John Campbell, Jr., of Orange County, North Carolina, to George Williamson and Archimedes Donoho, trustees -- whereas John Campbell, Jr., has purchased of Benjamin Cory of Milton the house and lot heretofore occupied by Cory as a book store and printing office on 20 April 1826 and also the establishment where the Milton Gazette is published; Campbell in debt to Cory for $1200 and bond jointly signed by John Campbell Sen; to Ragland & McGehee, Morgan & Bradford; also printing materials and press $423 made by Rounages, pica type, italia type, English roman type, et al. 25 July 1826. Witnesses: Chas Willson, Willis Jones.
Caswell County, North Carolina
Deed Book W, Pages 337-339
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The "Milton Gazette and Roanoke Advertiser" newspaper apparently began 1823 in Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina. The 1824 issues are shown as Volume II. We know that it was in publication until at least 1831. The Milton parcel in question above is believed to be Lot #21, immediately east of the lot that today houses the Milton State Bank Building.
In 1824, Benjamin Cory was the printer and publisher of the "Milton Gazette and Roanoke Advertiser." The subscription price was $3 annually, and the paper was published weekly. Cory continued to advertise in the newspaper his book store and printing services. He described his book store and printing shop as nearly opposite the store of D. & W. Kyle. Query whether Cory also was the editor.
The March 1827 issue of this newspaper contained an advertisement by Thomas Day, Cabinet Maker; and one by Jesse Owen (Saddle & Harness Making).
John Campbell, Jr., first appears as the newspaper's printer and publisher in the 1 March 1827 issue. However, note the following:
Married, At the residence of Mrs. Martha Pope, in Halifax county, on the 27th ult. [27 June 1826], Mr. John Campbell, Jr. editor of the Milton Gazette, to Miss Emily M. Pope, daughter of Benjamin Pope, Esq. deceased.
Fayetteville Weekly Observer (Fayetteville, North Carolina), 12 July 1826.
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It appears that the Milton Gazette & Roanoke Advertiser was printed from the Cory/Campbell print shop (and book/stationery store). Must check to see if later Milton newspapers were printed from the same location, which is likely as the printing equipment already was in place.
There was an older building on that lot that my mother said was once the newspaper building. It was later used as a feed and seed storage building for the Brandon Store. Later torn down for Thomas Service Station gas tanks. Not sure it was as old as first quarter 19th century. (Source: Jim Upchurch 24 April 2018).
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Milton Newspaper Publication Abandoned: 1828
In the August 28, 1828, edition of the "Milton Gazette and Roanoke Advertiser" newspaper (Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina), the publisher John Campbell, Jr. stated:
"I must now inform the patrons of the Milton Gazette that I am under the necessity of abandoning its publication; and, for the last time, request the immediate payment of all sums due me. It has been with feelings truly painful, and with considerable reluctance, that I have come to this determination. But, for several reasons, I am compelled to seek for some stand, where I can realize something more than a bare support.
"To those subscribers who have been punctual in their payments, I tender my most sincere and heartfelt thanks. They alone have kept the Gazette in existence this long. To those who have paid me nothing, I can only say, that they have been 'reaping where they had not sowed, and gathering where they had not strewed.'
"Those subscribers who have paid me for one year in advance, will please call, and have their money returned."
This was Vol., VII, No. 17 (being the 329th edition published).
Milton Gazette and Roanoke Advertiser (Milton, North Carolina), 28 August 1828.
However, it appears the newspaper continued in operation until at least 1831, possibly under new ownership.
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