Another sister-in-law attained greater prominence and holds an honored place among colonial printers of either sex. It will be remembered that Benjamin was apprenticed to an older brother James, a printer. James had some difficulties with the Boston authorities, and consequently moved his press to Newport, where he became printer to the colony of Rhode Island. The place and date of his marriage, and the maiden name of his wife, are unfortunately unknown. At his death, however, in 1735, "the Widow Anne Franklin" continued the business. She supplied blanks for the public offices and printed pamphlets. The Rhode Island Government was less careful than that of Maryland that the printing press should not divulge error. In 1740 she printed an edition of the laws of Rhode Island, containing 340 pages folio. At this time she was aided by her two daughters, and later by her son, who was younger. Isaiah Thomas says: 1 Her daughters were correct and quick compositors at case; they were instructed by their father whom they assisted. A gentleman who was acquainted with Anne Franklin and her family informed me that he had often seen her daughters at work in the printing house, and that they were sensible and amiable women. In 1758, Anne's son, also named James, started the 1 Thomas, vol. 1, p. 420. first newspaper in Rhode Island, the "Newport Mercury." At his premature death in 1762, his mother, now an elderly woman, continued the paper. She herself died, however, in 1763.1 As one regards the roll of early printers, one is tempted to believe that it was a condition of membership in the craft that all male members should agree to leave widows competent to carry on the business. In 1740, Andrew Bradford, of the Bradford family which furnished many New York and Philadelphia printers, married, as his second wife, Cornelia Smith, of New York. He died in 1742, and the widow continued his business of printing and bookselling, and publishing the "American Weekly Mercury." For about a year she had one Isaiah Warner as partner, but from 1744 to 1752 she managed alone.2 It is said of Mrs. Bradford, "she was remarkable for Beauty and talents, but not so much for the amenities which give to female charms their crowning grace. 3 One of the most interesting figures among colonial printers was John Peter Zenger, who published the "New York Weekly Journal." In 1722 he married as his second wife Anna Catherina Maul, of New York. He died in 1746, leaving a 1 Thomas, vol. I, p. 270. 2 Ibid., vol. II, p. 32. widow and six children, and in the issue of October 13 of that year the following card appeared in the "Journal": The widow of the late Mr. John Peter Zenger, intending to continue Publishing the Paper, hopes that the Gentlemen who have been the Deceased's kind Benefactors will still continue to be such in encouraging the said Paper as before. They may still be supplied with all sorts of Blanks of any Kind, and all sorts of Printing-Work done reasonable and in the best Manner at the said Printing-Office in StoneStreet. Apparently Mrs. Zenger had an unscrupulous competitor, for in the following year she addressed her patrons thus: 1 This is to acquaint the Public that some Evil minded Persons have been pleased to spread a Report abroad that the Widow Zenger, Publisher of this Paper, had entirely dropped the Printing Business, &c. This is therefore to give Notice, that the said Report is Notoriously False, and that the said Widow still continues the Printing Business, where any Person may have their work done reasonable, in a good Manner, and with Expedition. Several pamphlets printed by Mrs. Zenger are in existence. In December, 1748, she resigned the printing business to her step-son, John Zenger, but 1 New York Journal, September 14, 1747. |