Boston Directory


The Boston Directory of Boston, Massachusetts, was first published in 1789. It contained "a list of the merchants, mechanics, traders, and others, of the town of Boston; in order to enable strangers to find the residence of any person." Also included were listings for public officials, doctors, bank directors, and firemen. The directory was issued annually after 1825; previously it had appeared irregularly.
The number of listings in each directory reflected fluctuations in the population size of Boston. In 1789, the directory included some 1,474 listings; by 1875, there were 126,769.
Publishers included John Norman ; John West ; Edward Cotton ; Charles Stimpson ; George Adams ; Adams, Sampson & Co. ; Sampson, Davenport & Co. ; Sampson, Murdock & Co. ; Sampson & Murdock Co. ; R.L. Polk & Co..

Boston Directories

18th century

19th century

1800-1829

1830-1849

1850-1869

1870-1889

1890-1899

20th century

1900-1949

1950-1999