Rhode Island Stampless
Covers & Letters
December 5, 1844 - Free Frank letter from
Senator J. B. Francis
Mailed to Mathewson & Allen -
Providence, RI
(Scroll Down for Background Information and Text of Letter) |
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John Brown Francis was the grandson of
John Brown
(One of the richest and most
influential of Providence merchants, John Brown planned the
attack and burning of the HMS Gaspee in 1772. He appointed one
of his captains Abraham Whipple to lead the attack.)
Senator Francis was born in Philadelphia, PA on May 31, 1791. He
graduated from Brown University in 1808 and then attended
Litchfield Law School in Connecticut. He served in the Rhode
Island House of Representatives from 1821 to 1829 and as a
member of the Rhode Island Senate from 1831-32, 1842-43 and
1845-56. He was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1833 and
served until 1838. He was elected to the United States Senate
in 1844 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of
William Sprague. He served out his term but was not a candidate
for reelection. He served as a member of the Rhode Island Senate
again from 1845 to 1856 and then retired from public life.
Senator Francis also served on the Board of Trustees for Brown
University from 1828 to 1857.
Senator
Francis died on August 9, 1864 in Warwick, RI and is buried in
the North Burial Ground, Providence, RI. |
Full
Text of Letter Follows Below:
Dear
Sirs,
The lot
you refer to on Central St. belongs to my daughter, but in
the event of her death during her minority to
her Uncle Nicholas of J.C. Brown.
Of
course it can’t be sold, but as guardian of my daughter, I
should like to lease it and will conform to any agreement you
may make with the J C B,
(J.C.
Brown).
He can
name
the price & I.
W. Burg Jr.
(not
sure of name)
might draw the
lease for my signature.
Respectfully,
J B
Francis
Washington
December 5, 44 |
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