Early Mileage Marks - "TAUNTON / 143"

The “TAUNTON / 143” handstamp is known in use from1785 to 1787.

The postal charge of 6^d above is not correct for 143 miles to London as the rate from August 1784 was 5^d for up to 150 miles and only 6^d if over 150 miles. It is possible that the charge was made at 6^d based on a corrected mileage from Taunton to London. A route from Taunton to Crewkerne and then up the Western Post Road is about 157 miles, while going via Bath and the Bristol Post Road is about 163 miles. In 1802 Taunton was issued with a “TAUNTON / 161” handstamp.

Perhaps there was a “typo” when the handstamp was made, misreading “163” as “143” ??