Help With Railroad Cancel

This arrived yesterday and somehow when I was bidding on it didn't realize it was a railroad cancel which are always desirable.



The best I can find out is that J. & C. could stand for Joliet & Chicago which was a small line leased to the Chicago & Alton. Tolman doesn't list this railroad.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alton_Railroad

Anybody have any other suggestions?

I found one mention of the Jacksonville and Chicago Railroad Company in the "American Railroad Journal," but its proper name was St. Louis, Jacksonville, and Chicago Railroad Company. There was a Jacksonville and Carrollton (sp?) Railroad Company, but it was absorbed before 1844.

There was also a Junction Railroad Company about this time, but I think you're right in seeing "J & C" on the stamp in question.

I do not find this in the Tolman/Shellabear railroad cancel reference.

Nice stamp.