Worcester Spy
Encyclopedia
The Worcester Spy, originally known as the Massachusetts Spy, was a newspaper founded in 1770 in Boston, Massachusetts by Isaiah Thomas
, dedicated to supporting the Revolutionary
cause against the British. In the 19th century it became an organ for abolitionist sentiment.
", Thomas removed the newspaper's presses to Worcester, Massachusetts
. In 1781 the title was changed to Thomas's Massachusetts Spy; or the Worcester Gazette with the motto
"The noble Efforts of a Virtuous, Free and United People, shall extirpate Tyranny, and establish Liberty and Peace." At the end of the war the motto was again changed to "Noscere res humanas est Hominis" ("knowledge of the world is necessary for every man").
Thomas continued publication of the paper until 1802, when he transferred control of his business concerns to his son.
In 1859 the paper was purchased by John Denison Baldwin
, and later co-owned and edited by his sons, Captain John Stanton Baldwin and Charles Clinton Baldwin.
Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas , was an American newspaper publisher and author. He performed the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Worcester, Massachusetts and reported the first account of the Battles of Lexington and Concord...
, dedicated to supporting the Revolutionary
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
cause against the British. In the 19th century it became an organ for abolitionist sentiment.
History
In 1775, under threat from "Boston ToriesLoyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
", Thomas removed the newspaper's presses to Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. In 1781 the title was changed to Thomas's Massachusetts Spy; or the Worcester Gazette with the motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
"The noble Efforts of a Virtuous, Free and United People, shall extirpate Tyranny, and establish Liberty and Peace." At the end of the war the motto was again changed to "Noscere res humanas est Hominis" ("knowledge of the world is necessary for every man").
Thomas continued publication of the paper until 1802, when he transferred control of his business concerns to his son.
In 1859 the paper was purchased by John Denison Baldwin
John Denison Baldwin
John Denison Baldwin was an American politician, Congregationalist minister, newspaper editor, and popular anthropological writer. He was a member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives and later a member of the U.S...
, and later co-owned and edited by his sons, Captain John Stanton Baldwin and Charles Clinton Baldwin.
See also
- History of American newspapersHistory of American newspapersThe history of American newspapers goes back to the 17th century with the publication of the first colonial newspapers.-Colonial period:-The New England Courant:...
- (The New Worcester Spyhttp://worcesterspy.org