Dataset Preview

Subset (4)

all_years

Split (167)

1774

The full dataset viewer is not available (click to read why). Only showing a preview of the rows.

Job manager was killed while running this job (job exceeded maximum duration).

Error code:   JobManagerExceededMaximumDurationError

Need help to make the dataset viewer work? Open a discussion for direct support.

article_id string	newspaper_name string	edition string	date string	page string	headline string	article string
1_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		arI. IN a ilpasai .n.n1, is, tnas ne important and exseniive powers and authority with winch : an ir,rufed b. you, are delegated to ne only far your good and the general benefit. You lays enlarged my powers of being ufssl TO you. and eonaituteI me the hra guardian Of our com. mon rights ard franchiies. Give me leave TO allure YOU that 70 far from harbouring the imPi- Gus thought of invading your Liberties rnylelt, ! l,all ,hink it my duty always, firmly and boldly TO itand forth againR the enemies Ct public a~d legal freedom. In this noble cauie viii moit readily Join you, and in all faluiary ineafues, for the pre!eryarion, OF improvement of the conaitu- siOn of cur country and for the welfare ofthe ca pisal. / lhall therefore mott certainly call COM mon halls and common councils, on al import ant occaEons 2t your requi6tion. " Gentlemen Of the Livery, % As chief magltra;e of the fri city in the world, promile you an upright and regular ad- minilssation of the public jullce, and rely wiIh confidence on your favourable acceptance Of my fncere and Jealous endewours in your iervice. " On Saturday night medenger was isnt away from the admiralty with diiparches for General Gage at Bottom, TO be forwarded By the Scarbo- rough man Of war, lately arrived from thaS pro- vince.
2_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone	L H U R S D A Y, December /.	BY the lait vcael from England we have it from undoubtcd authority that the members OF both Houfes who are friends to America, have frequently communications, for the purpole OF dropping their private Misunderstanding, and uniting IN the public cauie, which at preienI needs their joint afiitance, hnce breach with America, hazardcd by the lare harlh mealures, may be ruinous to the general welfare OF the Britilh Empire, and notwithstanding IL has been indaariouly repreisnted thar Lord Chatham has deierted our cauie, it may BE- certainly depended upon by the public that the contrary is the truth, and that his ientiments are iuch as America could with. Five thouhnd people have embarked al Greenook fnce the month Of March for America. BY late accounts from England, brought BY Capt. Shepherd (exelufvs of what was Publiih- cd IN cur paper beiore) we leagn,--that aaocia- tlons were forming in more than twenty counties there, to chule fuch perlons only for members OF Parliament aswill iupporr the American cauie - The iudden didolution Of Parliament occaioned great ihook 10 all rank of people in England !; and twas generally thought the new Parliament will be for Tedreaing the American grievances. In TIC London papers for September is publih- ~ PIO~SS0AIgo VI piOfAHAissA Vii A~'S Vi New Ieriey the arrival of lieutenant Governor divers commiGion, and an account of the fwearing in Of twelve gentlemen as councillors, appointed by his Majcity's mandamus the aP- Pointmens and departure of the gentlemen who were TO repreicnt this province in the grand Ame- Iican Congreis and an addrels from the juitices of the inferior court of common pleas for tile county of Eaex, &c. ExfrGa Of a Lsff1- fran Port6n0ab, IN England, dated O3s6er 4. p " Since the Scarborough man of war has ar rived from Bottom, not one of the men have been fuered TO come on ihore, neither are their friends permitted to go on board. Theihip is anchored at iome diaanoe from any other, and 70 careful are the officers to keep every thing iecret, that when any proviiion is lent on board they lfand on the fde of the lhip TO prevent any conversation pa1ing between the people that carry 1t and the crew, from which 1t is conje6tuIed that things are worie at Bottom than government are willing the public fhould be acquainted with. The men in the yards are ordered to work double tides, to get lome