Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Notes with reference to the building.

Virginia Gazette: Aug. 19, 1739- The printer of this paper keeps the post office in Williamsburg. (From M. F. Goodwin's Notes- Book II, Va. Gaz. p2, ¶1.)

Will & Inventory Book 21: 264- May 1766- The will of Joseph Royle leaves a house and lots where he now lives, 4 lots # 266, 267, 288, 700 with all tenements, and appurtenances thereto belonging to his son: Alexander Purdie, his partner being guardian. (See extract from will of Wm. Hunter leaving house in which Gazette is printed to Royle- under Notes with reference to location.)

Mr. Charles Recollections, p. 44, 45: "To the east of the house just described" (house just described on southwest corner of square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Nicholson, Colonial and Botetourt Sts., facing on Duke of Gloucester) "and separated from it by a narrow alley was a very old story and a half from house with dormer windows and two door opening on Duke of Gloucester St. and on a level with it. Tradition has it, and it seems now to be regarded as an established fact, that the first newspaper to publish the Declaration of Independence was printed in this house. The front doors were on a level with the street, and the back door was about ten feet from the ground. At this point the back-bone of this peninsula seems to have been intersected by a ravine running north and south, as it is plainly seen that Duke of Gloucester Street is filled in here, and a retaining wall built…"

p. 28, ¶ 1. "Afterward it was used as a printing office from which the Virginia Gazette was published by Benj. Long." (This refers to the kitchen of the Armistead House, now the Architects' Office".

p. 29, ¶ 3- "In the shed room of the house" (Mr. Cole's newsshop) "the Va. Gazette was once published". Mr. Kiblet's article on the Printing Office- published in the Richmond News Leader-

"The site of the first printing office on the south is marked by a ruined basement in an old ravine which once extended across the town southward almost to Francis St. The three sides of the old wall standing are the remains of the old foundation of a large modern mercantile building destroyed by fire about 1921.

"The old "First Printing Office" was a small, one-and-a-half story frame building which burned in March 1696. Its exact location was on the western portion of the site this old basement occupies and beyond it, on the right of the picture. The old retaining wall along the street is built of oyster shell mortar…

"William Parks had lived twelve years in Maryland before establishing his print shop here as a branch of his enterprise at Annapolis, which he moved entirely to Williamsburg about 175?. Ten years previously he had proposed to print the Acts of the Virginia Assembly. The year 1730 was the date of his first printing in Williamsburg. In 1752 the assembly allowed him 120 pounds salary...He continued to print the Acts of the legislature until his death in 1750…

"Parks, dying while on a voyage to England, left a daughter who became the wife of John Shelton of Hanover Co. and mother-in-law of Patrick Henry. He was succeeded in the printing of the Gazette by William Hunter, who resumed publication in February, 1751...The Virginia Gazette was the first newspaper to publish the full text of the Declaration of Independence. The publishers were John Dixon & William Hunter, Jr. In April, 1780, the Gazette was moved to Richmond…"

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William and Mary Quarterly, 1st Series- Vol. 7, p. 15. Dr. Tyler wrote in 1898- "Upon lot #48 on the Main Street was Wm. Hunter's frame residence of a story and a half, and a small printing office (the old printing office was standing as late as 1896 when the square of old houses in which they stood was wholly destroyed by fire)."

(With reference to location.)

Virginia Gazette- March 20, 1746- Edmund Pendleton is to be found during General Court at Mrs. Packe's next door to the Printing Office- (M. F. Goodwin's notes, V. II, p. 3, ¶ 6, Va. Gazette.)

Wills & Inventories- Book 20,:183, 1750
Will of Wm. Parker leaves estate to his daughter Eleanor Shelton "it is my desire that my wife Eleanor Parkes and my son-in-law, John Shelton do carry on and complete printing the laws of Virginia, and that the accounts now open between Mrs. Sarah Packe and me be settled". Mr. Packe owns the adjoining lot #49. (From M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Wills, p. 5, ¶5.)

Virginia Gazette, Feb. 7, 1751- To be sold at auction March next, the Printing Office, outhouses and lot lately belonging to Mr. Wm. Parkes, Duke of Gloucester St. (From M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 40, ¶ 5.)

