The following advertisement from the "Massachusetts Centinel" recalls the time when cows were pastured on Boston Common.
Strayed, on Saturday laſt, from Boſton Common, and belonging to JONATHAN AMORY, a young red COW, with ſome white on the back and belly, forehead white, ſmall horns, with the tips off. Whoever will bring her to the owner will be rewarded.
Boſton, May 24, 1788.
People were expected to have long memories in old times, judging from the following notification in the "Boston Gazette" of 1760:—
Whereas on the 17th of January 1740-1, twenty-ſeven yards and an half of yard-wide ſheeting linnen, and ſome ſmaller articles, was ſold at Mr. James Gordon's ſhop in Boſton, and deliver'd to one capt. Stevens, as appears by ſaid Gordon's book; and thro' ſome miſtake in keeping his books, ſaid articles are charg'd to another of the ſame name. If therefore the ſaid capt. Stevens, that really had ſaid goods, or any of his family, or others, can give any light into the matter, it is deſired they would acquaint the printers hereof, and they ſhall be generouſly recompenced for their trouble.
The "small pox" was very troublesome in Colonial times, as this announcement from the "Boston Gazette," Feb. 2, 1761, shows:—
Samuel Parkman hereby informs his Cuſtomers and others, That immediately on the breaking out of the Small-Pox in the back Part of his Houſe in Union Street, he removed his Shop Goods to a Store on a Wharf that they may be ſafe from any Infection, and himſelf to the Houſe of Mr. Joſhua Winter Stationer—The Perſon who had the Diſtemper is perfectly recovered, and departed the Houſe ſome Days ago, and the Houſe thoroughly cleanſed.