USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey : embracing a period of nearly two hundred years, commencing in 1676, the first settlement of the town, and extending up to the present time, with official records of the population, extent of the town at different periods, its manufactories, church history, and fire department > Part 19
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The canal and feeder were to be commenced within two years after the passage of the act, and completed within eight years, otherwise the act should be void.
At the expiration of thirty years from the time of completion of the canal and feeder, the legislature may cause an appraise- ment of the same, to be made by six persons, three appointed by the governor, and three appointed by the company, to report to the next legislature, within one year from the time of their appointment, their appraisement in no case to exceed the first costs of said canal and feeder ; and the privilege was extended to the state for the space of ten years to purchase the works at the appraisement. The company was to pay the state the sum of eight cents for each and every passenger, and the sum of eight cents for each and every ton of merchandise so transported thereon, except the articles of coal, lumber, lime, wood, ashes, and similar low-priced articles, for which two cents per ton shall be paid.
The bill incorporating the Camden and Amboy Railroad and Transportation Company was passed on the same day as that of
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the Delaware and Raritan Canal bill, the 4th of February, 1830, and under similar restrictions as the canal company.
The persons authorized to receive subscriptions were "Samuel G. Wright, of Monmouth ; James Cook, of Middlesex ; Abraham Brown, of Burlington ; Jeremiah H. Sloan, of Gloucester ; and Henry Freas, of Salem." The books were to be opened within six months from the passage of the act, the capital stock to be one million of dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each. "And when five thousand shares shall have been sub- scribed for, the company shall then be considered organized and incorporated by the name of the ' Camden and Amboy Railroad and Transportation Company.'"
They were given power to increase the capital stock to any sum not exceeding five hundred thousand dollars, by increasing the number of shares for that purpose, provided the capital stock should be deemed insufficient to carry into full effect the objects of the act ; and that the road should be commenced within two years, and completed within nine years thereafter, otherwise the act to become void. At the expiration of thirty years from the completion of the said road, the state could purchase the same under like restrictions made in reference to the Delaware and Raritan Canal.
On the 4th day of February, 1831, the legislature gave the railroad company power to transfer one thonsand shares of stock to the state.
On the 15th day of February of the same year, an act was passed consolidating the stock of the Delaware and Raritan Canal and Camden and Amboy Railroad and Transportation Companies, commonly called the " marriage act."
This consolidation enabled the two companies to construct their present works, which now afford a handsome revenue to our state.
It was the duties paid by these companies that built our State Prison and Lunatic Asylum, of both of which structures our state may well feel proud; also our beautiful State House, which a late . writer in Massachusetts observes, " is not surpassed by any in the United States."
From the same source, our magnificent system of common
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schools derives the principal part of its support. The revenue derived from these sources saves our citizens from an enormous yearly tax, which must have accrued through our internal im- provements did we not have some means of meeting the expen- ditures.
That source is afforded by the Camden and Amboy Railroad, which pays not less than one hundred thousand dollars yearly into the coffers of our state.
These works, though they benefit the whole state, are men- tioned here at length, because our city has been particularly benefited by them. Here are located many of the public build- ings erected by them, besides which they afford business facili- ties highly beneficial to our city.
During the session of the legislature of 1854, an act was passed extending the time of purchase of the railroad by the state to 1888, and after January Ist, 1869, the monopoly clause should be of no force.
S *
CHAPTER XIII.
Literary Institutions-Newspapers-New Jersey Gazette-State Gazette-True American-Emporium-People's Advocate- Union-Argus -- Plaindealer -- Sheet Anchor -- New Jersey Temperance Herald -- Weekly Visitor -- Daily News -- Clay Banner -- Trentonian -- Republican Privateer -- Reformer and New Jersey Temperance Advocate-Mercer Standard-Free Press-Trenton Academy-Public and Private Schools-Libra- ries-Apprentices Library-Trenton Library-Constitutional Library-Trenton Institute-Irving Institute-Mechanics Insti- tute-Trenton Lyceum.
