Historic Newspapers: Search Results

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE, Williamsburg (with Supplement), April 28, 1775  This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period of the Revolutionary War.
This issue was printed 9 days after the battle of Lexington and Concord, however, the news of that historic beginning of the Revolutionary War had yet to reach Williamsburg.
Half of the front page is a report from London which has…

New York, Williamsburg, and Boston reports...

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, February 16, 1768  As inside report, "An account of the Great Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the 10th of October, 1767...", which provides considerable details of the great eruption of 1768. Other articles include reports from New York, Williamsburg, Virginia, and Boston (see images).
Complete in 8 pages, 9 by 12 inches, only minor rubbing, nice condition.

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, Aug. 26, 1769  Page 2 has most of a column taken up with reports headed "America" with Boston, Williamsburg, and Philadelphia datelines. The Boston report ends with: "...Resolved...when the governor of the Province had wantonly dissolved the General Assembly & arbitrarily refused to call another upon the repeated dutiful petition of the people." The Williamsburg report concerns an insurrection plot by slaves (see).
The back page has a report of the noted Rev. Mr.…

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE (with Supplement), Williamsburg, Mar. 17, 1775 

* Very rare Colonial Virginia publication
* Election of Patrick Henry

 This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period of the Revolutionary War.
The entire front page is a terrific letter: "To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Virginia" relating the treasonous action of the "...eleven polluted…

PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 11, 1775

* The Battles of Lexington and Concord
* Start of American Revolutionary War

This is a gem of an issue, as it is what all serious collectors seek for their Revolutionary War collection: an American newspaper with a terrific report on the famous battles at Lexington and Concord.
This page 3 report, datelined from Salem, April 25, begins: "Last Wednesday the troops of his Britanic Majesty commenced hostilities upon the people of this…

THE TOWN & COUNTRY MAGAZINE, London, May, 1776  

* Pre Declaration of Independence 
* American Revolutionary War

Certainly one of the less common titles from the Revolutionary War, but a format & layout much like the more common 'Gentleman's Magazine".
Over 4 pages are taken up with a continued article: "The Present State of America" which includes "Religion & Civil Government of New England" "The Different Governments in North America Explained" & "Different Provinces of New England" with…

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 9, 1776

* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)

 This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
Over half of the front page is taken up with: "The following rules for establishing a Society for Relieving the Distresses of Prisoners...". Page 2 has reports from…

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & THE NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, July 5, 1775 

* Battle of Bunker Hill - Charlestown
* Siege of Boston, Massachusetts
* George Washington named commander
* American Revolutionary War
* Terrific issue w/ many reports

Nice engraving in the masthead of a post boy on horseback.
The front page has a letter from an officer in General Gage's regiment heading for Boston, which details his reason for wanting to retire, noting: "...As I cannot, without reproach from my own…

Less than 100 days prior to the Declaration...

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 23, 1776  

* Pre Declaration of Independence signing
* American Revolutionary War original 
* Great year to have (776) - very rare 

Most of the first column on the front page is taken up with reports of ships trading in the Caribbean & related news. Also on the front page is: "The French appear exceedingly friendly to the American cause which they would have promoted by a much larger supply of arms & ammunition than they have hitherto imported had…

THE NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Nov. 16, 1775 

* Creation of Continental Currency 
* American Revolutionary War funding
* re. Battles of Lexington & Concord 

A very significant issue in the financial history of the United States, as the front page reports the first issuance of Continental Currency to support the Revolutionary War. Datelined: "Philadelphia, In Congress, Thursday, June 22, 1775" it reports: "Resolved, That a sum not exceeding two millions of…

NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Jan. 4, 1776  

* Traitor Dr. Benjamin Church 
* British General Thomas Gage 
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)

See the nice engraving in the masthead.
Fully two-thirds of the front page is taken up with a lengthy & detailed: "Letter from General Lee to General Burgoyne" datelined: "camp on Prospect Hill, Dec. 1, 1775". The letter includes in part: "As I am just informed you are ready to embark for…

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, July 24, 1776 

 * News of the Declaration of Independence spreads
* Battle of Sullivan's Island - General Charles Lee 
* American Revolutionary War - great year to have 

 A great issue from less than 3 weeks after the Declaration of Independence was endorsed by Congress. Relating to this, page 2 has a report from New York: "Thursday last the Declaration of the INDEPENDENCY of the United States of AMERICA, was published at the Court House." A very notable report…

STORY & HUMPHREYS'S PENNSYLVANIA MERCURY & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, October 6, 1775 

* Battle of Bunker Hill
* Revolutionary War
* Very rare publication

Certainly one of the more scarce titles from during the Revolutionary War. This is the volume 1 number 27 issue of a newspaper that existed only from April 7 to December 22, 1775, publishing a total of just 38 issues. Brigham notes that only two American institutions have this date.
The interesting engraving in the masthead…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 30, 1769 

* Non-Importation agreement

Page 6 has most of a column headed: "America" with reports from Boston, New Haven and Williamsburg, the former having a great report concerning non-importation, including: "We are assured that the merchants of this town, considering that the period to which their late agreement to withhold the importations of British goods was limited is near at hand; it being to continue till the 1st of January next unless the…

THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE, Boston, August 31, 1769 printed with THE BOSTON WEEKLY NEWS-LETTER, August 31, 1769  Both newspapers were published by Richard Draper on Thursday. A partnership with John Green and Joseph Russell printed the "Boston Post-Boy & Advertiser" on Mondays.

Both titles are printed on the same sheet of paper (each s single sheet; verified when held to the light) and were meant to be separated for individual sale & distribution. But this pair was not, hence the interesting