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 #688473FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 22, 1796
* President George Washington
* Three documents signed in type
Page 2 has a document headed: "The United States of America...Letters Patent..." which is signed in type by the President: Go. Washington. The document notes a patent has... Read full description -
Item #697849COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 22 and 25, 1796
* President George Washington
* Paul Revere's church bells
A two issue set with over half of the front page of the 22nd taken up with lengthy & detailed text of: "An ACT to Regulate Trade & Intercourse with the Indian Tribes & to Preserve... Read full description -
Item #701326COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 6, 1796 Taking half the front page & concluding on page 2 is the: "Act Laying Duties on Carriages for the Conveyance of Persons..." which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
The front page begins with a detailed ad for: "Josiah Flagg, Surgeon Dentist".... Read full description -
Item #704061COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 20, 1796
* President George Washington
* Three Acts of U.S. Congress
The front page features not one but three Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington. One relates to building codes for new construction in Washington, D.C. and another is for: ... Read full description -
Item #665507COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 30, 1796
* Samuel Adams, governor of Massachusetts
The front page has a full column taken up with an Act of the Mass. legislature signed in type by its governor: Samuel Adams.
Four pages, some foxing, good condition. -
Item #705498COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 30, 1796
* Samuel Adams, Massachusetts governor
* 18th century American original
The front page has a full column taken up with an Act of the Mass. legislature signed in type by its governor: Samuel Adams.
Four pages, very nice condition. -
Item #698984COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 3, 1796
* USS United States construction
* Samuel Adams act signed in type
The first column on the front page has an Act of the Mass. Legislature signed in type by: Samuel Adams (stain here affects 4 words). Page 2 has: "French Victory on the Rhine" concerning Buonaparte. Also:... Read full description -
Item #586734COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, August 3, 1796 The first column on the front page has an Act of the Mass. Legislature signed in type by: Samuel Adams. Page 2 has: "French Victory on the Rhine" concerning Buonaparte. Also: "Intercourse With Canada". Also a brief yet notable report from Philadelphia: "The... Read full description
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Item #700770FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Aug. 6, 1796
* President George Washington
Over half of the back page is taken up with: "An ACT laying duties on carriages for the conveyance of persons, & repealing the former act for that purpose." which is signed in type by the President: Go. Washington.
The back page... Read full description -
Item #665853COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 10, 1796 The front page has a full column taken up with two Acts of the Mass. legislature, each signed in type by the governor: Samuel Adams.
Page 2 has an article; "The Western Posts Taken Possession of" which is a letter from Capt. James Bruff to the Sec. of War dated at Fort Oswego.
Four... Read full description -
Item #665509COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 13, 1796 The entire first column on the front page is an Act by the Massachusetts Legislature which is signed in type by the governor; Samuel Adams.
Four pages, bit of light damp staining, good condition. -
Item #698028COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 20 and 24, 1796
* President George Washington
* Lengthy proclamation signed in script
A pair of issues: beginning on the front page of the Aug. 20 issue, carrying over to pg. 2, and concluding on pages 1 and 2 of the Aug. 24 issue is the complete text of the:... Read full description -
Item #700771FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Sept. 26, 1796
* Rare 18th century American publication
* re. President George Washington's retirement
The front page has 22 illustrated ship ads.
Page 3 has a nice report: "The Resignation of The President of the United States" which notes in part: ... Read full description -
Item #677450THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, Nov. 2, 1796 Page 3 has over 1 1/2 columns taken up with the: "Governor's Speech" signed by him in type: John Jay.
The back page has five notices for the sale of land, most in the "West", two from the Northwest Territory.
Four pages, great condition. -
Item #703934THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Nov. 14, 1796
* President George Washington
* Farewell Address (retirement)
Taking a full column on the front page, all of pages 2, and a bit of page 3 is an historic report headed "AMERICA - The President's Speech To the United States off America", more commonly known as... Read full description -
Item #705078GALES'S INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER, Philadelphia, Nov. 18, 1796
* Rare 18th century American publication
A quite rare title which lasted just one year from Sept. 16, 1796 till Sept. 12, 1797. Actually the continuation of the "Independent Gazetteer", which was later sold to "The Universal Gazette". Just 7 American... Read full description -
Item #596595THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Nov. 32, 1796 Yes, that's the date on the newspaper (see). Page 3 has an "Address" to the Mass. Senate & House, signed in type: Samuel Adams (see), and another "Resolve" by the Mass. legislature also signed: Samuel Adams.
