University of Virginia Library

VIRGINIA.

Only two newspapers were published in Virginia before
1775. They were both printed at Williamsburg. The first,
which was under the influence of the governor, commenced
August, 1736. The second in 1766.[1]

The first public journal printed in the colony was entitled,

It appeared as early as the year 1736, on a half sheet
foolscap, and, occasionally, on a whole sheet, printed by
William Parks, who continued it until he died, in 1750.
Some months after his death the paper was discontinued.

This in fact was but a renewal of the first Gazette, which
had been a short time suspended, but it commenced with
No. 1. It was published weekly, on Monday, on a crown
sheet, folio, neatly printed, and had a cut of the Virginia
arms in the title. The first number was published in February,
1751. Imprint, "Williamsburg: Printed by William

Hunter, at the Post-Office, by whom persons may be
supplied with this paper. Advertisements of a moderate
length for Three shillings the first week, and Two shillings
each week after." In this Gazette were published, in
1757, many well written essays, under the signature of The
Virginia Centinel.

Hunter died in 1761. The Gazette was enlarged to a
demy size, and published by Joseph Royle; after whose
death it was carried on by Purdie and Dixon; who continued
it until the commencement of the war; and Purdie
alone published it several years during the revolutionary
contest.

This paper was first published in May, 1766, and continued
weekly, on Thursday. A cut of the arms of the
colony was in the title. It was well printed with new
types, on a demy sheet, folio. Imprint, "Williamsburgh:
Printed by William Rind, at the New Printing-Office, on
the Main Street. All Persons may be supplied with this
Gazette at 12∫6. per Year." At the end of the first year,
"Published by Authority" was omitted in the head of the
Gazette.

This paper was published by Rind until his death, which
happened on the 19th of August, 1773. Clementina Rind,
who was his widow, continued it after he died; and to her
succeeded John Pinckney, who also died soon after, and
the Gazette was discontinued.

This Gazette was first published in April, 1775, and
continued weekly, on Saturday, by John Clarkson and
Augustine Davis, at Williamsburg, several years.

Note.—A paper was printed at Norfolk in 1775, by John Hunter Holt,
whose press was carried off by a British force landed from war ships, in the
harbor, Sept. 30. See 4 Force's Archives, III, 847, 923, 1031.—M.