Williamson Penny Post Dec 2 1777 on an Entire to Leith

Peter Williamson was an eighteenth century entrepreneur. He had a tavern in the Hall of Parliament House and a printing works. Towards the end of 1773 he started his Penny Post service. An early advertisement appeared in the Caledonian Mercury on the 17th January 1774. In it he listed 15 places appointed for taking letters He advertised that his caddies would deliver every hour during the day. In 1793 The Post Office took over the Penny Post and so began the Official Penny Post of Edinburgh. Peter Williamson received a pension of 25 pounds per annum.