The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-12-24
Women in Journalism.
VALUABLE AND INTERESTING HISTORY.

in journalism, it is generally assumed
that it is only within a few years that
they have occupied editorial positions or
become practical printers. This is
mistake. Before the "woman question"
had exerted any influence, women were
employed as publishers, editors, and
compOsitors. The first paper printed in
Rhode Island was established at New
port, in 1742. James Franklin, brother
to DIR. Benjamin Franklin, was the pub
Usher. When the paper was q couple of
years old he died, and his widow cOntin-
ued its publication for several years.
| She was printer to the colony, supplied
banks, published pamphlets, &c. The
Newport Mercury was printed in her
Office in 1856. In 1745, Mrs. Franklin
printed for the government an edi-
tion of the laws. 1t formed a book
of 346 folio pages. Mrs. Franklin was
assisted by her two daughters. These
girls did the type-setting, and servant
| girl worked the press. Nor was print
ing papers Mrs. Franklin's only busi-
ness. Here is an advertisement pub
| lished in her paper:
"The printer hereof prints linens, cal
leo, silk, &C., in figures, in very lively
and durable colors, without the often
sive smell which commonly attends
linen printed in this country"
Mrs. Sarah Goddard was also printer
in Newport, in 1776. She was the
widow of a printer in New London, Con-
necticut. She had had the manage
ment of a paper two years, which she
conducted with ability, when she asso-
ciated with her John Costar, and the
business was carried on for many years
under the firm name of "Sarah God
dard & Co."
Margaret Draper, widow of Richard
Draper, published the Massachusetts
Gazette and the Boston NelUS Letter
after her husbands death. All the
newspapers but hers were suspended
when the English besieged Boston.
| She was tory, and when independence
was proclaimed she went to England,
and the government there pensioned
her for life.
Mrs. Cornelia Bradford was the widow
of Andrew Bradford, publisher and
printer, who died in Philadelphia in
| l742. She continued his business for
many years, and was very successful.
Mrs. Jane Walker, also of Philadel-
! phia, assisted her father in the printing
office, and carried on the business after
his death, in 1902. She was noted for
the typographical excellence of her
work, and her correctness in proof
reading.
Mrs. Zenger, widow of John P. Zenger,
who published the second newspaper
published in New York, carried on the
business after his death. From l745 to
1748 she was editor of the New York
| Weekly Journal.
Mrs. Mary Holt, widow of John Holt,
published the New York Journal, and
in 1898 was appointed State printer, a
position which she. occupied until her
death.
Anne Katherine Green succeeded her
husband in the publication of the Mary
land Gazette, in 1776. The Gazette was
the first paper printed in that State,
and Mrs. Green was colony printer at
the time of her death, in 17TS.
Mrs. Hassehatch, widow of the first
printer in Baltimore, continued her
husbands business many years after
his death, and was very successful.
Miss Mary Catherine Goddard was
sister to William Goddard, of Rhode
Island, who established the Maryland
Journal. He was obliged to quit the
State because he wrote rather freely,
and his sister conducted the paper from
1776 to 1884.
Mrs. Hannah Boyle edited and pub
lished paper at Williamsburg, Va, in
1744.
Clementine Bird succeeded her hus-
band as editor of the Virginia Gazette
in 1776. Thomas Jefferson was a fire.
quent contributor to her paper.
Mrs. Elizabeth Timothee, after the
death of her husband, in 1773, continued
the Gazette in Charleston, S. c., for two
; years, and educated her son to succeed
to the business. The paper was, how.
, ever, very soon discontinued when the
British troops were in possession ol
, Charleston. After the war was over
his widow, Anne Timothee, renewed
the publication of the paper, and was
appointed State printer, which Office
l she held till 1892.
, Mary Couch was the widow of Charles
Couch, of Rhode Island. He estab.
, lished a paper in Charleston, S. c..
which opposed the stamp act. Mrs
Couch conducted the paper several
years, when she removed to Salem,
Mass, where she was a successful pub.
Usher for many years.
Penelope Russell succeeded her hus
. band as editor of the Censor, at Boston
in 177l.
! Besides, there are many other female
! printers in the last century and early
part of this one, for whose names and
locations we have not space in thi!
article.
Twenty years ago, Mrs. G. I. H. Mich
OILS conducted, with much ability, the
' Windham county Democrat, the lead
! ing Democratic paper of Brattleborough
Vermont.
) Mrs. Elizabeth Oakes-Smith con
Quoted paper in New York.
Mrs. Emma Brown was joint edito
and proprietor for many years of tn,
Cdyugo Chief, at Auburn, New York
and during the early years of her con
! nection with the paper, worked at tn,
case.
Mrs. Lindsay conducted the Garland
! at Louisville, Kentucky.
Mrs. Alchich printed the Genius 0
: Liberty at Cincinnati.
Mrs. Prewitt for many years carriet
on the YaZoo Gazette, political pape
{ at Yazoo, Miss.
Miss Walter, some twenty-five year
; ago, succeeded her brother as one of tn
editors and publishers of the BostoI
: Transcript.
Mrs. r. S. Nichols conducted th
= Guest of the same city for several years
). Mrs. M. A. Denison was at one tim
y editor of the Boston Olive Branch, tn
: composition on which paper was don
: by women.
Mrs. Pauline Wright Davis may
. properly called the pioneer editor in th
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