Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
Newspapers of Montpelier
From Marcus Davis Oilman, History Librarian
The Freeman's Press
A Democratic paper, published at Montpelier, was commenced in
1809, not in 1812 or 1813, as stated by Thompson in his history
of Montpelier. The first issue was Aug. 25, 1809. A file of the
"Freeman's Press" is in Mr. Gilman's library. It was printed by
Derrick Sibley, and subsequently by Wright & Sibley, for
proprietors, who appear to have been the leading Democrats of
Montpelier and the neighboring towns. The "Freeman's Press" was
the second paper published at the Capital. It is interesting as
giving many quaint views of life and times in those early days,
the advertisements, especially, possessing much interest.
The Vermont Patriot and
State Gazette
Established by the Hon. Isaac Hill, of Concord. New Hampshire.
First No., Jan. 17, 1826, page-size 21x30 inches, enlarged to
24x36, April 15, 1841. Mr. Hill placed his brother Geo. W. in
charge as manager, under the firm of Geo. W. Hill & Co., with
Horace Steele, editor, soon succeeded by Hugh Moore, Esq., of
Concord, N. H., an educated and accomplished gentleman, who held
the position several years, Mrs. Geo. W. Hill, a lady of culture
and talent, rendering editorial service during the latter years
of her husband's connection with the paper. From Apr. 30, 1827
to 1834, Mr. Hill was sole publisher, when, not satisfactorily
satisfactorily succeeding, he sold to William Clark, sometime
foreman in the office.
The Argus and Patriot
Is the result of a union, early in 1863, of the Bellows Falls
Argus with the Vermont Patriot, the former commenced in 1853, by
Hiram Atkins, at Bellows Falls. The paper under its present
title began with about 2,000 subscribers; office-room, 30 by 42
feet; presses, a small-sized "Ruggles" for job work, and Newbury
cylinder for the paper; working force, three hands with the
editor. It now employs one of each size of the Degener
job-presses, 1 Globe half medium, 1 hand press, 2 first class
Cottrell & Babcock cylinder presses, one the largest press of
any kind in the State (1881); office hands 20, on job-work 8 or
10; in outfit, type, etc., is in the very front of the printing
establishments of the State.
The Voice of Freedom
The publication of The Voice of Freedom was commenced January
1st, 1839, by Emery A. Allen and Joseph Poland as publishers,
under the firm name of Allen & Poland. Hon. Chauncey L. Knapp,
then holding the office of Secretary of State by favor of the
Whig party, was employed as editor. The publication office was
in the second story of the Barnes shop building, first door east
of the Bishop hotel. In September of the same year Mr. Poland
retired from the paper by reason of ill health, and its
publication was continued through the year by Mr. E. A. Allen.
The Green Mountain Freeman
Established at Montpelier, as the organ of the Liberty party, in
January, 1844, by Joseph Poland, with Rev. J.C. Aspenwall, a
Methodist preacher, as editor. Mr. Aspenwall retired in the fall
of the same year, leaving the entire charge of the paper in the
hands of the proprietor. A few months subsequently, Rev. C. C.
Briggs, a Congregational preacher and anti-slavery lecturer,
became joint editor and publisher, the firm being Poland &
Briggs.
Botanic Advocate
A monthly, commenced about 1837, and continued about 2 years. By
Drs. Wright and F. A. Mc-Dowell.
Green Mountain Emporium and
Literary
Moral and Religious Record. By J. Milton Stearns, 8 volume
monthly, 16 pages each; commenced November, 1838, continued only
a short time, and moved to Middlebury.
Vermont Family Visitor
Commenced in 1845, and issued about a year only.
Vermont Temperance Star,
Eight page quarto, monthly. Address, Geo. B. Manser. Vol. I, No.
6, is August, 1839, Montpelier, Vermont.
The Watchword
A temperance paper. Editorial committee: Rev. J. C. W. Coxe,
Rev. J. E. Wright, H. D. Hopkins, H. A. Huse. Feb. 14, 1874.
Only a few numbers issued.
Vermont Temperance Banner
Started in the fall of 1879, under the auspices of W. F. Scott
and J. P. Eddy. One number published and then suspended for want
of patronage.
The Vermonter
Fred. H. Kimball, editor and publisher, July, 1879. 4 pp. "The
representative amateur paper of Vermont" published at present.
The Era, by Edward Clark, and the Echo, by Chas. F. Burnham,
were started about 1875, while both editors were serving their
apprenticeship in the Argus office. Of both papers, only one or
two numbers were issued.
Young American,
1874
Wm. M. Kendall, Jr., printer and publisher. An 8 page paper,
printed at Montpelier, while its editor was attending school;
and after his education was completed, removed to its former
place of publication, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Mr. Kendall
becoming the editor and publisher of the Dollar Weekly at that
place.
Postage Stamp Reporter,
1877
C. F. Buswell, publisher. 8 pp. 7x5½. Issued monthly, devoted to
stamp collecting, and discontinued on increase of postage
regulation, with its Sept. No., 1877.
Green Mountain Boys,
1877
Tuttle & Dewey, publishers. 8 pp. 6 x 8, and issued monthly.
Winooski Impetus
Metropolis of Vermont, April 15, 1835, to March, 1836. 4 to.
Published monthly by a society of young men.
The Montpelierian
Vol. 5, No. 1. Seminary Hill, Montpelier, Vermont., Jan. 20,
1877. Published by the Literary Society of the Vermont Methodist
Seminary. 4 to, p. 8, [4] Continued monthly.
Editors and
Publishers now residing at Montpelier
E. P. Walton, retired
Joseph Poland, present proprietor of the Watchman
J. M. Poland, retired
Hiram Atkins, proprietor of the Argus
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
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