American children’s periodicals, 1811-1820

edited by: Arthur Donaldson

published: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Arthur Donaldson, 1811, 1813.

frequency: monthly: beginning of the month

description: 4 issues (May & June 1811; July & Aug 1813)

• 1811: 36 pp.; price, 12.5¢/ each. 1813: 72 pp. Page size, 8.5″ h x 4.5″ w

• Anti-slavery magazine

• 1811: sold at 88 N. Front St.

relevant quotes:

• Introduction to the 1811 issues: “Having been engaged for several years as a tutor of children as well as grown People of Colour, it has necessarily brought me more to a knowledge of their situation, on account of learning; and in the course of my engagements as a teacher, I have had thoughts of Lessons that might be introduced into the school …; this, together with the slender income arising from the school, induces me to attempt this work ….” [“Preface.” #1 (May 1811); p. iii]

• About the end of the 1811 version: “Having through disappointments and losses, discontinued publishing the JUVENILE MAGAZINE, I proceeded no farther than the first and second number for the fifth and sixth months, 1811.” [#3 (July 1813); p. 1]

source of information: APS reel 121; Lyon; Strohecker; Kelly

available: APS II (1800-1850), reel 121 (missing #2)

bibliography:

• Betty Longenecker Lyon. “A History of Children’s Secular Magazines Published in the United States from 1789-1899.” PhD diss. Johns Hopkins, 1942; pp. 8, 21, 22, 44-47.

• Edwin Charles Strohecker. “American Juvenile Literary Periodicals, 1789-1826.” PhD diss. Michigan, 1969.

• Children’s Periodicals of the United States, ed. R. Gordon Kelly. Westport, Connecticut & London, England: Greenwood Press, 1984.

cover/masthead: 17 Oct-26 Dec 1812 | 2 Jan 1813-7 Dec 1816

edited by: Thomas G. Condie, jr

published: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Thomas G. Condie, jr., 17 Oct 1812-7 Dec 1816; publisher at 22 Carter’s Alley. 1815: printed by John Bioren, 88 Chesnut St.

frequency: weekly: Saturday; 1 vol/ year

description: 4 pp.

• 1815: page size, 8 5/8″ h x 5 3/8″ w (Strohecker lists page size as 9.25″ h x 8.25″ w); price, 12.5¢/ month; 37½¢/quarter, “payable in advance, by T. G. Condie, No. 22, Carter’s alley, opposite Mr. Girard’s Bank—Where a Letter Box is placed for literary communications.” [3 (7 Jan 1815); p. 4]

• Circulation (from magazine): 17 Oct 1812, 300; Oct 1813, 600; 1815, 700

relevant information:

• Apparently named after The Port Folio, a magazine for adults published in Philadelphia from 3 Jan 1801 to Dec 1827.

• Beginning with vol 2, a list of subscribers was printed in each volume.

relevant quotes:

• Introduction: “The columns of the Juvenile Port-Folio, will consist of all the variety of subject, and Miscellaneous literature, which Magazines, and other periodical literary works, usually contain: Selected with particular attention to those subjects, that are adapted to the improvement, edification, and rational amusement of youth.” [1 17 Oct 1812); p. 1]

• Condie soon added a mailbox to his concern: “For the accomodation of correspondents a Letter Box will be placed in the window, No. 22, Carter’s Alley.” [1 (26 Dec 1812); p. 44]

• The editor of The Ariel remembered the Portfolio 12 years later: “A few years ago we had a very neat and attractive little paper called the ‘Juvenile Port Folio.’ It has been discontinued so long, that it is now generally forgotten—but why its publication was suspended we never heard.”

continued by: Parlour Companion ; 4 Jan 1817-21 Aug 1819 (for adults)

source of information: 1815 vol; APS 212; AAS catalog; Lyon; Kelly

available: AASHistPer, series 1

• APS II (1800-1850), reel 212

bibliography:

• “Juvenile Miscellanies.” The Ariel 2 (20 Sept 1828); pp. 84-85.

• d’Alte A. Welch. A Bibliography of American Children’s Books Printed Prior to 1821. N.p.: American Antiquarian Society & Barre Publishers, 1922.

