This letter was sent from Martigues, France to Roland G. Hazard II, (Grandson of Roland G. Hazard) in November 1896. There is a notation on the reverse of the cover (SEE: Reverse of Cover) that states, "Probably from Thomas Junior." However, Thomas Jr. wasn't born in 1924 and Thomas Sr. was born in 1892, so the letter couldn't have been from either Thomas Sr. or Jr. There was a second penciled notation on the face of the cover that states, "For Mrs. RGH,". That notation could be accurate, there is no way of telling now, as the contents were not with the cover.

The cover is franked with the 25-Centime "Peace and Commerce" issue of 1879-1890, (Scott #100 black, pale-rose issued in 1886). It is tied with a Martigues, (Department of Bouches De Rhone) France CDS. There is a second clearer strike of the Martigues CDS at top center. The reverse of the cover bears New York and Peace Dale, RI receiving cancels.

The town of Martigues or Les Martigues is located in southeast France on the Mediterranean about 18 miles northwest of Marseilles. It is currently the site of a chemical manufacturer. The town was formerly a major fishing port.

There is a connection of the latter-day Hazards and France, but I haven't found what that is as of yet. Perhaps the Hazard family sent their sons to finish their education there. The letter might have been from their oldest son, Roland III who was born in 1881.
SEE: Hazard Family History.

The Hazard family (originally Hassard) traces its origins to Switzerland and the earliest known records tie their lineage to the Duke De Charante, (born in 1060). It is also known that they followed William the Conqueror into England in 1066 and were rewarded with estates and titles there. The earliest named Hazard in England was Hazard De Charante born in 1080 in Gloucester Shire. The first Hazard in America was Thomas Hazard born in 1610. Roland G. Hazard II was of the 9th generation of Hazards in America.

Mary Pierpont Bushnell was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on April 10, 1859. She was the daughter of the Reverend George Bushnell of Beloit, Wisconsin. She was the mother of  Roland III, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary and Thomas Pierpont Hazard. SEE: 1940 Letter from Nice, France C/O  Hon T. P. Hazard