About Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856
Newport, R.I. (1849-1856)

Herald of the Times and Herald of the Times, and Rhode Islander.

Published in the southern port city of Newport, Herald of the Times ran a quote from Daniel Webster in its masthead: "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable." It was a patriotic paper with a Republican publisher, but stated in its first issue: "It will be his object, therefore, in the political department of his paper, to maintain unshaken his Rhode-Island principles, and to extend and perpetuate that love of independence and political truth, which has given to the smallest member of the Union, an enviable character for firmness and integrity…"

It was issued weekly by James Atkinson, publisher and proprietor at the office at 153 Thames Street at the "corner of Thames Street and Sherman's wharf, a few doors south of the Brick Market. Entrance first door down the wharf," as stated on the masthead. Atkinson listed agents for the newspaper in a wide local range: Providence, Bristol, Warren, Tiverton, Fall River, Massachusetts, and New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The Herald of the Times ran foreign and national news as lead stories, and as the newspaper became more established, more advertisements were featured. It was originally issued on Wednesdays or, more regularly, Thursday mornings. A Marine List of ships entering or clearing the port and specific arrivals was listed, as well as local information, such as marriages, deaths, and probate notices. An innovative "Bank Note Table" listed the value of New York and regional bank notes. Notably, the newspaper carried detailed coverage of the Dorr Rebellion of 1842, a Rhode Island political suffrage movement led by lawyer Thomas W. Dorr (1805–1854).

By March 1846, Atkinson had acquired a card printing press and new type fonts and was advertising for his own job printing. That same month on the 26th, Atkinson changed the title of the newspaper to Herald of the Times, and Rhode Islander. The masthead design on that date was changed to feature a shield with an anchor on the water with a banner reading "Hope" as a symbol of Rhode Island. The Webster quote remained, and it stated that the office was now at 150 Thames Street, "at the head of the Court, in the rear of Mr. William Newton's Store."

The last issue was published January 4, 1849 and announced that the Herald of the Times, and Rhode Islander and the Newport Daily News would be united to form a new version of the Herald of the Times, to be published by Cranston & Norman at 127 Thames Street.

From 1849–1856 the Herald of the Times continued to cover national and international news, including exploration stories. Editorial topics ranged from religious charity to local politics. These were interspersed with town notices and advertisements. The last known edition was issued October 16, 1856. It was continued by the Newport Weekly Journal and Rhode Islander.

Provided by: Rhode Island Digital Newspaper Project