Virginia Gazette, Oct. 6, 1752- James Carter advertises drugs in his shop next to the printing office (N. B. the Unicorn's Horn -G-) (From M. G. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 10, ¶ 9.)

Virginia Gazette- March 12, 1753- All gentlemen who will favor me with their company may depend on good entertainment at the Crown Tavern opposite the printing office in Williamsburg- Wm. Dunn- (From M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gaz. p. 10, ¶ 8.)

Virginia Gazette- Nov. 7, 1754- New lot of goods to be sold in their store next door to the printing office- Wm. Dickenson & Co. (M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p.6, ¶ 1.)

Wills & Inventories, Book 21; 70, 1762- The will of Wm. Hunter asks his executors to enter into partnership with Joseph Royle now living with him to carry on the Printing office; his land, printing office and lots are left to Royle and his son Wm. Hunter…"also my house and lots in Williamsburg where my printing office is now kept." (M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Wills, p. 10, ¶ 2.)

Virginia Gazette, Feb. 12, 1762. For sale, next door to the printing office at the sign of the Rhinoceros, fresh drugs, etc. by George Piges or Pies. (M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Virginia Gazette. p. 7, ¶ 3.)

Virginia Gazette, May 16, 1766- Wm. Rind advertises another paper to be published in Williamsburg and opened another printing office- (M. F. G. Notes, Va. Gazette. p. 7, ¶ 9.)

Virginia Gazette- July 4, 1766- Sermons to be sold at Mr. Holt's office next door to the Printing Office. (Va. Gazette. p. 7, ¶ 12, M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II.)

Virginia Gazette- Sept. 10, 1767- Wm. Waddill opens a shop next door below the old printing office, sells tableware. (M. F. Goodwin's notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 9, ¶ 16.)

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Virginia Gazette: April 7, 1768- Walter Lenox, peruke maker has moved to the house known by the name of the Red Lion next door above Mr. Rind's printing office. (From M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 11, ¶ 7.)

Virginia Gazette: March 28, 1777- Dry goods for sale at the brick house next door above Mr. Purdie's Printing Office. (From M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 34, ¶ 12.)

Virginia Gazette: Dec. 5, 1777- To be sold or rented, a dwelling house adjoining Dixon &Hunter's Printing office with good garden. (From M. F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 35, ¶ 7.)

Virginia Gazette: Nov. 27, 1779- To let the house next the printing office... (M. F. G. Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 36, ¶ 13.)

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The Virginia Gazette was published first by Wm. Parks, from Annapolis, Md. from 1736 to 1750, when he died. After a short suspension it was revived in 1751 by Wm. Hunter, who died in 1761. Jos. Royle published it until 1765, when after a brief suspension it was revived by Purdie and Dixon, 1765-74. Purdie withdrew in this year, 1774, and published a Gazette of his own, and his place was taken on the first paper by Wm. Hunter, Jr. until 1777, when he withdrew, and his place was taken by Nicholas. Dixon and Nicholas were the editors when the paper, in 1780 was moved to Richmond, and there printed for a number of years. Wm. Rind, at the solicitation of Jefferson and others, printed an independent paper in Williamsburg from 1766 to his death in 1773, when the paper was continued under his wife and Pinckney until 1775. Thus for a time there were three Gazettes printed in Williamsburg.

The histories of the Gazettes can be gotten from the Virginia Historical Magazine IX:9, and William and Mary Quarterly, VII: 12-16 (both in the William and Mary College Library.)

According to Dr. Tyler's gleanings from the old York Records, the first printing office was on lot #48 in the old town plan.

(From Mary F. Goodwin's Notes, Book II, Va. Gazette. p. 1-A, ¶ 2.)

PRINTING OFFICE

This is a very interesting account. I remember the block of houses, and Mr. Charles' account seems very accurate.

Mrs. Sarah Packe was the wife of Capt. Graves Packe, and after his death married Dr. George Pitt. Graves Packe, son of Dr. Graves Packe, was drowned in 1765.

See William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. VII, Page 11, Note.

Town Plan of 1790