The Boston News Letter and early American journalism
A historical overview of the 1704 Boston News Letter as the first American newspaper and its evolution. It covers John Campbell’s cautious publishing, the failed Publick Occurrences, the rise of rival papers under James Franklin, and Franklin’s influence on colonial journalism and public discourse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
John Campbell
Boston News-Letter
London
United States
Benjamin Harris
Massachusetts Bay Colony
America
France
England
Campbell
Bleyer
Colnies
William Brooker
Brooker
Boston Gazette
Bartholomew Green
Gazette
James Franklin
New England Courant
Postmiaster
Increase Mather
Courant
Benjamin
The
James
New York
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Gazette
Colonial Times
Benjamin Franklin
United Kingdom
Scotland
Franklin
Congress of
Albany
Brides Hold Fast To Luck Beliefs In Weddings
A British authority notes wedding superstitions die hard with brides. May is a lean month, Friday weddings are avoided, and the 13th is feared. One o'clock weddings are rare and emeralds as talismans gain traction, as a prospective bride almost tripped at a register office on a Friday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Teco
Algiers
Mitidja
France
Thoughtfulness Builds and Keeps True Friendships
The piece notes that thoughtful behavior strengthens bonds and fosters lasting friendships through consistent care, attention, and empathy. It emphasizes small acts and steady support as key to social connection.
Early Agriculture Reaches Britain in Neolithic Dawn
Archaeological research suggests agriculture and pottery emerged in the Near East, spreading to Asia and Africa. The two arts traveled to the Aegean, Hungary, Switzerland, and the Rhine before reaching Britain at the start of the Neolithic era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Near East
Asia
Africa
Aegean
Hungary
Switzerland
Rhine
Atlantic
Britain
Gets His Revenge in a Strange Bid Inquiry
A contractor writes a surreal reply to a surgeon seeking preliminary bids on sketches with material and finish alternates. The contractor jokes about appendicitis, incision sizes, and holding an incision open for 60 days while mentioning gallstones and canceling orders.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Architectonics Magazine
If I Could Only Dress Like Her
Mrs Average Woman muses that spending more on clothes would make her look more dressed up than the person she cites. The line reveals attitudes toward fashion, expense, and social comparison in everyday life.
Paris art glut leads to misery after sculptor’s suicide
Louis Forest warns that Paris is overrun with 40,000 painters and other artists. He cites the death by self harm of a renowned Prix de Rome winner who could not earn a living. Open air exhibitions, dubbed crust of bread shows, often fail to attract buyers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Louis Forest
Forest
Candle Ends Shines As Boy Burns Midnight Oil
A family quip describes Robert overworking and burning the candle at both ends. The father jokes the boy has split the candle in two and lit all four ends, illustrating extreme effort or distraction.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert
Time Locks Sold At Halre Goods Stores
Time locks are on sale at Halre Goods stores with promotional pricing and in-store displays. Customers are invited to compare models and choose from a selection of durable,time‑safe devices.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Halre Goods
Diary Advice: Keep a Record Then Tear It Up Later
The remark encourages maintaining a personal diary now and later destroying it to preserve privacy or reflect on change, implying time can alter the perceived value or meaning of personal writings. It frames diary-keeping as a temporary archive.
Castoria: A Trusted Remedy for Infants and Babies
The ad touts Castoria as a staple for five million homes, claiming relief for colic and constipation with a safe vegetable preparation. It emphasizes use for restless babies, urgent needs, and recommends doctors’ approval for infants, noting every druggist carries it.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Castoria
Also Mentioned on This Page
Elmo Scott Watson
Plymouth
Europe
West Indies
Great Britain
N. Hampshire
Pensilvania
Paper & Printing & c
Exeter
National Geographic Society
Washington, D. C
Boulevard de la Republique
Opera
Seine
Kasba
Dey
Italy
Spain
Pasha
Pirate
Hamal
Constantinople
Stamboul
Allah
Publites
Fravrlinds Suake Arroaly
Courane Onnay September Toy Sr
Willard Grosvenor Bleyer
Houghton Mifflin Company
Hanford
U. S. Dept. of Agriculture
Arkansas State Farm
K-R-O
K-R-O Co
Springfield
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!