Very new to this, need a little help. 3 Cent washington #25?

It is neat!
unfortunately, I cannot assist, US not my area.
Others here may be.

What may be?   A James Ewing founded Wheeling West Virginia,                       (Being an Aussie, I immediately hear Neil Sedaka)

www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/books/EwingEWR/ewr_Chapter_30.htm

here is just the stamp

very neat @rodd222

Admin / Mods                     This lovely cover and thread, would sit more adequately now, under "United States : Classics"  ?  


I hope I am correct to assume,
your cover went through the front door of this home.

I must say, a very handsome piece of American Architecture,  just beautiful.

here is the letter.

talks about requesting Machines from ewing to brownsville, and something about spool. I can usually read older handwriting pretty well, but this one is spotty

is sent from Alex R Reed

That house is a beauty.

I should have known, as I used to be a historic preservation major..now that I look at it, that house definitely built later than 1857.

here is a postcard with the McClure hotel, which im assuming is the correct building.



reminds me of some buildings downtown that were built in the 1850s but turned into hotels/business places

this one was built in the early 1850s. It is the old Sturdivant Bank building. funny enough Rush Limbaugh's father and grandfather practiced law right across the street from this building in Cape Girardeau Missouri. it was a bank, and also apartments/hotel for some time.

do you think it may be sewing machines?

ALEXANDER R. REED—Youngest son of James and Jane Ann Reed, was born in Washington July 9th, 1834, and lived there until 1849, when his father moved his family to Pittsburgh. Alex worked for his brothers and father as a jewelry, clock and instrument maker. Later he gave up this work and became a commercial traveler, following this business until 1859 when he went into the oil business, in which he has continued ever since. In 1861 he recruited a company of soldiers, drilling them in old City Hall, Market street, Pittsburgh, at the same time using City Hall over the market, as a living quarters until Camp Wilkins was formed and the company moved there as a part of the 77th Regiment under Col. F. S. Stumbaugh. Mr. Reed was made Captain of Company E and the Regiment was attached to General James F. Negley’s Brigade. The Brigade was sent to Gen. Buell’s Division of the Union army in Kentucky. Shortly after the arrival of the regiment in Kentucky, it was transferred to Gen. Wood’s Brigade and continued as a part of that organization for the remainder of its enlistment. At the expiration of his army service, Mr. Reed returned to his business in the oil fields. He was married three times, first in September, 1855 to MARY HEPZIBAH McMILLAN, of Allegheny. She died September 28th, 1867. Mr. Reed then married ELIZABETH STOUTENBOROUGH, of Brooklyn, N. Y. After a short married life Mrs. Elizabeth Reed died, and on June 29th, 1888, Mr. Reed was married in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Mrs. Anna S. Hoblitzell Cowan. Mr. Reed and his family reside on Breckenridge Avenue, Pittsburgh.

I beleive I found our sender
worked as a jewelry clock and watch maker, would explain why he needed machines.
also a Civil War veteran

I too would think the sewing machine would be a better fit since demand would be higher..it seems.

here is some info on the troop he was in.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/77th_Pennsylvania_Infantry

The regiment lost a total of 319 men during service; 5 officers and 60 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 254 enlisted men died of disease.

Mr. Reed lived until 1921, he was 87, seems like he had a very interesting life!

Nothing wrong with a polite debate, Jack.   It widens the consideration.

I was watching "Antiques road show" recently, and a lass had a Fob watch, with no arm winder visible.
These were made especially for railroads, one had to open the face, and move a lever, to engage the hands.

To prevent accidentally moving the hands by the Stationmaster, whilst in his pocket.

The Sedaka song is not well known in the United States, Rod. This is a much better known West Virginia song here:

Take Me Home, Country Roads