John Poulett, 5th Earl Poulett, b.5 Jul 1783, d.1864 This item is a British parliamentary free frank cover, an unstamped envelope used before 1840 to send mail free of charge, leveraging a privilege granted to Members of Parliament. Item Details • Type: Free frank (parliamentary privilege mail). • Addressee: The Right Honourable the Earl Poulett. • Destination: Hinton St. George, Crewkerne, Somersetshire. • Postmark Date: December 20, 1830 (indicated by the red circular "CREWKERNE" handstamp and "18:30" time marking). • Historical Context: The free franking system was abolished in 1840 when the first adhesive postage stamps were introduced as part of Rowland Hill's postal reforms. The Poulett family were long-time residents and landowners at Hinton House in Hinton St. George. Parents and Siblings • F. John Poulett, 4th Earl Poulett1756 - 1819 • M. Sophia Pocock- 1811 1. John Poulett, 5th Earl Poulett1783 - 1864 2. Lady Sophia Poulett1785 - 1859 3. Lady Mary Poulett1788 - 1860 Add Spouse and Children ▼Events and Facts Name John Poulett, 5th Earl Poulett Gender Male Birth[1] 5 Jul 1783 Death[1] 1864 Colonel John Poulett, 5th Earl Poulett (5 July 1783 – 1864), styled Viscount Hinton from 1788 to 1819, was an English peer and militia officer. Educated at Harrow and Brasenose College, Oxford, Hinton was commissioned a captain in the 1st (East) Somersetshire Militia in 1801. His father was made colonel of that regiment in 1803, and on 20 September 1804, Hinton himself became colonel of the 2nd (West) Somersetshire Militia, and was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Somerset on 10 January 1805.[1] Upon the death of his father in January 1819, he succeeded to the title of Earl Poulett, and also succeeded his father as colonel of the 1st (East) Somersetshire Militia.[1] He commanded the regiment until 1852, when he was succeeded by his son Vere Poulett, Viscount Hinton. Poulett married Frances Charlotte, daughter of Henry Berkeley Portman, on 21 August 1820,[1] by whom he had three sons, all of whom predeceased him:[2]  John Rolle Poulett, Viscount Hinton (8 June 1821 – 18 August 1843), Grenadier Guards  Col. Vere Poulett, Viscount Hinton (20 August 1822 – 29 August 1857), served in the Somersetshire Militia  Lady Margaret Charlotte Poulett (16 July 1830 – 31 May 1834)  Hon. Amias Poulett (6 February 1835 – 20 February 1857), Grenadier Guards He was succeeded in the peerage by his nephew, William Henry Poulett (1827–1899), who was the third son of his younger brother, Admiral the Hon. George Poulett. Look carefully at the images to form an opinion The shipment will be from UK L-GB-02