The Penfold Postbox
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The Penfold Postbox

In 1837 Sir Rowland Hill proposed a uniform rate of postage for mail going anywhere in the British Isles with pre-payment by using envelopes with pre-printed postage or adhesive labels and so the postage stamp was invented. On May 6th 1840, the stamp that became known as the Penny Black, covering the one-penny charge for letters, became available. Within a year the number of letters sent more than doubled and the idea was soon adopted by many countries.

First letter bearing the new US 5c stamp to cross the Atlantic (New York- Gracehill) 1847

First letter bearing the new US 5c stamp to cross the Atlantic (New York- Gracehill) 1847

On March 3rd 1847, the United States Congress authorised postage stamps. The first general issue postage stamps went on sale in New York City on July 1st 1847. A five cent stamp, depicted Benjamin Franklin while a ten cent stamp pictured George Washington. Clerks used scissors to cut the stamps from pre-gummed, non-perforated sheets.

At that time Cunard Transatlantic sailings to Europe were twice monthly and the first ship that could have carried US stamped mail was the Caledonia which left Boston on July 16th 1847. A letter posted in New York on July 15th 1847 to Gracehill, Ireland was on the ship and so, arriving in Gracehill on July 30th, became the earliest possible Transatlantic use of the newly approved US stamp.

Gracehill’s Victorian Penfold Post box

Gracehill’s Victorian Penfold Post box

Gracehills links to a little bit of Postal history are recorded on a bronze plaque at the Old Shop and also by the installation of a reproduction of a historic Victorian Penfold Post box outside the Old Post office. Gracehill Trust purchased and installed the Post box which was subsequently adopted by Royal Mail. It is now in use as the working Post box for the village.

The Old School | The Square And 1798 Walk | Bishops Walk And Jubilee Wood | The Old Shop | The Penfold Postbox | Village Signage

The Village of Gracehill

A settlement founded by the Moravians in 1759. The Moravians were renowned for their high standard of education and there were for sometime, day and boarding schools for both boys and girls. Gracehill was designated a Conservation Area in 1975 and has won many awards including the Europa Nostra Award. The Settlement is currently working towards designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with other international partners in Germany, Denmark and USA.

Gracehill Village Trust

Gracehill Old School Trust (GhOST)

Gracehill Old School Trust (GhOST), is a charitable Building Preservation Trust and is legally constituted as a company limited by guarantee and accepted as a charity by the Inland Revenue under reference XR59054.

NI  Charity Number NIC102190

All Rights Reserved - Gracehill Old School Trust (GhOST) 2024