13 Facts About Hugh Gaine

Hugh Gaine founded and was printer of The New York Mercury and the New York Royal Gazette.

Hugh Gaine was born in Belfast, Ireland, about 1726 and came to the British colonies at New York in 1745.

Hugh Gaine came from a working-class family in Ireland, and entered into a five-year apprenticeship with James Macgee in Belfast before emigrating at the age of eighteen to New York City in 1745.

Hugh Gaine became a journeyman and worked for six years under James Parker, who was the official printer for the city of New York, before becoming proficient enough and publishing his own newspaper.

Hugh Gaine purchased a modest property in Hanover square, and used his house as book and stationery store, while he increased his printing, where his business ventures soon became extensive and successful.

Hugh Gaine remained at this location for forty years printing pamphlets and other works for himself and others.

In 1767, Hugh Gaine modified the name and added Gazette to his newspaper, now referred to as Hugh Gaine's New York Gazette and Mercury from that point on.

Hugh Gaine functioned as a pressman, compositor, folder, and distributor of his own newspaper, which had a circulation of upwards to four hundred copies.

Hugh Gaine sought out and recorded newsworthy events on his own accord.

Hugh Gaine set up his own printing types, operated the printing press, and folded his own newspapers before delivering them to his subscribers.

Hugh Gaine started out in life as a poor man, but was said to be punctual in his business dealings, and "of correct moral habits, and respectable as a citizen", and became the founder of two New York newspapers.

Hugh Gaine's printing business became the most successful in New York during its existence.

Hugh Gaine died on April 25,1807, at the age of eighty-one.