Issue Details: First known date: 1843... 1843 Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

In its first issue, the Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser announced its intention 'to enliven the town of Parramatta with the introduction of a local newspaper' and to provide 'an advertising medium, the want of which has been the means of retarding the progress of trade, agriculture, and science' of the district. It also expressed the hope that the paper would be 'an agreeable companion to pass away a dull hour after the labours of the week - a grateful relief from the weariness and ennui which the monotony of Parramatta life is said to engender'. From the outset, the newspaper was energetic in its 'promotion and protection' of the Parramatta district and laboured 'zealously' to advance the fledgling township 'to that important eminence her wealth, population, and resources entitle her to'. Politically, the newspaper saw itself as 'absolutely free; unfettered by any party or faction, ever maintaining ... the immutable principles of Truth and Right on whatever side they may be found' (1.1 (30 December 1843): [1]).

Weekly issues featured local news from Parramatta and Liverpool and regional news from the 'Interior'. The 'Interior' comprised settlements such as Maitland, the Lower Murrumbidgee, Bathurst, Goulburn and Queanbeyan. Reports were also included from colonial settlements in Port Phillip, Van Diemen's Land, Swan River and South Australia. Depending on the arrival of ships, international news was provided from Ireland, the USA, New Zealand, India and Tahiti. Most issues included some news from England.

Colonial news focused heavily on crime and accidents. Significant space was given over to reports of violent crime, insolvencies, suicides, illicit stills and crimes perpetrated by the Indigenous populations of, in particular, the Port Phillip district. Typical crime headlines were 'Murders by the Blacks', 'A Horrid Murder' and 'Wicked Villainy'. Many issues included reports from the Parramatta Quarter Sessions, the Windsor Police Court and the Central Criminal Court. News items about accidental deaths from drowning and burns were also prominent.

The Parramatta Chronicle published some poetry by colonial and British authors, but literature was not an important feature in the newspaper's pages. (It did include an extract from Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.) Regular column space was devoted to shipping arrivals and departures, shipping accidents and shipwrecks, race meetings and sporting activities, recipients of tickets-of-leave, impoundings, and births, deaths and marriages.

The newspaper also ran advertisements for local providers of goods and services and 'wanted' ads for those seeking household help or offering their labour. Among the advertisements were notices for theatrical performances, the publication of almanacs and an announcement, from Edmund Mason (q.v.) of the establishment of a library service for Parramatta.

In its early issues, the Parramatta Chronicle leant its support to women's rights and was a strong advocate of education for women.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1843
    • Parramatta, Parramatta area, Sydney, New South Wales,: Edmund Mason , 1843 .
      Link: U7786Web recource Digital copy of print publication via Australian Periodical Publications 1840-1845.
      Note/s:
      • 'Printed and published by Edmund Mason, George Street, Parramatta, N. S. Wales.'

Works about this Work

The Parramatta Chronicle 1845 single work column
— Appears in: Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser , 4 January vol. 2 no. 54 1845; (p. 2)
An editorial marking the first full year of publication for the Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser.
The Chronicle 1844 single work column
— Appears in: Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser , 16 March vol. 1 no. 12 1844; (p. 1)
Ourselves 1843 single work column
— Appears in: Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser , 30 December vol. 1 no. 1 1843; (p. 1)
The editor explains that the Parramatta Chronicle will set forth an 'amusing melange of news, entertainment, and information' and will provide relief from that 'general weariness and ennui which the monotony of Parramatta life is said to engender'.
The Chronicle 1844 single work column
— Appears in: Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser , 16 March vol. 1 no. 12 1844; (p. 1)
Ourselves 1843 single work column
— Appears in: Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser , 30 December vol. 1 no. 1 1843; (p. 1)
The editor explains that the Parramatta Chronicle will set forth an 'amusing melange of news, entertainment, and information' and will provide relief from that 'general weariness and ennui which the monotony of Parramatta life is said to engender'.
The Parramatta Chronicle 1845 single work column
— Appears in: Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser , 4 January vol. 2 no. 54 1845; (p. 2)
An editorial marking the first full year of publication for the Parramatta Chronicle, and Cumberland General Advertiser.

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

ISSN: 1440-3439
Frequency:
Published 'every Saturday morning and delivered to town subscribers by 8 o'clock'.
Range:
Vol. 1, no. 1 (30 December 1843) - vol. 2, no. 92 (27 September 1845)
Continued by:
The Cumberland Times, and Western Advertiser
Supplement:
Some issues include a two-page supplement.
Price:
Four shillings per quarter.
Note:
Four column format.
Note:

On 30 August 1845, Edmund Mason placed an advertisement in the Parramatta Chronicle seeking a buyer for the newspaper as his time and attention was required for his 'daily increasing business in the Printing and Stationery line' and in anticipation of the arrival of a large consignment of books for a library.

On 13 September, Mason ran the following notice: 'This journal having passed in fresh proprietorship, it will appear, on and after the 4th of October next, under the title of the Cumberland Times, and Western Advertiser, and will circulate in the various districts of this country.' (p.[2])

Has serialised

The Sisters, J. L. (fl. 1844) , single work short story
The Wedding Day, single work short story
Last amended 12 Oct 2009 10:55:15
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