"Pennsylvania Evening Post" with an early reference to "Minutemen" — October 31, 1775

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Updated on November 30, 2025: This has been sold. December 31, 1775 issue of the Pennsylvania Evening Post, Volume 1, Number 121, with one of the earliest references to "minute men ." The newspaper is offered in an archival portfolio. You could also have it framed, if you wish. Newspaper size: 10" x 16" (folded) A news report on the front page, right hand column, includes early references to "Minutemen." Pictured below and transcribed here: WILLIAMSBURG, 0ct. 21. Some time last week Lord Dunmore was alarmed with information that nineteen pieces of cannon were fitted up, and would be soon placed on the wharves, &c. in Norfolk, to annoy the ships of war; and that a number of men were daily expected from Williamsburg, who were to fire them from behind hogsheads filled with sand. Yesterday se’n night, in consequence of the above intelligence, his Lordship sent on shore a party of soldiers, under command of two officers, who marched through Norfolk to the place where the cannon lay, destroyed seventeen of them, and carried off two for their own use without molestation. The above cannon, we are confident, were never intended for such a purpose; on the contrary, they belonged to sundry private gentlemen, who had them removed there for safety. Two companies of Regulars are just arrived, viz. Capt. John Flemming's from Henrico, and Capt. Robert Ballard's from Mecklenburg. We hear from Norfolk that Capt. Matthews, of the Norfolk minute-men, Mr. William Robinson, and Mr. John Hancock, have been taken prisoners by Lord Dunmore, but for what we cannot learn. A large sloop from St. Eustatia, mounting sixteen six pounders, and a number of swivels, is said to be gone up the bay with a large quantity of gunpowder. Mr. Goodrich of Portsmouth, whose vessel Lord Dunmore suspects of having brought in a supply of that article lately, is confined in irons on board a man of war. A body of about six hundred men in the minute service (mostly riflemen) from one of the upper districts, are within a short distance of this city, and hourly expected. Shipping: $25. Please allow two weeks for shipping. About the Pennsylvania Evening Post The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first daily newspaper published in the United States, and was produced by Benjamin Towne from 1775 to 1783. Towne initially published his newspaper three times per week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings "on half a sheet of crownpaper, in quarto." The paper was supportive of the cause of the American Revolution, and was the first to publish the United States Declaration of Independence, with it taking up the front page of the July 6, 1776 issue. Source: Wikipedia Show more