• Eleanor Weakley Nolen. “Nineteenth Century Children’s Magazines.” The Horn Book Magazine. 15 (Jan/Feb 1939); pp. 55-60.

• Mabel F. Altstetter. “Early American Magazines for Children.” Peabody Journal of Education 19 (Nov 1941); p. 131.

• Betty Longenecker Lyon. “A History of Children’s Secular Magazines Published in the United States from 1789-1899.” PhD diss. Johns Hopkins, 1942; pp. 9, 48-53.

• Edwin Charles Strohecker. “American Juvenile Literary Periodicals, 1789-1826.” PhD diss. Michigan, 1969.

• Children’s Periodicals of the United States, ed. R. Gordon Kelly. Westport, Connecticut & London, England: Greenwood Press, 1984.

• Gillian Avery. Behold the Child: American Children and Their Books, 1621-1922. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994; pp. 81-82.

cover/masthead: March 1813

edited by: Henry Whitlock

published: New Haven, Connecticut: Henry Whitlock, 1813; printed by Oliver Steele

frequency: 4-6 issues/ year

description: 24 pp.; duodecimo; price: 4 pence half-penny (1/16 of $1)/ issue, “Payable on delivery”

• 2 issues

• March 1813 reprinted at least once

• Religious focus

source of information: APS reel 333; AAS catalog

available: AASHistPer, series 1

• APS II (1800-1850), reel 333

cover/masthead: 1815

published: Colchester, Connecticut: T. M. Skinner & Co.

frequency: monthly

description: 72 pp.; page size, 7.5″ h; price, $3/ year

• 1st issue, March 1815

relevant information: The Preceptor apparently was intended for teenagers.

relevant quotes:

• Editors were conscious that the Preceptor was appearing at an historically important time: the end of the War of 1812: “It is presented to its Patrons with all the diffidence that is natural to a stranger thus introduced into the republic of letters, and all the hope that can be inspired by a reliance on the candour and indulgence of an enlightened Public. At this auspicious moment, when the glad voice of Peace enlivens every countenance and enraptures every heart, the proprietors of this infant work feel a degree of confidence, which in a more gloomy period, would have given way to doubt and apprehension. In their attempt to add a flower to the already luxuriant garden of American Literature, they anticipate a cheering welcome, and a liberal assistance.”

• The first issue was published later than planned: “The Proprietors of the Monthly Preceptor, while they gratefully acknowledge the liberal encouragement that has been given to their proposed work, beg leave to apologize for the delay of its publication. They assure their Patrons, that circumstances of an untoward nature, over which they had no control, were the causes of the late appearance of their first number.”

• The editors encouraged contributions from the audience: “They earnestly solicit correspondence on various subjects of the Belles Lettres, and hope, that the example of the promising Youths, whose Prize Productions enrich the foregoing pages, will have its proper influence on the young ladies and gentlemen throughout the United States. Happy shall they be, in some not very remote period of time, to hear the future ornaments of our country declare, that they laid the foundation of their excellence in their contributions to the Monthly Preceptor.” [“To the Public.” 1 (15 March 1815); p. 72.]

• The terms: “THE Monthly Preceptor shall be published as early in each month as possible, and forwarded to Subscribers by mail or otherwise, as they shall direct. Each number will contain 72 duodecimo pages. The work will be occasionally enriched with engravings to illustrate the subjects treated of, and delivered to Subscribers (exclusive of postage) at Three Dollars a year; one half to be paid in advance, or on the receipt of the first number. Those who procure nine Subscribers, and become accountable for the pay, shall receive a tenth gratis.” [“Conditions.” 1 (1 March 1815): back cover (cover page 4)]

source of information: AASHistPer, series 1; AAS catalog

available: AASHistPer, series 1

cover/masthead: masthead

published: Utica, New York

frequency: weekly: Friday

description: 4 pp.; large octavo; page size, 6.5″ h x 5″ w; price, 1 shilling/ month

• Four issues located

• This very amateur publication spent a surprising amount of space reviling the editor of the Monitor (unidentified)

relevant quotes:

• “Mankind are frail; and, prompted by self interest, can be persuaded to almost any thing. It must appear plain, that this is not the case with the Editor of this paper, when you are sensible of the little profits he derives from it. This paper is chiefly designed for the improvement of youth, in composition. … It has been pretended that the Cabinet was designed for an opposition to the Monitor. This, however is not the case. We only wish the standard by which we are judged, to be MERIT.” [1 (1 April 1815); p. 2] Each issue, however, included at least one diatribe against the Monitor’s editor.

