Solomon Ballantine

Publisher and printer Solomon Ballantine was the partner of Albany resident Charles R. Webster during the last decades of the eighteenth century. We seek information on his origins and path to Albany.

In May 1782, they issued the first number of the New York Gazetteer or Northern Intelligencer. Webster left after the first year. Although Ballantine is said to have continued the tabloid, the paper was short-lived.

As a solo printer/publisher, he issued a number of surviving items. In 1784, he issued a Pocket Almanac, the first work of its kind in Albany. At this point, we are unsure whether he was more printer, publisher, or businessman.

At that point, Ballantine seems to drop from historical view.

Following a first sweep of available resources, the Albany story of this Solomon Ballantine leaves many unresolved questions. Variable spelling of his name is only the most obvious of them. Past diminishing returns, we move on for now!

Sources: The life of Solomon Ballantine is CAP biography number 7197. This sketch is derived chiefly from traditional and community-based resources.