University of Virginia Library

Annapolis.

The first press was set up in that city, in 1726.[1] Before
that time the printing for the colony was done at Philadelphia,
by Andrew Bradford.

William Parks. The earliest book I have met with,
printed in Maryland is, A complete Collection of the Laws of
Maryland. Collected by Authority. This work is dedicated
to Lord Baltimore. Imprint—"Annapolis, Printed by
William Parks. 1727."

Parks began a newspaper either in 1727 or in 1728, most
probably the year last mentioned. This paper, it appears
from the best information, was carried on about eight
years, when it was discontinued, and Parks established
himself in Virginia. He had, in 1729, printed at Williamsburg,
the Laws of Virginia, etc. During several years he
printed for both colonies, and had a press in each.

About the year 1733, he quitted Maryland; and, some
time after, the government of the colony procured another
printer. By Keimer's account, the government of each

colony paid Parks a salary of two hundred pounds per
annum in country produce.[2]

Jonas Green was born in Boston; he was the son of
Timothy Green, who, in 1714, removed from Boston to
New London. The government of Maryland having
offered a generous consideration to a printer who would
establish a press in Annapolis, he closed with the proposal
and in 1740 opened a printing house in that city. He was
appointed printer for the colony, and had granted to him
an annual salary of 500l. currency. For this sum he printed
the laws as they were made from session to session, proclamations,
etc., he being paid the cost of paper used in
the work. In 1745 he began a newspaper which was continued
by his successors. He printed in 1755 a revised
edition of the Laws; and in 1765, Bacon's Laws of Maryland,
in a large folio volume. His printing was correct,
and few, if any, in the colonies exceeded him in the neatness
of his work. Green possessed handsome talents, was
respected for his conduct in private life, and, in the circle
of his acquaintance, was celebrated for his wit and urbanity.

A few years before he died he received William Rind
as a partner. The firm of the company was, Green &
Rind. In 1765, Rind removed to, and settled in, Virginia.

Green died April 7th, 1767, aged fifty-six years.

Anne Catharine Green, was born in Holland, and
came when an infant, with her parents, to Maryland. She
married Jonas Green; and, in 1767, succeeded him in his
business. She printed for the colony, and published the
Gazette. William Green, her son, became her partner in

1768; the firm was, Anne Catharine Green & Son. William
died in August 1770, and Anne Catharine continued
the business in her own name. She was the mother of
six sons and eight daughters. She died March 23, 1775,
aged forty-two years.

Frederick Green, the son of Jonas and Anne Catharine,
was born in Annapolis, and brought up to printing by his
father. He succeeded his mother as printer to the colony,
and in other business, in 1775; and about the year 1777
he entered into partnership with his brother Samuel,
under the firm of Frederick & Samuel Green. They
then printed, and kept the postoffice, "in Charles-Street."
They were the fifth generation of a regular descent of
printers in this country. Their great-great grandfather
began printing at Cambridge, Massachusetts, about 1649;
as has been mentioned in the account given of him and
his other descendants.

After the decease of Frederick and Samuel Green, the
business was continued by—Green, son of the last mentioned
Green, a great-great-great grandson of Samuel Green
printer in Cambridge.