A 188-year-old copy of the Chelmsford Chronicle has been discovered by an American historian.

Now known as the Essex Chronicle, the edition from Friday, July 14, 1815 was first handed to Robert Thorpe of Iowa in 1987 after his grandmother died.

Robert sealed the paper in encapsulation material but subsequently forgot about it until now.

He got in touch with the Chronicle's newsdesk to tell the story of the paper from almost two centuries ago.

Robert said: "My grandmother was the daughter of Frederick and Emily Munson Thorogood, who lived in Baddow Road. It was from this grandmother and presumably one of her parents that this newspaper originated."

Robert has been analysing the paper for evidence of any mention of his ancestors, but has found no connections of the family to the paper.

He said: "I assume there is an article about one of my relatives in the paper. Why else would it have been preserved for nearly 200 years?"

In 1815 the Chelmsford Chronicle covered the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Middlesex and Kent.

It was printed and published by Meggy, Chalk and Co of Chelmsford, and cost six-and-a-half old pence.

A notable article reported on a reward of £50 which was being offered following the theft of 100lb of black amber grapes from a vinehouse in Great Waltham.

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