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Saturday, May 27, 2017

I would rather be right than be President!

When you search for those odd bits of paper and gadgets lost in the crevasses of the past, you are bound to uncover items that reveal an odd coincidence. I will share the coincidence further down, but first, watch this 60 second video reveal:


I purchased a mass of papers from Ridgefield CT estate sale where I found a friendly and generous family that was happy to sell them to me.  As I examined the basement of this home I noticed several scrap books and papers on top of a large plastic container of still more papers. I stopped and connected with a family member to ask if I could look closer. After a brief pause he exclaimed that the papers had been sorted and I could have the entire lot for $10.  I offered my card and explained my goal to researching and share these items in an appropriate manner. A few minutes later I was conversing with more family members who expressed some relief  to see these items go to someone who would appreciate them.

Among numerous tax bill receipts paid in the 19th century to the State of Ohio there was one letter that stood out. As you see in the video it was one of those letters were the envelope is the letter. (Scan coming soon) It didn't say much except that "Here is a copy of you policy - Whitman Mead." Inside was a campaign ribbon like I have never seen..

This silk ribbon espouses the benefit of joining the fight for the Whig Party candidate for president: Henry Clay.  In these times when we are so divided as a nation it was amazing for me to look up something about Henry Clay the candidate. I learned that the most pressing issue of his campaign was whether or not Texas should be allowed to join the union.  Why? Well with all that land there would be a greater need for slave labor...thus jacking up the price of slaves.

The coincidence? As I examined the envelope, I fretted at the fact that I couldn't see the date on the hand cancellation - Inside Whitman Mead has written a date on the top as April 22, 1844.

I looked at the date written there and had to check my phones calendar twice - that date I spend the letter was exactly 173 years from the day he wrote it!  To open a gem such as this on its 173rd birthday was truly cause for celebration.



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