Revolutionizing the Press: Women Printers in Colonial America

In the annals of history, the pivotal role of women printers in colonial America stands as a testament to their resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to printing. From the establishment of the first print shops to the dissemination of revolutionary ideas, these trailblazing women played a vital role in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of the New World.

The Great Puritan Migration: Elizabeth Glover's Vision

In 1638, amidst the fervor of the Great Puritan Migration, Reverend Jose Glover embarked on a journey to the Massachusetts Bay Colony with a revolutionary idea—to bring a printing press to the New World. Despite Reverend Glover's untimely demise during the voyage, his wife, Elizabeth, took charge upon arrival. With unwavering determination, she established the first print shop in the colony, setting the stage for a new era of printing in America.

Partnering with Stephen Day, an indentured versatile craftsman under a financial contract with her husband, Elizabeth oversaw the publication of significant works such as The Freeman’s Oath and the first book printed in the American colonies, The Whole Booke of Psalmes. Her marriage to Henry Dunster, the first president of Harvard, ensured the continuity of the press, marking the beginning of a legacy that would shape the future of printing in America.

The Franklin Legacy: Empowering Women in the Printing Industry

As the American Revolution loomed on the horizon, women printers continued to make their mark, thanks partly to the support of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. Franklin's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative franchise model paved the way for aspiring printers to establish their businesses. Franklin’s printing empire eventually reached from New England to the Caribbean.

In 1734, early in his franchising endeavors, Franklin partnered with Lewis Timothy, a man who, he said, “was a man of learning, and honest but ignorant in matters of account; and, tho’ he sometimes made me remittances, I could get no account from him, nor any satisfactory state of our partnership while he lived.”

Five years into their six-year agreement, on January 4, 1739, the?South Carolina Gazette?noted that Lewis Timothy had died due to “an unhappy accident.” This led to Elizabeth Timothy, Lewis's wife, emerging as the first woman publisher of a newspaper in America.

Elizabeth's astute business sense and meticulous management of the South Carolina Gazette earned praise from Franklin himself. In his autobiography, he said Elizabeth operated the Gazette with “regularity and exactitude… and managed the business with such success that she not only brought up reputably a family of children but at the expiration of her term was able to purchase of me the printing house and establish her son to it.” Her success as a female franchisee shattered stereotypes and paved the way for future generations of women printers to thrive in a male-dominated industry.

Ann Franklin: A Pioneer in Newport

In 1727, James and Ann Franklin, Benjamin’s brother and sister-in-law, established the colony's first print shop in Newport, Rhode Island, where they published the Rhode Island Gazette. According to Dorothy A. Mays, in her book?Women in Early America: Struggle, Survival, and Freedom in a New World, “Ann was an active participant in her husband’s print shop.”

Following James’ passing in 1735, Ann assumed leadership of the print shop, becoming one of the earliest female proprietors of a printing press in colonial America. Under her stewardship, the print shop flourished, securing prestigious contracts such as the official printer for the Rhode Island assembly. In her post, she printed the colony’s charter granted by Charles II of England. She also printed sermons for ministers, advertisements for merchants, and popular British novels.

Ann Franklin, as a?master craftsman, trained her two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, as typesetters and shopkeepers. Her son Jemmy lived with his uncle Benjamin in Philadelphia, where he studied?with a private tutor and his cousin. At age 10, he signed his Indenture papers and?became apprenticed to his uncle.

After serving his apprenticeship, Jemmy returned to Newport and, in 1748, became a partner in his mother’s printing business. Their company continued to produce books, almanacs, pamphlets, and legal announcements.

Baltimore, in Maryland: Printed by Mary Katharine Goddard

In Baltimore, Maryland, Mary Katherine Goddard made history as the proprietor of one of the largest printing establishments in the colonies. Beyond running her print shop, Mary was a vocal advocate for women's rights and played a crucial role in the American Revolution. In her 23-year publishing career, Goddard edited and printed The Maryland Journal; she published Thomas Paine's Common Sense in two installments in the paper and became the first woman to print the text of the Declaration of Independence on July 10, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence was first officially printed on the evening of July 4, 1776, shortly after its ratification by the Second Continental Congress. John Dunlap was responsible for printing 200 copies of the document. However, a crucial detail was omitted: the names of the Congressmen who had affixed their signatures to the Declaration. The decision to sign the document was considered treason, punishable by death.

Recognizing the significance of including the names of the signatories, the Continental Congress took action on January 18, 1777. They decreed that an authenticated version of the Declaration, complete with the names of the Congress members who had endorsed it, be distributed to each of the United States. Goddard was responsible for printing this revised edition. She usually signed her newspaper, “M.K. Goddard,” at the bottom of each copy of her Declaration of Independence reads? “Baltimore, in Maryland: Printed by Mary Katharine Goddard.” By adding her name, Goddard was also putting her life, wealth, and sacred honor on the line, not only by revealing her gender but also by printing a document deemed treasonous by the British. This was a true testament to her unwavering commitment to the cause of liberty and equality.

Honoring the Legacy of Women Printers

The contributions of women printers in colonial America were as diverse as they were impactful. From Elizabeth Glover's pioneering efforts to Ann Franklin's entrepreneurial spirit and Mary Katherine Goddard's commitment to the cause of liberty, these trailblazing women left an indelible mark on the pages of history.

Their legacy inspires generations of printers, publishers, and advocates for free speech and press freedom. By honoring their legacy and amplifying their voices, we ensure that their contributions are never forgotten and that their stories inspire future generations to break barriers and blaze new trails in the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.