• On the Monitor: “We are very sorry that we have given the Editor of the Monitor, the trouble of changing the day of the publication of his paper, from Wednesday to Saturday. He felt so sore, that he could not wait for Wednesday: but took the trouble of issuing an Extra; for the purpose (as he says) of informing the public that his paper would hereafter appear on Saturday.—His Extra, issued on Saturday morning, had so many errors in it, that he had to issue a second edition, EXTRA; which horrid monster appeared before the eyes of the public on Monday morning.—I think, Mr. Editor of the Monitor, cuts a great dash, when in correcting the typographical errors of the Cabinet, he makes some most horrid mistakes himself.” [1 (14 April 1815); p. 2]

source of information: APS reel 333; Strohecker

available: APS II (1800-1850), reel 333

bibliography:

• d’Alte A. Welch. A Bibliography of American Children’s Books Printed Prior to 1821. N.p.: American Antiquarian Society & Barre Publishers, 1922.

• Edwin Charles Strohecker. “American Juvenile Literary Periodicals, 1789-1826.” PhD diss. Michigan, 1969.

published: New York, New York: R. & W. A. Bartow

frequency: monthly; 1 vol/ year

description: 1818: 32 pp.; size, 8.5″ high x 5.5″ wide.

• Religious focus

relevant information:

• American edition of the Youth’s Magazine and Evangelical Miscellany, published in London

• 1818 volume marked “Vol. I., New Series”; according to the title page, it was published in 1819. The collection is perhaps a reprint: The “Religious Intelligence” section at the end of each issue is dated well after the original publication of that issue. The section for the Jan 1818 issue is dated 25 Aug 1818; that for the Dec 1818 issue is dated 25 April 1819.

source of information: 1818 vol; AAS catalog

cover/masthead: 3 Jan-26 Dec 1818 | 2 Jan 1819 | 9 Jan-25 Dec 1819

edited by: A. Fowler

published: Charleston, South Carolina: A. Fowler, 1818-1819; publisher at 57 Queen St.

• Printed by T. B. Stephens; 1818-13 March 1819: at 226 East Bay; 20 March-25 Dec 1819: at 8 Tradd St.

frequency: weekly: Saturday afternoon; 1 vol/ year

description: 4 pp.

• Price: 1818, $2.50/ year; 1819, $3/ year

• Circulation: over 600

• Religious focus

relevant information: Volume 1 was printed in Georgetown, South Carolina. [Stroupe; p. 125]

relevant quotes:

• Introduction: “This Paper will consist of short pieces, devoted to Theological and Miscellaneous subjects, original and selected, proper to be read on the Lord’s day; and particularly calculated for the use of young persons, in elucidating Texts of Scripture, explaining the rites and ceremonies of the Church, answering cases of conscience; and communicating Biographical and Obituary notices.” [1 (3 Jan 1818); p. 1]

• The paper was eulogized in 1836: “The Sunday Visitant, published in the year 1818 and 1819, was the first religious newspaper published in Charleston, and it is believed the first in our Church in the United States. It was a weekly periodical, and the first number appeared on the 3d day of January. It had above six hundred subscribers; and was intended to contain biographical sketches or memoirs of our Clergy. The editor had collected notices of almost every Minister throughout the United States, from the first settlement of the country, to the year 1800; and also some little sketches of several of our Clergy, who have died since the year 1800. Its various articles were short pieces, similar to a newspaper, that it might not fatigue the reader.” [“Religious Newspaper”]

source of information: 1818 scattered issues; APS reel 240; “Religious Newspaper”; Stroupe

available: APS II (1800-1850), reel 240

bibliography:

• “Religious Newspaper.” Gospel Messenger and Protestant Episcopal Register 13 (May 1836); p. 93.

