Recently a New Mexico stamp and postal history auction
house offered for sale a letter sent from Rosendale offering cement to the
Delaware & Hudson canal Company.
The letter was written by E.W. Budington, at the time agent for the Rosendale
Cement Works, to R. F. Lord, engineer for the Canal Company at Honesdale,
Pa. The letter was not sent through the post office but was sent via the
Canal Company’s boat “Henrietta”. The letter was written in the year that
the Town of Rosendale was incorporated. Normally the letter would have been
carried to the Rosendale post office for mailing. Mr. Budington saved the
postal charges by giving the letter to a canal boat owned by the Canal
Company. The full text of the letter follows:
Rosendale Cement Works, August 27, 1844. [to] R.F. Lord Esq. Engineer
&c. Honesdale. Dr.
Sir I trust you will excuse the liberty I use in addressing you at this time—–
My object is to say that we are now manufacturing an excellent article
of Cement, and as I am now directly interested in the disposal of it, I shall
esteem it quite a favour to be permitted to furnish at least a part, if not
the whole of the Cement that you may require this fall—– The price will be
made reasonable—–
Very respectfully Your obt. Servant [signed]
E.W. Budington
The Budington family in the 1840s, 50s and 60s was very active in Rosendale
town affairs. Between 1845 and 1857 Walter J., Charles W., and Theodore Budington
served as Rosendale Town Clerks. Theodore also served as Justice of the Peace
during 1857 and 1861. E.W. Budington appears on the 1875 Beers map with property
on School Hill Road and Mossy Brook Road.
Which cement company Budington was the agent for is currently unknown. But
we will follow the lead that this cover provides. We are constantly looking
for information relating to the early years of the cement industry. So keep
your eyes open and if anyone finds information contact your Society. [DEW]