T HE "New Jersey Gazette," published at Burlington, by Isaac Collins, was the first newspaper published in the state. It was a weekly paper, nine by fourteen inches in size, the subscription price being twenty-six shillings, or five dollars and twenty cents per annum, or ten cents per week. Advertise- ments were inserted at seven shillings and six-pence for the first week, and two shillings and six-pence for every additional week, and long ones in proportion. The first paper was issued Friday, December 5th, 1777. The first article appearing in the paper is as follows :
" To enter into a minute detail of the advantages of a well- conducted newspaper would, at any time, be impertinent, but more especially at a crisis which makes a quick circulation of intelligence peculiarly interesting to all the American states. The publisher, therefore, thinks it will be more to the purpose to communicate to the public a brief account of the nature of his plan, than to enter into any formal proof of its utility, which he esteems little less than self-evident.
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" He proposes to print this "Gazette" once a week, to con- tain a faithful account of remarkable occurrences, whether foreign or domestic ; materials for which he shall be amply furnished with in consequence of a general correspondence he is establish- ing for that purpose.
"Such proceedings of the legislature and courts of justice as may conduce to the benefit or entertainment of his readers shall find a place in his publications.
" Essays, useful or entertaining, schemes for the advancement of trade, arts, and manufactures, proposals for improvements in agriculture, and particularly in the culture of hemp and flax, will be inserted with pleasure and alacrity.
" The interests of religion and liberty he shall ever think it his peculiar duty to support ; and, at the same time, to treat with disregard the intemperate effusions of factious zealots, whether religious or political, as injurious to virtue and destructive of civil order. With great care shall he reject every proposition to make his paper a vehicle for the dark purpose of private malice, by propagating calumnies against individuals, wounding the peace of families, and inflaming the minds of men with bitter- ness and rancor against one another.
"In a word, he will spare neither cost nor pains to make his paper as useful and entertaining as possible ; and, while these objects are steadily pursued, the publisher will confidently rely upon the generosity and public spirit of the gentlemen of this state for their countenance and support to such a useful under- taking."
Then follows the names of persons in every county in the state, who are authorized to receive subscriptions, including all the members of the legislature, in all twelve counties, an agent at Bristol, Pennsylvania, and the printer.
The first advertisement on the first page of the paper is as follows :
"To the printer of the "New Jersey Gazette"-Sir : Being informed that numbers of people, under various pretences, are passing from the state of New Jersey into the city of Philadel- phia, and returning back into New Jersey, without the permis- sion required by law for going into the enemy's lines, to pre-
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vent such delinquents from pleading ignorance whenever they may be apprehended, I would acquaint them, thro' the channel of your paper, that by an act of this state, it is felony, without benefit of clergy, in a man ; and, in a woman, three hundred pounds fine, or one year's imprisonment ; and that government is determined to be vigilant in causing such offenders to be apprehended and brought to condign punishment.
" I am your humble servant,
" Princeton, November 25, 1777.
W. L."
Items of news of August 6th, from Amsterdam ; July 12th, from Deux Ponts, and August 30th, from Whitehall, is published.
An advertisement appeared, offering a reward of five pounds for the return of a silver watch lost, which had a ribbon string, a brass key much worn, and a small red cornelian seal set in silver, with the compass and square in the silver work.
The finder was requested to leave it with Mr. Robert Ramsay, in Newtown, Mr. Bessonet, in Bristol, Mr. Isaac Wood, in Mount Holly, or with the printer, and receive the above reward.
"N. B .- If the person into whose possession it may come, should be so ungenerous as not to return it to either of the above gentlemen, every watchman and others are requested to endeavor to expose the villainy."
The next article, dated "Camp near Ticonderoga, July 2d, 1777," is a proclamation to the British troops in America, by John Burgoyne, Esq., lieutenant-general of his Majesty's armies in America, colonel of the queen's regiment of light dragoons, governor of Fort William in North Britain, one of the repre- sentatives of the commons of Great Britain, and commanding an army and fleet employed on an expedition from Canada, &c., &c.
Immediately following this is a letter from General Gates, dated "Camp at Saratoga, October 18th, 1777," announcing the surrender of this same Burgoyne and his whole army into the hands of General Gates, and that they were on their march to Boston. This signal and important event, says Gates, "is the more glorious, as it was effected with so little loss to the army of the United States."
Then follows thirteen articles of convention entered into
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between Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and Major-General Gates, and signed by Burgoyne.
