News from the New Hampshire Gazette, 1771

Editorial: Only Religious Men Should Hold Office

Portsmouth, NH, March 29, 1771: “..Good Rulers are the great Axis on which the Happiness of a People turns, and the only Way to have such, is for every one to use his influence to promote Men of Merit, and generously support them in their Office.  Rulers are stiled Gods among Men, because they represent the Great Ruler of the Universe, (if they are good) by protecting the innocent;  punishing the Wicked, and promoting universal Happiness, –and none should be Rulers but such as imitate the Divine Example;  none but Men of true Religion, whose souls are too noble ever to prefer their private interest to the public welfare.  Should any body of people, (suppose this province for instance) observe the above maxims in choosing, in generously supporting, and honoring their Rulers, and officers of every denomination, imagination, would fail to set bounds to their happiness and Glory.  Righteousness like a mighty river would run through the land and bear down all iniquity!  The wicked would flee out of it to escape punishment!  The righteous flock into it and be safe!  The Rulers would live in pleasure, ruling in the hearts of the people, and the people flourish under the protection of their guardians, like generous plants, under the prolific beams of the Sun.  Religion and virtue would spread like the increasing light in the morning,  the sound of discord no more be heard, Envy and Malice flee away like Night before the rising Dawn,  Peace and joy reign universal, heaven smile around, and life taste sweet!

Philadelphia Woman Trapped in Fireplace

Philadelphia, March 4, 1771: One day last week, a person who goes by the name of Capt. Clark, having some words with a woman known by the name of Moll Wash, he threw her into the fire, and held her there some time with his foot, whereby she was terribly burnt;  she however made her escape and got to a neighbouring house, where, notwithstanding all possible care was taken of her, she died in a few hours, in great agony. The man has since made off.

Ninety Seven Year Old Leaves 283 Survivors

Salem, Massachusetts, March 19, 1771:  Last Wednesday died at Reading Precinct, Mr. John Bickford, aged about 97 years.  He was the father of 11 children, 96 grand-children, 175 great-grand-children, and one of the fifth generation;  in all, 283 — To include Marriages with the several branches makes 330.

Wet Nurse Needed

Portsmouth March 22, 1771: A Young woman with a good breast of milk is wanted immediately to go into a family in this town. Enquire at the Printing Office.

Governor Celebrates New Palace with Free Liquor

Newbern, NC  December 7, 1770:  That very elegant and noble structure the Palace, which has been erected here by this province, for the residence of this excellency the Governor, and his successors in office, being now very near compleatly (sic) finished , the opening of the same, together with the King’s birth day, were celebrated here on Wedesday last:  At noon a royal salute was fired from the battery, and in the evening his Excellency gave a very grand and noble entertainment and ball at the palace at which were present the Honorable his Majesty’s Council of this province, the House of Assembly, a very great number of Gentlemen, and ladies from different parts of the country, the principal gentlemen and inhabitants of this town.  About eight in the evening the company were entertained with a very grand and surprising exhibition of fire works, which were played off in the back yard of the Palace, a bonfire was also lighted up, and great plenty of liquor given to the populace.