January 3, 1776

Enoch Story and Daniel Humphreys’s printing business was devastated on December 31, 1775. Their office in Norris’s Alley near Front Street in Philadelphia was “unhappily consumed” by fire around two o’clock in the morning, as reported in their competitors’ newspapers, including the Pennsylvania Gazette. Story and Humphreys lost their printing press and type as well as their entire stock of paper. The business partners found it impossible to continue their short-lived newspaper, the Pennsylvania Mercury.

Story and Humphreys published the first issue of the Pennsylvania Mercury on April 7, 1775. Story and Humphreys were particularly proud that the paper and type they used—which went up in flames seven months into their endeavor—was made in the colonies: “we flatter ourselves that the rustic manufactures of America will prove more grateful to the patriot eye, than the more finished productions of Europe.”

Their notice to the public in the first week of January shared the news of the fire and the termination of the newspaper, as well as the printers’ “unfeigned thanks” to readers of the Pennsylvania Mercury. This was a subtle reminder to their subscribers to settle their debts, made less subtle the following week. The notice in the Pennsylvania Gazette on January 10, 1776, was updated with a request from Story and Humphreys to their subscribers “to pay up their subscriptions,” which would “at this time particularly oblige” the printers, given their losses.

The Pennsylvania Gazette
Printed by Hall and Sellers

On Sunday morning last, about two o’clock, a fire was discovered in the Printing-office of the subscribers, which unhappily consumed the same, together with the whole stock of paper, types and press:—It burnt with such fury that no persons could enter the doors.—By this misfortune they are reduced to the necessity of acquainting their kind customers, that it is no longer in their power to supply them with the Pennsylvania Mercury.—Whilst the publication continued, it was their constant study to give satisfaction to their readers; but as this accident has deprived them of the means of prosecuting it, they take this early opportunity of returning their unfeigned thanks for past favours, and hope for a continuance of that Friendship which induced so many gentlemen to patronize their paper.

STORY and HUMPHREYS.