Compiled by Sara E. Lewis
From an index to the Virginia Gazette, produced in 1950 by Lester J. Cappon and Stella F. Duff of the Institute of Early American History and Culture (Omohundro Institute) with additional Gloucester material not captured by the indexers. Kingston Parish (Mathews) was part of Gloucester County when the Virginia Gazette was published in Williamsburg. Occasional posts about world and local events that captured the bloggers fancy are included to put local listings in context. Please review primary source material before citing.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

December 24, 1736 - Stoel

Clear’d out of York River.
Dec. 17. Sloop Neptune, Joseph Stoel, Master, for Bermuda.

December 17, 1736 - Rand, Dupree, Field

Ran away, about the Beginning of November last, from Mr. William Rand, a Carpenter and Joyner, in Gloucester County, a Servant Man, named Thomas Field; he is an Irishman, and a very good Joyner. ‘Tis believed he is dressed in White Cloth Cloaths, a light colour’d Wig, and has Ruffles at the Bosom and Sleeves of his Shirt.

He took with him a Bay Horse, with a Star in his Forehead, some Saddle Spots, one of his hind Feet white, from below the Footlock into the Hoof, and a Switch Tail; which Horse belongs to Mr. John Dupree, in Williamsburg. He is supposed to be gone to Carolina, and perhaps as far as Georgia. Whoever will secure and bring the said Servant to his Master aforesaid, shall have Two Pistoles Reward, besides what the Law allows, paid by

William Rand.

*** And if any Person will bring the said Horse to me, in Williamsburg, he shall have Two Pistoles Reward; or give Notice of him, so that I may have him again, shall be generously satisfy’d for his Trouble, by me,

John Dupree.

December 10, 1736 - Tucker, Banker, Mallory, Head

Enter’d at the Port of York River, since our last.
Sloop Envy, of Bermuda, Merriot Tucker, Master, from Bermuda.
Sloop Britannia, of Rhode Island, Uriah Banker, from Ditto.
Sloop Frances, of Bermuda, W. Mallory, Master, from Ditto.

...

Williamsburg, December 10, 1736.
TO all Gentlemen and others, who are desirous to ship their Tobacco to London, for an early Market, That the Ship Moseley, John Head, Master, is now come round from Elizabeth River, into York River, to take in Tobacco on Freight, at the usual Rate. She is a new Ship, with new Rigging, Sails, Anchors, and Cables, and will carry about 400 Hogsheads: And for encouraging a quick Dispatch, Liberty of Consignment will be given to all Persons, to ship their Tobacco to whom they please, in London. The Master above mentioned, will give his Attendance at the County Courts, to receive Orders for Tobacco.

November 19, 1736 - Booth

To be Sold, at the late Dwelling House of Mr. Thomas Booth, of Gloucester County, deceas’d, several Sorts of Tradesmen’s Tools, at Reasonable Rates.

November 12, 1736 - Tillidge

Enter’d at the Port of York River.
Nov. 9. Sloop John and Mary, of Virginia, Richard Tillidge, from Barbadoes.

November 5, 1736 - Booth

About 3 Weeks since, died at his House in Glocester County, Mr. Thomas Booth, a considerable Merchant; who has been many Years in the Commission of the Peace for that County. He liv’d belov’d, dy’d lamented, and has left behind him the Character of a just Man.

October 29, 1736 - Burwell, Willis

Williamsburg, October 29. Last Week, Lewis Burwell, Esq; of Glocester County, was married to Mrs. Mary Willis, Daughter of Col. Francis Willis, one of the Representatives in Assembly, for that County; a very agreeable young Lady, with a considerable Fortune.

October 22, 1736 - Phelps

Clear’d since our last, Betty Snow, of Bristorl, James Phelps, for Bristol.

October 1, 1736 - Friend

Clear’d at the Port of York River
Sept. 24. Ship Brothers, of Glasgow, Charles Friend, Master, for London.

September 24, 1736 - Whiting

Gloucester Town, Sept. 19, 1736.
WHEREAS there was imported by the Whitaker, Robert Whiting, Master, a small Truss, mark’d T.S.A. No.1. for which there’s no Owner found. Notice is hereby given, That if the Owner will send his Bill of Loading, he may receive the said Truss, of
Beverly Whiting.

September 17, 1736 - Williams, Harwood, Cant, Taylor, Dansie, Beal, Whitesides, Barres, Rae

Enter’d at the Port of York River
Sept. 3. Ship Priscilla, of Virginia, Richard Williams, from Barbadoes.

Clear’d out.
Aug. 27. Ship Lightfoot, of London, Thomas Harwood, for London.
Aug. 28. Burwell of London, Constantine Cant, for London.
Sept. 1. Nelson, of Whitehaven, Wil. Taylor, for London.
Sept. 2. Braxton, of London, Thomas Dansie, for London.
Sept. 3. Martin Galley, of Bristol, William Beal, for Bristol.
Sept. 3. Gooch, of London, William Whitesides, for London.
Sept. 9. Hatley, of London, Ralph Barres, for London.
Sept. 11. Buchannan, of Glasgow, Robert Rae, for London.

About the Virginia Gazette


The Virginia Gazette was printed in Williamsburg, the capital of colonial Virginia, by William Parks, William Hunter, Joseph Royle, Alexander Purdie, Purdie & John Dixon, Dixon & Hunter, and finally Dixon & Thomas Nicolson, from about August 6, 1736,to April 8, 1780, when the paper was moved to the new capital city of Richmond. While in Williamsburg, others printed papers with the same title. On May 16, 1766, William Rind established a competing paper which was printed by Rind, Clementina Rind (his widow), and John Pinkney, until February 3, 1778. A third Virginia Gazette was inaugurated by Alexander Purdie on February 3, 1775. After Purdie's death, the paper was printed by John Clarkson & Augustine Davis until December 9, 1780.

English law precluded printing by the colonists for years after Jamestown's founding in 1607. Allowed after 1690, it was regulated by the royal government and required a license and the governor’s permission.

Earlier, in 1682, a printer named William Nuthead arrived in the colony and published the acts of an Assembly and several other papers without a license. Although it has been stated that Nuthead worked in Jamestown, local historian Martha McCartney thinks that Nuthead worked in colonial Gloucester County. McCartney notes that Nuthead was a servant indentured to Gloucester County Clerk of Court John Buckner and, "Since there is no evidence that Buckner or Nuthead ever owned or occupied property on Jamestown Island, it is very likely that the illicit printing episode took place in Gloucester County, at Marlfield, where both men resided." (With Reverence for the Past: Gloucester County, Virginia, p. 68-69). Nuthead is later found in St. Mary's City, the colonial capital of Maryland.

In 1730 William Parks moved from Annapolis to Williamsburg to open a printing shop. He had previously founded the Maryland Gazette.

For more information about the Virginia Gazette, visit Williamsburg's current bi-weekly newspaper's Web site at www.vagazette.com.