A lottery, to help finance the American Revolutionary War, was held by the Second Continental Congress while they met in York. The Pennsylvania Gazette, also printed in York during that time, published several ads concerning lost lottery tickets.
Click here for more information on the York-printed Pennsylvania Gazette.
Philip Jacob King placed the ad below in the May 23, 1778 Pennsylvania Gazette. I suppose the newspaper notice was akin to cancelling your credit card when it is lost or stolen.
"York-Town, May 19, 1778.
LOST or STOLEN this day, a Leather POCKET-BOOK, containing between Eight and Ten Pounds in money, some writings, and two lottery tickets Nos. 84968 and 84998, indorsed on the back in company with Jost Herbock and Henry Strickler. The tickets are the property of the subscriber, in company with the above-mentioned persons. Should they prove fortunate, the managers of the lottery are requested not to pay the prizes to any persons by the above mentioned. Whoever has found the pocket-book, and will deliver to the subscriber, or to HENRY WOLF, in this town, shall have Four Dollars reward, besides what money was in the pocket-book. PHILIP JACOB KING."
Not that it mattered. The winning numbers were printed in the next issue of the Gazette, on May 30. Neither of the numbers had been pulled. At least King was off the hook.
Click links below for more on Continental Congress and York.
Did Congress leave treasure behind?
Students write about Congress in York.
First National Thanksgiving proclamation.
More on the Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Click below for more Revolutionary War links.
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