hips ready for iea as loon as poible it is faid that they are to relieve the guardihips, which are to come into dock to be cleared and vi6tualled for long voyage By all ths appear anoe here we are at the eve ofa war;" Ex,at7 Of a letter fran L0sdsn, dated o7cjsr q. The people here fesm be heartily ek Of ths me1- rcs ha, have been taken asln your port rovnce and hear the minfry Dc NOT knew which way 70 aesr they loath give up their yrannca power but they mutt it the eoleaies are rdfa. The news your papers makes all the party look blue. We do yet know the tents Of Cenea Cages eTPge The friends Of America In csaf aa Petitions forming in all parts Ofthe kingdom in favour Of America. We all inpatient know the fuIt Of the Congre. II the colonies firm for yes and neither import export, it would efabh American freedom, o this country iuPPO tf without the CO. loEes." We have feyera other extEzas from letters from London, 70 she fame pu-port Of the above. Every colony ieems be putting into execution the meafures recommended by the Grand Congrels. II reported, that tanfpOrts filled from England to Ireland, in orser to take ia troops for Bolton. The Provincial cOnsref e9Itiaps citing cabtidge. Netting has yes trsnvired.
3_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone	From the LONDON GAZETTEER, Of Sept. 20 To the P RI N i ER.	To the K n / K. Secretary sf Stafs'' oyfee, Sept. I9, i774. SIR, IN coniequence of a paragraph in your paper 4 CT this day, which you fay you are called up on to niert by your correspondent who fayOured you with the copy of letter publiihed in your paper of Tuefday lait, and introduced as letter recently received by noble lord in high Office from an officer in America, la,ely ient thither on 4 very important command, am again directed by lord Dartmouth, 10 de6re you viii, in bisnane, and BY his Gutbsrity, inform your readers that no iuch letter has ever been received by his lordihip am, Sir, your mott obedient iervant, \|. POWNALL.
4_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		drinking or ;ipimg in ,heir Nouie,. Cena,,, Backnaes CT w'thin any OF tae dependsRees O; iach Hou!ls. or c! lelling 2n o,lsr fort VI drink han what thcy nave lcencc for, ih2ll incur anI !uiter The like Penalties and foreitures as may by Law Le inflicted upon periom delhng with oat licenct, 10 bereco'ered aud employed il aal,- der as by ;he iaia law Is dlIeGcd'
5_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		publel in the Lonaon Cazstiec OF September aad j. day e-pobgd and fd by De hreeianG IN c4een-:iree The a;e grand Continental Cong,eis at Phad, among other of their proceedings prepared an adde aad petition 20 hi. Mae (which will be pujaed tl it is pci;ntei 70 him copies OF which petition, S.. ane of Letter TO the colony agents London directed TO be delivered each ufthc ipeae of the pc,incIl Aernbs in Anses, to be by them tranined the laid agents IN London, who arc 4red rcsue the atance and iuPpon of lurt Nobern aud Gentlemen Is were ayoaby dpoiea towards the Bth American Coores in order sc, the laid address and sd ton pref ied &c. and eaui- il to be pupGihsd. The following is a copy Of the letter to the agents GENTLEMrN, Philadelphia, odOber a6, 1874. w give YOU the ionseii proof OF reliance os your zeal attachment to the haPpnes of Amefea and the cauic ofberty when commit the eneoied parer to your care. We der YOU will deliver the petition into the hands oh Maey, and aer it has been psesEtet, win may be made Pubctheneh thefel, together with the IN ogie.an- ccs. And as we hope Tor great siaanee hom the ipn s:tue and jnace fshe nson il earneit dee, that he mo etice,la be taken, early poioe, 90 fa- Nth the trading cities and nanuatnrng towns throughout dhe untd kinGdOm, with OLE memorial 10 the Peoie ct CIsat- Btain. We doubt not but your good ienie and decinmeni will lead you TO avail youreges OF every sanoe that may be derived from the advice and iendhp of all great and good men, who may incline aid the caue Of liberty and mankind The gratitude Of America e&reed in the eneosd vote Of hanks d,re may be conveyed the deevrg objects OF III the manner thA you think viii DC mott acceptable to \| hem. Ii propoel that another Congr be held On the 10th of May this place, bu, 10 the time we beg the fvoar Of