A Call for Supplies in 1775

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and in celebration of that anniversary, the State Library launched the exhibit Raising the Alarm: Revolutionary Broadsides at the State Library. Using broadsides from 1773 through 1779, the exhibit tells part of the story of the American Revolution in Massachusetts while also highlighting a significant primary source resource in our collection. Due to the nature of the cases, the exhibit utilizes facsimiles, but each month for the duration of the exhibit, one featured broadside will be on display in our Collection Spotlight – this month we’re sharing a broadside notice issued by the Provincial Congress on July 9, 1775 that calls for towns within Massachusetts to provide articles of clothing for the newly formed Continental Army.

By the time this broadside was issued, the first major battles of the Revolutionary War had already been waged – Lexington and Concord in April and Bunker Hill in June. You are likely familiar with “minutemen” which were locally organized and trained militia members that would be ready on a minute’s notice, and it was these individuals who engaged in the battles at Lexington and Concord. In the immediate aftermath of Lexington and Concord, the Provincial Congress had authorized the raising of a colonial army in Massachusetts. In June 1775 in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress followed suit, establishing the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington. It was in the following month that this notice was issued by Massachusetts’ Provincial Congress, seeking supplies for the newly formed Continental Army and asking towns within Massachusetts to contribute.

In this notice, towns are tasked with supplying a specific number of shirts, breeches, stockings, and shoes for the soldiers. Urgency is stressed, and individuals are instructed to provide these items to a town representative, who would then supply them with a receipt for the item and an agreed upon sum which would be dispersed within forty days. Individuals from each county are selected as the receivers of the garments, and the bottom portion of the notice lists the towns and the quantity of articles they are responsible for supplying. The garments were then to be transferred to Watertown, where the Provincial Congress was based, where they would be exchanged for payment from the public treasury to reimburse the townspeople.

While this is possibly one of the earliest calls for supplies to be issued to local communities, it is a practice that would continue throughout the war. Towns were asked to provide clothing, shoes, blankets, food rations, and more. It emphasizes the many ways that individuals supported the war efforts, even if they were not a “Founding Father” or actively engaging in battles.

Step back into summer 1775 by visiting us from August 4 through September 2 to see this broadside on display. Click here to read about the Oath of Allegiance broadside shared last month.


Elizabeth Roscio
Preservation Librarian

Ezekiel Russell, the Printer behind our Declaration Broadside

Ezekiel Russell’s woodcut portraits of

George Washington and Horatio Gates.

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

Ezekiel Russell is featured in our Revolutionary Broadsides exhibit currently on display outside Room 341, and we thought it would be fun to do some more digging into this printer’s backstory for the blog.

Ezekiel Russell was born in Boston in 1745, the son of Captain Benjamin Russell and Elizabeth Belknap. In 1765, Russell traveled to New Hampshire to learn printing with his brother Joseph, who had partnered in publishing the Portsmouth Mercury and Weekly Advertiser. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Boston to pursue his own printing career.

Russell married Sarah Hood in 1773. According to Isaiah Thomas’s History of Printing, Sarah assisted him closely in his printing business. She learned the trade, wrote memorial verses for broadsides, and even took over running the business after his death. Together, the Russells issued Phillis Wheatley’s first proposal for a collection of poems and James Swan’s argument to abolish slavery. They published disabled young almanac-maker Daniel George and poets Hannah Wheaton and Jenny Fenno.

Controversially, Russell was also the printer (though not the publisher) of short-lived magazine The Censor, supporting the royal administration in the early 1770s. His willingness to print for the British government gained him an unfavorable reputation among patriots in Boston by 1773. Russell changed course by the following year, establishing himself as a printer for the patriot cause in Salem.

One of Ezekiel Russell’s most famous prints was titled Bloody Butchery, by the British Troops; of the Runaway Fight of the Regulars. It was published on April 21, 1775, and recounted the events at Lexington and Concord and included a funeral elegy likely written by his wife, Sarah. Of course, Russell would become even more well known for his printing of the Declaration of Independence.

Image courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society

via Digital Commonwealth

Inscription on the back of
our Declaration broadside

After the Second Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration, the text was sent to Philadelphia printer John Dunlap, who printed two hundred copies as broadsides. The text was then distributed to the thirteen colonies, where it was printed in newspapers and as broadsides. These were sent to ministers to share with their congregants at the next Sunday service. Ezekiel Russell was authorized to print the Declaration at his shop and distribute it to ministers throughout the North Shore. Written in iron gall ink on the back of the broadside is the notation “To the Rev. Mr. Holyoke, Boxford” so we know which congregation received this specific version. You can read even more information about our Declaration broadside in this previous blog post written by our Preservation Librarian.

