John W. Hill
b. 1834
John W. Hill was born in Straitsville, Connecticut on April 13, 1834. He later moved to Waterbury, Ct with his family years later. Hill was a corporal in Company E of the Sixth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during 1861. He stayed with the infantry until 1862, being discharged for disability. However, in 1863 he reenlisted, because of his disability he was appointed as Regimental Postmaster and worked in this position for five years.
After his discharge from the service, he returned to Waterbury to work as a clerk for the Waterbury Post Office. He was appointed Postmaster in 1869 and worked in that role until 1918. His work as Postmaster gained him recognition by stamp collectors nationwide. Hill used his skill as a woodworker and creative to carve detailed and original cancellations for stamps.
In 1847 when postage stamps were introduced, Postmasters were required to cancel the stamp used on the envelope with a marking of their choice. This marking prevented the stamp from getting reused in the future. Many Postmasters took some creativity in the markings they used to cancel stamps; these markings were given the name of "fancy cancellations." The cancellations John W. Hill did in his time at the Waterbury Post Office have become some of the most priced and famous cancellations among stamp collectors. Some of the cancellations that Hill did were a fireman, inspired by firefighters from Bridgeport marching through town, an elephant, inspired by the circus coming through town, and an AJ tombstone, inspired by the impeachment of Andrew Johnson.
After his discharge from the service, he returned to Waterbury to work as a clerk for the Waterbury Post Office. He was appointed Postmaster in 1869 and worked in that role until 1918. His work as Postmaster gained him recognition by stamp collectors nationwide. Hill used his skill as a woodworker and creative to carve detailed and original cancellations for stamps.
In 1847 when postage stamps were introduced, Postmasters were required to cancel the stamp used on the envelope with a marking of their choice. This marking prevented the stamp from getting reused in the future. Many Postmasters took some creativity in the markings they used to cancel stamps; these markings were given the name of "fancy cancellations." The cancellations John W. Hill did in his time at the Waterbury Post Office have become some of the most priced and famous cancellations among stamp collectors. Some of the cancellations that Hill did were a fireman, inspired by firefighters from Bridgeport marching through town, an elephant, inspired by the circus coming through town, and an AJ tombstone, inspired by the impeachment of Andrew Johnson.