240 History of Hingham. 



afternoons. "A neutral paper, devoted to Morals, Education, Agri- 

 culture. News, and General Intelligence." 



1855. The same. No change, except the withdrawal from the head of 

 the sheet that the paper is " neutral." 



185G-58, inclusive. No changes. 



1859. Published Friday mornings. Typographical change in heading. 



18G0-63, inclusive. No changes. 



1864. No change, except in terms of subscription, which was advanced 

 in September from $2.00 to $2.50 per annum. 



18G5-68. No changes. 



18G9. New type, and paper much enlarged. 



1870. No change. 



1871. The same, until April 28. when Mr. Blossom retired, and Joseph 

 Easterbrook became publisher. 



1872-78. No important alterations. 



1879. Mr. Easterbrook died on the 8th of May, and the paper was pub- 

 lished for the proprietors by Fred H. Miller from May 9 until August 29, 

 when he assumed the sole management. 



1893. With the exception of the months of April, May, and June, 

 1838, and the year 1849. our local newspaper has been regularly printed 

 from the time it was established, in .January, 1827, to the present time. 

 1893, a total of more than sixty years, including an aggregate of 3,500 

 copies. Complete hies are indeed rare. A bound series, in fine condi- 

 tion, was lost at the burning of the Public Librar} r in 1879. Copies of 

 volumes have from time to time been contributed by our citizens, and the. 

 set has been nearly restored. Four or five additional full collections are 

 all that are now known to remain, and the loss of one must necessarily 

 add value to the already limited and diminishing list. These volumes 

 include a vast amount of facts pertaining to our town's history not to be 

 found elsewhere, and they must increase in interest and importance with 

 the progress of time. 



" Gospel Witness and Old Colony Reporter." 



Immediately following the withdrawal of the "Gazette" in March, 1838, 

 appeared the " Gospel Witness and Old Colony Reporter." It was 

 published weekly, on Fridays, from the old office in Ford's Building. 

 The first number bears date of April 6, 1838. Thomas D. Blossom, 

 proprietor. Albert A. Folsom, editor. 



This paper was printed in the interest of the Old Colony Association 

 of Universalists, and devoted to the welfare of the " cause of heavenly 

 truth " in the territory over which this body held jurisdiction ; " a publi- 

 cation which the Association could properly call its own, the religious 

 matter being of the character everywhere distinguished by the name of 

 1 Universalism.' " 



A department of the newly established paper, bearing the title " Hing- 

 ham Gazette," was devoted to town topics of intelligence and general 

 interest. The " Gospel Witness " was published for one year and about 

 six months, or until Oct. 18, 1839, when it was discontinued. Copies 

 do not appear to have been generally preserved, and unbroken files are 

 exceedingly rare. 



