Historic Newspapers: Founding Fathers (U.S.)
The following newspapers include articles with content related to: George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, Thomas Paine, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Rush.
You may also want to consider doing a search for the following who have not been included within these listings:
Josiah Bartlett, Carter Braxton, John Calhoun, Charles Carroll, Samuel Chase, Abraham Clark, Henry Clay, George Clymer, John Dickinson, William Ellery, William Floyd, and Elbridge Gerry
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, Benjamin Harrison, John Hart, Joseph Hewes, Thomas Heyward, William Hooper, Stephen Hopkins, Francis Hopkinson, Samuel Huntington, and Andrew Jackson
Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lewis, Philip Livingston, Thomas Lynch, Thomas McKean, Arthur Middleton, Lewis Morris, Robert Morris, John Morton, and Thomas Nelson
William Paca, John Penn, William Penn, Thomas Stone, Robert Treat Paine, George Read, Caesar Rodney, George Ross, Edward Rutledge, Roger Sherman, and Richard Stockton
Adam Smith, James Smith, George Taylor, Matthew Thornton, George Walton, Daniel Webster, William Whipple, William Williams, James Wilson, John Witherspoon, Oliver Wolcott, and George Wythe
If you believe we have a significant omission, please contact us with their name at: guy@rarenewspapers.com
You may also want to consider doing a search for the following who have not been included within these listings:
Josiah Bartlett, Carter Braxton, John Calhoun, Charles Carroll, Samuel Chase, Abraham Clark, Henry Clay, George Clymer, John Dickinson, William Ellery, William Floyd, and Elbridge Gerry
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, Benjamin Harrison, John Hart, Joseph Hewes, Thomas Heyward, William Hooper, Stephen Hopkins, Francis Hopkinson, Samuel Huntington, and Andrew Jackson
Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lewis, Philip Livingston, Thomas Lynch, Thomas McKean, Arthur Middleton, Lewis Morris, Robert Morris, John Morton, and Thomas Nelson
William Paca, John Penn, William Penn, Thomas Stone, Robert Treat Paine, George Read, Caesar Rodney, George Ross, Edward Rutledge, Roger Sherman, and Richard Stockton
Adam Smith, James Smith, George Taylor, Matthew Thornton, George Walton, Daniel Webster, William Whipple, William Williams, James Wilson, John Witherspoon, Oliver Wolcott, and George Wythe
If you believe we have a significant omission, please contact us with their name at: guy@rarenewspapers.com
Found 799 Results
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Item #703518THE BOSTON GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Dec. 8, 1777
* Battles of Saratoga - Revolutionary War
* General John Burgoyne surrenders
The patriotic engraving in the masthead was done by none other than Paul Revere, showing the caged dove of peace being set free over the skyline... Read full description -
Item #701099GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1778
* Rare Revolutionary War New York map
* Benjamin Franklin letter - Ethan Allen
Of great significance is the very nice foldout map headed: "Map of Hudson's River with the Adjacent Country", which shows from Crown Point &... Read full description -
Item #687224THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, March 4, 1778
* Battle of Brandywine - Creek
* Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania
* American Revolutionary War
This was a strongly Tory (pro-British) newspaper that began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia, so much of... Read full description -
Item #689081THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, April 22, 1778
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
This was a strongly Tory (supportive of the British cause) newspaper which began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia.
Over... Read full description -
Item #701428THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, May 28, 1778
* American Revolutionary War
Most of page 2 is taken up with a very notable & historic: "Address of the Congress to the Inhabitants of the United States of America" signed in type by: Henry... Read full description -
Item #685944THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1778
* Revolutionary War - Jonathan Trumbull
* Benjamin Franklin - electricity experiments
The first article is a "...Debate...on Enquiry into the State of the Nation..." continued from a previous issue and has much on the Revolutionary War, including: "...that with equal... Read full description -
Item #703279THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, August 13, 1778 Most of the front page is taken up with news & correspondence concerning America negotiating a treaty of assistance with France, including mention of Ben Franklin.
Page 3 has several reports on the war including a report from... Read full description -
Item #703517THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 24, 1778
* General John Burgoyne
* Surrender at Saratoga
* Revolutionary War
* British scrutiny in Britain
The entire front page and part of page 2 are taken up with a lengthy & very detailed account of the trial of General Burgoyne concerning his... Read full description -
Item #678171GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1779
* Great siege of Rhode Island print
* American Revolutionary War original
This issue leads off with reports on the debates in Parliament, which include discussion on the Revolutionary War, including: "...the conduct of the army under the command of Gen. Howe; he seized the... Read full description -
Item #722693EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Feb. 13, 1779
* American Revolutionary War from the enemy
Page 2 includes: "...dispatches were brought to Lord George Germain's office...with an account of the surrender of the province of Georgia to his Majesty's troops under the... Read full description -
Item #594434EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, April 5, 1779
* Revolutionary War
* John Jay letter
Page 2 has a letter from Congress, prefaced with a note of explanation signed in type by: John Jay, concerning disavowing a publication which appeared in the Penna. Packet newspaper (see photos). Also a report from the Boston Gazette that: ... Read full description -
Item #693762THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, April 22, 1779
* The Battle of Horse Neck
* Greenwich, Connecticut
* General Israel Putnam
* Gen. George Washington
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
... Read full description -
Item #687346THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 27, 1779
* American Revolutionary War
* General George Washington
* Exchange of prisoners talks
The front page begins with two detailed reward ads for deserted soldiers.
