University of Virginia Library

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NORTH CAROLINA.

Printing was introduced into this colony about 1755;
before that time, the necessary printing for the public was
principally done at Williamsburg, Virginia, and at Charleston,
South Carolina. There were only two presses in North
Carolina before 1775.

Newbern.

The first press established in the colony was set up at
Newbern, about twenty years before the revolution commenced.
Until that time, there was only one press in both
the Carolinas.

James Davis was the first printer in this colony. He
began his establishment in 1754, or 1755. He was, I believe,
from Virginia.

In December of the year last mentioned, he published a
newspaper. He received some encouragement from government,
and was appointed post master by Franklin and
Hunter.

Davis printed for the colony, and, in 1773, completed an
edition of the Laws of North Carolina. The volume is in
folio, and contains five hundred and eighty pages.

His printing appears to have been well executed; but
there was not much employment for his press before the
declaration of Independence.

He was a respectable man, and held a commission as a
magistrate, which I believe he received during the administration
of Governor Tryon.

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339

Wilmington.

The second press established in this colony, was set up
at Wilmington, near the close of the year 1763, or the beginning
of 1764, by

Andrew Steuart, who was from Ireland, as was mentioned
when he was taken notice of as a printer in Philadelphia,
where he had resided and printed several years.
He commenced the publication of a newspaper, but it was
soon discontinued. Although he had but few printing materials,
his printing shows tokens of a good workman.

On settling at Wilmington he was encouraged with a
share of the printing for government, and was patronized
by gentlemen of the first respectability in the colony; but
he soon lost their confidence, and fell into discredit. It
was said that he intercepted and opened some private
letters to a gentleman of distinction in the colony, and
made their contents known. Be this as it may, he no
longer received encouragement, and the work of the government
was taken from him, so that he was obliged to
discontinue his newspaper for the want of customers.

The end of Steuart was tragical. In 1769, he was drowned
in the river near his own residence, where he went to bathe.

[See Philadelphia.]

Adam Boyd was born in Great Britain. He was not
brought up to printing. In 1769 he purchased the press
and types which had been used by Steuart. Boyd was the
second person who printed in Wilmington; he published a
newspaper. It has been said that he possessed some
classical knowledge, which is not improbable; but his
printing was, certainly, that of an unskilful workman. In
1776, he exchanged the press for the pulpit.