Dr. Caleb Carpenter, “Bristol Township’s” First Postmaster – January 20, 1835

Dr. Caleb Carpenter settled in what would become the village of “Newburgh” and established his medical practice.

Dr. Carpenter established the first mail service to the township by going by horseback once a week to Royal Oak.  He would then bring back the mail and residents would either go to his home/office to pick up their letters or he would deliver them when he made his rounds.

The roads and weather often made it extremely difficult to get to and from Royal Oak, so the service was not regular.  Most people did not mind the delays.  They were glad to have the service even if it was once a week or so.  The cost of a letter was two shillings or about 20 cents apiece, which the receiver – not the sender – paid.