This entire letter is written on heavy paper which has a watermark of 3 feathers.
There are four postmarks:- 1) town name stamp of ROLVENDEN straight-line very faintly applied diagonally, in blue ink,
2) a standard type circular date stamp in use from 1829 for Lamberhurst FE 10 1838 also in very faint blue ink,
3) the poorly and incompletely applied London morning duty date stamp in red, and
4) The ‘8’ post charge.
Rolvenden does not appear in the Alan Robertson’s book but Lamberhurst does and the distance from London is 40 miles. The post charge for that distance would be 7d, so the extra one penny must cover the cost between Rolvenden and Lamberhurst.
This does not seem to be the likely route, as it appears to be closer and more direct to go to London via Tenterden and Maidstone, however a note from a previous owner of this letter indicates that at this time Lamberhurst was a sorting and transit office.
The letter is addressed to J Caxley Esq 31 Guilford Street Russell Square, London . The transcription was easy as it is very clearly written, even, surprisingly, the signature. There is a note on the inside of the letter, written by either the recipient, or his clerk, which confirms the date of the letter 10th Feby 1839 and the name of the sender R.J. Monypenny Esqre.
Rolvenden Feby 10th 39
Dear Caxley
In answer to yours received this morning I beg to say that I will take the £300 on the terms you mention with the positive understanding that I may renew for three months, but I wish to know if I shall have to pay the same sum on receiving the Bill, as at first,
In haste, believe me yours very sincerely,
R J Monypenny.
He then adds an interesting note :
Send me word if you think a basket of Rabbits worth their carriage.
At this time, (in the 19th century), rabbits were an important food source, particularly in country areas, but perhaps they were also readily available in the London butchers shops.
