The Halcyon was the weekly newspaper of St. Stephens, which ran from 1815 until 1817 when its name was changed to The Halcyon and Tombecbe Public Advertiser. It finally went out of business in 1823. Most of its content was made up of various advertisements, current events, and notices about auctions and lost articles. There were also frequent notices about runaway slaves and slave sales.
Here is a small collection of extracts from various 1819 publications of The Halcyon and Tombecbe Public Advertiser, with an image of the original advertisement. They represent only a fraction of the articles from the numerous surviving issues of the newspaper. A microfilm copy of The Halcyon and Tombecbe Public Advertiser from January 9, 1819 to November 27, 1820 can be obtained through interlibrary loan from your local public library.
Every effort has been made to reproduce faithfully the original spelling. We hope you enjoy reading these extracts.
To the Votaries of Fortune!
DRAWING OF
Lottery
To COMMENCE ON THURSDAY NEXT,
OWING to mistake in the sale of Tick-
ets, some reserved numbers have been
purchased ; in consequence of which the
Managers have to notify the public that in-
stead of the numbers 1001-1030, inclusive,
designated for payment in part of the $1,000
stationary prize for the 1st day's drawing;
they have reserved from No. 1413 to 1451
inclusive, and from 1454 to 1464 inclusive, -
That in lieu of 1561, 1562, 1563, 1564, 1565,
1566, 1567, 1568, 1569, 1570, 1597, 1599, the
[num]bers from 1401 to 1412 inclusive, are now
reserved by them to supply these numbers
in the series from 1501 to 1600 inclusive.
The remainder of the scheme, as heretofere
published in the Halcyon, is unaltered.
The drawing has been interrupted by this
circumstance, but will positively commence
on Thursday next. Tickets which do not
sell immediately, are to be returned, as re-
quired in a notice already given.
GEO. BUCMANN,
BENJ. E. SMOOT,
M. D. WILSON,
Managers for the Trustees.
Jan 8. 1819
Tickets to be had at the Post Office.
150 Dollars
Per annum [year] will be given for a good ser-
vant woman, who understands well, how to
cook, and has been accustomed to house
work -- none need apply unless they can pro-
duce the most satisfactory proofs of their a-
bilities -- Apply to G. E. MOSCROP
St. Stephens, Jan. 9, 1819
notifying the public that the
Jackson Academy,
Will continue the ensuing year, commencing
on the first day of March next, under the
Rev. James L. Sloss, its present Rector.--
An assistant, well qualified to discharge the
duties required of him, has been engaged,
and is expected on very soon. Until his ar-
rival, a substitute will act, who, it is believed,
has the confidence of all that know him.--
The prices of tuition will continue at their
present rate, viz:
Twenty Dollars per annum for the First
Glass [Class]
Twenty five Dollars for the second, and
Thirty Dollars for the third.
The exercises of each Class, are confined to
the following order:
1st. From the alphabet to reading, writing,
and cyphering to the single Rule of Three,
inclusive.
2d. A further progress in arithmetic, Eng-
lish grammar, reading and writing occasion-
ally.
3d. The Latin and Greek languages, geo-
graphy, natural and moral philosophy,
Together with such other branches of sci-
ence as may be necessary for entering the ju-
nior class of any College in the United
States. Suitable books for these studies
have been provided, together with the first
requisites of a philosophical apparatus --
There are now at this Institution, between
40 and 50 students. Their progress is grat-
ifying, indeed, to those who wish to see learn-
ing advance, and bears ample testimony of
the skill and unwearied attention bestowed
upon them. The undersigned take a pleas-
ure in making this statement, for it is richly
merited. And as a proof of their approba-
tion -- the plan or system of instruction pur-
sued, and the harmony that subsists between
all that are concerned, they have engaged
Mr. Sloss for the ensuing year on terms con-
siderably in advance of those of the present.
