Communication in Colonial Times

NewspapersNewspapers did not become popular until the mid-1700's.

The first successful newspaper was the Boston News-Letter.

The Stamp Act took place in 1745.

Benjamin Franklin

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706.

In 1736 he became the Postmaster of Pennsylvania at the same time he was a newspaper printer.

He became a joint Postmaster General with William Hunter of Virginia in 1753.

He died of natural causes in 1790.

Inns were also called taverns, Ordinaries, Victuallings.

Inns also served as clubs.

Inns were America's first post offices

Colonial InnsColonial Inns

Town CriersThe town crier had a bell or a drum.

At night there were watchmen in place of town criers.

You had to be close to the town crier in order to hear him.

BroadsidesBroadsides were hung on the sides of trees, poles and buildings.

Broadsides had information about slave trades, property auctions and more.

In1704 when newspapers became more popular, broadsides were printed less often.