On the 4th of March, 1778, the publication office was removed to Trenton, and located at the corner of East State and Greene streets, in a frame building which stood where Charles Scott's bookstore is now located.
The publication of the paper was discontinued November 27th, 1786, in consequence of the high price of paper and the want of patronage.
On Tuesday the 5th of May, 1787, nearly six months after the "New Jersey Gazette" had suspended, "The Federal Post, or the Trenton Weekly Mercury," was started at this place.
This paper was ten by sixteen inches, published weekly, at four-pence each, by Frederick C. Quequelle and George M. Wilson. It was published on the north side of Front street, opposite the English Church.
The English Church is the present Saint Michael's Episcopal Church. At that time the name of King (now Warren) street, had been changed to Front street, and Queen (now Greene) street, to Back street.
In the "Mercury," advertisements were inserted on the most reasonable terms, and subscriptions received at twelve shillings per annum.
October 3d, 1788, on account of the scarcity of demy print- ing paper, the publishers were under the necessity of altering the size of their paper. It was then reduced to nine by fifteen inches, and printed twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays, at two dollars per annum, and delivered to subscribers in the country free of expense, once a week, one-half of the above sum to be paid at the time of subscribing, and the other half at the end of six months. It was the first semi-weekly paper published in the state.
On the 21st of October it ceased to be a semi-weekly, and was published weekly, on Tuesday.
On the 5th day of March, 1791, George Sherman and John Mershon opened a printing office at the place formerly occupied by Mathias Day, which was a two story frame building adjoining
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the Trenton House on the south; the store now occupied by James C. Manning stands upon the spot.
In the prospectus which they issued at the time of starting the paper, they give as the place of publication, " in the office oppo- site the Indian Queen hotel."
At this time the paper was called the "New Jersey State Gazette," and was published weekly. The publication was con- tinued under this title and by the same persons, until January 3d, 1797, when Mathias Day purchased it, and changed the name to "State Gazette and New Jersey Advertiser."
On the 9th of July, 1798, it was purchased by Gershom Craft and William Black, the former a young lawyer, whose residence was on Mill hill, in the house now occupied by Robert Dowling, and kept by him as a hotel. These gentlemen changed the name of the paper to "Federalist and New Jersey Gazette." A short time after, William Black retired from the concern, and the publication was continued by Gershom Craft.
On the 26th of March, 1799, Craft retired from the establish- ment, and the publication was continued by Sherman, Mershon & Thomas.
In July 8th, 1800, Craft again went into the concern, and the paper was published by Sherman, Mershon, Thomas, and Craft, but in September of the same year Craft again retired from the establishment, and the old firm of Sherman, Mershon & Thomas continued its publication.
On the 11th day of May, 1802, the name of the paper was again changed to "Trenton Federalist," and conducted by Sherman & Mershon.
On the 16th of December, 1806, upon the death of John Mer- shon, George Sherman assumed the whole control of the " Fed- eralist," and on the 4th day of July, 1829, he again changed the name to "New Jersey State Gazette," which name it bore until it was changed to "State Gazette," its present name. Under its new title William P. Sherman became its editor, but on the 2d of January, 1830, George Sherman again conducted it, and continued its publication until his death, after which time it was published for a number of years by the family, no publisher's name appearing at the head of its columns.
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On the Ist of January, 1836, the name of James T. Sherman appeared at the head of its columns as editor. At this time it was published in a two and a half story frame building, in an alley, opposite Saint Michael's Church. On the 4th of January, 1839, James T. Sherman associated with him Henry Harron, and the names of these two gentlemen appeared at the head of the paper. They shortly after removed the office of publication to the north- east corner of Warren and State streets.
On the 14th of January, 1840, they commenced the issue of a tri-weekly; and on the 12th of January, 1847, they issued a daily paper, the publication of which is still kept up. It was issued by the same gentlemen until the Ist of February, 1853, when the paper was purchased by William Brown and Thomas C. Borden. In consequence of ill health, Mr. Borden retired from the estab- lishment on the Ist of March, 1854.
In the fall of 1854, Mr. Brown sold his interest in the paper to Edmund Morris.
From July 30th, 1855, it was published by C. W. Tolles, who retired May 12th, 1857.