From this circumstance it will be necessary,
indispensably so, that payment, for tuition,
should be made quarterly, in advance, be-
ginning, as above stated, on the 1st of March
next; and no student will be received whose
parent or guardian neglects this rule. Good
boarding may be had within a moderate dis-
tance of the Academy, at from ten to fifteen
dollars per month. Payment, for tuition,
will, in all cases, be made to Mr. Sloss, who
will receipt for the same, on ascertaining to
what particular class each student is to be
allotted.
Mrs. ROUSE takes this oppor-
tunity of informing the publi[c]
that she has rented a commodious
Boarding House
next door to the corner of High-street and
Chambers street St. Stephens, where young
gentlemen will find every possible accommo-
dation that the country affords, upon reason-
able terms.
As she is desirous of entertaining only a
select few, she hopes to meet with that en-
couragement which she has taken every pains
to insure.
December 19, 1818
POETRY
LOVERS'S FIRST SIGH
If there's an hour more sweet, more blest.
Amid life's checquer'd scene
If joy ere filled the artless breast,
Its cares and fears between,
Tis when the heart it knows not why,
With rapture fill'd, breathes love's first sigh
How swiftly sweet the moments fly.
Mid groves or flowrey dells,
When fondly gazing on that eye
Where purest passion dwells,
And the young bosom throbbing high
With fond alarms breathes love's first sigh.
And though the time is ever fled,
And past the joys it gave,
Yet siill [still] shall memory sweetly shed
Like moombeams on the wave-
A beam that yet shall light the eye
And cheer with thought of love's first sigh.
(Feb. 8, 1819, pg. 4)
THE subscriber begs leave to inform the
public that he has established a
Bake Shop
in the town of Rodney. He is disposed to
furnish the citizens of St. Stephens with
bread at their own houses, which will be
done daily on the lowest terms; agreeably to
the price of flour. The present stock on hand
having cost $15, he will give 16 ounces to
the bit loaf, which will increase with the re-
duction of the price of flour, after the stock
on hand is expended, Citizens who wish to
engage for bread regularly, will please apply
at the Halcyon office and enter their names
on a list to be prepared for that purpose.
JOHN REPSHER.
March 6, 1819
Cotton Seed.
THE subscribers will have in a few day-
2000 bushels of prime green COTTON-
SEED from Jone's Valley, equal to the Ma-
dison seed.
Cotton Planters knowing the importance
of having seed clear of the rot, will do wel
to engage it immediately, as great part of the
above seed is already engaged.
JAMES H DEARING, & Co.
The subscriber will give
CASH FOR COTTON,
at its value, (let it be high or low) delivered
at any Ware House in Alabama ; but would
prefer it in Mobile or this place.
ROBERT BLEDSOE.
St. Stephens, January 2, 1819.
of March next,
Eight Negroes,
The property of James A. Goodwin dec. con-
sisting of two women, two plough boys and
four children. Nine months credit will be
given, the purchaser giving bond with approv
ed security.
THO. GOODWIN Adm,r
8th Feb. 1819
THE subscribers are now receiving per
the steam Boat, a quantity of
GOODS,
from the brig Adze, which was intended to
complete their assortment lost in the brig Ri-
val, and will consequently be sold very low
for Cash or Cotton -- among which are the
following, viz.
Rose and 4 pt. Blankets, elegant superfine
broad cloths, casimeres and patent cords,
strouds, common broad cloths, bombazetts,
surges, a variety of hosiery, figured and fancy
muslins, lenoes cambricks, dimities, furniture
calicoes, gentlemens handkerchiefs, assort-
ment of ribbons, some elegant, needles, pins,
gilt coat buttons, pocket books, shirt buttons
gentlemens hats, ladies shoes, raens lined and
bound and coarse negro shoes, carpenters and
shoe makers tools, plantation hoes, steel
saws, plated stirrup irons, bitts, buckles, and
slides, ect. pocket compasses and a variety of
other hard ware, cutlery and dry goods.
Also, 5 crates and 2 Hhds of selected
crockery ware.
Also, a quantity of castings, pewter, patent
shot, etc. -- All of which will be sold very low
as above.
COOLIDGE & BRIGHT.
