Wm. Goddard of Rhode Island, who established the Maryland Journal. Coming from a State where free toleration was allowed, he was apt to write rather harshly. He was several times mobbed, and had finally to quit the State and return to Providence. His sister Mary conducted the paper for eight years, took in job work and acted as postmaster until 1784. She was spirited in her writings, and nothing but her sex saved her from frequent flagelations.
Mrs. Hannah Boyle, published a paper at Williamsburgh, Va., in 1774. It favored the Crown and lived but a short time.
Clementine Bird, succeeded her husband in the Virginia Gazette in 1773. T. W. Jefferson was a contributor. She died in 1775.
Mrs. Elizabeth Timothee, after the death of her husband in 1773, continued publishing the Gazette in Charleston, S. C. She conducted the press two years, when her son took it.
Anne Timothee, the widow of the son of Elizabeth, just mentioned, after the revolutionary war ceased, revived the Gazette, which had been established by the elder Timothee. It had been discontinued while the British troops were in possession of Charleston. She was appointed printer to the State, and held the office until 1792.
Mary Crouch, was the widow of Charles Crouch, and born in Rhode Island. Her husband established a paper in opposition to the Stamp act in Charleston, S. C. Mrs. C. continued the paper until 1780, when she removed to Salem, Mass., and took her press and type with her. She published a paper at Salem for some years, and returned to Providence, with a purse sufficient for "creature comforts" during her life.
Penelope Russell succeeded her husband in printing the "Censor" at Boston in 1771. She not only set type, but while at her case, invoked her muse and put up type on tragical events in an interesting manner, without any written copy.
In Connecticut, Mrs. Watson, the widow of Ebenezer Watson, who died in 1777, continued one of the publishers of the Courant at Hartford for two years, when a gentleman of "steady habits" took her as a sleeping-partner. The Courant is still published.
There are other female printers of the last century, but I have now wearied your patience.
Permit me to remind you, that while drinking to the memory of the Fathers of the Fraternity in this country, to give the Mothers of the Art an extra bumper. Respectfully yours,
J. Snow.
From John Gatewood, Esq., of the Woodstock Sentinel Office.
Woodstock, Va, Dec. 4, 1846.
Gentlemen:—Your kind circular of the 9th ult., inviting me to be present at the celebration of the approaching Anniversary of the Birth-Day of Benjamin Franklin, has been received. I most sincerely regret that my pressing engagements deny me the privilege of being with you on that occasion. Be assured, gentlemen, that it would afford me unspeakable pleasure to participate with my brethren of the craft in commemorating the natal day of that great man. The name of Franklin is peculiarly endeared to Printers—a name honored and cherished by the civilized world. As a Philosopher, the god-like genius of Franklin towered to the very heavens—bringing the Thunder King down from his chariot of fire in the clouds, and corking him up in a bottle! As a Statesman, he exhibited matured wisdom and unerring judgment and forecast. As a Patriot, he exhibited the most exalted attachment to his country.
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit we to offer the subjoined sentiment:
Printers: Heaven bless them! May they stick to the rule of Virtue,—live by the guide of Wisdom,—run well in the chase for Honor,—never exhibit foul cases nor battered faces,—and, finally, when they shall be laid out for distribution on Death's imposing stone, may they exhibit a proof free from outs and doublets, and enter into the celestial office of the Great Master Printer of the Universe! So mote it be.
Believe me to be, gentlemen,
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
John Gatewood.
Messrs. P. Canfield, &c., Com.
From M. G. Atwood, Esq
Alton, Ill., Jan. 8, 1847.
Gentlemen—The Circular inviting my attendance at the Printers' Festival, to be holden in Rochester, on the next anniversary of the birth-day of the immortal Franklin, reached me some time in the last month. A press of business has prevented me, till now, from responding to the token which recognizes me as a member of the craft.
As I can only be with yon in "spirit," at your request, the following remarks are submitted, with the understanding that they shall not be considered libelous by the competitors referred to.
Fellow Craftsmen—Within a few years some bold inroads have been made into our typographical territory. To say the least, it seems very unfair that the lightning which our Franklin had subdued, and made peculiarly his own, should not be content with being quietly directed to the earth, but stealing the mantle of its master, it has set up printing. Dispensing with stick and press—with its stand and case at Washington, it strikes its impressions on a tympan-sheet at Buffalo! While the rail-cars are progressing with all the speed of steam, freighted with the product of the bones and sinews and brains of poor Printers—this new rat has, in less than no time, sent all the news in advance, on its railroad of wire—and all our news-papers cease to be new before they are printed! I hope that this unjust aggression upon the rights of the craft will be suitably noticed by the brethren. I would, also, call their attention to another most powerful opponent, who has but recently used his rays in eclipsing the fraternity. I refer to the Sun, from whom better things might have been expected. It was but
