Posts Tagged American Revolution

“The Hartford Courant”

9 April 2012
Comments (0)
It’s the newspaper in which George Washington placed an ad to lease part of his Mount Vernon land.
It’s where Noah Webster’s “Blue-Backed Speller” was first published.
Thomas Jefferson sued this newspaper for libel – and lost.
And Mark Twain tried to buy stock in this paper but his offer was turned down.
The first issue of “The Courant,” October 29, 1764.

“The Hartford Courant” is the oldest, continuously published newspaper in the United States. Printer Thomas Green started the weekly paper in 1764 and the first issue was released on October 29, 1764. To keep within the context of the time, this Connecticut paper was established 24 years before Connecticut became a state and before the United States declared, and was recognized as, a country.

According to “The Hartford Courant” website, Ebenezer Watson, Green’s assistant, bought the paper and ran it until his death in 1777. Hannah Watson, Ebenezer’s widow, became one of the country’s first women publishers when she took over the paper upon her husband’s death.
“The Courant” Building, circa 1900

“The Hartford Courant” stayed an independent paper until 1979 when Times Mirror, the Los Angeles Times’ parent company, bought it.

[Zim's Note: There has been some controversy over the claim of "The Courant" being the oldest newspaper. "The New Hampshire Gazette" is a bi-weekly newspaper that began in 1756 and has since trademarked the phrase "The Nation's Oldest Newspaper." The problem with "The Gazette" is that over time it has not been continuously published. There have been periods of time when "The Gazette" seemingly disappeared only to reemerge later, probably due to the numerous times it changed ownership.]

Information & Photos found on “The Hartford Courant” website and here.

Boston Light

13 August 2011
Comments (0)

An old photo of Boston Light

Boston Light became the first lighthouse established in America when it was first lit on September 14, 1716. Situated on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor, it was the last lighthouse to become automated in 1998.

In 1718 Benjamin Franklin, a young Boston printer at that time, wrote a ballad called “Lighthouse Tragedy.” The ballad was about Boston Light’s first keeper, George Worthylake, who drowned when the lighthouse boat carrying him, his wife and daughter and two other men, capsized in the harbor.

During the Revolutionary War, Boston Harbor was under British control and the lighthouse was not in use. American troops, by orders of General Washington, sought to destroy the lighthouse so the British could not use it to help navigate British ships into the harbor. On June 13, 1776, Boston Light was destroyed.

The Massachusetts Legislature approved funds to rebuild the Boston Light in 1783.

As a security measure during World War II, the lighthouse stayed unlit until July 2, 1945. Then, it was equipped with enough candlepower light that was visible for 16 miles.

Next to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey, Boston Light is the second oldest working lighthouse.

Boston Light is the only lighthouse that still employs an official keeper.

Further Reading
United States Coast Guard website.
Boston Lighthouse History, Page 1, Page 2.
Boston Light photo.

Benjamin Franklin

18 July 2011
Comments (0)

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin played a pivotal role in the founding of this country, but he was a lot more than just a figurehead for colonial revolution.

  • His love of literature persuaded him to create the first public lending library in 1731.
  • Fires were always a constant threat and possibility. Because of this, Franklin formed Pennsylvania’s first fire department in 1736 along with the Philadelphia Contributionship, the colonies’ first successful fire insurance company.
  • Franklin became the first US Postmaster General in 1775 when the Second Continental Congress elected him.
  • When writing, he has used both male and female pseudonyms such as Richard Saunders, Silence Dogood, Harry Meanwell, Alice Addertongue and Timothy Turnstone.
  • He was considered the first American international celebrity, having visited 10 countries during his time as a diplomat.  
  • Other inventions attributed to Franklin include the following: swimming fins, bifocal glasses, odometer and lightning rods.
  • While Franklin was a strong patriot, his son (illegitimate) William was loyal to England. Scholars have stated that William even spied on his father and reported his activities to the royal crown.
  • He also uttered the following popular quote:

“In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes”

[Information found at pbs.org, photo via America's Library]

Fourth of July Presidental Deaths

3 July 2011
Comments (0)
Three early presidents of the United States all died on the anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence or commonly known as the Fourth of July.

John Adams, the second president of the United States

John Adams died on July 4, 1826. 

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States

Thomas Jefferson also died on July 4, 1826, just hours before Adams.

James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831. 

James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States