you, gentlemen, anmt The SfsakeIs sf the verA aembe the esea information OF the moi aut len accounts you eos, Of alt iueh conduct and dsgns OF the minRr paIliamenas tray eOneen America to know. We with unieigned eeen and regard, gentlemen &c By order and in behalf ofthe c,ngrels, BERRY MIDDLETON, Prsident. Ts P<Hi Wsnf4rsvb, Eg; Det7er Bsgazir Franklin, M ham BOLsr En-; Dod@r AfbEy Lee, 9b'nas Life Eff Ed naHd Burke, Ejg; Cbar!a Csrfb, Efa. The COngs aio prepared letter 70 the people OF the CO. onies of Sr. Tohn:, Nsya-Scoa, Georgia, EAd and Wet Florida, wis had deputies spfsen then in the CEN sreis. OF this letter, the following is copy. GENrLrMEH, Fbhsd,pba, otf0b0 -, 1874. ct II preient critical and truly alarming fate OF AMT rican aas having been eord.red in general consIes OF deputies from the colonies of New-Hamphre, Maaehuiet Bay RhodeInd and Providence plantations, Connecticut New-Yok, New-Jerey, Pennfyvania, New caaIe, kent aad Saicx, on Delaware Mary land Virginia, Norh-Caro ina, and Sonth-Caroina with that attention and mature ebeion, which the important naur: s tbs cafe demands they have dere mined for temeves and the colonies the epreent the meafues contained in the eneioed papers which eaes they recommend your colony to be adopted III all the eaneRneE, that well directed sea Tor Amsrsan liberty prompt. So rapidly violent and una has been tn. late eoDs1 Of the 3rtlh Administration aganh the colonies tt eftef bie and navih ubmon, under the lois of their aeehtlat and esnaituona liberty, mua quickly take Paee a9 ade- quate cPpohon be ormed. &gE\| We pray Cod take you under his protection, and pre- erye the freedom and happiness of the whole Br,h empire By order ofths Congrefs.- .. -- HENRY MIDDLETON, Frendent. ~ The following letter from wsrthy brerhsA Of Dur ham in the province Of New HaSPhire we have received naay others from he in this and the other colonies, breahng the fame mPlhy generohy and regard for liberty which the public papers, have nor had fo though they all carefully pelsIyel and nagharyfo tn: honour Of America be made PubHs. ~ 4 q D~ham n nerp-HansJs9n'N 'NSV. ar.s7z4.' take plesure in kafnittins YOU by Mr.. Scam mel few cattle, with,a Tnlll iumof money; whichl number of perons iphs psse ssndery yppstirng with Offering brethren IN ROasa' have 0sdb1lsd toward shgir fupport." . z e. ~-~s With this, foon After yo viii receive the donation or number in Lee, psriih sss.tt off from iis ard few days, thois of Dover Nsvmarke aud other adj AGENT towns" What you herewith receive, comes not o the opulen,; but mofly from tie induirous Yeomenary in this ps,iih We have out few per.ons Of saeni fortunes among bu ShOis have mott chssry contributed the relief Of the iii treied IN your metropolis" This is conGd-td byus, nor as g, an aa Of cha ty, but OF juiseas al part, VI what IL daiy bod to Communicate, koie truly noble and patriotic a5- yocates Of American freedom, who basey landing the g,p b-twe=n ard lageDdef.ndng the common nterea Of whole eOhnenand soEiOuy iuggng in the caais Of liberty" Upon you the eyes Of all America are fx-d--upon your pAtlenCet IcIttaoc fcOuuOn tuiceI Oosy -penss ali that is dear to them and their poNerip.May tat superintendent, gracious being sho open 70 the cries " the opPr-d in anef the ne-nt prayers Of his people defend our u eaaicurn h eooalss Of our enemies into oelhssdsi-erus from she hands Of our oDprenos and make thole very neslars by which they endeaysuring to conpss derueon the means o 6Sng our invaluable rights and privileges upon more finn and iA ing BATS" While with ,h. mof painful fsniatioas we reasd thar prior to the Of the evh wSch now nyouna Us, opinene, and inatsention to our eomen i1s had 70 far prevailed, as almoa wholly fink in nxarant diff fraton the inhabitants Of hee colonies nc bound 70 acknowledge the divine wido and goodne, @hshby hef. ealantes routed from ethagy, and taught Us % &C. fsni thole nefmabe beits which otherssiie mf base been forever oa to US and our PoeIty and 20 hes h' determination to fave America, ded tie attacks Of our enemies to tha, quarter where the virtue and ne Of I'll: inhabitants, could brave the has military tysnts, and let at dance he threats Of eTapted and deiPotie mniitsT We ave pl-aed find, that/the nethods BY which the -. -. -.,.l - kt