• Gertrude C. Gilmer. Checklist of Southern Periodicals to 1861. Boston, Massachusetts: F. W. Faxon Company, 1934; p. 58.

• Henry Smith Stroupe. The Religious Press in the South Atlantic States, 1802-1865. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1956; pp. 125-126.

edited by: Origen Bacheler; then, William H. Smith

published: Providence, Rhode Island: H[ugh] H[ale] Brown

relevant information: Bacheler also founded the Rhode Island Religious Messenger, whose presses published another Juvenile Gazette (May 1827-1828)

• Published “a few months.”

• No physical copies have been uncovered; all the information about this paper appears in Staples, whose work appears to have been copied in all later reference works.

absorbed by: Oliver Kendall, sr, also publishing in Providence, published Juvenile Gazette (Nov 1819-Jan 1820?).

source of information: Staples

bibliography:

• William R. Staples. Annals of the Town of Providence. Providence, Rhode Island: Knowles and Vose, 1843; p. 553.

• International Typographical Union of North America. Union #33. Printers and Printing in Providence, 1762-1907. Providence, Rhode Island: N.p., 1907; p. 206. [archive.org]

• Richard M. Bayles, ed. History of Providence County, Rhode Island. New York: W. W. Preston & Co., 1891; vol 1, p. 538. [google books]

cover/masthead: 1819 | 1820 | 1821 | 1824 |

edited by: Nathan Whiting

published: New Haven, Connecticut: Nathan Whiting, 1819; “at the office of the Religious Intelligencer”

• New Haven, Connecticut: Stephen Dodge, 1820-1821.

• New Haven, Connecticut: E. B. Coleman, 1822-1823.

• New Haven, Connecticut: Nathan Whiting, Nov 1824.

frequency: monthly: 1st week of the month; 1 vol/ year

description: 36 pp.; duodecimo; page size, 7″ h x 4 1/8″ w

• Price, 1819, 1821, 1824: $1/year, in advance; $1.25/year, “payable on the delivery of the sixth number; with the addition of twelve and a half cents for every three months delay.”

• The illustration on the cover for Nov 1824 (reproduced on APS 112) was printed in the magazine as a plate in 1823.

• Religious focus

relevant quotes:

• Whiting promised a variety of material in the work: “[I]t will embrace the following subjects. 1. Short Sermons to youth. 2. Memoirs of pious Children. 3. Religious dialogues and epistolary correspondence. 4. Miscellaneous pieces. 5. Sabbath School information. 6. Religious anecdotes and poetry.” [“Proposals”]

• The first issue was printed in mid-Jan: “We are constrained to give notice to the Patrons of the Guardian, or Youth’s Religious Instructor, that the first number will not be issued as early in this month by one or two weeks, as was stated in the Prospectus. The necessary arrangements for Paper, &c in the commencement of the work, has occasioned some unavoidable delay, which will not probably occur hereafter.” [“The Guardian.” 2 Jan 1819] Publication of the issue was announced on 23 Jan: “The first No. of the Guardian is published and ready for subscribers. We are happy to state that the undertaking has med with universal approbation, and that the prospect of an extensive patronage is flattering. We trust the work will recommend itself.” [“The Guardian.” 23 Jan 1819]

• In 1824, the editor of the Guardian put it on the (ever-growing) list of “first American magazine for children”: “This Juvenile Magazine, the first ever published in America, has had its patrons in all the States in the Union ….” [1 (Nov 1824); inside front cover (cover page 2)]

relevant information: In 1823, the Guardian was published with The Sabbath School Respository: “[T]he Editor has determined to add monthly 24 pages on the subject of Sabbath Schools, and entitle the addition ‘The Sabbath School Repository.’ We have received the first number of the Repository, and think it, in connexion with the Guardian, calculated to be highly useful to those for whose instruction and spiritual advantage it is intended. The Guardian will make a volume annually of 432 pages, and the Repository a volume of 228 pages ….” [“The Guardian and Sabbath School Repository.” The Pittsburgh Recorder]

merged with: The Monitor (Jan 1823-Dec 1824), to form The Guardian and Monitor ; 1825-1828

source of information: Jan 1819 issue; Jan-Dec 1820 bound vol; APS reel 111-112; notices, etc., below

available: APS II (1800-1850), reel 111-112

bibliography:

• “Proposals For publishing a religious periodical work to be entitled the GUARDIAN.” The Religious Intelligencer 3 (21 Nov 1818); p. 400.

