Letters from Taunton in 1760 and in 1769

Taunton had two similar handstamps in use, one measuring 42x7 mm (SO 751) in use from 1759 to 1769, followed by another measuring 41x6 mm (SO 754) in use from 1769 to 1777.  This second handstamp can be readily distinguished from the first by having a flatter bottom to the "U" in "TAUNTON".

Here is an example of the first handstamp (SO 751), used in October 1760 on an entire from Taunton to Kingweston near Somerton.  The contents relate to supplies to be sent to an Estate in Jamaica, containng a list of goods.

The entire below has an early example of the second handstamp (SO 754) used in July 1769.  The entire was sent from Taunton to Dorchester with the instruction "Turn at Sarum" (Salisbury).  This avoided going into London and thus a second 4d charge (before 1797 letters going through London where charged separately for the journey to London and the journey from London; from 1797 letters were charged based on the total distance).