8_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		The fslSqoizg eryal7 fran a Laq0 sffbit Proviucs, FL. lbs l1ftyefzg ef DrEakernsl;, Je. IL printed 81 efdsr Of f5s Sfltz-meH, thai 40 ozs qvbeu FRO .,fc4tad, for the breae6 q laid La50, mGy PLEAD iszOrGzcs as az Excgis. To E it therefore ena6ted by the Lieutenant d Governor, council and Repref natives in General Court afembled, and by the authority of the fame, that from and after the publication hereof, every perion and perions now liceni:d, or thar a hereafter obtain liccncf to retail wine and Grong liquors to BE- fpent out of doors, and nct otherwiie, who fhsll be convicted Of enter tanning or iuaering any PeTion or Periens TO hs
9_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		Ala late meesia2 y! d. !!..4hc:. Cf 'cH- - = in iuu 3ogt OF the proceedings Of ihe eonul - III Conqre.s) they unanmoui!y lcioi.cd-l SGh- Ill no mellaes or tyrups that may hereafter beI mported from anyul the Eritiih Neit-india ID ands, or from Dominica. Nor TO itll any rim, or other ipi Tits, for the purpoe of carrying on :he aare trade, or that they thai have reAion to ap- plehend IS intended TO be 10 applied. MONDAY le'nnighi IN the form, Capt. AcS- wosth, bound from Newfoundland for Salesl, arrived at Cape Ann, from whcace we hear bel fent his letters and number Of bills 10 this place and failed few hours before the liorm for New bury -port, bur the ilorn increaed 10 iuch de- qrce, that his veiicl was galloway, which, with the cargo, himiell, mate, iome paiiengers, sc. were lott. Only two hands NC hear were iaved. ! Several vcles were drove aihore at Nswbury- Port, and Others laying at the wha:ves, greatly damaged. Wetear OF hearing iurthe- damage. \| ID ON ATI0NS received Encc our lat. From the county OF Litch6ed Cn Connetti- eut} I9k Do& and 81 head cattle. From Cpl cheiiel, "a heep and cattle. From Fairfield, 7so buihels gram. OF Mr Sylyanus How OF, \| peteriham, eleven quarters Of mutton, Iz3 ib. weight. \| Eriraei Of a letter fi0m PrOUidtrer, NeV. i6. A very awful AFFAIR happened in tLis town lalt evening A journeyman barber, ha.ing in dulged himie!f too freely in drinking, became very abuive in the ilreet, and attacked 4 labour- \| ing man, whom he wounded with 4 club This ahray happened the wea fde oil the great bridge, near TO a hatter's ihop, in which wasa young man at work who hearing the noie, armed himiclI with club, and vent out TO aihit the labourer, and unhappily truck the barber on the head which / brought him to the ground he was taken up, and carried into neighbouring houie, and had the aGifance of a iurgeon-but means were in eAeaual, he expired in the night And this mcrnng the young mar, who gave the fatal blow, filed with unutterable difreis, voluntarily reign ed himielf into the hands of fjullice." Laa Monday Night, Mr.. Nathan Folfom, of Newmarket, periihed with the col in a gunde- low laden with boards, in that place. MARRIED lMr. William Winter, aged 70, TO Mis- Nabby Waller. aged IS.--Rev. Mr.. Jonathan Newell of Stow, to Mis- Sally Fix of Watcrtown. At Marblchead, Major John fedTck TO Mrs. Swaiey. DIED MiE Jenny Watts.--Miis Nancy Clark.--Mrs. Mary Sopcr.-Black Jack (com- monty called one legged Jack) free Negro, and Ia noted lemmon-ieller, in town.--In tie aims lhonse, Mrs. Parker.--Mrs. Bowman and Mrs. Meofe.-At Roxbury, after lhort illneis, \| Ms, ,ifncreafc Sumner.-At Newbury- port, Mrs, ! IMaryAtkns, aged 81, ,reid Of the late.)oieph At kins,s Eiq; OF that place. She was younsett daughter of Joieph ), ,,llcy, Efc -gpany. yyss.n ys.n. governor OF this prcynse, and grad, gap5iS;- Of Thomas Dudley, L7,; who vac alio leveral years governor under{ {hc frlt Charley AT Mill ton Mrs. Sarah .Adanhs wife of Mr. John Adams. 