Newport, Rhode Island, Large Olive Green Datestamp with Fancy "FREE" in Old English Letters, on 1824 Folded Cover

Addressed to Rev. Selah Strong Woodhull at the American Bible Society in New York City. Manuscript endorsement "Benj R Mumford Postmaster" at top, of Benjamin Mumford who was the postmaster of Newport from 1813-1827.
Benjamin B. Mumfor was the son of Benjamin Mumford Sr., a rebellious colonial post rider who, along with Peter Mumford, operated a private mail service in defiance of British postal law. The Mumfords’ service gained wide local support for offering better rates than the King’s Post.
In 1775, amid growing revolutionary sentiment, the Rhode Island General Assembly formally appointed Benjamin and relative, Peter, Mumford as post-riders. They were directed not to handle any letters from the King's post offices "heretofore established in this Colony."
British postal inspector Hugh Finlay reported in 1774 that “There’s two Post offices in New Port, the King’s and Mumford’s, and the revenue of the last is the greatest.” Later, a letter addressed to Benjamin Franklin described how Mumford was detained by the British Navy aboard the HMS Rose for carrying rebel mail, his letters seized by Captain Wallace.