 | CONNECTICUT. The history of printing in America, with a biography of printers, and an account of newspapers ... |  |
HARTFORD.
This was the third newspaper established in the colony.
It was first published in December, 1764,[7]
by Thomas
Tuesday, until 1767. Green then took as a partner Ebenezer
Watson, and removed to New Haven. Watson
managed the Courant for two years, under the firm name
of Green & Watson, after which Watson became its proprietor.
The paper was for a number of years printed
with a much worn long primer type, occasionally intermixed
with columns and half columns of old pica. About
the year 1773, it was enlarged to a crown sheet; a coarse
cut of the king's arms was inserted in the title, to which
was added, "Containing the freshest and most important
Advices, both Foreign and Domestic." The Courant was
afterwards printed on a new type, when it made a more
respectable appearance. The king's arms were discarded,
and the arms of Connecticut took their place in the title,
which was now altered to The Connecticut Courant and
Hartford Weekly Intelligencer: Containing, &c. Imprint:
"Printed and published by Ebenezer Watson, near the
Great-Bridge."
After the British troops gained possession of New York,
and the newspapers on the side of the country in that place
were discontinued, and the printers of them dispersed, the
Courant became of much consequence; its circulation rapidly
increased; and, for some time, the number of copies
printed weekly was equal to, if not greater, than that of
any other paper then printed on the continent.
Watson, the publisher, died in September, 1777, and the
Courant was continued by his widow and George Goodwin,
under the firm of Watson & Goodwin, until March, 1779.
Barzillai Hudson[8]
married the widow of Watson, and
became the partner of Goodwin in March, 1779; and, from
that time to the present (1810), the Courant has been published
the latter of whom has the management of the press.[10]
From the commencement of the war, in 1775, many respectable
writers occasionally furnished this paper with political
essays in favor of measures adopted by the country in the
time of the great contest; and in defence of those since
pursued by the federal administration.
A fac-simile of the first Courant was published, in 1864, which is dated
Monday, October 29, 1764. It appears to have been a prospectus number,
unknown to Mr. Thomas. It was issued as Number 00, and is dated
"Hartford: Printed by Thomas Green, at the Heart and Crown, near the
North Meeting House." The following is the editor's address:
"Hartford, October 29th, 1764."
"Of all the Arts which have been introduc'd amongst Mankind, for the
civilizing Human-Nature, and rendering Life agreeable and happy, none
appear of greater Advantage than that of Printing: for hereby the greatest
Genius's of all Ages, and Nations, live and speak for the Benefit of future
Generations.—Was it not for the Press, we should be left almost intirely
ignorant of all those noble Sentiments which the Antients were endow'd
with. By this Art, Men are brought acquainted with each other, though
never so remote, as to Age or Situation; it lays open to View, the Manners,
Genius and Policy of all Nations and Countries and faithfully transmits
them to Posterity.—But not to insist upon the Usefulness of this
Art in general, which must be obvious to every One, whose Thoughts are
the least extensive. The Benefit of a Weekly Paper, must in particular
have its Advantages, as it is the Channel which conveys the History of
the present Times to every Part of the World. The Articles of News
from the different Papers (which we shall receive every Saturday, from
the neighboring Provinces) that shall appear to us, to be most authentic
and interesting shall always be carefully inserted; and great Care will
be taken to collect from Time to Time all domestic Occurrences, that are
worthy the Notice of the Publick; for which, we shall always be obliged
to any of our Correspondents, within whose Knowledge they may happen.
The CONNECTICUT COURANT, (a Specimen of which, the Publick
are now presented with) will, on due Encouragement be continued every
Monday, beginning on Monday, the 19th of November, next: Which Encouragement
we hope to deserve, by a constant Endeavour to render this
Paper, useful and entertaining, not only as a Channel for News, but assisting
to all Those who may have Occasion to make use of it as an
Advertiser."
This paper is still (1872) in successful career, being published daily,
and weekly; the latter issue is stated at 9000 copies.—M.
Mr. Hudson died July 31, 1823, aged 82; at which time he was the
senior proprietor of the Courant.—M.
Mr. Goodwin was yet hale and active when I knew him in Hartford,
in 1829, and for more than twelve years afterwards, was still in the habit,
although no longer a partner in the concern, of walking to the printing
office daily, and setting up paragraphs in type, to gratify long established
habit. He died May 14, 1844, aged 88. In 1842, an old gentleman called
at the office of the Courant, who stated that he was in his 86th year, and
that he had been a subscriber to the paper sixty-five years.—M.
| CONNECTICUT. The history of printing in America, with a biography of printers, and an account of newspapers ... | |