158 



From this time until the introduction of the printing business 

 into Salem was nearly a century. In the mean time the press 

 had been relieved from the supervision and control of the 

 clergy, and its absolute independence was nearly established. 

 Several newspapers had been commenced in Boston, and there 

 was a general disposition to encourage and sustain such pub- 

 lications,* 



The person who undertook to establish the printing business 

 in Salem was Samuel Hall, a young man, a native of 

 Medford, and one who, from his qualities of mind and energy 

 of character, was well suited to perform the task of a pioneer 

 in this matter. He was a practical printer, and had learned 

 his trade of his uncle, Daniel Fowle, who was the first printer 

 in New Hampshire, Before coming to Salem he had been 

 concerned with Mrs, Anne Franklin, sister-in-law of Benjamin 

 Franklin, in the publication of the Newport (R.I.) Mercury, a 

 newspaper originally established by James Franklin, and 

 which has been continued until this time. 



Mr. Hall opened an office here in April 1768. It was 

 located on Main street, a few doors above the Town House — 

 about where Kinsman's new building is situated. This was 

 then, as now, near the centre of business.f 



* The first attempt to establish a newspaper in North America, was 

 made, in 1690, whea (Sept. 25) a single number of a small sheet was 

 printed in Boston, by Kichard Pierce, for Benj. Harris. It was condemned 

 at once by the public authorities, and it is believed that a second number 

 was never issued. The only copy known to be in existence is in the 

 State Paper office, in London, where it has been examined by Rev. 

 Joseph B, Felt. The first newspaper actually established in the 

 country was the Boston News-Letter, commenced April 24, 1704, by 

 John Campbell, the postmaster of that town, 



t The Town House was a wooden building of two stories, next above 

 the First Church, on the spot between the present church and the 

 parapet of the railroad tunnel. It was where the town meetings were 

 usually held, (in the lower story) and was also occupied, in the second 

 story, as a Court house. It was afterwards called the State House, as 

 the Provincial Assembly of Massachusetts convened therein in 1774, 

 with John Hancock as president. It was a building of humble preten- 

 sions, its chief claim to notice arising from the circumstance that it was 

 a painted building, which was an uncommon distinction in those days. 

 In front of the building, extending on either side the door, was a 

 wooden bench, where the elderly men of the town were accustomed to 

 assemble to gossip and converse on public and private matters. 