1 a., ,Erac w. u fon,es aged 7I.sea, His funeral is be Friday next hafaer thee n *, when bis friends and Acquaintance / arc reousied 20 attend. \| NEw-YoRK, NoVember II. Exfr4a ef kaer dated at 2aebee, O7ober 80. I" A committee is arsised here from the In 9lilh inhabitants in MpntresF who have met a committee of tie inhabiMnrs of this place ;. and are drawin up petition TO his. Iajelty, againi the act Of parliam.ut for regulating the govern uent OF rhis province, and hops they will meet With fucceG.' Nou1m5er Si.' A'lttter from Philaisl pfriaoi Nov. ~, I774, Eys,, Yellerday came to town man from Pittburgh, and fays Lord Dunmore has'had a meeting with the Indians aht made peace, demanding nothing more then the reao- rine Of any hire pcrions they have among them, and fuch hcries as ibey aole from the Frontiers Capt. Hunt, from CharIcfown in S0Gth-Ca- rclina, informs us, that the flip Britannia, Capt Bali, arrived there from London few days be- fol he failed, ard tnat paaehger wh4 came into th. se.el had in a clandeline manner gotopl board 3 eheAs of tea, which the Capt. on his arrival made known to the commiuee, who iocn \| canied the gentleman to order his lniia cor no dity to be thrown into the lea; thar Capt. Moore arrived there from Philadelphia the 4.h of Nov. with the Delegates from the CcngreE, who were le ise.ved BY irfeow clizens with the ringingl Of bells, Sc. and that or the fifth Of fNovember the inhalitants Of Charlcltown gave up mof ol the tea they had in their houies TO be burnt IN \| one general bonfire. SIAM, NszenJey 20. We hear thas :he Scarborough man OF war ayed England fom Bottom, about tae Sd OF Oaober and was dpschsd back for the fame place in -four DAYS sfter,sasd Matters were kept profound feret. Pgfe.e The Senarfufe III
12_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		p AN away from The fubfcribehs ttY 26tli ~ inf. an apprentice lad, named NATHANIEL BEN NET about )e.fs OF age, about ve feel, W inches high, had eiOSol1te eOloared eoa irppse Jske and a bseeshes. Whoever w take up lid Runsz awsy and .coo6.e nd i.eure him, or re,arn hin hi Msy Clo1- oea., lhali have THREE DOLLARS rewaa, and sil ne eelay ehsyg.s paid. 5OLOSioH IhFSoNs'J nm . All Maifegs Of yeGels and O,hsrs, heIoy eaaons1 gain conceal Z, carrying Fl, empl0ying 6d Ron-l-~aS as they would avoid the Penlit, Of the lsw1 Glouceltrr, N0yem. zSth, 1874 =
14_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		DAN away from MS Dafer, the aSthinR. ~ isryant iai, named JOHN TUCKER, about I9 ears Of age aoc' I've feet high, Of dak e0mpeSon, hor 5ses cured tsf, IS ths fri. Carried with MIN, blue eree soat ght frye lcker, 'sth bsis buttons, erinon Fuih ,rt .chss, with white buttons. Whoever sll take fad ur-a-wsy, and convey bin to the lubrbsr sl bsve TWO DOLLARS reward and all necelary charges psid by JOHN DANE. An prrons are cautioned ag,na eoseeAng csnyng a. y id eant, a. they wosd ayed the penalty Of The law & K,looeedsr, Nesembr 26, I774.
16_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		THERE is expoied to falc, the bomaead FARM Of coNsIDrp DKEw, lying in DuxborouSh, place called the Captain ook, eonhing of between by 20 Of good ,nd, with large Inv D~erghtvir. the eons. sir ilt Lars oou -.a..- '- n little heOw chat they are dpenced he wsiserlg end Of laaRfk bats SArdne with w good channel that Within zo 90 rods the hou., good harbour, and building With COOS and convenient place make Fin anyp ths co4n efPlynou,hj ana al the appertenaners hcu bsy longing, together with iral wha good sPss 44x- eptng widows rght Of dover, thirds steon, pflughef natural life. November roth, 1874. ~ ID
19_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone		l3,AN ayay from the fublcriber, the 26th Mn an apsbnnrioe la4, named ELfsHA-PERkINS COULD, bewes yens-n and eighteen yea Of sbout i've ieet, four inches high, fs't hnr ve lSsg b com peIion, had wen he went away, blue iobnn and sesn acket Gsht hreches and yarn o-<.ngs. He esre3away .h him. blJs coat AID packer. Whoever sil take sp fd Run.a- ~ and convey aifo hi, maer IA GoaseBea ksli ,sye TfIIiEE DOLLARS ReSlrd, and s nseear charges paid by }ob" SiDDiNSS. fnafcrs Of yefe ard Others hereby c5Utonedfs- gsu conc.,lng, earning o Or employing fd Run-a-~ls as they syoeld avoid the penalty Of ne Law. Gloreelsr Nos. 20, I'm.
20_1774-12-01_pNone_sn83021194_00517172169_1774120101_0671	The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal.	01	1774-12-01	pNone	PUBLIC VEND u Z.	"A PabIie, that he has Opened Yendue Room, North 6d Of the Town-Dock, he fame which Mr A'ehi- bald Bowman formerly os-ured in thar bunss) and now reslf f ihe Rse5tion o HouOt Fufri'os ana MesiAr- szs All hoG who Feaisa favour him vta 'hs'f en- ,o,nsnf eitier public iy1e Sale, mall md 'fst hs vii T. in hs -toa ri sosssi'y, hSsh1 aas SnP'''ht

