Jackson’s Oxford Journal Newspaper
Saturday May 12th 1759
This is an interesting old Oxford newspaper with news
reports of the day which include some of the topics below
the Seven Years' War history, including Channel Island
privateers disrupting French supplies and conflicts involving the Jesuits in
South America.
A mention of "curious Experiments towards finding out
the Longitude" which refers to the massive 18th-century scientific race to
solve the longitude problem for safe sea navigation, famously solved by John
Harrison's marine chronometer clocks around this era.
A mention of London Bridge’s "The grand Arch" which
refers to the major 1750s structural renovations of Old London Bridge, where
the two central arches were knocked into one wide arch to improve river
navigation.
An article mentioning "18 impressed Men" who broke out of
their irons were victims of the Press Gang, a system used heavily during the
Seven Years' War to force civilian men into mandatory military service for the
Royal Navy.
An article about the "Conjuror" and John Fielding:
The magistrate who committed the fraudster to prison was John Fielding, the
famous blind magistrate and social reformer who, along with his brother Henry
Fielding, founded the Bow Street Runners (London's first professional police
force). Tothill-Fields Bridewell was a well-known prison house of correction in
Westminster.
Seven Years' War Campaigns: a report detailing the manoeuvres
of the Allied army (principally British, Hanoverian, and Hessian forces under
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick) retreating after the Battle of Bergen (April 13,
1759) while being pursued by the French commander, the Duc de Broglie.
A Berlin report notes the capture of "twelve
Uhlans" (traditional Polish light cavalry units armed with lances,
utilized heavily during this era as skirmishers) and a "Chaplain of the
Greek Religion" (Eastern Orthodox), highlighting the diverse ethnic and
religious makeup of the Austrian Empire's forces.
The French and Indian War: The mention of "Stillwater
and Saraghtoga" (Saratoga, New York) and the prepping of transports for
the "River St. Lawrence" references the North American theater of the
Seven Years' War. This massive military build-up was part of the British
campaign that would lead directly to the historic Battle of the Plains of
Abraham and the capture of Quebec later in 1759.
The Prince of Wales keeping his birthday at Saville House is
the future King George III of Great Britain, who would ascend the throne just a
year later in 1760.
Among the mentioned bankrupts is a "Snuffer-maker"
from Wolverhampton. Candle snuffers (scissor-like tools used to trim wicks and
extinguish candles without smoke) which were part of a booming metalware
industry in mid-18th-century Staffordshire.
Report of the Newmarket Races including
Carrying a "Feather": In 18th-century horse
racing, carrying a "feather" (or featherweight) meant the horse was
carrying the absolute minimum weight possible, usually ridden by a very young,
lightweight boy or apprentice jockey without any added lead weights.
A mention of the "Cullen Arabian" noted in the
racing table, was a highly influential Foundation Sire imported to England in
the 1740s. He played a major role in establishing the modern Thoroughbred horse
breed.
The paper measures 17 inches tall approx. and runs to four
printed sides
The newspaper is split into two pieces down the centre fold
line, a little worn at edges else condition as seen
It will be posted folded along existing fold lines
EU Customers Please note since the UK has now left the
EU, it is the customers responsibility to be aware of any import taxes and
VAT that may be incurred when buying and importing from a Non EU Country,
and they should expect pay any taxes that are now due this is also the
case with certain U.S States, Canada, and Australia, Sorry but these
changes are out of my hands
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