1847 W.H. Williams Letter Allegheny Furnace Stone Keeper Pittsburgh #1403

1847 Pittsburgh Stampless Industrial Letter – W. H. Williams to George F. Williams, Hanging Rock, Ohio Original 1847 stampless folded letter dated Pittsburgh, July 20, 1847, written and signed by W. H. Williams to George F. Williams, then at Centre Furnace, Hanging Rock P.O., Ohio. The letter contains unusually strong early American iron-furnace and industrial history content. W. H. Williams informs George that Mr. Church had called seeking him for employment at a new furnace “up the Allegheny” as a “Stone Keeper.” The writer states that the furnace was expected to commence operations immediately and urges George to come as soon as possible. The proposed position is described as more permanent than George’s existing employment. The letter also discusses the furnace’s location on a hill near the Allegheny River, boarding arrangements for George and Margaret, and practical preparations George should make before relocating. Additional contents concern settling personal and business affairs, river transportation, livestock and household property, including references to a cow and calves, chickens, furniture, accounts, and expenses. Based on the reference to Mr. Church, a newly established Allegheny River furnace, the 1847 date, and the geographic description, the furnace may have been Kensington Furnace, associated with Church and partners in western Pennsylvania. This identification is historically plausible but is offered as a research attribution rather than a definitive conclusion. The folded letter also serves as its own mailing cover and bears an early red Pittsburgh postal marking with 5-cent rate, making it desirable as both stampless postal history and pre-Civil War industrial correspondence. Addressed to: Mr. George F. Williams Centre Furnace Hanging Rock P.O. Ohio Signed: W. H. Williams A particularly interesting piece of 1840s Pennsylvania and Ohio iron-industry history, documenting the recruitment of an experienced furnace worker during the early development of an Allegheny River blast-furnace operation. Condition: Original antique condition with period folds, toning, staining, seal residue, edge wear, small losses and other age-related handling. Writing remains strong and highly presentable. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.