The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 7; 



"Post Office— Castle Street. 

 Robert Threshie, Esq., Postmaster. 



Robert Wallace, 1st Clerk; William Mitcliell, 2nd Clerk 

 Hugh Downie and James Kirkpatrick, Letter Carriers." ' 



On his death on the 26th July, 1836, Robert Threshie was 

 succeeded as postmaster by Mr John Armstrong. Mr 1: rong 

 ched m March of the following year, and u'r John Thorbunf 

 ohcitor, was appon.ted in his place. In Mr Armstrong's time 



t sfd^oI^hTrV"" ""''''' ''-''' '^ ^ '^"'^ «hop on th 

 east side ot the High Street on narf- ^f +u^ ..-^ . 



.u u . T., ^ oLicci, on part ot the site now occunied hv 



the shop of Messrs Cooper & Co., and on Mr Thorburn aking 

 over the control of the office he removed it to English Street to 

 ^piace W. as -^ the Doocot," nearly opposite fo the hefd' Tf 



Introduction of Penny Postage. 

 In 1840 uniform penny postage was established, and as was 

 to^be^expected mcreased demands were made up^n the local 



In consequence of this the attention of the Town Council was 

 directed to the postal facilities in existence at that period nd 

 or some years subsequent to the introduction of penny postage 



"ard^LTro^r^ -''- " ---^ ----- - 



On Tuesday, 17th November, 1840, "The Council resolve 

 hat at next Ordinary meeting they would take into Considera- 

 tion the propriety of petitioning the Lords of the Treasury as to 

 having a permanent established. Post Office here built at the 

 public expense in same way as had been done in Glasgow, Edin- 

 burgh, Aberdeen, and other large Burghs. And the Draft o a 

 petition to that effect was laid on the table " 



Again on 11th December, 1840, "Mr Hamilton moved that 

 he Petition laid on the table as to a grant from the Treasury for 

 erect^g a Post Office be signed by the Council, and that' the 

 Provost be desired to use his utmost influence in promoting the 

 objec by applying to the Representatives of the Burgh and 

 Cou,i ty o, otherwise, which Petition being read, it was suggested 

 t>y Mr Lookup that a Petition might emanate from the Council 



