Up to the time of Benjamin Franklin's appointment as Postmaster of Philadelphia, in 1737, letters were held at a post office until called for. Desirous of improving the system, Franklin began the publication of names of persons for whom unclaimed letters were in the office under his jurisdiction. The first list appeared in Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette of 21 March 1738 and, as a result, the addressees, their friends, or messengers, picked up much...
Related Subjects
Biographical Biographies Biographies & History Biography & History History Reference