Morgan had originally attempted to launch a newspaper in the town in 1864 with the ill-fated Abergavenny Gazette, which was printed at premises in Nevill Street. Sadly, this venture collapsed after just a few issues. Morgan however was not a man to give up easily and seven years later the first edition of snappily titled Abergavenny Chronicle and General Record of the Agricultural and Mining Districts appeared on the streets of Abergavenny. The paper cost 1d and its editor was journalist W M J Scanlon.