Charleston, S.C., 5¢ blue #16X1 (sealed tear at LL) tied by Sep 28 / 1861 double-circle town datestamp on cover with embossed corner card of Hayden & Whilden, 250 King Street, Charleston, SC., to Thomas H. Connors, Friendship P.O., S.C., restored section at top and back flap replaced, Dietz signature on back, Ex Northcutt. SCV $2,250. $600. Listed in both Provisional-2 and CSA 3 Sections

Hayden & Whilden was a thriving mercantile firm. The firm had its origins as Hayden, Gregg & Co from 1838-1843, became Gregg & Hayden (often listed also as Hayden & Gregg) from 1843-1846, and in 1846 became Gregg, Hayden & Company. All of these businesses involved William Gregg and one of the various Hayden brothers (H. Sidney Hayden, Augustus H. Hayden, and Nathanial Hayden). The firms were primarily silversmiths and jewelers but, like most companies of that type in the south, they also offered imported arms, and a smattering of military items to supply local militia companies and their officers. The firm of Hayden & Whilden was established in 1855 and was a partnership between Nathaniel Hayden, Augustus Henry Hayden and William G. Whilden. Nathaniel had started in the silversmithing, jewelry and import business in Charleston, but in 1843 had moved to New York City, establishing a company there, but also keeping his fingers in the Charleston business as well. Augustus Hayden and W.G. Whilden ran the day-to-day operations of the company. With the coming of the American Civil War, the firm expanded their military supply business, and number of invoices and receipts for the company exist in the Confederate Citizen Files (NARA M346) today. Much more information on the firm is available online.