The First Newspapers in South Carolina
First Newspapers in South Carolina
1. South Carolina Gazette, 1732-1775. 1. The South Carolina Gazette 1732-1775
The first newspaper published in Charlestown, after its permanent settlement on this side of the Ashley River, was "The South Carolina Gazette." Thomas Whitmarsh, who arrived in Charlestown early in 1731, and was the publisher of the Gazette.
Lewis Timothy, the successor of Whitmarsh, was a French refugee; he went to Holland, and from thence to " Charlestown," early in 1733. In February of the same year, he became the proprietor and editor of the Gazette, and published it in Union Street, now known as State Street. Up to April 6th, 1734, he signed his name as Louis Timothee; from that period he anglicized it to Lewis Timothy. His demise, the result of an "unhappy accident," took place in December of 1738.
The Gazette was eleven and a half inches in length, seven in width, containing eight columns, two to a page. It was put in circulation on "Saturday, January 8, 1731-1742," and issued weekly from the "sign of the table-clock, on the Bay, where advertisements are taken in." The Gazette was supplied at £'3 a year.
George Webb and Eleazer Phillips, Jr., two other printers, arrived in Charlestown as Thomas Whitmarsh who had been encouraged by the Governor in Council.
The issue of March 17, 1733 was published "one day last week, one Richard Birmingham, belonging to his Majesty's ship Shoreham, was drowned in Wappoo Creek, "over against Colonel Lucas' plantation, by endeavoring " to get the grappling up."
Should the genealogist discover some of these old newspapers up to 1782 and afterward, some interesting discoveries of the times of the families will help to open doors.
2. South Carolina Weekly Gazette, 1758-1764
3. South Carolina and American General Gazette, 1764-1781
4. South Carolina Gazette and Country Journal \, 1765-1775 was published in Bedon's Alley, by Charles Crouch, a sound whig. He published it until 1772; then it was continued by his widow, Mary Crouch, until 1775. Charles Crouch died in 1772, leaving two sons, W. H. and Abraham Crouch.
5. Gazette of the State of South Carolina or Charleston Gazette, 1777-1780. The title of the paper was changed to South Carolina and American General Gazette, and published by Robert Wells, at the " Old Printing House." Robert Wells was a staunch royalist.
6. Royal Gazette, 1781-1782 published by Robert Wells & Son from March 3, 1781 to 1782.
Genealogy Tips: Charleston was a busy port city, receiving traffic and trade from Europe and the West Indies. Thus, it behooves the genealogist to search the county records to discover names and events. The ancestors landed in Charles Town (Charleston), but eventually settled elsewhere.
2. Old newspapers printed a variety of information on each page. Usually, the first page was dedicated to National news, and those stories that followed were related to local issues and people.
3. The ink bled through, and it is rather difficult to read unless available on a good microfilm reader where the user can make proper adjustments.
Source: The Newspaper Press of Charleston, S. C. by William L. King (1872)