, a "24 MA" Franklin mark alongside, address side with "2 dwt" rating, Very FinernThomas Vernon (1718-84) was a postmaster of Newport under the British Government from 1745-75. He was register of the Court of Admiralty for twenty years; secretary of the Redwood Library eighteen years and senior warden of Trinity Church. In June of 1776, he, along with several others, was banished from Newport to Glocester for refusing "to subscribe the Test (test of loyalty to the Colonies) ordered by this Assembly to be tendered to suspected persons; and it appearing that while they continue in the principles by them avowed before this Assembly, they are justly to be deemed unfriendly to the United Colonies". (Image)

CV. 100