 

Ezekiel Russell also had success printing almanacs, including the Bickerstaff's Boston Almanac series, which were the first in Massachusetts to use illustrations. He was the first printer in Salem and one of the first in Massachusetts to use portrait woodcuts. Shown here is a 1776 woodcut from Bickerstaff’s featuring a man with an astrolabe looking at the stars, surrounded by astronomer’s instruments. In 1777, Russell moved his printing business from Salem to a building connected to the Bell Tavern, located in what was then part of Danvers but is in present-day Peabody.

From Harriet Silvester Tapley’s Salem Imprints, 1768-1825, on Ezekiel Russell’s printing legacy:

“...we are indebted to him for some of the most interesting broadsides that have come down to us from the Revolutionary period. The product of his press during his residence of seven years in Salem and Danvers is surprisingly large. There being no newspaper in Salem during the most ominous years of the war, it gave him an opportunity, which he shrewdly embraced, to engage in the printing of these ephemeral sheets. They announced the most important public events as they happened, serving as the newspaper ‘extras’ of the time, and, of course, were eagerly sought.”

Alyssa Persson
Special Collections Processing Archivist

Sources:

• J.L. Bell’s Boston 1775 Blog
• Salem Imprints, 1768 – 1825: A History of The First Fifty Years of Printing in Salem, Massachusetts by Harriet Silvester Tapley
• The History of Printing in America by Isaiah Thomas

New Resource: State Library of Massachusetts Digital Archival Collections!

We’re excited to introduce the State Library of Massachusetts Digital Archival Collections—a new online platform that makes it easier than ever to discover, explore, and engage with the State Library’s unique historical collections. The new platform is now live and available at mastatelibrary.org.

For many years, the State Library has provided online access to digitized government publications and historical resources through our DSpace-GLAM Digital Collections Archive that you already know and love. Our new Digital Archival Collections platform on AM Quartex complements that repository by providing an enhanced experience for browsing and discovering unique archival materials.

Launched at the end of June 2026 with the support of Administration and Finance Office of Information Technology and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, the State Library of Massachusetts Digital Archival Collections site currently features maps, historic photographs, broadsides, manuscripts, and other items from our Special Collections, and we plan to add lots more additional content in the months and years ahead.

Why do we have two platforms? Simple! The State Library is committed to preserving and sharing the historical resources of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as carrying out our statutory mandate as the depository library for Massachusetts. We will do whatever it takes to enhance exploration, accessibility, and discovery to our collections while giving users the best possible experience while also ensuring long-term access. Ultimately, the State Library of Massachusetts Digital Archival Collections will include the same content as our DSpace-GLAM digital archive repository. With two options to choose from, you can utilize the platform that best meets your research needs!

Want to learn more? Check out our website page on all our State Library Digital Collections and watch our new “Tech Tour” video on YouTube. Just visit mastatelibrary.org to begin exploring the State Library’s Digital Archival Collections and archives.ma.state.us for our DSpace-GLAM repository.

Technical Services Department

The Baltimore Oriole Detours from Fenway to the State Library!

Our 250th road trip continues this month as we head to another colonial state; we're going south to Maryland, with the Baltimore Oriole! Just like the city, this bird is named after Lord Baltimore, Maryland's first proprietor, since its plumage was reminiscent of the colors in Lord Baltimore's coat-of-arms. And as you likely know, the city of Baltimore's baseball team has also adopted it as their name and mascot.

In the print, the male is shown with bright orange and black feathers, while the female is a more subdued brown. But the female is perched on another interesting feature in this print, the inclusion of the nest. Oriole nests are distinctive and impressive! They are hanging pouches, woven by female orioles and designed to hold seven to eight eggs. You can read more about them on the Audubon Society website. Also note the flowering blooms of the tulip tree. 

The Baltimore Oriole was on display last year during Women's History Month, with an interesting connection to a female artist and ornithologist sometimes referred to as "the other Audubon." Check that post out here, and visit us through August 11 to see the oriole on display! Since it has already been on display, after this exhibition, it will return to storage for the foreseeable future.

Elizabeth Roscio

Preservation Librarian

Resource Spotlight: New Books on the American Revolution, Constitution, and U.S. History!

It’s mid-July and MA250 is in full swing! If you’re local or visiting Boston, hopefully you’ve had the chance to experience some of the State Library’s recent events and exhibits. If you would like to find out about MA250 events near you – visit the MA250 Events page!

You can also download a copy of the MA250 Field Guide from our digital repository.

