Independent Ledger and the American Advertiser
Encyclopedia
The Independent Ledger and the American Advertiser (June 15, 1778 - October 16, 1786) was a weekly newspaper published in Boston
, Massachusetts
by Draper & Folsom
. The 4-page paper was issued on Mondays, in contrast to Boston's other weeklies, which came out Thursdays. When Draper left the partnership in 1783, Folsom continued publishing the newspaper until it ceased in 1786.
The newspaper did not impress all readers. "There were several papers commenced in this town during the war of the revolution
; but they were not distinguished for much talent, or public spirit, and, of course, were soon discontinued, for want of patronage. The Public Ledger [i.e. Independent Ledger] instituted by Messrs. Draper & Folsom ... survived the revolution, a few years, and then fell also, while in the hands of Mr. Folsom, alone, from mere imbecility."
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
by Draper & Folsom
Draper & Folsom
Draper & Folsom were publishers in Boston, Massachusetts during the American revolution. They printed works by William Billings, John Lathrop, and others. Around 1778, Edward Draper and John West Folsom formed a partnership as printers. They began working "at their printing-office, near the Lamb...
. The 4-page paper was issued on Mondays, in contrast to Boston's other weeklies, which came out Thursdays. When Draper left the partnership in 1783, Folsom continued publishing the newspaper until it ceased in 1786.
The newspaper did not impress all readers. "There were several papers commenced in this town during the war of the revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
; but they were not distinguished for much talent, or public spirit, and, of course, were soon discontinued, for want of patronage. The Public Ledger [i.e. Independent Ledger] instituted by Messrs. Draper & Folsom ... survived the revolution, a few years, and then fell also, while in the hands of Mr. Folsom, alone, from mere imbecility."
Further reading
- J.T. Buckingham. Specimens of Newspaper Literature: with Personal Memoirs, Anecdotes, and Reminiscences. Boston: Redding & Co., 1852; p.304+
- Albert Matthews. Bibliographical notes in Boston newspapers, 1704-1780. (Reprinted from Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, v.9.) Cambridge: Wilson, 1907.