Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-05
The Pioneer Press Of virgints.
To the Editor of the Dispatch

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
In May and September, 1882, | con-
tributed several articles to your paper
regarding " The Pioneer Press Of Vir-
ginia." There was then some confusion
as to the number Of Gdzettes published
in Virginia prior to the Revolution,
which believe / am now able to clear
away, at least to some extent.
]. The Virginia Gazette, the Govern
ment organ, was published at Williams
burg by William Parks from August
6, 1876, to his death. Parks "was
born and bred to printing in England"
As early as 1921 he had established a
press at Annapolis, Maryland. He
was printer to the governments of Mary.
land and Virginia, and each colony paid
him salary Of two hundred pounds per
snnum in country produce" " About
the year 1888 he left Annapolis snd
made Williamsburg, Va, his home.
On the 23d Of March, 1850, he
embarked in one Of the trading
ships for England. Soon after
the vessel sailed, he was seized with
pleurisy, which terminated his life on
The lst of April of that year. His re-
mains were carried to England, and in
TERED at Gosport." The Gazette was
then discontinued for a time ; but in
February, 1851, its publication was re-
sumed by William Hunter, Sr., and
continued by him until his death, in
August, 176l. The following extract
from the Pedigree Of the Hunter Fam
lily, | think, will enable US to under
stand more clearly the history of this
Gazette:
Andrew Hunter, a brother to 'Drs.
John and William Hunter, Of London,
(of the Hunters Of Hunterton, County
Ayr, Scotland,) who may be called the
Ancestor Of Virginia Editors, had issue,
at least one son and two daughters,
connected with the press-viz.
/. William Hunter, Sr., born in
Virginia, and probably served his ap-
premiership with Parks, whom he sue
ceeded in 1851. lie printed for the
House of Burgesses and published the
Virginia Gazette. lie had a relation,
who was paymaster to the Kings
troops in America, by whose influence
be was appointed Deputy Postmaster
General with Franklin for the colonies,
which Office he held during lie. He
died in August, l76l, leaving son,
about seven years Of age. named Will
liam Hunter, Jr., the heir to the VT-
GINA Gazette"
.. Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew
Hunter aforesaid, married John Holt.
lie was born in Virginia in l72l;
was mayor of Williamsburg; moved
10 New York prior to 1850; editor and
bookseller; printer to the State Of New
York ; postmaster Of the city Of New
York in IT'S, sc. lie died 30th JAN
nary, 1884. l am very sure that he
was the father of John Hunter Holt,
editor of the Virginia Gazette, at Nor
folk, in l775. (See Gazette W.
3. Rosannah, daughter Of Andrew
Hunter, aforesaid, [she was born in
Virginia 2lst February, 1879, died in
Richmond and buried in old St. Johns
church-yard 5th April 1901 married
first, Joseph Royle, Esq, "who sue
ceeded his brother-in-law William Hun
ter, Sr., in August, 176l. Royle was
bred to printing in England, and had
for several years been foreman in
Hunters printing-house. He printed
for the Government, and continued the
Gazette. William Hunter, ST., be-
queathed to him $1,000 currency on
that be would continue the
business for the joint interest Of him
self (Royle) and his (Hunter's) infant son,
whose name was William" Royle died
early in l7G6, before his nephew be-
came Of age. Alexander Purdie
opened his press upon Royle's death
and printed Gazettes from March,
l7G6." ALEXANDER Purdie was born
in Scotland, and there brought up to
printing. lie continued the business
at Williamsburg after the death Of
Royle, for the benefit of Royle's widow,
young Hunter, and himself, under the
lirm-nams of Alexander Purdie &
Company On the lst of January,
l767, Mrs. Rosanna (Hunter) ROyle
was married secondly to Colonel John
Dixon, of Lilliput, and partner
ship was formed between him add
Purdie, and the firm 'Purdie &
Dixon continued to publish the
Virginia Gazette until early in
l775, when young William Hunter, Jr.,
became of age and received his inheri-
lance. From 1875 the price in l775
was lbs. Cd. per annum) to December,
1873, this Gazette was continued by
John Dixon and William Hunter, Jr.,
under the firm name Of Dixon & Hunt
er. Hunter was Royalist, Joined
The British standard and eventually left
he country" probably in l77S. From
l779 to 1871 and possibly still later,
he Gazette was continued by "Dixon
K Nicholson" then by "Dixon &
Holt" and afterwards BY John Dixon
alone. Dixon removed his press to
Richmond (the exact date is not known
10 me-; he died there in May, l79l,
md is buried in old St. Johns church
: ard. He left several children his eldest
'on, Colonel John Dixon, Jr., of Rich
mond, was born in Williamsburg 18th
December, l76S; died at Richmond, Va,
ID May, 1906; succeeded his father as
5Iinter to the Commonwealth; charter
member of Richmond Randolph Lodge,
No. 10, Ancient York Masons men,
Der Of and printer to the Grand Lodge,
md received q silver medal from NJ. NJ.
lodge No. 10 in 1900. On the 25th
August, 1892, he married Sarah tshe
lied 22d December, 1907, daughter Of
Josiah Valentine, ESQ.,, Of Richmond,
md - Eye, his wife, Of Princess
Anne county. Much of the above in
ormation is derived from brief history
II the Dixon family, in manuscript, re-
emily lent to me by friend. Colonel
John Dixon, Of Lilliput, who married
he widow Royle, was at first
PLANTER. lie was the son Of George
Dixon, Esq, of London, and csme
% Virginia about 1745 with his
,rothers Samuel aud Holderby.