Dataset Card for the American Stories dataset

Dataset Summary

The American Stories dataset is a collection of full article texts extracted from historical U.S. newspaper images. It includes nearly 20 million scans from the public domain Chronicling America collection maintained by the Library of Congress. The dataset is designed to address the challenges posed by complex layouts and low OCR quality in existing newspaper datasets. It was created using a novel deep learning pipeline that incorporates layout detection, legibility classification, custom OCR, and the association of article texts spanning multiple bounding boxes. It employs efficient architectures specifically designed for mobile phones to ensure high scalability. The dataset offers high-quality data that can be utilized for various purposes. It can be used to pre-train large language models and improve their understanding of historical English and world knowledge. The dataset can also be integrated into retrieval-augmented language models, making historical information more accessible, including interpretations of political events and details about people's ancestors. Additionally, the structured article texts in the dataset enable the use of transformer-based methods for applications such as detecting reproduced content. This significantly enhances accuracy compared to relying solely on existing OCR techniques. The American Stories dataset serves as an invaluable resource for developing multimodal layout analysis models and other multimodal applications. Its vast size and silver quality make it ideal for innovation and research in this domain.

Languages

English (en)

Dataset Structure

The raw data on this repo contains compressed chunks of newspaper scans for each year. Each scan has its own JSON file named as the {scan_id}.json. The data loading script takes care of the downloading, extraction, and parsing to outputs of two kinds :

Article-Level Output: The unit of the Dataset Dict is an associated article
Scan Level Output: The unit of the Dataset Dict is an entire scan with all the raw unparsed data

Data Instances

Here are some examples of what the output looks like.

