{"id":56853,"date":"2020-03-09T12:10:39","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T16:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=56853"},"modified":"2020-03-09T12:11:21","modified_gmt":"2020-03-09T16:11:21","slug":"iconic-first-editions-of-american-newspapers-part-ii-boston-gazette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/iconic-first-editions-of-american-newspapers-part-ii-boston-gazette.html","title":{"rendered":"Iconic First Editions of American Newspapers, Part II: \u2018Boston Gazette\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak continues her series examining our earliest newspapers by focusing on one of the first and most important newspapers in American history: the \u201cBoston Gazette.\u201d Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<\/em><\/p>\n

As discussed in Part I (see Iconic First Editions of American Newspapers, Part I<\/a>), early American newspapers provide a special insight into the lives of our ancestors. As a reminder, the few newspapers that existed during the Colonial period required permission from Crown representatives to start publishing. One of the most important newspapers was allowed to begin in 1719: the Boston Gazette<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: Boston Tea Party. Source: W. D. Cooper. \u201cThe History of North America.\u201d London: E. Newberry, 1789. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Boston Gazette<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Boston Gazette<\/em> was produced and printed by Benjamin Edes and John Gill, beginning on 21 December 1719 in Boston, Massachusetts. Many describe this paper as the most influential early American newspaper, so you may wish to put it on your radar. (Note: there was another Boston Gazette<\/em>, published 1806-1816, which was not related.)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
Boston Gazette (Boston, Massachusetts), 21 December 1719, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edes promised to publish in his newspaper the prices of all merchandise and to report the latest news. It was recommended that those who were willing to promote the Boston Gazette<\/em> \u201care desired to signify their Intentions at the Post Office accordingly.\u201d This notice explains part of the motive, particularly as it relates to the mail:<\/p>\n

\u201cTHE publishing of this Paper has been in Compliance with the desires of several of the Merchants and others of this Town, as also at the repeated Instances of those People that live remote from hence, who have been prevented from having the News Paper sent them by the Post, even since Mr. Campbell was removed from being Post-Master.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Boston Tea Party<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Boston Gazette<\/em> is known for its part in the Boston Tea Party.<\/p>\n

On 16 December 1773, the participants met at the home of Benjamin Edes and some used his Gazette<\/em> office at the corner of Court Street and Franklin Avenue to dress as native Americans before dumping the tea into Boston Harbor. The first announcement of the event appeared in this paper on 20 December:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people\u2026 DISSOLVED their meeting. But, BEHOLD what followed! A number of brave & resolute men, determined to do all in their power to save their country from the ruin which their enemies had plotted, in less than four hours, emptied every chest of tea on board the three ships commanded by the captains Hall, Brucey and Coffin, amounting to 342 chests, into the sea !! without the least damage done to the ships or any other property.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Boston Gazette (Boston, Massachusetts), 20 December 1773, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr. Edes\u2019 Farewell Address<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Benjamin Edes discontinued his paper in 1798, his \u201cfarewell address\u201d urged readers to \u201cstrive to maintain the REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES of their own Constitution\u201d and ended with this goodbye:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now my Fellow-Citizens, I bid you FAREWELL \u2013 maintain your VIRTUE \u2013 cherish your LIBERTIES \u2013 and may THE ALMIGHTY protect and defend you.
\n–B. EDES.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"The<\/a>
Boston Gazette (Boston, Massachusetts), 17 September 1798, page 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

American Revolutionary War Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for evidence of your ancestor\u2019s participation in the American Revolution, or want to read the history firsthand, the Boston Gazette<\/em> is an important newspaper to explore. I suspect you\u2019ll find hints of the Tea Party participants, even if they have never been identified publicly.<\/p>\n

Genealogy Tip:<\/em><\/strong> During the 18th century, you\u2019ll find names presented in a variety of formats, so vary your queries. For example, Benjamin Edes signed his farewell letter as B. Edes. In other cases, you will find a full name or one might be abbreviated with a title, such as Mr. Revere.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em><\/strong> An online collection of newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>, is not only a great way to learn about the lives of your ancestors \u2013 the old newspaper articles also help you understand American history and the times your ancestors lived in, and the news they talked about and read in their local papers. Have you traced your family back to Colonial or Revolutionary America? Please share your stories with us in the comments section.<\/p>\n

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