Oxley in his book "The English Provincial Local Posts" identifies Wincanton as having a Penny Post with a receiving house at Bourton in use by 1838. The top cover below is from Bourton with an ornate "No.2" receiving house handstamp. The lower cover is from Stalbridge with an unboxed "No.7" receiving house handstamp, which was in use at Stalbridge in the Shaftesbury Penny Post. It appears from this cover that Stalbridge transferred from Shaftesbury to Wincanton by 1843.
I have a 1d Postal Stationery envelope cancelled with a maltese cross, with a Wincanton Cds for SE2 1842 on the reverse a London Cds for the following day. On the obverse there is a "No.7" R. House unboxed handstamp and a Dereham Cds for 4 se 1842.
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