Article level

{
  'article_id': '1_1870-01-01_p1_sn82014899_00211105483_1870010101_0773',
  'newspaper_name': 'The weekly Arizona miner.', 
  'edition': '01', 'date': '1870-01-01',
  'page': 'p1',
  'headline': '',
  'byline': '',
  'article': 'PREyors 10 leaving San Francisco for Wash ington City, our Governor, A. r. K. Saford. called upon Generals Thomas and Ord and nt the carrying out of what (truncated)'
}

Scan level

{'raw_data_string': '{"lccn": {"title": "The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas\'s Boston journal.", "geonames_ids": ["4930956"],....other_keys:values}

Data Fields

Article Level

"article_id": Unique Id for an associated article
"newspaper_name": Newspaper Name
"edition": Edition number
"date": Date of publication
"page": Page number
"headline": Headline Text
"byline": Byline Text
"article": Article Text

Scan Level

"raw_data_string": Unparsed scan-level data that contains scan metadata from Library of Congress, all content regions with their bounding boxes, OCR text and legibility classification

Data Splits

There are no train, test or val splits. Since the dataset has a massive number of units (articles or newspaper scans), we have split the data by year. Once the dataset is loaded, instead of the usual way of accessing a split as dataset["train"], specific years can be accessed using the syntax dataset["year"] where year can be any year between 1774-1963 as long as there is at least one scan for the year. The data loading script provides options to download both a subset of years and all years at a time.

Accessing the Data

There are 4 config options that can be used to access the data depending upon the use-case.

from datasets import load_dataset

#  Download data for the year 1809 at the associated article level (Default)
dataset = load_dataset("dell-research-harvard/AmericanStories",
    "subset_years",
    year_list=["1809", "1810"]
)

# Download and process data for all years at the article level
dataset = load_dataset("dell-research-harvard/AmericanStories",
    "all_years"
)

# Download and process data for 1809 at the scan level
dataset = load_dataset("dell-research-harvard/AmericanStories",
    "subset_years_content_regions",
    year_list=["1809"]
)

# Download ad process data for all years at the scan level
dataset = load_dataset("dell-research-harvard/AmericanStories",
    "all_years_content_regions")

Dataset Creation

Curation Rationale

The dataset was created to provide researchers with a large, high-quality corpus of structured and transcribed newspaper article texts from historical local American newspapers. These texts provide a massive repository of information about topics ranging from political polarization to the construction of national and cultural identities to the minutiae of the daily lives of people's ancestors. The dataset will be useful to a wide variety of researchers including historians, other social scientists, and NLP practitioners.

Source Data

Initial Data Collection and Normalization

The dataset is drawn entirely from image scans in the public domain that are freely available for download from the Library of Congress's website. We processed all images as described in the associated paper.

Who are the source language producers?

The source language was produced by people - by newspaper editors, columnists, and other sources.

Annotations

Annotation process

Not Applicable

Who are the annotators?

Not Applicable

Personal and Sensitive Information

Not Applicable

Considerations for Using the Data

Social Impact of Dataset

This dataset provides high-quality data that could be used for pre-training a large language model to achieve better understanding of historical English and historical world knowledge. The dataset could also be added to the external database of a retrieval-augmented language model to make historical information - ranging from interpretations of political events to minutiae about the lives of people's ancestors - more widely accessible. Furthermore, structured article texts that it provides can facilitate using transformer-based methods for popular applications like detection of reproduced content, significantly improving accuracy relative to using the existing OCR.
It can also be used for innovating multimodal layout analysis models and other multimodal applications.

Discussion of Biases

This dataset contains unfiltered content composed by newspaper editors, columnists, and other sources. In addition to other potentially harmful content, the corpus may contain factual errors and intentional misrepresentations of news events. All content should be viewed as individuals' opinions and not as a purely factual account of events of the day.

Additional Information

Dataset Curators

Melissa Dell (Harvard), Jacob Carlson (Harvard), Tom Bryan (Harvard) , Emily Silcock (Harvard), Abhishek Arora (Harvard), Zejiang Shen (MIT), Luca D'Amico-Wong (Harvard), Quan Le (Princeton), Pablo Querubin (NYU), Leander Heldring (Kellog School of Business)