Little Sodus, NY to Elbridge, NY - Franked by Wm Wyman

The Little Sodus Post Office was established in 1829 in what is now the village of Fair Haven, New York. It served the growing community around Little Sodus Bay for over two decades before being renamed to reflect the village's current name, Fair Haven.

This unique franked cover was sent from Little Sodus, NY, on April 29th, 1852. Wm Wyman penned the manuscript "town" marking and, as the postmaster, franked the letter.

There's a problem with that. According to USPS records, Wm Wyman was never officially appointed as postmaster.

In August of 1852, five months after this letter was sent, local residents held a meeting at the home of Capt. William Wyman to petition for a town name change. They felt "Fair Haven" better suited the community’s "auspicious circumstances" and prospective railroad development.

George Turner began his service as the postmaster of Little Sodus on August 10, 1849. He served in that capacity until Charles P. Drake was appointed on August 31, 1852. Drake was the first postmaster under the "Fair Haven" name.

Sometime between April and August of 1852, Capt. Wyman performed the duties of postmaster while the town was still known as Little Sodus. Perhaps he was just filling in for George Turner for some unknown reason. If that was the case, he certainly took full advantage of one of the perks afforded to postmasters in those days by sending free letters to relatives.

Then there is the puzzle of the fancy "PAID" marking he stamped under the back flap of the envelope. Perhaps he simply liked its resemblance to a US 3-cent silver coin and wanted to show it off to Miss Sarah Wyman.