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Collection Overview

Creator:
Folsom, C. W. (Charles William), 1826-1904
Title:
The Rochester Courier Collection
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/pv63g0286
Dates:
1850-1903
Size:
1 box and 0.20 linear feet
Storage Note:
Firestone Library (mss): Box 1
Language:
English

Abstract

The Rochester Courier was a weekly, local newspaper published on Friday nights in Rochester, New Hampshire, beginning in 1864. The collection consists of manuscript speeches, articles, editorials, and correspondence from the newspaper, reflecting some of the national issues which dominated American political life leading up to and following the Civil War, including the antislavery movement, the Missouri Compromise, and temperance.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Description:

The collection consists of manuscript speeches, articles, editorials, and correspondence related to The Rochester Courier, a weekly newspaper first published on January 22, 1864, in Rochester, New Hampshire, by J. Frank Place. The topics deal mainly with the antislavery movement, the Missouri Compromise, temperance, and other national issues which dominated American political life leading up to and following the Civil War. Included is a notebook journal outlining the history of the Courier, its mission, political views, physical setup, and its owners, and providing a profile of Charles Folsom, proprietor after October 1, 1868; its last page gives a summary of existing newspapers in Rochester in 1872 and of the progress of the Sons of Temperance of North America.

There are several speeches addressed to "Mr. President," including a four-page speech by a "Paddy A. Rafferty" delivered at the "Grand Rally of the Democrats of Rochester" and another about freedom, slavery, and the Missouri Compromise. There is an editorial that cites Thomas Jefferson about the abolition of slavery laws and denounces the Democratic Party for wavering on slavery issues. In a one-page manuscript titled "No Hand Lost" the writer declares that Abraham Lincoln is a good candidate for the presidency. Another article relates the beginning of the American Civil War with an armed raid on Lawrence, Kansas, in May 1856. There is a "Fourth of July speech" written on Congressional letterhead stationery criticizing the presidency and mentioning "Miss Columby", a character featured in the "Lincoln cartoons."

Temperance-related material includes a speech about temperance written on "Harrison Mills" notepaper, a list of names of members of a temperance lodge, "An Appeal" by the Women's Christian Temperance Union regarding liquor, and a two-page editorial written and signed by Charles Folsom. Other material includes a notebook containing drafts of editorials, articles, poems, and correspondence; a list of items to be donated; a program for a "Grand Concert On Behalf of Sailors Orphans," dated April 21, 1900; two drafts of an article titled "Walking with God" or "Closer to God"; an editorial about summer, dated June 25, 1873; an eight-page editorial about "Romance"; and a receipt for $1000 signed by A. M. Nason, dated February 16, 1876, and with The Rochester Courier letterhead..

Arrangement

The folders are arranged alphabetically by title or subject in one series.

Collection Creator Biography:

Folsom, C. W. (Charles William), 1826-1904

The Rochester Courier was first published by J. Frank Place as a weekly newspaper published only on Fridays nights, beginning on January 22, 1864. He distributed a prospectus, tried to get as many sponsors as he could, sold advertising space, and also printed business cards. Place was not interested in local news, and he only published the paper for a little over three years. On May 31, 1867, he sold the Courier and the printing office to Gen. C. Foster, who in turn sold half the business to Charles W. Folsom. On October 1, 1868, Folsom bought out his partner's interest in the newspaper, and he continued to publish it for the next eighteen years. Folsom was interested in publishing local as well as national news, and tried to keep his readers up to date with what was happening in the rest of the country. At that time, the subject of utmost importance was the abolition of slavery, followed by prohibition and temperance.

Collection History

Acquisition:

Gift of Bruce C. Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986, on November 26, 2007 .

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Dina Britain on January 15, 2008. Finding aid written by Dina Britain on January 22, 2008.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

The material was in an original morocco and marbled boards salesman display portfolio for advertisements that were sold by the newspaper. This one being for business cards as indicated by the label.

Credit this material:

The Rochester Courier Collection; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/pv63g0286
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
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Storage Note:
Firestone Library (mss): Box 1