Tuesday, June 21, 2016

1870 Letter Signed by Israel Washburn, Governor of Maine


March 2, 1870 letter from Israel Washburn to Hon. Edward S Tobey at Boston., Massachusetts.
Approximately 8" by 5", with minimal handwriting on the reverse, as shown below.


Washburn, whose siblings were also influential in business and government, had been governor of Maine from 1861 to 1863.  He was one of the founders of the Republican party and may have been the first, or one of the first, to use the term "Republican".

Transcription

The Portland Corporators in the Steamship Co. have had a meeting this morning at my rooms, at which one N. C. Col. Lynch was present - the Col. will see you Friday, report fully.  Some of the other gentlemen may go with him.    I will say that I believe the opinion was unanimously in favor of all the suggestions contained in your letter to my brother.

Yours truly
I. Washburn
Hon. E. S. Tobey
Boston


Appearing on the bottom line of the letter is Ex.Governor of Maine, apparently written by someone else.  I'd like to know who Col. Lynch was.

From brief online research, hopefully correct:  [corrections and additions requested]

Israel Washburn, Jr. was born June 6, 1813 at Livermore, Maine, the son of Israel and Martha (Benjamin) Washburn.  Read about the Washburn family and their home, now the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center.   The homestead was originally built by Cyrus Hamlin, father of Hannibal Hamlin, Abraham Lincoln's first vice president.

If you have corrections to the information above, or additions to it, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

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