The name of the publishers did not again appear at the head of its columns until July 17th, 1857, when it was published by Jacob R. Freese, with Enoch R. Borden as associate editor. Its name was again changed to " Daily State Gazette and Repub- lican," and was removed to the office where the "State Sen- tinel" is now published.
September 25th, 1865, it was purchased by William Brook and Jonathan Vannote.
July 10th, 1869, John L. Murphy and Charles Bechtel became the owners and purchasers and removed it to the place where it is now published, corner of State and Greene streets.
The first number of the "True American" was issued Tues- day, March 10th, 1801, from the office in Market (now State) street, where the hardware store of F. S. Katzenbach & Co., now stands, in a small frame building. Mathias Day and Jacob Mann were the first publishers ; on the 28th of June of the same year they associated with them James J. Wilson.
On the 3d of November, 1802, Mathias Day leaving the con- cern, its publication was continued by Jacob Mann and James J.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
Wilson, until February 9th, 1802, when Mann retiring from the establishment, the paper was conducted by Wilson & Black- well, and in 1811, Blackwell retiring, it was published by James J. Wilson, who continued the same until his death in 1825, after which it was conducted by W. L. Prall, for Mrs. Wilson.
On the 27th of May, 1826, Prall purchased the paper, and continued its publication until 1828, when it was purchased by George Sherman ; the two offices were united, and the publica- tion of the "True American " was discontinued.
When Wilson became associated with the "True American," the office of publication was removed up town to his residence, in what is now the Belvidere hotel, in Warren street, a few doors south of the feeder, and the office where the paper was printed was the frame building on the south of his dwelling- house.
In 1809, he erected a frame building nearly opposite, which he occupied for his printing office, In 1810, he built a brick house, adjoining the office on the north, standing a little back from the street, with a yard in front, and took up his residence there.
On the 23d of June, 1821,.Stacy G. Potts and Joseph Justice commenced the publication of a religious and literary paper, called the "Emporium."
It was published in a frame building, adjoining the residence of Joseph Justice, No. 107 Warren street, now occupied by Henry Thone.
This was continued as a literary paper until 1827, when it took sides with the administration, and came out in favor of General Jackson.
Mr. Potts continued to edit the paper until 1830, when, being appointed by the legislature clerk in chancery, his connection with the paper was dissolved, after which time Mr. Justice was the publisher and proprietor, and Joseph C. Potts editor. On the 28th of August, 1838, a tri-weekly paper was commenced by Joseph Justice, Jr., and Franklin S. Mills, for electioneering purposes. Its publication was continued until the 8th of October of the same year, when, having fulfilled its mission, it was discontinued.
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On the 2d of December, 1839, they issued a daily from the same office, called "The Trenton Daily," the publication of which was discontinued March 2d, 1840. The tri-weekly and daily published at this office were the first of the kind published in this city.
In 1843, the " Democratic Union " was issued from the same office, for the advocacy of the election of George T. Olmsted for sheriff of Mercer county, being the first irregular ticket ever run in the county. He was accordingly elected. There were two Whigs in the field for the office. The Democratic party made no nomination, but entered into a combination with a number of dissatisfied Whigs, which resulted in the choice above stated.
On the 24th of February, 1843, during the presidential term of John Tyler, the " Emporium " changed hands, and was pub- lished by Joseph A. Yard until the year 1845, when it was united with the "Newark Morning 'Post," and the publication con- tinued by Samuel G. Arnold.
It was, afterwards, in the year 1846, conducted by Brittain & Jones, after which time Samuel J. Bayard published it ; about the year 1848 or 1849, Morris R. Hamilton purchased the estab- lishment, and took charge of the paper as editor, in company with William Magill as publisher. During the campaign of 1852, and shortly after the termination of this campaign, David Naar became the owner and editor of the paper, with Franklin S. Mills as associate editor.
July 2d, 1866, it was purchased by Messrs. Joshua S. Day, Joseph L., and Moses Naar, and still continues under the firm name of Naar, Day & Naar.
When Morris R. Hamilton first became publisher, he removed it to Greene street, next to the City Hall.
It was removed by Judge Naar to the corner of Warren and Front streets, its present place of publication.
On the 25th of April, 1843, Franklin S. Mills commenced the publication of the " Sheet Anchor," and continued the same until the 12th of July, 1845, when the paper was purchased by Robert Gosman, and its title changed to the " Trenton Journal."
