1879 - Letter from a health officer at Boston's Deer Island Quarantine Station, written on official stationery

This six-page letter was sent by "Charley" a health officer at Boston's Deer Island Quarantine Station on official stationery. It is datelined "Boston, 13 Oct. 1879." A matching envelope from a different letter is included. The letter is franked with a green 2-cent Washington stamp (Scott #213) that is postmarked with a circular Boston postmark dated "Sep / 3" and canceled with a fancy negative "4" cork handstamp. All in nice shape.

Charley's letter, which describes his daily inspection routine, reads in part:

"I presume I shall have work to do, as the wind is right to blow in the shipping and three steamers are due. . .. About half past six I boarded a Brig & then we waited for a Bark. A Cunard steamer put in an appearance down the harbour and came up hear where we were waiting. Then Dr. Berry and I made the visit together as we usually do Sunday morning. I forgot to say that we went to the city for the mail after boarding the steamer. . .. About three, we went to Galloupes Island - there waited outside for two more steamers. I went to the hospital about half past six. After that I had two more patients to visit. . .. We are lying at Galloupes Island for a time . . . many vessels in the roadstead. I find that the mails are quite irregular about getting under way from the city. After they leave Deer Island they are at the mercy of the hands on the boat."

Letters from Deer Island occasionally appear at auction but few are written on official stationery. Most discuss family issues, and seldom do they describe the daily routine of inspecting vessels and treating patients.