Hamton CA Gold Rush Town?

Unlisted California Gold Rush Town as 'Hamton'?

I can't find Hamton Cal in the county finder of Williams California Town Postmarks 1849 -1935. I'll check in
Edwin G Gudde's 4th ed California Place Names and
Richard W. Helbock's United States Post Offices
Vol 1 The West later today.

yeah, it's not in my 1857 Post Office Town Guide either... there are a few NE states which have a town "Hamton" (or variety). so it wouldn't be out of the question

The stamp wasn't issued until 1855 so it's later than typical Gold Rush letters. But towns grew and disappeared, following what ever enterprise was profitable long enough. Mill towns are prime examples.

Are you sure it is even Hamton? I see the possibilities of Houston, Newton, or Newtown. Though I have no knowledge of California names.

Noting that the Postmaster abbreviated March as Mch, I would lean toward an abbreviated town name also of Hamilton, Butte County.

Hi assuming 1855 what was postage fee for Iowa (not sure it says Iowa), then back track rate for miles, perhaps this might or might not help.

A scan of the reverse might be helpful!

Stampmaster

Does the cover in fact originate in "Ca"? Maybe it is "Co".

Scott 13-14-15-16 are known from mid 1855 and the perforated versions known from mid 1857, so this cover, if genuine, would be 1856 or 1857, possibly 1858. Rate is 10 cents for 3000+ miles at this time. Thus a typical California to the east cover. Of the other "C" states, Colorado or Connecticut to Iowa doesn't get nearly that far.

There should be nothing on the reverse side as backstamping was rare before the 1870s, although it would be interesting to see how much of the right end of the envelope is trimmed off.

It's Iowa... the lady addressee is listed in the 1860 Census for Cedar Falls

I bought it as a ms canceled Sc.#14 on cover

"Noting that the Postmaster abbreviated March as Mch, I would lean toward an abbreviated town name also of Hamilton, Butte County."

I dunno; was that a widespread practice Out West?

Widespread or not, if you were the PM at Hamilton with no other California town to be confused with, had a stack of mail to cancel with your quill pen, were in a hurry, and were in the habit of abbreviating the months ... might you also abbreviate the town name? There are a considerable number of handstamps in the first half of the 1800s which abbreviate the town names ending in "burg", "ton", "town", "field", etc. Just my guess at the origin of your cover. Better documentable explanations welcome.

maybe, but knowing that it's going "cross country" I'd hope that he'd have more Pride than that... I'd hope to see a break with at least an apostrophe. I think that's what that little blue dot is next to the "M" (and not a continuation of the "M", as it's too plain, and doesn't follow the loop)

Hi, just for your information, Hamilton California wasn't started until 1905.

I used to live in Corning California, Hamilton is just a few miles west of Corning. As I remember it, like 10 miles or so. Of course this was in the early 1950's.

Stampmaster