Partly-printed DS as president, signed “R. B. Hayes,” one page, 16.25 x 13.25, April 9, 1877. President Hayes appoints Winsor M. Ward as “Postmaster at Peabody, in the County of Essex, State of Massachusetts.” Signed neatly at the conclusion by Rutherford B. Hayes and countersigned by Postmaster General David M. Key. The original gold Post Office Department seal remains affixed to the lower left. In fine condition.
Windsor Morse Ward (1833-1908) was a Civil War soldier who served as U.S. Postmaster at Peabody, Massachusetts, under four U.S. presidents (Grant, Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur) during the 1870s and 1880s. He lived near the historic coastal city of Salem all of his life and also worked as a carpenter, storekeeper, water company clerk, and farmer. He was active in his community, including service with the state militia, local agricultural society, and road commission. Ward married Lydia Morse in 1860. During the war, he fought bravely with the Second Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters in many battles. He was shot in the right shoulder at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, which resulted in his arm having to be amputated. Ward was assigned to the Veteran Reserve Corps for light duty and put in charge of ambulance trains. He was discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1864.
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