What was advertised in a colonial American newspaper 250 years ago today?
“He shall continue a publication of this GAZETTE.”
On March 30, 1775, the colophon for the Maryland Gazette stated, “ANNAPOLIS: Printed by FREDERICK GREEN,” for the first time. In the previous issue, it read, “ANNAPOLIS: Printed by ANNE CATHARINE GREEN and SON.” Anne Catharine Green had been publishing the newspaper since April 16, 1767, upon the death of her husband, Jonas. She commenced a partnership with her son, William, in January 1768, but it ended with his death in August 1770. In January 1772, she commenced another partnership, that one with another son, Frederick. When she died on March 23, 1775, he became the sole publisher.
On that occasion, he inserted his own notice in the Maryland Gazette, placing it first among the advertisements in the March 30 edition. Frederick “inform[ed] his customers and the public, that he shall continue a publication of this GAZETTE.” He offered assurances of his editorial strategy, pledging that “impartiality, candour, and secrecy, shall govern his conduct.” Through “diligence and application,” he intended to make the newspaper “instructive and entertaining to his readers.” To that end, “All pieces of a public nature, which may merit attention, and be thought conducive to the welfare and happiness of the community, will be thankfully received, and inserted gratis.” As had been the case when he worked alongside his mother, the printer needed to cultivate relationships with readers who would supply content to fill the pages of his newspaper.
Elsewhere on the same page, Frederick ran a death notice in memory of his mother. Thick black borders appeared above and below it, a common practice readily recognized as a sign of mourning. “Last Thursday Morning,” the notice reported, “departed this Life, Mrs. ANNE CATHARINE GREEN, relict of the late Mr. JONAS GREEN, Printer to the Province.” Her son remembered her “mild and benevolent Disposition,” declaring that “for conjugal Affection, and parental Tenderness” she was “an Example to her Sex.” He did not elaborate on the service she provided to Annapolis and the rest of the colony. Throughout most of her tenure as printer, the Maryland Gazette had been the only newspaper published in Maryland. Anne Catharine Green was one of several women who ran printing offices in colonial America during the imperial crisis that culminated in a war for independence. Along with Margaret Draper, Sarah Goddard, and Clementina Rind, she contributed to the dissemination of news and shaping of public opinion as momentous events occurred.