Removal.
THE undersigned have removed to the
house lately occupied by Messrs. John M.
Burk, & Co. as a Grocery store, on high street,
and offer to the particular attention of coun-
try merchants and farmers, a large assort-
ment of GOODS, particularly calculated for
the season,
CONSISTING OF DRY GOODS.
Superfine cloths, common do.* Superfine ca-
si[?]ers, common do. Ladies superfine Pelisse
cloths, Princes cord, Stockinetts, Flannels,
Baize, Blankets, Bombazetts, Domesticks,
Plaid Jackets and Trowsers, Hats &c. &c.
GROCERIES
Cogniac Brandy Jam. Rum N.E. do. Gin
Whiskey, Madeira, Wine, Sicily do. Long
cork Claret, Cordials, Porter, Ale, Cider Mo
lasses, Sugar, Coffee, Chocolate, Tea, Pepper
Spice, Ginger, Mustard, Candles, Tobacco,
Segars, Soap, Mackarel, Herring, Pilot bread.
HARDWARE ASSORTED
Crockery and Glass do. Pewter do. Station-
ary do. Ladies shoes and Leather do. Cotton
Bagging, &c.
A general assortment of the above articles
will be kept constantly on hand, and sold on
the most moderate terms for cash or cotton
J.H. DEARINGS, & Co.
Nov. 6.
[* do. stands for ditto.]
ADVERTISEMENT! GENTLEMEN
JOURNEYMEN CORDWAINERS!
. . . . . . . . Please stop pulling out and lis-
ten to me a few moments, while I ask the
reason why, in all your tramps, you so studi-
ously shun this place? Is it because you
think there is no vacant seats? I tell you I
have several myself. Perhaps you may think
we have no stock, or that money is scarce, or
wages low! Let me inform you, gentlemen,
that we have plenty of the choicest northern
leather here, and your money sure every Sa-
turday night, and the wages regulated by the
surrounding country. Possibly you may
have been told that the place is new and dis-
agreeable, unfavorable to health and without
society: I will assure you that nature has
been almost profligate in lavishing her
beauties here, and those beauties highly em-
belished by art -- our chrystalline fountains
are as pure as the nectar of the Gods -- the
air salubrious and healthy, -- gentle zephyrs
fanning the noxious vapors from the other-
wise impregnated air, and wafting rosy health
from door to door: as to society, I am proud
to say it is our boast -- here you can mingle
with those whose souls are congenial with
your own, where you may unbend the mind
without reserve, or fear of misconception or
misapplication, and there beguile the tedious
hour in entertaining and instructive sociabi-
lity; and then the pleasing reflection on re-
tiring -- no remorse, or the least painful re-
trospect, on time mis-spent -- talents abused --
business neglected, -- temperance or purity --
benevolence or piety -- good manners or good
breeding, offended -- How facinating the
charm! We have none of those pests of socie-
ty, such as are elected by rank, or hardened
by riches, or enervated by sensuality, or car-
ried away by the tided of folly -- No! my
friends, here we have the enterprising and in-
dulgent merchant, -- the sober, industrious and
ingenious mechanic -- the learned counsel --
the tender, skilful and attentive Physician,
and the pious Clergy: all abounding in hos-
pitality, conviviality, and without partiality --
Here you meet the sympathetic tear -- the
sweet emotion -- the endearing intercourse --
the zealous assistance -- the friendly counsel,
and blooming health, and mild content in ev-
ery countenance: and now, gentlemen, as it
is well known, that flattery is not my talent,
and that I am incapable of painting in water
colors, you cannot suppose, that I exagge-
rate; and any of you who wish to taste the
ambrozial sweets of this Land of Delight
will meet with liberal encouragement by cal-
ling on their friend and Brother Chip, at the
corner of Carrol and Monroe streets No. 141,
next door to the Post-office, Jackson, Clark
County, Alabama Territory.
For information concerning park hours, prices, and availability please contact sshc@alabama.gov
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Copyright © 2007 by the St. Stephens Historical Commission.
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