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1840 letter from Paschal Allen from Warren RI to his congressman, Joseph L. Tillinghast. It included a petition to have a lighthouse bult at Sandy Point.
Paschal Allen (1782-1859) had married Mary Tillinghast in 1838.
Hon. Joseph L. Tillinghast Warren (RI) March 12th 1840
Dear Sir,
I take the liberty of troubling you with the enclosed (pe)tition to be presented to Congress for a Lighthouse at Sandy Point ----- Prudence) similar to this for the same purpose.
---been , or a being forwarded from Providence, ---- (Washing)ton. With respect to its location (should it…..is conceded on all hands that Sandy Point is --- preferable to Papoose Squaw point, Hog Island…other place east side of our Bay--- the signatures to our petition are only our principal---
Yours very Respectfully
Paschal Allen
Note that letter is damaged, some text cut out + hungry rat
Addressed to ‘Hon. Joseph L. Tillinghast Member of Congress Washington DC’
Postmarked ‘WARREN Mar 13 RI ‘ (Note that date corrected by hand) Also ‘FREE’ handstamp.
Prudence Island Light, commonly known as the Sandy Point Lighthouse, located on Prudence Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.
Original Construction: Built in 1823 on Goat Island in Newport Harbor. Relocation to Sandy Point: In 1851, the tower was dismantled and moved to Sandy Point on Prudence Island. It was reassembled and lit in 1852 The relocation was a cost-saving measure recommended by lighthouse superintendent Edward W. Lawton and approved by Stephen Pleasanton, the federal lighthouse administrator.
Joseph Leonard Tillinghast (1790 –1844) was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island, cousin of Thomas Tillinghast. Born in Taunton, Massachusetts, Tillinghast moved to Rhode Island and pursued classical studies. Published the Providence Gazette in 1809. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1811 and began practice in Providence, Rhode Island. He served as member of the State house of representatives 1826-1833, serving as speaker 1829-1832. Tillinghast was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1843). He was not a candidate for renomination. Trustee of Brown University at Providence 1833-1844. He died in Providence, Rhode Island, December 30, 1844.