"The Daily News" was published on the 2d day of March,
T
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1846, at the office of the "Trenton Journal," but, in a short time, it was purchased by Brittain & Jones and united with " The Emporium."
In 1845, Joseph C. Potts and John C. Webster commenced the pulication of the " Plain Dealer," an anti-monopoly paper. This, too, was merged into " The Emporium," when Joseph C. Potts took charge of the last named paper.
After Morris R. Hamilton took charge of the paper, he changed its name to " True American."
In 1835, a Democratic paper, called the "Argus," was started. It was published by Peter Lott and B. F. Vancleve. This paper, however, had an existence of only about one year. It was pub- lished in the large brick building No. 9 East Front street.
In 1843, William M. Whitley published a paper called the " New Jersey Temperance Herald." It was issued for a short time from the office of the "Sheet Anchor," No. 49 Warren street, now the residence of Joseph C. Mayer. The office of publication was afterwards removed to a frame house in East State street, between Lanning & Dunn's hardware store and the Mansion House.
In 1844, Charles W. Jay published the " Clay Banner," which paper, as its name imports, was started to advance the interests of Henry Clay for the presidency of the United States, in opposi- tion James K. Polk. The office of publication was in the second story, back of C. B. Vansyckel's drug store.
In 1848, Charles W. Jay, Franklin S. Mills, and Joseph Jus- tice, Jr., commenced the publication of a paper called the " Trentonian," on the southeast corner of State and Greene streets, over Scott's book store .*
This paper was afterwards conducted by Charles W. Jay, Israel Wells, and Asher Beatty. Wells came into the concern about the year 1850, and continued as one of the publishers until the paper ceased to exist, about the year 1851.
In 1846, James S. Yard commenced the publication of the
* It is worthy of remark that for nearly three-fourths of a century this corner has been used as a literary depot. Here, in 1808, Isaac Collins issued his memorable edition of the Bible, one of the most correct editions ever published.
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" Weekly Visitor and New Jersey Temperance Sentinel," at No. 21 East State street, (third story). He published it about three months, when he associated with him Benjamin F. Yard ; after a short time James S. Yard left the establishment, and Benjamin F. Yard continued the publication of the paper till 1851, when it ceased to exist.
In December, 1852, Henry B. Howell commenced the publi- cation of the "Reformer and New Jersey Temperance Advo- cate," as a monthly paper. He continued to publish it monthly throughout the whole of the first volume, and in December, 1853, he commenced publishing the paper semi-monthly or fortnightly, at the same price as the monthly paper. He however reduced the size of the paper. On the Ist of February, 1855, he issued the "Reformer" weekly. In November, 1854, he enlarged it considerably.
The paper was for some time published at Bordentown, though purporting to be published in Trenton, at No. 5 West State street. It was afterwards issued from the office of the "State Gazette," until, in 1854, Mr. Howell purchased of B. F. Yard the stock and fixtures of the "Weekly Visitor" office, after which time the paper was printed at No. 21 East State street, (third story).
During the campaign of 1852, Charles W. Jay published the " Republican Privateer," but, after the election of Mr. Pierce to the presidency, the paper was discontinued.
In 1854, J. Madison Drake commenced the publication of the " Mercer Standard," at No. 53 Perry street, as a weekly paper. After having issued it for a few months he enlarged the size of it.
In 1855, Enoch R. Borden issued a weekly paper called the " Free Press." It was published at No. 21 East State street, fourth story, over the " Reformer" office.
In February, 1864, Dorsey Gardiner commenced the publica- tion of the "Monitor," at Murphy & Bechtel's office. He afterwards removed his office to No. 79 Warren street. Its publication was continued about one year and a half, when it was suspended.
In 1865, Charles W. Jay started the "Volunteer," which was printed at the " Monitor" office. This was a campaign paper, and after having accomplished its mission it became defunct.
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March Ist, 1866, Charles W. Jay started the " Union Sentinel" as a weekly. About six months afterwards, he associated with him M. Gillingham, who remained in the establishment only about six months, when John C. Parsons and Henry Houghtal- ing were associated with him. Parsons remained about two and a half years, and retired from the concern.
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