Mary Goddard 07-10-22
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Colorado State University, Global Campus *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
201
Subject
History
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by PresidentWasp3108
Introduction Mary Katherine Goddard became a successful businesswoman by supporting, and many times, enhancing the publishing businesses that her brother established. However, she is primarily known for being chosen to print the first copy of the Declaration of Independence which included all the names of the signers, a document that was to be distributed to all the colonies. Mary Goddard started her working career as a typesetter and printer in a business that was founded by her brother William in 1762, with the help of her mother in
Providence, Rhode Island. Mary’s brother started several businesses throughout his lifetime, many of which floundered due to his lack of professional expertise and drive. However, Mary was able to keep the Providence business going with the help of her mother, and it was during this time that Mary learned all of the intricate workings of the printing business and made a success out of the endeavor. However, due to her brother’s mismanagement, the business had to be sold, and because William was the stake holder of the business, there was no way that Mary could save the venture.
Constantly moving and starting new newspaper enterprises, William’s next printing venture was situated in Pennsylvania under the name of the “Pennsylvania Chronicle” Bigelow et. Al., (2000), which was also jointly run by Mary. Although the publication was a success, William, moved again to Baltimore in 1777, and after a while,
sold the Chronical to fund yet another paper business, where Mary again followed and helped start up the enterprise. Ever restless, William put Mary in charge of the operation, which became known as the “Maryland Journal”, and it was during this time when Mary was to influence the progression of the Revolutionary War of Indipendance.
Analysis In 1775, Mary had continued to publish the “Maryland Journal”, Maryland’s first
newspaper, which for many, became the voice of the revolution, by acquiring a reputation for printing only the true facts of the conflict and refusing to indulge in rumor-
mongering. This was made possible by the fact that during this period, Congress established a National Postal Service, which allowed the distribution of the paper to all the colonies, which propelled the paper into becoming the mouthpiece of the revolution. Under Mary’s management, the “Maryland Journal” established Mary’s reputation as a respected newspaperwoman of some repute (Britannica, 2022). The paper continued to
publish throughout the war, providing its readership with current, up-to-date, and factual news. The paper became such a dependable part of the information flow, that it actually influenced the course of the War of Independence (Bigelow et. Al. 2000). As a result of the paper’s success and influential contribution, Mary was recognized as an integral part of the flow of information, and the impact that she had on the outcome of the war. Her unbiased and factual reporting of events ensured that all the colonies were kept up to date on how the war was progressing and she was known for never shying away from posting the negative facts as well as the positive, which only
helped to cement her credibility among the readership. In 1775 she accepted the position of postmaster of Baltimore, the first woman in the United States to ever hold the
position (Bigelow et. Al. 2000).This appointment was in great part due to her recognition
for her role in providing the colonies with factual news during the war years and the impact that she had on the nation’s patriotism, and the will to win. In addition, in 1781, she published “An Almanac and Ephemeris”, which printed court sessions in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia She remained in Baltimore until her death in 1816 (Bigelow et. Al. 2000).
Conclusion
Mary Goddard became an influential American figure by both, being in the right place at the right time, as a newspaper reporter and printer, and by her credible and
forthright reporting of the facts during a time of great upheaval, namely the American War of Independence. The fact that a woman could raise to such esteem heights in a time when men dominated every field of commerce, politics and business, shows how remarkable her achievements and recognition had become. It is very doubtful that she would have made such a historic mark in the old world in cities such as London or Paris.
It was only in a place such as the American colonies, where such advances and recognition by a woman became possible. The fact that the reporting of a war by a woman was taken seriously, was an achievement that could have only happened at that
time in the American colonies. This kind of acceptance and change in protocol eventually became the hallmark of the New World, where anything was possible. However, some things took longer to change than others. The fact that Mary maintained
a slave up until her death betrays the fact that winning a war of freedom did not necessarily pertain to all of those who lived in colonial America, as the abolition of slavery would come years later. References:
Bigelow B., McConnell, S., A. & Schmittroth L. (2000), Goddard, Mary Katherine. American Revolution Reference Library (Vol. 1, pp. 173-177). UXL. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3411900030/UHIC?u=colstglobal HYPERLINK "https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3411900030/UHIC?u=colstglobal&sid=bookmark-
UHIC&xid=10217984"& HYPERLINK "https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3411900030/UHIC?u=colstglobal&sid=bookmark-
UHIC&xid=10217984"sid=bookmark-UHIC HYPERLINK
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
"https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3411900030/UHIC?u=colstglobal&sid=bookmark-
UHIC&xid=10217984"& HYPERLINK "https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3411900030/UHIC?u=colstglobal&sid=bookmark-
UHIC&xid=10217984"xid=10217984
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022). Mary Katherine Goddard. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Katherine-Goddard