• “The Guardian.” The Religious Intelligencer 3 (19 Dec 1818); p. 461.

• “The Guardian.” The Religious Intelligencer 3 (2 Jan 1819); p. 496.

• “The Guardian.” The Religious Intelligencer 3 (23 Jan 1819); p. 544.

• “The Guardian and Sabbath School Repository.” The Pittsburgh Recorder 2 (7 Feb 1823); p. 39.

• “The Guardian and Monitor.” The Religious Intelligencer 9 (1 Jan 1825); p. 489.

• d’Alte A. Welch. A Bibliography of American Children’s Books Printed Prior to 1821. N.p.: American Antiquarian Society & Barre Publishers, 1922.

cover/masthead: Nov 1819-Jan 1820

published: Providence, Rhode Island: O. Kendall & J. Johnson, 1819; printed “at the office of the Providence Patriot” [1 (Nov 1819); p. 3]

frequency: monthly: 1st week/ month

description: 4 pp.; price, 50¢/ year; page size, 10.5″ h x 7″ w

• Only issues for Nov 1819-Jan 1820 have been located

relevant information:

• The first issue appeared 3 Nov 1819. [“Notice.”]

relevant quotes:

• From the proposal: “It is proposed to issue monthly A MINIATURE NEWSPAPER, for children, adapted to their capacities, both in matter and manner, and edited by a person of experience in the art of exciting and forming the juvenile mind. The instruction of youth is a matter of so much importance, that every expedient calculated to promote it, is well worth the attention of parents. Children are naturally fond of novelty and variety, and are commonly ambitious to imitate grown people. It is hoped, therefore, that this humble effort to excite their curiosity, attract their attention, promote an early habit of enquiry and fondness for reading, may be attended with success, and be of use to them in after life. It is intended to devote one department to religious and moral instruction; another to interesting little stories, told in simple but correct language; another to a few lines of juvenile poetry; another to natural history; another to some general account of the governmeent and laws of this country; another to such anecdotes, occurrenced, and news, as will be likely to interest young people: and they will occasionally be told something about trade, commerce, manufactures, the productions of the earth, natural curiosities, &c. … The Juvenile Gazette will be issued as soon as the subscription is sufficient to defray the expences.” [“To teach the young idea how to shoot”]

• Introduction: “This first number is issued by way of experiment. No one can imagine that either ambition or avarice had any hand in originating a publication of this description, but as a reasonable remuneration is absolutely necessary to its continuance, the present number must be the last, unless the subscription is considerably enlarged. Those who are disposed to subscribe will please to call at the Book Store of Mr. O. Kendall or of Mr. J. Johnson.” [1 (Nov 1819); p. 1]

• Kendall promised that an increase in subscribers would lead to improvements: “Should the subscription increase so as to justify the additional expence, this Gazette will be handsomely ornamented with cuts.” [1 (Nov 1819); p. 3] It wasn’t.

continued by: Oliver Kendall, jr, published the Juvenile Gazette ; 24 Nov 1827-15 Nov 1828

source of information: APS reel 121; Strohecker; AAS catalog; notices

available: APS II (1800-1850), reel 121

• excerpt online

bibliography:

• “ ‘To teach the young idea how to shoot.’ ” Providence Patriot Columbian Phoenix [Providence, Rhode Island] 14 Aug 1819; p. 3.

• “Juvenile Gazette.” The Weekly Visitor, and Ladies’s Museum [New York, New York] 21 Aug 1819; p. 271.

• “Juvenile Gazette.” Franklin Gazette [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] 20 Aug 1819; p. 2.

• “Juvenile Gazette.” Hampden Patriot [Springfield, Massachusetts] 26 Aug 1819; p. 3.

• “Notice.” Providence Patriot [Providence, Rhode Island] 3 Nov 1819; p. 3.

• Edwin Charles Strohecker. “American Juvenile Literary Periodicals, 1789-1826.” PhD diss. Michigan, 1969.