Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

1 After Boston was invested by the American troops, the Provincial Congress, May 13, 1775, ‘Resolved, as the opinion of this Congress, that post riders be immediately established to go from Cambridge, and to ride the following roads, viz.: to Georgetown, in the County of Lincoln, to Haverhill, to Providence, to Woodstock by Worcester, and from Worcester to Great Barrington by Springfield, and to Falmouth, in the County of Barnstable, and that post offices be kept as followeth, viz.: one at Cambridge; one at Salem; one at Ipswich; one at Haverhill; one at Newburyport; one at Kennebunk, or Welles; one at Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland; one at Georgetown, in the County of Lincoln; one at Worcester; one at Springfield; one at Great Barrington; one at Plymouth; one at Sandwich; one at Falmouth, in the County of Barnstable. And it is further Resolved. that Mr. James Winthrop be appointed post master for the town of Cambridge,’ etc. (Journals of each Provincial Congress, pp. 222, 223.) Only one post office in the County of Middlesex; and even this afforded slight charms, as is evident from the following letter addressed to the President of the Prov. Congress: ‘Cambridge, July 5th, 1775. Sir, When the Congress did me the honor to appoint me postmaster for this town, I was in hopes it would have enabled me to tarry here. But as the office will not furnish the single article of victuals, as the establishment is at present, I shall be constrained to quit the place of business and seek for a subsistence some where else. All the money I have received since the oath was administered on the 25th of May, amounts to £ 7 7s. 10d.: 15 per cent. of it is my pay for six weeks, that is at [the rate] of 6 1/4d. a day nearly. Judge then, sir, whether this be sufficient to furnish one, who has no other support, with a subsistence, or indeed whether the office is worth keeping up on this plan; for it is in vain that we expect it to grow better during times of confusion and a suspension of trade. But I will not take up your attention any longer than to observe, that it is with reluctance I think of leaving Cambridge, and that I shall be glad of any opportunity to promote the common cause as far as shall come within my small sphere of action. Unless the Congress think fit to alter the establishment, I must beg the favor of them to consider this letter as a resignation, and grant an order for paving the money which I have received to the Treasurer, after a deduction of my 15 per cent.. and that the bond may be forthwith delivered up. The letters which remain I shall be ready to deliver to any new postmaster whom the Congress shall appoint, and remain with perfect respect, sir, your most obedient servant, James Winthrop. Hon. President Warren.’ (Mass. Arch., CXCIV. 59.) Jonathan Hastings, Jr., was appointed, July 8, 1775, as the successor of Mr. Winthrop, who, two months afterwards, became Register of Probate.