One-third of the front page and over one-third of page 2 are taken up with the:... Read full description -
Item #702543THE UNITED STATES MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, June, 1779
* The only American magazine that published during the heart of the Revolutionary War
In the entirety of the Revolutionary War only two American magazines existed, they being this one and the "Pennsylvania Magazine" which... Read full description -
Item #701144THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, July 27, 1779
* Battle of Stony Point - New York
* American Revolutionary War night assault
* Generals George Washington & Anthony Wayne
This title has one of the more handsome mastheads of the era, with very ornate lettering and... Read full description -
Item #697886THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 9, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
* Lengthy letter from Benjamin Franklin
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to... Read full description -
Item #705295THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Oct. 2, 1779
* American Revolutionary War
* Gen. John Burgoyne failures
* re. Battles of Saratoga surrender
Almost the entire front page is taken up with a letter: "To Lieutenant-General Burgoyne" taken from a London newspaper and reprinted here.
Not... Read full description -
Item #703290THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 13, 1779
* American Revolutionary War
* John Sullivan Expedition
* Iroquois Confederacy
The entire front page and part of the back page are taken up with a very fine & detailed account of the Sullivan Expedition. The report is signed in... Read full description -
Item #687145THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1779
* Ethan Allen captivity
* Revolutionary War original
Most of the front page is taken up with an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, prefaced with a paragraph signed in type by the Clerk of the General Assembly, none other than: Thomas Paine.
Page 3 has yet another Act... Read full description -
Item #686477THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1779
* Ben Franklin's book is reviewed (brief)
* Fort Stanwix report
* Captain Cook's ships observed?
Near the back is a brief review of a book titled: "Political, Miscellaneous, & Philosophical Pieces, Written by Benjamin Franklin...".
Some talk of "American News" near the back, with... Read full description -
Item #700604THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, June 13, 1780 "The Crisis" is a collection of 13 essays written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolutionary War. In 1776 Paine wrote Common Sense, an extremely popular and successful pamphlet arguing for Independence from England. The essays collected here constitute Paine's... Read full description
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Item #687291THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Jan. 25, 1781
* Rare Revolutionary War title from America
A very handsome issue as the masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere for colonial currency at the time. It is a very patriotic device showing a soldier with a sword in one hand and a... Read full description -
Item #703520THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 1781
* American Revolutionary War
* Closing months - nice masthead
Page 2 has: "A Proclamation" beginning: "Whereas a resolve...for apprehending all prisoners of war that have been captured by any armed vessels of the United States and... Read full description -
Item #701123THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 13, 1781
* American Revolutionary War
* Benedict Arnold's isolation
* Sacrifice of John Andre
* Human cost in the South
Inside pages have various reports on the Revolutionary War, a few bits including: "General Arnold's... Read full description -
Item #698404THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, July 17, 1781
* American Revolutionary War
* Ship prisoners exchanged
* Southern colonies evacuation (British)
The front page has several letters from British Lt. Col. Balfour, most dealing with discussion for an exchange of... Read full description -
Item #705471THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781 Near the back is a section headed: "American News" which has a "Copy of a Letter from Brig. Gen. Arnold to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, dated Sound off Plumb Island, Sept. 8, 1781" which takes over an entire page & is... Read full description
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Item #687093THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 13, 1781
* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending
A terrific issue as not only does it contain a fine account of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, but it consumes the entire front page, carries over to take most... Read full description -
Item #686462THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1781
* Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown VA Virginia
* Revolutionary War from the enemy
Certainly the most historic report in this issue--and perhaps in any issue from the Revolutionary War--is that near the back of the issue under the "Historical... Read full description -
Item #687139THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781
* American Revolutionary War
* Post Surrender of Cornwallis
* Loyalist James Rivington
The masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere, showing a soldier holding a sword and a document inscribed... Read full description -
Item #687288THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, December 20, 1781
* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending
This issue contains one of the most historically significant letters from the Revolutionary War, being Cornwallis' official announcement of his surrender to Washington at the Battle... Read full description -
Item #718116THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1782
* Lord Charles Cornwallis
* General George Washington
* Surrender at Yorktown - Virginia
This issue contains the very historic report of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia.
