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 Replies: 11 / Views: 889 |
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Valued Member
United States
63 Posts |
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Here is a poll tax receipt from MA for 1886. Folding and wear suggests it might have been carried in the resident's wallet. On the back is a one cent postage stamp tied by the circular datestamp of Northborough. Why is there a postage stamp tied to this poll tax receipt? There is no address or evidence that it was mailed.   |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
10589 Posts |
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It has probably been cut down from a larger size. There was no one cent tax rate, to begin with. But there would have been one cent postage rates at the time. |
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Valued Member
United States
137 Posts |
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And there were no documentary stamp taxes in effect in 1886 that the stamp could have been paying, albeit improperly. I don't see any apparent reason for the stamp being there. |
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Pillar Of The Community
6326 Posts |
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The receipt was mailed back for 1 cent, as a local letter at a non-carrier office. Nothing more than the name was needed. |
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Valued Member
United States
63 Posts |
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The datestamp is August 1866, matching the printed receipt. The $2 tax received a 2% discount because it was paid before December (Treasurer signed receipt in October). It does appear that the blank receipt with taxes due was mailed to the resident in August, and probably paid in person in October. Thus the postage stamp was a local or printed circular rate and posted to the taxpayer. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
6430 Posts |
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Quote:
The datestamp is August 1866, matching the printed receipt. I think you meant 1886. This stamp wasn't issued until well after the Civil War revenue tax period. |
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Valued Member
United States
63 Posts |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
10589 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1804 Posts |
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I always associated the poll tax with Southern states using it as a way to prevent poor blacks from voting. I didn't realize Northern states had it as well. Hard to imagine paying a tax in order to vote today. |
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Valued Member
United States
137 Posts |
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Western states had them too. San Francisco County poll tax receipts are quite ornate and very collectible.  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3153 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
63 Posts |
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I've sold a couple on ebay that had space to indicate B or W and also M or W. Primarily, the high poll tax discouraged anyone without means, not just blacks and females. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 889 |
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Posted 11/21/2020 12:28 pm
