Editing New Bedford, Massachusetts (section)

=== New Bedford ===
A section of Old Dartmouth near the west bank of the Acushnet River, originally called Bedford Village, was officially incorporated as the [[New England town|town]] of New Bedford on February 23, 1787, after the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The name was suggested by the Russell family, who were prominent citizens of the community. The [[Dukes of Bedford]], a leading English aristocratic house, also bore the surname Russell. ([[Bedford, Massachusetts]], had been incorporated in 1729; hence "New" Bedford.)

The late 18th century was a time of growth for the town. A small whale fishery developed, as well as modest international trade. In the 1760s, between the [[Seven Years' War]] and the [[American Revolution]], shipwrights, carpenters, mechanics, and blacksmiths, settled around New Bedford harbor, creating a skilled and comprehensive maritime community.

New Bedford's first newspaper, ''The Medley'' (also known as the ''New Bedford Marine Journal''), was founded in 1792.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83020640/|title=The Medley, or, Newbedford marine journal|via=chroniclingamerica.loc.gov|access-date=March 4, 2013|archive-date=July 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713045121/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83020640/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 12, 1792, the town set up its first post office. William Tobey was its first postmaster. The construction of a bridge (originally a toll bridge) between New Bedford and present-day Fairhaven in 1796 also spurred growth. (Fairhaven separated from New Bedford in 1812, forming an independent town that included both present-day Fairhaven and present-day Acushnet.)