An inside page has a nice report headed: "Extract of a Letter... Read full description -
Item #704385THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Jan. 8, 1782
* Very rare Broadside edition from the Revolutionary War
Apparently a quite unusual broadside edition as the issue is a single sheet with the back page blank. If page 2 had text I would suspect that the back leaf was missing, but the front... Read full description -
Item #704872THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Feb. 12, 1782
* American Revolutionary War closing events
* George Washington & Thomas Jefferson
The inside pages have various reports concerning the Revolutionary War, including: "...nothing but the utter... Read full description -
Item #703278THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER AND THE AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, March 11, 1782
* American Revolutionary War
* Thomas Paine - essay # 10
* "The American Crisis"
Almost the entire front page is taken up with the printing of: "Common Sense, on the King of England's Speech". This ia actually Thomas... Read full description -
Item #697218THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, May 21, 1782
* Captain Joshua Huddy execution - hanging
* General George Washington angry reaction
* American Revolutionary War
Two-thirds of the front page is taken up with "Debates in the House of Commons Upon the American War". An excellent report... Read full description -
Item #705508THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 16, 1782
* American Revolutionary War
Page 3 has a nice accounting of the controversial hanging of American patriot Capt. Huddy and the resulting Asgill Affair including: "...Capt. Lippencot (the executioner of Capt. Huddy) was under trial of a court martial...that he would be... Read full description -
Item #705979THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 25, 1782
* re. Battle of the Assunpink Creek - Trenton
* re. George Washington crossing the Delaware
Page 2 has a report beginning: "So determined are the French to pursue their favorite plan of annihilating the British power in North America, &... Read full description -
Item #681285THE ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE, London, Oct. 22, 1782
* American Revolutionary ending events
* George Washington & Sir Guy Carleton
Page 3 has most of a column taken up with various reports from America, including four naval items datelined from New York. Also extracts from the Penna. Assembly, as well as a... Read full description -
Item #701392INDEPENDENT LEDGER, AND AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, Oct. 28, 1782
* "The Swamp Fox" Francis Marion
* American Revolutionary War
* Great masthead engraving for display
One of the best features of this issue is the masthead engraving, which features a very patriotic theme: "All Hands with One Inflamed... Read full description -
Item #694963THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR, THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, Nov. 5, 1782
* Revolutionary War ending events
* John Hanson - 1st American president ?
Page 2 has a lengthy letter which is reflective of the American-British relationship in the past. A few bits include: "...they have not... Read full description -
Item #689607THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, June 9, 1783
* General George Washington letter
* Announcing the end of hostilities
* American Revolutionary War ending
Certainly the most significant content takes almost an entire column of page 3, which has George Washington's letter announcing a... Read full description -
Item #701320THE MASSACHUETTS GAZETTE or the GENERAL ADVERTISER, Springfield, July 29, 1783
* General George Washington
* Circular letter re. U.S. Army
* Revolutionary War ending
The entire front page, all of page 2, and a portion of page 3 are taken up with one of the more noteworthy... Read full description -
Item #701081THE POLITICAL MAGAZINE, London, August, 1783
* General George Washington
* Circular letter re. U.S. Army
* Revolutionary War ending
ing the Revolutionary War. It contains a wealth of reports concerning the concluding events of the war.
Pages 1 and 2 have:... Read full description -
Item #687373THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 18, 1783
* General George Washington
* United States military force
* Revolutionary War ending events
A nice feature of the masthead is a great engraving taken from (modeled after) one done earlier by Paul Revere, showing a... Read full description -
Item #694966THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, October 7, 1783
* Newburgh Conspiracy plan
* General George Washington
* Revolutionary War ending events
Both the front page and page 2 have nice, lengthy letters concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy of that time.
The Newburgh Conspiracy was a plan by Continental Army officers to challenge the... Read full description -
Item #702490THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1783
* The Treaty Of Peace (partial)
* John Adams and Ben Franklin (block) signatures
* Reports from New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston
Included is a portion of text headed: "The Definitive Treaty between Great Britain & the United States of America, signed... Read full description -
Item #723343
THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & THE AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, Nov. 24, 1783
"One Inflamed Enlightened Heart" patriotic masthead
A very nice feature of this issue is the masthead engraving which features a very patriotic theme: "All Hands with One Inflamed Enlightened Heart." signifying the 13 united... Read full description -
Item #687283THE NORWICH PACKET of the CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Connecticut, Dec. 10, 1783
* Historic Treaty of Paris (peace)
* End of the Revolutionary War
This must rank among the more beautiful mastheads of the 18th century with the handsome engraving of the ship.
Taking almost all of page 3 is perhaps the most significant... Read full description -
Item #687144THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Dec. 17, 1783
* American victory in the Revolutionary War
* George Washington and Nathanael Greene
This is certainly one of the more displayable newspapers of the Revolutionary War era with this quite large... Read full description -
Item #704735THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Jan. 2, 1784
* General George Washington
* Farewell Address responses
* Loyalists escaping New York
The front page has a report from New York noting: "General Thomas Mifflin is chosen resident of Congress for the ensuing year, in the room of Elias... Read full description






















































