The History of the Boston News-Letter / Boston Newsletter (Est. 1704)
1. The Birth of American Journalism (1704)
The Boston News-Letter is widely recognized as the first continuously published newspaper in the American colonies. It began publication on April 24, 1704, in Boston, Massachusetts.
The paper was founded by John Campbell, a Scottish-born bookseller who also served as the Boston postmaster. Before launching the paper, Campbell circulated handwritten newsletters reporting European news to colonial officials. Printing the reports became a more efficient way to distribute information, leading to the creation of the newspaper.
Key characteristics of the early newspaper:
- Weekly publication printed as a single sheet.
- Focused heavily on news from London and Europe.
- One of the earliest sources of printed news for colonial America.
- Approved by the Royal Governor, reflecting British authority in the colonies.
Because there were no competing newspapers in Boston at the time, the Boston News-Letter became the central information source for merchants, officials, and citizens.
2. Growth and Influence in Colonial America (1704–1760s)
Over the next several decades, the newspaper evolved and changed hands within a small group of printers and publishers.
Key editorial succession included:
- John Campbell – Founder and editor (1704–1722)
- Bartholomew Green – Printer and editor (1722–1732)
- John Draper – Editor after Green’s death (1732–1762)
- Richard Draper – Editor and publisher (1762–1774)
- Margaret Green Draper – Final publisher (1774–1776)
During this era the paper:
- Expanded from 1 sheet to 4 pages.
- Began covering more colonial and domestic news.
- Reported events such as the death of Blackbeard the pirate in 1718.
The publication also experimented with different titles over time, including:
- The Weekly News-Letter
- The Boston Weekly News-Letter
- The Massachusetts Gazette and Boston News-Letter
These title changes reflected evolving political alliances and the growing newspaper industry in colonial America.
3. The American Revolution and the Paper’s End (1776)
During the rising tensions between Britain and the American colonies, the newspaper took a Loyalist stance, supporting the British Crown.
Its publisher, Margaret Green Draper, continued printing the paper during the early stages of the American Revolution.
4. Historical Legacy
The Boston News-Letter holds an important place in the history of journalism because it:
- Was the first regularly published newspaper in the American colonies.
- Helped establish the model of weekly colonial newspapers.
- Demonstrated the early relationship between government authority and the press.
Many later American newspapers—including the Boston Gazette and New York Gazette—emerged in the tradition it helped create.
5. Ownership of the Historic Brand in the Modern Era
In the modern digital age, the historic brand has been revived through online media initiatives.
Commissioner George S. Mentz, JD MBA, acquired and operates the BostonNewsletter.com brand as part of a group of historic American press titles that he publishes or maintains, including the New York Gazette and the Magazine of Wall Street.
Under Mentz’s stewardship, the revived Boston Newsletter brand is positioned as a modern platform publishing commentary and articles on:
- economics and business
- public policy and diplomacy
- culture and leadership
- global affairs and markets
The modern project aims to honor the legacy of early American journalism while adapting the brand to contemporary digital publishing.
✅ In summary:
- 1704: The Boston News-Letter is founded and becomes the first regularly published newspaper in the American colonies.
- 1704–1776: It operates for 72 years, shaping early American journalism.
- Modern era: The historic brand has been revived online and is associated with George Mentz, who maintains it alongside other historic newspaper brands.