THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN GROTON. 1 73 



Gerrish's Block, but which was moved away in July, 1885. 

 It was a creditable newspaper, and will bear a favorable com- 

 parison with the journals of that period. Between December 

 12, 1829, and July 3, 1830, it contained thirteen chapters of a 

 history of the town, of which Mr, Butler wrote the first eleven, 

 and Mr. Lemuel Shattuck the other two chapters. On June 5, 

 just six months after the paper was started, Mr. Rogers's 

 name is dropped as editor, though he still kept up his con- 

 nection with it, as one of the publishers. In the number for 

 August 21, appears a story entitled " Henry St. Clair," by J. 

 G. Whittier, which is probably one of the earliest literary pro- 

 ductions of the Quaker poet. The subscription price was two 

 dollars a year in advance. 



The "Lancaster Gazette," December 8, 1829, noticed the 

 new journal as follows : 



Groton Herald. We received on Saturday last the first num- 

 ber of a new paper, printed in Groton, on a fair sheet. It is to be 

 independent in its politicks. All such papers, well conducted, de- 

 serve encouragement. We extend to the editors our professional 

 sympathies, and can only wish that the harvest may be abundant 

 for all the labourers. 



Messrs. Stacy and Rogers were the pioneer printers and 

 publishers in Groton, and as such deserve a passing notice. 

 The senior member of the firm was George Whittemore Stacy, 

 born in Boston, on March 13, 1809, who died in the town of 

 Milford, Massachusetts, on January 16, 1892. He learned his 

 trade as a printer of Dutton and Wentworth, who conducted 

 a large establishment in Boston. While a resident of this 

 town he was married, on January 18, 1830, to Sarah, daughter 

 of John and Rebecca (Weston) Boit, of Groton ; and here two 

 of their three children were born. She died at Mendon, Mas- 

 sachusetts, on May 25, 1834, aged 25 years and 27 days, leaving 

 an infant two or three weeks old. He was married, secondly, 

 on October 16, 1834, to Sarah, daughter of Wing and Mary 

 (Gaskill) Kelley, of Milford, who died on October 14, 1887; 

 and they have been blessed with a large family of children. 

 After leaving Groton Mr. Stacy resided first at Milford, and 



