Hugh Gaine receipt book

1767-1799 D

Hugh Gaine (1726 or 1727-1807) was a prominent American printer, bookseller, and newspaper publisher who maintained a flourishing shop in New York City from 1752 to 1804. From 1752 to 1783 he printed and published the New-York Mercury, later the New-York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury. Gaine acquired additional wealth through his real estate holdings in Manhattan and upstate New York, and was a founding partner of the Onderdonk paper mill on Long Island, New York in 1773. Although he supported American interests throughout most of the year 1776, his decision to continue publishing his newspaper as a Loyalist during the British occupation of New York tainted his reputation among patriot contemporaries.

Hugh Gaine was a native of Portglenone in the Parish of Ahogill, County Antrim, Ireland. Beginning in 1740 he was an apprentice to Samuel Wilson and James Magee, printers in Belfast. After their partnership dissolved in 1744, he emigrated to New York and worked for James Parker, a printer. In 1752 he established his own printing and bookshop, settling at Hanover Square in 1757. Gaine carried a broad stock at the sign of the "Bible and Crown," including almanacs, Bibles, instructional books, medical and law books, and literature. He also sold stationery, lottery and theater tickets, and a selection of general merchandise. Hugh Gaine was an active supporter of theater in New York throughout his career.

When British forces captured New York in September 1776, Gaine fled to Newark, New Jersey. He printed the New-York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury there in support of American interests, while British authorities used his shop press to publish a paper under the same name. Unable to succeed due to the unsettled conditions in New Jersey, Gaine returned to New York and resumed printing at his Hanover Square shop in early November. Although he ceased publication of his newspaper in late 1783, he continued his usual business operations, now at the sign of "the Bible."

Prior to the American Revolution, Gaine was an official printer for the Province of New York and the City of New York, and he resumed such work after the war. With paper always in short supply, in 1773 Gaine invested in a paper mill at Hempstead Harbor, Long Island with Hendrick Onderdonk and Henry Remsen, while acquiring paper from other parties as well.

In the 1790's Gaine moved his shop to 148 Pearl Street, and by the end of the decade he was advertising under the partnership of Gaine & Ten Eyck. Hugh Gaine ceased printing in 1800, although the bookshop continued to operate into 1804. According to newspaper notices in November of that year, the firm had recently dissolved and the shop’s stock was sold. Also during this time Gaine promoted the formation of professional book trade associations and book fairs.

Hugh Gaine remained active in business affairs until shortly before his death. Over the years Gaine amassed real estate holdings in Manhattan and acquired land in upstate New York. At one time he served as a tax assessor for the City. Gaine attended St. Paul's Chapel and Trinity Church, and supported various civic and philanthropic organizations, including the New York Society Library and New York Hospital. Hugh Gaine was married twice, to Sarah Robbins in 1759, and to Cornelia Wallace in 1769, and had five children.