The United States Post Office - Survival - Then and Now
The Birth of the United States Post Office In early colonial times most correspondence took place between the colonists and England. The King's authorities would read and scour all of the information and mail that was being sent. Correspondence between the colonies depended on trusted friends, merchants, or friendly Native Americans. Around 1639 Richard Fairbanks' Tavern in Boston, Massachusetts was designated as the official repository of mail by The General Court of Massachusetts (appointed by the King). Using taverns as mail drops was common practice in England, and the colonists adopted this practice as well. Local authorities designated by town representatives and England operated post routes within the colonies, some of which are still around today. In 1673, Governor Francis Lovelace of New York set up a monthly mailing post between New York and Boston. The post rider's trail became known as Old Boston Post Road, which is part of today's U.S. Route 1. Old Post Ro