If you’re more of a bookworm and would prefer to celebrate through reading about American Revolution and the Commonwealth’s involvement – both in the war and the formation of the U.S. (or maybe you just need a refresher!) – and if you have a library card with us, you’re in luck! The State Library recently added some new books to its collection:

Published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History, these titles cover various battles and campaigns in the War of Independence:

• Opening Shots in the Colonies, 1775-1776 by Glenn F. Williams & Jonathan D. Bratten
• Valley Forge to Monmouth, 1778 by Mark Edward Lender
• The Canadian Campaign, 1775-1776 by Michael P. Gabriel

Can’t visit us in person? Don’t worry, you can access these online through the GPO and download them for free as PDFs:

• Opening Shots in the Colonies, 1775-1776
• Valley Forge to Monmouth, 1778
• The Canadian Campaign, 1775-1776

If you’re a fan of the Freedom Trail and want to visit historic sites significant to the American Revolution, then you’ll want to check out Boston 1776: A Rogue Tour of Revolution City by J.D. Dickey. This book “features nine immersive walking tours on seven period-style maps” and provides tips for those who might be unfamiliar with Boston.

Other new additions to our collection include:

• The Dreadful Word: Speech Crime and Polite Gentlemen in Massachusetts, 1690-1776 by Kristin Olbertson
• The American Revolution and the Constitution, edited by Y. Levin, A. White, & J. Yoo
• Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840-1920 by Akhil Reed Amar
• American Legal History: A Very Short Introduction by G. Edward White
• American Women’s History: Avery Short Introduction by Susan Ware

Bonus resource: In honor of the 250th, the State Library has been giving away free pocket Constitutions curtesy of the Federal Depository Library Program. If you missed your chance to pick one up, don’t worry – you can download a free pdf version of the Constitution of the United States with Index and the Declaration of Independence, Pocket Edition from the GPO website!

Happy reading!


Maryellen Larkin

Government Documents Reference Librarian

Tall Ships Return to Boston Harbor for Sail250

From July 11-16, Boston Harbor will welcome an impressive fleet of Tall Ships as part of Sail250 and Sail Boston. Sail250 is a nationwide maritime celebration connected to America250, the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. To mark the occasion, the State Library of Massachusetts will be displaying materials from its collection related to maritime history, sailing vessels, and Boston’s historic connection to the sea. The arrival of these historic ships offers visitors the chance to experience a connection to America’s maritime past while celebrating Boston’s long and important relationship with the harbor.

Tall Ships are traditionally large sailing vessels known for their towering masts, extensive rigging, and multiple sails. Today Tall Ships often serve as training vessels, museum ships, and goodwill ambassadors. These ships represent centuries of exploration, trade, naval history, and immigration, and they continue to capture the imagination of visitors around the world.

Boston has a particularly strong connection to maritime history. As one of the nation’s oldest ports, the city played a vital role in colonial trade, the American Revolution, and the development of the early United States. Events such as the Boston Tea Party highlighted the importance of Boston Harbor in America’s fight for independence, making the harbor an especially fitting location for Sail250 and the larger America250 celebration.

Tea leaves: being a collection of letters and documents relating to the shipment 

of tea to the American colonies in the year 1773, by the East India Tea Company.

By Francis S. Drake, 1970

Boston is also home to one of the nation’s most famous historic naval vessels: the USS Constitution. Launched in 1797 and still located in Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after its victories during the War of 1812, the ship remains a symbol of early American naval history and the nation’s longstanding maritime traditions.

Old Ironsides: The rise, decline, and resurrection of the USS Constitution

by Thomas C. Gillmer, 1993

Old Ironsides: The story of the USS Constitution

by Thomas P. Horgan, 1963

America250 commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and encourages communities across the country to reflect on the people, events, and ideas that shaped the nation’s history. Sail250 brings this history to life through maritime events, educational programming, and visits from Tall Ships from around the world. The celebration emphasizes not only America’s revolutionary beginnings, but also the importance of maritime trade, naval service, and international cooperation throughout American history.

To celebrate the arrival of the Tall Ships, the State Library of Massachusetts has gathered books and resources exploring maritime history, famous sailing vessels, and Boston’s historic connection to the sea. Some titles from our collection include:

• The tall ships: a sailing celebration by Hyla M. Clark, 1976
• Tall ships by Sail Boston 2000, 2000
• Sail Boston 1992 by Jane M. Moss, 1992
• Old Ironsides: The rise, decline, and resurrection of the USS Constitution
• by Thomas C. Gillmer, 1993
• Old Ironsides: The story of the USS Constitution by Thomas P. Horgan, 1963

We invite visitors to stop by the State Library throughout the month of July to explore these materials and learn more about the maritime history that continues to shape Boston and the nation. As the Tall Ships sail into Boston Harbor this summer, they serve as a powerful reminder of the people, ships, and waterways that helped define America’s story.

Jessica Shrey
Reference Librarian

State Library Newsletter - July Issue

This July, cool off at the State Library! We're open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00, including July 3 and July 6. In this month's newsletter, read about everything you can explore in our space - our upcoming collaborative archive event, our new exhibit, and our temporary displays. You'll also find information about our new digital repository, and more.

Pictured here is a preview, but the full issue can be accessed by clicking here. And you can also sign up for our mailing list to receive the newsletter straight to your inbox.