Four pages, decorative masthead,... Read full description -
Item #701713THER HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, Nov. 30 1796 Page 3 has a letter concerning Thomas Jefferson. Also a report: "Capture of the Brig Mercury From this Fort" by a French privateer, which would lead to the Quasi-War with France.
The back page has 2 official notices by the Secretary of the Treasury... Read full description -
Item #694376THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, December 7, 1796
* Opening of the Northwest Territory
* Printed on handmade rag paper
* During George Washington's presidency
A typical newspaper of the day with a wealth of reporting and many ads as well. The back page has legal notices concerning the sale of land including the... Read full description -
Item #700777FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, Dec. 16, 1796
* President George Washington
* Retirement from public service
The front page includes 18 illustrated ship advertisements.
Page 3 has a letter signed in type: George Washington, in response to another letter about his retirement from public... Read full description -
Item #704316GALES'S INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER, Philadelphia, Dec. 30, 1796
* Rare 18th century American publication
A quite rare title which lasted just one year from Sept. 16, 1796 till Sept. 12, 1797. Actually the continuation of the "Independent Gazetteer" which was later sold to "The Universal Gazette". Just 7 American... Read full description -
Item #719658THE NEW WORLD, Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 1797
* Rare 18th century publication
* President George Washington
A scarce title, and until a recent find, the very first we have offered in our (soon to be) 50 years. It published for exactly one year.
Page 2 features a letter to George Washington from the Penna. Senate, offering... Read full description -
Item #703596COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 15, 1797 A page 2 report has a very historic report: "Wednesday last his Excellency JOHN ADAMS, Esq., as President of the United States; and the Hon. THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq., as V. President of the same, were declared in the presence of the Legislature of the Union, and a large concourse... Read full description
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Item #707369GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, Feb. 18, 1797
* John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
* United States President and VP
Page 3 has a lengthy address: "To the Honorable the Congress of the United States" being: "The memorial & petition of the owners of land in the... Read full description -
Item #703229THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, March 8, 1797
* John Adams inauguration
* V.P. Thomas Jefferson
The front page has an address: "To George Washington" from the Penna. legislature on his retirement from public office, to which he responded with a letter signed in type; Go. Washington.
This... Read full description -
Item #669093THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY, OR THE WORCESTER GAZETTE, March 22, 1797 Beginning on the front page & ending on pg. 4 signed: Samuel Adams is "An Act ...Respecting Highways" in the state of Mass. Page 2 has: "Slave Trade"
Four pages, good condition. -
Item #686143COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 5, 1797
* President George Washington
* Napoleon Bonaparte
At the bottom of the front page is an Act of Congress which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
This was one of just a few newspapers which used the script type for documents signed by politicians, making such issues very... Read full description -
Item #669094THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, April 5, 1797
* Nice 18th century American publication
* President John Adams proclamation
The front page has reports from the: "Proceedings of the Columbian Federal Congress". Page 3 has: "A Proclamation" concerning a need to convene Congress, signed in... Read full description -
Item #700624COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 19, 1797
* President George Washington
* Act of Congress script signature
The front page contains an Act of Congress, taking close to a full column of text, being: "An Act for Raising a Further sum of Money by additional Duties on certain Articles imported; & for other purposes."... Read full description -
Item #708996COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 22, 1797 The front page contains not one but three Acts of Congress, each one signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
The Acts are regarding duties on distilled spirits, one for placing buoys in Boston harbor, and one for setting the time for the next meeting of... Read full description -
Item #700622COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 22, 1797
* President George Washington's last day in office
* Three Acts of Congress signed in script type
The front page contains not one but three Acts of Congress, each one signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
The Acts are regarding duties on distilled... Read full description -
Item #700623COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 26, 1797
* President George Washington
* United States Congress acts
The front page features not one, but four documents each signed by the President: Go. Washington, three of them are signed in the very desirable script type. One of the Acts relates to fixing the military establishment... Read full description -
Item #704655THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, April 26, 1797 A very typical late 18th century American newspaper with a good mix of news reports of the day and advertisements.
A fine opportunity for an early newspaper at a low price.
Four pages, very nice condition. -
Item #686139COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, May 6, 1797
* President George Washington
* (4) acts signed in script
On the front page under "Laws of the United States" are four "Acts", each signed in script type: George Washington. The acts take all of the third and fourth columns, and all of the script signatures appear in the last column.
