To note I compiled this for a post and had to juggle some stuff around because I was chomping at the bit to find stuff and put a few key things out of order. So This Samuel Hagarty that put the postmark on this cover (presumably) would be this young fellows' Father or Grandfather. Also, a LOT of this research was done in haste a few years ago but I was helped by WT1 and he should be credited for most of the correct information...lol
The Cover and cancellation.
This is VERY rare. Only a handful (around 5) are known to exist and I'm the proud owner of 1 of them! :
Samuel & Josephine Bell Hegarty (this would be either his son or Grandson)
The Hegarty Store, Coalport Pa.
Samuel Hegarty {sender} (The Grandfather anyway) was the Postmaster. Here is Documentation:
A little bit of background on his mansion:
Quote:
Quote:
"Shown is the Hegarty Mansion located at Hegarty's Crossroads. It was built by Samuel and Josephine Hegarty in 1873. Samuel's father moved from Ireland to Pennsylvania in the early 1800's. He settled near Coalport, Pa. and passed in 1842.
His son Samuel built this 24 room mansion with the finest woods available. He would not alllow one knot in any board in the home. Each room had a fireplace and on the mantel was a clock wish struck every hour. Each bedroom had a wash basin and pitcher as well as a chamber chair, which was quite a luxury back in this period of time. The windows and french doors on the first floor are 10 feet high and make quite an impression when entering the home. Chandeliers hung in each room.
The last Hegartys to live in the home were Allison and May Bell until 1961. It sat empty for years and was thought to be unrepairable until it was sold in 1969. The only other structure near the home is across the road. It was the barn of the homestead but is nearly completely gone now. Only timbers and some of the foundation remain.
There is a small seperate house in the rear which I believe was used for cooking at one time. There is also what is called a widow's peak at the top of the mansion. That is something rarely seen these days. One could actually go up there, walk around the entire small room and see in any direction.
The home is occupied and repairs are always needed. Some of the money gained for those needs come from opening the home up at Halloween and Christmas. I toured this home once during Christmas 2005. It truly is beautiful inside. I spoke with the current owner and was given permission to do this post. The music is a free offering by You Tube.
I have been wanting to do this for a few years and so glad I did. The Crossroad Cemetery is shown on a seperate post and many of the Hegarty stones are shown there. The oldest one is deteriorated so badly that it may only be a few years until it crumbles."
hegartymansion.tripod.com/
Mansion then:
hegartymansion.tripod.com/hagertymansion/id4.html
Mansion today:
hegartymansion.tripod.com/hagertymansion/id5.html
A relevent snippet from the library of congress on his history:
Here is a paycheck from Samuel Hagerty taken from an
ebay listing. Sorry about the resolution. :
A little bit on the recipient - McCurdy
And an old map showing the property;
http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map...ennsylvania/Samuel & Josephine Hegarty's grave stone up at the cemetery on the property.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/f...Rid=34882316HERE is the original post here on SCF for your edification.
https://goscf.com/t/33567
Posted 06/10/2012 07:48 am
