US U10, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with USPOD watermarked paper, tied MOBILE ALA MAR 10 1861 double-circle datestamp to John Hersey Member of the Gospel Care of Armstrong & Berry Baltimore Maryland with docketing “A.H. Mitchell” (likely sender). CSA Cross-border use. $250.

Rev. John Hersey was a Methodist Episcopal minister who found his way to Baltimore as a missionary preacher. He was born near Christiana, Delaware. His mother had been a Quaker before becoming a Methodist. In his early years, Hershey operated a saltworks on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but about 1809 appears to have established A mercantile business in Georgetown. This enterprise failed shortly after the conclusion of the War of 1812. He developed his faith among the Indians by whom he was called “the Man that talks to the Clouds.” Much more may be found out about him online.