Postmasters were known initially as “Deputies” when the postal service or ‘King’s Posts’ first began in the early 1500s. They ran local postal services as deputies to the head of the service. “Master of the Posts,” later known as the Postmaster General. The earliest letters we have to Postmasters from headquarters about local services and salaries date from 1672 onwards. There are also records of appointments of a few women as Postmistresses as early as the 1680s.
In later centuries, Postmasters would usually have worked their way up through the ranks of the Post Office. By learning the business and passing examinations to qualify for the position’s responsibility. This would include managing all the postal services offered and sending reports and accounts to Head Office.
Sub-Postmasters and Sub-Postmistresses
Most Sub-Postmasters and Sub-Postmistresses were not employed directly by the Post Office (as is often the case today). They had the main business, like a shop or blacksmith’s, which also offered post office services. Like Postmasters, they had to know all the rules and regulations. There were many, to provide postal services effectively and report on them.
Postmasters/Postmistresses in Puerto Rico
It appears this position began after the Spanish American War, as the records commenced in 1896 when the list started.
The postal history of Puerto Rico began around 1518, at least for official mail, when Spain adopted general postal regulations. However, the first documentation of Spanish postal rules specific to the Caribbean was in 1794. The first postage stamps were issued 166 years ago for Puerto Rico and Cuba in 1856. Postage stamps for Puerto Rico followed, and postal cards and telegraph stamps were later issued. United States postal administration began in 1899, and the last stamps for Puerto Rico were issued in 1900. They were superseded by U.S. stamps. They are still used on the island as it remains a territory serviced by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
As one might safely assume, Puerto Rican stamps have featured matters related to Puerto Rico. A few examples are places, events, works, and personalities.
United States Possession
An independent postal service under U.S. authority was established on March 15, 1899. But with the Foraker Act of 1900, the postal service of Puerto Rico ceased to be a separate adjunct of the United States. It was assimilated into the United States postal system. As a result, stamps were overprinted initially with the spelling Anglicized to “PORTO RICO.” In 1900, with “PUERTO RICO.” Likewise, postal cards and stamped envelopes were also initially overprinted with “PORTO RICO” and later “PUERTO RICO.”
First Stamps and Postal Stationery
The first stamps used in Puerto Rico were issued for the Spanish West Indies for use in both Cuba and Puerto Rico, but these were not generally used in Puerto Rico until 1856. The first stamps inscribed “Puerto Rico” were issued in 1873. Postal cards for Puerto Rico were printed in Spain and sent to their colonies in 1878.
Spanish commemorative postage stamp was issued on the four hundredth anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in Puerto Rico in 1493, issued in 1893 when the island was still under Spanish rule. It is the only colonial-era Puerto Rican stamp that does not bear the face of the King of Spain.
During the Spanish–American War, the United States invaded Puerto Rico and wrested power from the Spanish. As a result, for the first time, stamped envelopes became available to the residents of Puerto Rico.
Postmasters of Puerto Rico, Adjuntas to Humacao
Below are the images. They are very large images and take a little time to load, you can refresh or hit zoom. I will attempt to make the images smaller so they load faster, but I uploaded the PDFs into two files to make them easier to view.
US-Post-master-Appointments-1896-1930-Puerto-Rico_split_1Postmasters of Puerto Rico, Isabela to Yugiuyu
The last image is labeled “Yugiuyu.” Honestly, I had no idea what town that was. So, I did a quick google search and found a reference that it is a Taino word.
Named for the Taino god, Yuquiyú is a place to reawaken the senses in harmony with nature. Secluded, luxuriant and serene, our retreat is perfect for a couple seeking a romantic escape, newlyweds seeking a honeymoon destination, or an artist seeking inspiration.
google search
It turns out this was a description for a bed & breakfast located in the “El Yunque area.” So I believe this may be that area. I had no idea this place existed, so it may be my next vacation destination! https://yuquiyufarm.com/
US-Post-master-Appointments-1896-1930-Puerto-Rico_split_2Images of Post Office
I will be adding more to this gallery as I find additional images.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Post Office Museum
- National Archives
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