Broom Hall

Letters

Click on the links below to view the letters sent in 1848 to John Hutchinson in the USA from his sisters Mary Joanna and Sarah, and his mother Sarah from Broom Hall, in Bury. Alternatively, read on to find out how letters were sent at that time.

11th Feb, 24th Feb, 10th Mar, 12th May, 19th May, 5th June

Before the introduction of the Penny Post in 1840 postage was expensive and charged by the sheet and an envelope would have counted as an extra sheet.

It was worth writing in both directions on the sheet, filling all the available space and then folding the sheet into an envelope, before sealing and addressing it. Letters to be sent overseas by mail steamer remained expensive after 1840.

The letters sent to John Hutchinson in New Orleans cost one shilling each, 12 times the cost of sending a domestic letter.