Page 12 - SD2018-10_Kathryn_Johnson_Overseas_Mail_to_from_Scotland

Migration: United States New York

A 1/- rate for packet mail to the United States was established by the postal convention of December, 1848. The
equivalent rate for US to Britain mail was 24~ . Accountancy splits of the rate allowed US 5~ (2 Yzd) inland, and
Britain 3~ (1 Yzd), with 16~ (8d) sea postage.

1/- paid

Reverse Portobello
blue split double ring

To New York, 11 April, 1851 - 28 days
Paid letter front, partial reverse from Portobello, Scotland. Barred numeral Portobello 348
cancels 1/- embossed adhesive. Red "5 cents" applied in Liverpool, credit US for inland
delivery. "Paid" arc applied in New York. Blue Portobello split double arc datestamp 11
April on reverse. Carried aboard Cunard Europa 26 April Liverpool, 8 ay, e York.
Portobello is a coastal Edrnburgh suburb, a former ship building town.

1/- - 24~
unpaid
f--3 cents London
ex hange debit US
for inland delivery on
unpa.id S packet
Reverse Liverpool
datestamp and foreign
office lozenge

To New York, 19 April, 1.85.S- 20 days
Unpaid letter from Ayr, Scotland to ew York via Collins Line per A tlantic, 20 April
Liverpool, 24 due rate marking applied in New Y orle, 9 May receiver docketing.
Note: No Cunard sailing in 1855 due to Crimean War.
Letter from daughter parents living in New York City relocated for work .

Many Scots entered America through Ellis Island, those living in urban areas often coming with business skills.