CSA 4, 5¢ blue, pen cancelled with matching Dover Mills (Va.) May 1st (1862) on folded wrapper made from lined paper; addressed to G & A Bargamin Jr., Richmond, Va. in the hand of James A. Seddon. Click here to see receiving docketing on verso “Dover April 30 1862 J. A. Seddon” which confirms the sender and date of the letter. Seddon’s plantation, Sabot Hill, was near Dover Mills in Goochland County, Va. Ex David Burton $300.

James Alexander Seddon (1815-1880) was the fourth Secretary of War for the Confederacy during the Civil War from November 1862 until January 1865. His service of more than 24 months as Secretary made him the most durable of the five secretaries. He was an American lawyer and politician who served two terms as a representative in the United States Congress.He was a well-spoken debater and supported a peaceful secession of Virginia from the Union. He believed that slavery was supported by Holy Scripture. His home, Sabot Hill, was named for Sabot Island in Virginia, which was supposed to resemble a wooden shoe. Seddon built the house in 1855. It was a target of Dahlgren’s Raid on March 1, 1864. Seddon was imprisoned by Union officials for seven months after the war. He did not resume any public service.

G & A Bargamin were manufacturers and wholesale dealers in machinist, plumbers and saw-mill supplies at 907 East Main Street. This was the oldest and largest of its kind in the South. It was founded in 1817, by A. Bargamin, Esq., who was succeeded in 1846 by his sons, George and Anthony Bargamin.