... Read full description -
Item #704847THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, May 6, 1797
* John Adams administration era
* 28th century American original
A very nice issue from the early months of John Adams' administration.
Four pages printed on rather thick-stock newsprint, great condition. -
Item #703222THE PHENIX; OR WINDHAM HERALD, Connecticut, May 26, 1797
* Uncommon publication with nice masthead
* First special session of U.S. Congress
On the front page headed: "President's Speech which takes over half of the front page and a portion of page 2 is a report dated "May 16".
In the... Read full description -
Item #705984PORCUPINE'S GAZETTE, Philadelphia, June 14, 1797
* Rare 18th century American publication
The entire front page is taken up with ads including a a detailed ad for a runaway slave ad under: "Fifty Dollars Reward".
Another can be found on the back page.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, nice condition.
AI... Read full description -
Item #703582COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 14, 1797
* USS Constitution & Constellation
* United States Navy first warships
A page 2 report notes: "Gen. Smith (of Baltimore)...mentioned that the Constellation frigate, building at that place, would be launched the 4th of July next. The... Read full description -
Item #709989COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 8, 1797 The last column of the front page is taken up with two Acts of Congress, each signed in in type by the President, John Adams, one in script type & the other in block type. Page 2 begins with a third Act signed in script type by John Adams.
Four pages, nice condition. -
Item #709994COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 30, 1797 Page 2 has a "Tribute of Respect" from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences written: "To John Adams, L.L.D., President of the United States of America" concerning an honor given to him. This is followed by: "The President's Answer", signed in script... Read full description
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Item #686137CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Nov. 9, 1797 The entire front page and a good portion of page 3 are taken up with: "AN ACT Laying Duties on Stamped Vellum, Parchment and Paper" which is signed in type at its conclusion by John Adams, President, and Thomas Jefferson, Vice President.
Four pages, a very handsome issue as... Read full description -
Item #605650THE SPECTATOR, New York, Dec. 6, 1797 Close to half of the first column of the back page is taken up with: "A Proclamation" concerning state law & prisoners, signed in type by the governor: John Jay.
Four pages, minor loss to an upper corner, never bound nor trimmed, minor foxing. -
Item #665548GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, Dec. 28, 1797
* Uncommon 18th century American publication
* During President John Adams administration
The capital of the United States was in Philadelphia at this time, while the District of Columbia was under construction.
The front page is filled with... Read full description -
Item #715858FEDERAL GAZETTE AND DAILY ADVERTISER, Boston, Jan. 4, 1798 Certainly one of the less common 18th century American newspapers, as it was short-lived, lasting just 55 issues from Jan. 1 thru March 5, 1798. This is the number 4 issue.
All of pages 2 & 4 are taken up with reports from: "Congress of the United States" including a... Read full description -
Item #698611GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, Jan. 5, 1798
* Uncommon 18th century American publication
The capital of the United States was in Philadelphia at this time while the District of Columbia was under construction.
Page 3 has the latest reports from Congress. The back page... Read full description -
Item #707233THE TIME-PIECE & LITERARY COMPANION, New York, Jan. 8, 1798
* Very rare 18th century publication
* American Editor Philip Freneau
* Short-lived publication
A quite rare title by Philip Freneau which lasted from March 13, 1797 to August 30, 1798.
The front page includes the continued: "View of the Present State of our Political... Read full description -
Item #705588GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, Jan. 15, 1798 The capital of the United States was in Philadelphia at this time while the District of Columbia was under construction.
The back page has an ad for a recently published book: "Observations on Certain Documents...The History of... Read full description -
Item #688363THE SPECTATOR, New York, Jan. 20, 1798
* Governor John Jay
* His response to the New York Senate
The back page has the "Answer of the Senate of the State of New York to the Speech of...John Jay, Governor..." which is followed by his response, signed in type: John Jay.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, nice condition. -
Item #707244THE TIME-PIECE & LITERARY COMPANION, New York, Feb. 1, 1798 A quite rare title by Philip Freneau which lasted from March 13, 1797 to August 30, 1798.
Nearly half of the front page and much of page 2 have various reports from: "Congress". Page 2 also has an article concerning the infamous publisher William Cobbett and... Read full description -
Item #665565GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, Feb. 5, 1798
* 18th century American original
The capital of the United States was in Philadelphia at this time, while the District of Columbia was under construction.
Page 3 has a message from the President concerning the growing tensions with France, signed in type: John... Read full description






















































