{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{italic title}} {{refimprove|date=January 2016}} thumb|right|upright=2|Masthead of the 1 January 1745 edition of the ''Sherborne Mercury'' The '''''Sherborne Mercury''''' is a defunct regional newspaper, published in Sherborne, Dorset, United Kingdom. It began publication in 1737, predating the national ''Times'' by nearly a half century, and, after merging with the '''''Western Flying Post''''' in 1749, was published as late as 1867,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/papers/#containing=sherborne |title=Historical Newspapers: sherborne |website=newspapers.com |accessdate=October 22, 2023}}</ref> when it further merged into the ''Western Gazette''.
==History== The ''Sherborne Mercury'' was first issued in February 1737,{{efn|The initial publication of the ''Sherborne Mercury'' was in February {{frac|173|6|7}},<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/somerset-county-herald-and-taunton-couri/133976742/ |title=The Newspapers of Somerset |newspaper=Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier |location=Taunton, Somerset, England |page=2 |date=28 January 1961 |accessdate=24 October 2023 |via=newspapers.cpm}}</ref> which fell between New Year's Day (January 1) and the start of the British civil year (March 25)—see discussion at ''Old Style and New Style dates#Start of year adjustment''. The ''Western Gazette'' began noting the founding year of the ''Sherborne Mercury'' as 1737 rather than 1736 at some point during 1986–1987.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-dorset-western-gazette-letters-to/133975859/ |title=Letters to the Editor |newspaper=Western Gazette |page=20 |date=6 June 1986 |accessdate=October 24, 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-dorset-western-gazette-letters-to/133976015/ |title=Letters to the Editor |newspaper=Western Gazette |page=22 |date=4 July 1987 |accessdate=October 24, 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>}} published by Henry Bettinson in Sherborne, a town in Dorset.<ref name=WG/> Another newspaper, the ''Western Flying Post'', was first issued issue in 1743, founded by Robert Goadby in Yeovil, a town in Somerset.<ref name=WG/> In 1749, the publications merged, with the resulting newspaper printed in Sherborne—the first combined issue was dated January 30.<ref name=WG/> Subsequently, it was published under a series of names, as outlined in a below section.
In 1867, the newspaper (then operating under ''Western Flying Post'' naming) merged with the ''Western Gazette'', which had been founded in 1863 in Yeovil.<ref name=WG/> The merged result was initially known as ''The Western Gazette and Flying Post'', but eventually came to be known simply as the ''Western Gazette'' again.<ref name=WG>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/western-gazette-the-western-gazette-new/133973209/ |title=The Western Gazette: Newspaper History |newspaper=Western Gazette |location=Yeovil |page=16 |date=December 18, 1936 |accessdate=October 23, 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
The ''Sherborne Mercury'' was a hugely influential newspaper,{{whom|date=October 2023}} particularly as its news coverage and distribution went well beyond that of the boundaries of Dorset. Before any newspaper was published in Cornwall, the ''Sherborne Mercury'' had many subscribers and distribution throughout Cornwall, as far west as Penzance, It covered many Cornish news items, and was read by key businessmen and members of the professional class in the county.
The hawkers, news boys and news carriers were known as Sherbornes. This name was also applied to hawkers and carriers of other regional and local newspapers in the West Country.
Archive copies of this local paper can be found in the County Archives offices of the aforementioned Dorset and Cornwall, along with Wiltshire and Devon, testament to its historical importance as a newspaper of record in the West Country. It remains a popular source for genealogists and local historians. The Newspapers.com archive site also includes many editions of the paper.
==Naming== Names of the newspaper, starting in 1749 when the ''Sherborne Mercury'' and ''Western Flying Post'' merged, included the following (bold text indicates prominent wording of the masthead):
{{Incomplete list|date=October 2023}}
* ''The '''Western Flying-Post'''; or, Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury'' (1749, Mondays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133968375/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Western Flying-Post; or, Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury |page=1 |date=6 February 1749 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * '''''The Western Flying-Post; or, Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury''': and General Advertiser'' (1765, Mondays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133969468/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Western Flying-Post; or, Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury: and General Advertiser |page=1 |date=2 December 1765 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * '''''The Sherborne Journal''''' (1774, Thursdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133963481/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Sherborne Journal |page=1 |date=20 January 1774 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * '''''The Sherborne Journal''', and '''Western Advertiser''''' (1780, Thursdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133963631/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Sherborne Journal, and Western Advertiser |page=1 |date=31 August 1780 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * '''''The Dorchester and Sherborne Journal''', and Western Advertiser'' (1791, Fridays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133963796/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Dorchester and Sherborne Journal, and Western Advertiser |page=1 |date=14 January 1791 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * ''The Western Flying Post, '''Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury''', and General Advertiser for Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall'' (1827, Saturdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133964045/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Western Flying Post, Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury, and General Advertiser for Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall|page=1 |date=27 January 1827 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * ''The Western Flying Post, '''Sherborne Mercury and Yeovil Times'''. General Advertiser for Somerset, Dorset, Wilts, Devon, and Cornwall'' (1851, Tuesdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133964719/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Western Flying Post, Sherborne Mercury and Yeovil Times. General Advertiser for Somerset, Dorset, Wilts, Devon, and Cornwall |page=1 |date=8 July 1851 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * ''The Western Flying Post, '''Yeovil Times and Sherborne Mercury'''. General Advertiser for Somerset, Dorset, Wilts, Devon, and Cornwall'' (1856, Tuesdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133965425/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Western Flying Post, Yeovil Times and Sherborne Mercury. General Advertiser for Somerset, Dorset, Wilts, Devon, and Cornwall |page=1 |date=20 May 1856 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * ''The '''Western Flying Post''', Yeovil.'' — flanked by ''Yeovil and Somerset Times.'' and ''Sherborne and Dorset Mercury.'' (1857, Tuesdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133965807/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Western Flying Post, Yeovil |page=1 |date=6 January 1857 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * '''''Western Flying Post''', Yeovil.'' — flanked by ''Yeovil and Somerset Times.'' and ''Sherborne and Dorset Mercury.'' (1859, Tuesdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133966091/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=Western Flying Post, Yeovil |page=1 |date=3 May 1859 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> * '''''The Western Flying Post''', Yeovil and Somerset Times, Sherborne and Dorset Mercury, Yeovil'' (1860, Tuesdays)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-western-flying-post-or-sherborne-and/133966488/ |title=(masthead) |newspaper=The Western Flying Post, Yeovil and Somerset Times, Sherborne and Dorset Mercury, Yeovil |page=1 |date=3 July 1860 |accessdate=23 October 2023 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Newspapers published in Dorset Category:Defunct newspapers published in the United Kingdom Category:Organisations based in Dorset Category:Publications established in 1737 Category:1737 establishments in England Category:Sherborne